Help Me Plan My Ireland Golf Trip For 2027

[Chanceman]

There is no Royal Portstewart as far as I know but there is a Royal Tara. Has anyone played it? Green fee 50 euro! Looks like it is close to the ancient Hill of Tara just north of Dublin. I’ve been up there, it’s very windy and they say you can see every county in ireland. 

[Schley]

On 12/7/2024 at 6:50 PM, EmperorPenguin said:

I will be hosting three guests to come with me, all expenses paid except dinners and hotel incidentals.  I fear left-lane driving, so I want a driver and a suitable van.  This is the one we used for our Scotland II trip last year.  It seats eight comfortably, and comes with a refrigerator, snacks and WiFi.

You are going first class indeed. I don't like to drive on the left either, so always look for a way around that. A potential risk of doing one long trip with the group is if someone gets injured, sick etc. during the trip, you are basically out of luck and blowing $. Trip insurance can cover some of this ahead of time, but during a trip to Australia for 13 days one guy had to take 3 days off due to his knee.

 

We are mortal and there is a physical toll to be paid for walking every day (maybe 36) and golfing. I don't know your group's demographics, but something to consider. Breaking it into two trips could mitigate some of that. Instead of one 20 day trip, take two 10 day trips.

[EmperorPenguin]

I notice that Chanceman listed that Royal Portrush has two courses worth playing, and the same for Ballyliffin.  Can anyone tell me about these four courses?

[El Gringo]

I can say that Portush’s Valley Links was once arguably one of the best courses in NI. I haven’t been back since a few key holes were given over to the Dunluce. There has been at least one more round of serious work done to the course since the loss of the two holes. The fees have sky rocketed as well. I suspect the course remains good, but likely not as good as it once was. 

[jvincent]

1 hour ago, EmperorPenguin said:

I notice that Chanceman listed that Royal Portrush has two courses worth playing, and the same for Ballyliffin.  Can anyone tell me about these four courses?

 

I haven't played Portrush but was at Ballyliffin in April. We played both courses (Glashedy and Old) the same day.

 

Both courses are traditional Irish links. By that I mean that the fairways are, for the most part, bordered by dunes. The dunes at Ballyliffin aren't the highest in Ireland, but still pretty dramatic. 

 

Glashedy is the "big" course and has hosted the Irish Open. It is longer than the Old and if memory serves has more bunkering. Our group had a lot of fun at both courses. Depending on which direction the hole is playing there is either the ocean or hills in the background. It's a great piece of property. 

[EmperorPenguin]

So far I am considering these options.

Northern Half:  Royal County Down, Ardglass, Royal Portrush (which one?), Port Stewart, Castlerock, Ballyliffin (which one?), St. Patrick's Links, Enniscrone, County Sligo (Rosse's Point) and Carne (Wild Atlantic Dunes).

Southern Half: The Island, Portmarnock, The European Club, Old Head, Waterville, Dooks, Tralee, Ballybunion, Adare Manor and Lahinch.

As you can see, both halves start approximately at Dublin and proceed westward and hopefully we can depart from Shannon Airport.  I think I want to balance out both trips to ten courses each.  The southern half seems to me like a good selection, but the northern half has two extra courses I may want to skip just for the sake of keeping ten.  For my consideration of my northern half, which two courses, if any, would you skip?  So far, I am leaning on playing only the premier courses of Royal Portrush and Ballyliffin.

[EmperorPenguin]

I read in a Wiki article that in many southern parts of Eire, June is the driest month.  So for now, I think I will go southern half first, then we come home to relax and recoup, then after a couple months we go back in August to enjoy the northern half of the island.  I think this is my best chance to avoid rain coming sideways?

[Chanceman]

That’s a pretty darn good itinerary. Re Portrush you would probably want to play the main course ie Dunluce as it’s the first or second best course in NI and is the Open venue. As for Ballyliffin, I only know the Glashedy which has held the Irish Open but the Old has a solid reputation . 
While at Carne you might want play all 27 holes. It’s just spectacular.

[st1800e]

48 minutes ago, Chanceman said:

That’s a pretty darn good itinerary. Re Portrush you would probably want to play the main course ie Dunluce as it’s the first or second best course in NI and is the Open venue. As for Ballyliffin, I only know the Glashedy which has held the Irish Open but the Old has a solid reputation . 
While at Carne you might want play all 27 holes. It’s just spectacular.

I played all 4 in ‘23.  Certainly Dunluce over the Valley.  If I went back I’d pass on the Valley.  Both are good at Ballyliffin , but to pick one it would be Glashedy.   

[EmperorPenguin]

10 hours ago, Chanceman said:

That’s a pretty darn good itinerary. Re Portrush you would probably want to play the main course ie Dunluce as it’s the first or second best course in NI and is the Open venue. As for Ballyliffin, I only know the Glashedy which has held the Irish Open but the Old has a solid reputation . 
While at Carne you might want play all 27 holes. It’s just spectacular.

27 holes at Carne?  That may be a good idea, but is that pricing available for 27 holes there?  I did not even know there are 27 holes there.

[cardoustie]

I enjoyed Giant’s Causeway 

[st1800e]

1 hour ago, EmperorPenguin said:

27 holes at Carne?  That may be a good idea, but is that pricing available for 27 holes there?  I did not even know there are 27 holes there.

Yes, the 3rd nine is quite different than the prime 18. Some good holes, not all though.  Fun to play but if I went back I’d pass.  If it doesn’t hamper your travel plans, play it.   

[Chanceman]

5 hours ago, st1800e said:

Yes, the 3rd nine is quite different than the prime 18. Some good holes, not all though.  Fun to play but if I went back I’d pass.  If it doesn’t hamper your travel plans, play it.   

I think all 27 are worth playing if you are there for the day. It’s rock’n’roll golf all the way around. 

[EmperorPenguin]

So deciding on the itineraries, I wonder if they will be easy to plan because aren't some of those courses private clubs and visitors can only play on certain days?  If so, the booking must be very hectic and confusing, and they must also be booked a year or so in advance.

[jvincent]

2 hours ago, EmperorPenguin said:

So deciding on the itineraries, I wonder if they will be easy to plan because aren't some of those courses private clubs and visitors can only play on certain days?  If so, the booking must be very hectic and confusing, and they must also be booked a year or so in advance.

 

Yes. Some of the courses have specific days of the week/times for visitors.

 

I know that Royal Portrush and RCD are taking bookings from tour operators now for 2026. They open to the general public in Mar/April next year for bookings.

[EmperorPenguin]

On 12/17/2024 at 6:14 PM, jvincent said:

 

Yes. Some of the courses have specific days of the week/times for visitors.

 

I know that Royal Portrush and RCD are taking bookings from tour operators now for 2026. They open to the general public in Mar/April next year for bookings.

I did not know that tour operators have an advantage over the general public.  Since I am planning early, I will have to select a good tour operator to have the advantage of early booking.  I have a guy who runs a tour business, but I will ask him now if he has early access to those times at the courses you mentioned.

[jvincent]

8 hours ago, EmperorPenguin said:

I did not know that tour operators have an advantage over the general public.  Since I am planning early, I will have to select a good tour operator to have the advantage of early booking.  I have a guy who runs a tour business, but I will ask him now if he has early access to those times at the courses you mentioned.

 

I assumed that the tour operators had early access, but I was surprised it was this much in advance. I know that the popular courses take bookings well in advance which is why I reached out to Portrush and RCD early to see when general public has access.

 

We are only a foursome so it probably won't be too bad for us but some of the tour operators bring pretty large groups. 

[El Gringo]

You really should decide which courses are the lynchpins of the trip and build out from there with an open mind about what and when makes sense. Otherwise you could find yourself doing extra driving on an already drive heavy trip. Unnecessary windshield time is no bueno.

[hammergolf]

On 12/18/2024 at 11:26 PM, EmperorPenguin said:

I did not know that tour operators have an advantage over the general public.  Since I am planning early, I will have to select a good tour operator to have the advantage of early booking.  I have a guy who runs a tour business, but I will ask him now if he has early access to those times at the courses you mentioned.

Tour operators don’t necessarily get an early booking advantage “per se”, but some have the ability to get on the waiting list for times before the courses officially open bookings to the public. 

[hammergolf]

13 hours ago, El Gringo said:

You really should decide which courses are the lynchpins of the trip and build out from there with an open mind about what and when makes sense. Otherwise you could find yourself doing extra driving on an already drive heavy trip. Unnecessary windshield time is no bueno.

Agreed, and definitely good advice. So many people try to cram as many courses as possible into a trip. That ends up exhausting them and spending most of their trip in a van on the road, instead of spending more time getting a better feel for the courses and enjoying the food, culture, and the craic of the Irish people. My thoughts on trips to Ireland is “less is more”. Rather than trying to play too many courses, it tends to be better to stage in a region and play all the grea courses that are there. In fact I recommend playing some of courses a couple times as it’s much more fun having a feel for the course on the second round. The overwhelming majority of guys who go to Ireland, IMMEDIATELY want to come back again! In fact I took some guys over in August and they already are planning a return trip. 
 

12 days in County Clare and County Kerry

2 rounds at Lahinch

1 round at Doonbeg

2 rounds at Ballybunion

1 round at Adare Manor

2 rounds at Tralee

1 round at Dooks or Old Head

2 rounds at Waterville

 

10 days in County Mayo and County Sligo 

2 rounds at Carne

2 rounds at Enniscrone 

2 rounds at Connemara 

2 rounds at County Sligo

2 rounds at Donegal (technically County Donegal but only 40 minutes from Sligo)

 

!0 days in County Donegal

2 rounds at Narin & Portnoo

1 round at Cruitt Island

2 rounds at St. Pats

2 round at Old Tom

2 round Sandy Hills

1 round at Portsalon

 

10 days in Northern Ireland/North Ireland

2 rounds at RCD

1 round at Ardglass

2 rounds at Portrush 

2 rounds at Portstewart  

2 rounds at Ballyliffin Glashedy 

1 round at Ballyliffin Old Links

 

10 days Dublin

2 rounds The Island

2 rounds Portmarnock

2 rounds Druids Glen

2 rounds The European Club

2 rounds Baltray

‘Any of these would be amazing trips. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Chanceman]

3 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Agreed, and definitely good advice. So many people try to cram as many courses as possible into a trip. That ends up exhausting them and spending most of their trip in a van on the road, instead of spending more time getting a better feel for the courses and enjoying the food, culture, and the craic of the Irish people. My thoughts on trips to Ireland is “less is more”. Rather than trying to play too many courses, it tends to be better to stage in a region and play all the grea courses that are there. In fact I recommend playing some of courses a couple times as it’s much more fun having a feel for the course on the second round. The overwhelming majority of guys who go to Ireland, IMMEDIATELY want to come back again! In fact I took some guys over in August and they already are planning a return trip. 
 

12 days in County Clare and County Kerry

2 rounds at Lahinch

1 round at Doonbeg

2 rounds at Ballybunion

1 round at Adare Manor

2 rounds at Tralee

1 round at Dooks or Old Head

2 rounds at Waterville

 

10 days in County Mayo and County Sligo 

2 rounds at Carne

2 rounds at Enniscrone 

2 rounds at Connemara 

2 rounds at County Sligo

2 rounds at Donegal (technically County Donegal but only 40 minutes from Sligo)

 

!0 days in County Donegal

2 rounds at Narin & Portnoo

1 round at Cruitt Island

2 rounds at St. Pats

2 round at Old Tom

2 round Sandy Hills

1 round at Portsalon

 

10 days in Northern Ireland/North Ireland

2 rounds at RCD

1 round at Ardglass

2 rounds at Portrush 

2 rounds at Portstewart  

2 rounds at Ballyliffin Glashedy 

1 round at Ballyliffin Old Links

 

10 days Dublin

2 rounds The Island

2 rounds Portmarnock

2 rounds Druids Glen

2 rounds The European Club

2 rounds Baltray

‘Any of these would be amazing trips. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 rounds at Castlerock should be included in the Northern Ireland sector. But that would mean punting Ballyliffin to Donegal where it actually is. Hard to fit them all I guess.

[hammergolf]

1 hour ago, Chanceman said:

2 rounds at Castlerock should be included in the Northern Ireland sector. But that would mean punting Ballyliffin to Donegal where it actually is. Hard to fit them all I guess.

Ballyliffin is closer to Portrush and Portstewart than the Rosapenna courses so I use that more than the actual county it is.

[EmperorPenguin]

5 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Agreed, and definitely good advice. So many people try to cram as many courses as possible into a trip. That ends up exhausting them and spending most of their trip in a van on the road, instead of spending more time getting a better feel for the courses and enjoying the food, culture, and the craic of the Irish people. My thoughts on trips to Ireland is “less is more”. Rather than trying to play too many courses, it tends to be better to stage in a region and play all the grea courses that are there. In fact I recommend playing some of courses a couple times as it’s much more fun having a feel for the course on the second round. The overwhelming majority of guys who go to Ireland, IMMEDIATELY want to come back again! In fact I took some guys over in August and they already are planning a return trip. 
 

12 days in County Clare and County Kerry

2 rounds at Lahinch

1 round at Doonbeg

2 rounds at Ballybunion

1 round at Adare Manor

2 rounds at Tralee

1 round at Dooks or Old Head

2 rounds at Waterville

 

10 days in County Mayo and County Sligo 

2 rounds at Carne

2 rounds at Enniscrone 

2 rounds at Connemara 

2 rounds at County Sligo

2 rounds at Donegal (technically County Donegal but only 40 minutes from Sligo)

 

!0 days in County Donegal

2 rounds at Narin & Portnoo

1 round at Cruitt Island

2 rounds at St. Pats

2 round at Old Tom

2 round Sandy Hills

1 round at Portsalon

 

10 days in Northern Ireland/North Ireland

2 rounds at RCD

1 round at Ardglass

2 rounds at Portrush 

2 rounds at Portstewart  

2 rounds at Ballyliffin Glashedy 

1 round at Ballyliffin Old Links

 

10 days Dublin

2 rounds The Island

2 rounds Portmarnock

2 rounds Druids Glen

2 rounds The European Club

2 rounds Baltray

‘Any of these would be amazing trips.

I am sure they would be amazing trips.  However, these smaller bites of Eire allude to a common problem with Irish golf: remote golf courses.  Unlike Scotland, where nearly every course is near a major city where there is much to do, the problem with Ireland, I understand, is that courses are farther away from hub cities, with more traveling time necessary to go to a course.  In short, more of a logistic nightmare.  I and my guests would not mind sitting in a van for ninety minutes or so, since our banter en route is usually so fun and entertaining anyway.

 

The thought in my mind is to get Ireland out of the way in one year because I like Scotland so much, but who knows?  I might fall in love with the emerald isle and my opinion may change.

Edited December 21, 2024 by EmperorPenguin

[hammergolf]

1 minute ago, EmperorPenguin said:

I am sure they would be amazing trips.  However, these smaller bites of Eire allude to a common problem with Irish golf: remote golf courses.  Unlike Scotland, where nearly every course is near a major city where there is much to do, the problem with Ireland, I understand, is that courses are farther away from hub cities, with more traveling time necessary to go to a course.  In short, more of a logistic nightmare.  I and my guests would not mind sitting in a van for ninety minutes or so, since our banter en route is usually so fun and entertaining anyway.

No doubt the courses are more remote and spread out in Ireland.

[Chanceman]

51 minutes ago, hammergolf said:

Ballyliffin is closer to Portrush and Portstewart than the Rosapenna courses so I use that more than the actual county it is.

Ok Marginally. But the point remains that Castlerock is definitely worth inclusion in any NI rota. It also has a decent 9 holer.

[hammergolf]

3 minutes ago, Chanceman said:

Ok Marginally. But the point remains that Castlerock is definitely worth inclusion in any NI rota. It also has a decent 9 holer.

I’ve played it, but for me I would play a second round at Portstewart, Portrush, or Ballyliffin. Although the Bann 9 is loads of fun.

[AltC]

On 12/21/2024 at 8:28 AM, EmperorPenguin said:

I am sure they would be amazing trips.  However, these smaller bites of Eire allude to a common problem with Irish golf: remote golf courses.  Unlike Scotland, where nearly every course is near a major city where there is much to do, the problem with Ireland, I understand, is that courses are farther away from hub cities, with more traveling time necessary to go to a course.  In short, more of a logistic nightmare.  I and my guests would not mind sitting in a van for ninety minutes or so, since our banter en route is usually so fun and entertaining anyway.

 

The thought in my mind is to get Ireland out of the way in one year because I like Scotland so much, but who knows?  I might fall in love with the emerald isle and my opinion may change.

You will no doubt fall in love with the Emerald Isle - and it’s great golf courses. However don’t try and do too much too quickly - chill and feel the place and the craic of the locality and the local pubs etc. there is no fast track to enjoying Ireland. Hope you enjoy your golf.

[El Gringo]

On my last two trips to Ireland the concentration has been on Donegal/NI. We took the ferry from Birkenhead both times. On the first trip we played Delamere Forest on the way up and then JCB on the second trip. Once in Ireland

 

Trip 1

 

Played Malone because it’s near the port for an early AM game and I wanted to tour around Van Morrison haunts while in Belfast. 
 

Played three days at Rosapenna mainly focused on St Pat’s. But also played OTM and Sandy Hills. 
 

The 4th day I snuck away to avoid rain and see a gem of a course…Otway. Worked perfectly as I was able to get back to Rosapenna and sneak in the front 9 of OTM before retreating to the bar to watch Gaelic sport with locals.

 

Played Portstewart on way back to ferry. 
 

Trip 2 

 

Played Co Down Annesley off the ferry. 
 

Three days at Rosapenna mainly focused on Sandy Hills, but played all three courses. 
 

Played Cruit

 

Played Dunfanaghy

 

Played Gweedore

 

Played Bann 9 and Bushfoot on way back to the ferry. 
 

To be honest, I think my three favourites are Otway, Cruit and Bann…all 9 holers. Otway was a huge surprise. 
 

Maybe next time back I will try for Ballyliffin Old. Would like to see Portsalon and Narin & Portnoo again, but I need a deal…not gonna pay full whack. Same goes Portrush for and Co Down. Ballycastle looks improved with fairly recent work, but not sure I want to pay that much. North West looks interesting, but above my pay grade. I need deals…this is why I have been to Rosapenna four times…good deals. 

[Chanceman]

8 hours ago, El Gringo said:

On my last two trips to Ireland the concentration has been on Donegal/NI. We took the ferry from Birkenhead both times. On the first trip we played Delamere Forest on the way up and then JCB on the second trip. Once in Ireland

 

Trip 1

 

Played Malone because it’s near the port for an early AM game and I wanted to tour around Van Morrison haunts while in Belfast. 
 

Played three days at Rosapenna mainly focused on St Pat’s. But also played OTM and Sandy Hills. 
 

The 4th day I snuck away to avoid rain and see a gem of a course…Otway. Worked perfectly as I was able to get back to Rosapenna and sneak in the front 9 of OTM before retreating to the bar to watch Gaelic sport with locals.

 

Played Portstewart on way back to ferry. 
 

Trip 2 

 

Played Co Down Annesley off the ferry. 
 

Three days at Rosapenna mainly focused on Sandy Hills, but played all three courses. 
 

Played Cruit

 

Played Dunfanaghy

 

Played Gweedore

 

Played Bann 9 and Bushfoot on way back to the ferry. 
 

To be honest, I think my three favourites are Otway, Cruit and Bann…all 9 holers. Otway was a huge surprise. 
 

Maybe next time back I will try for Ballyliffin Old. Would like to see Portsalon and Narin & Portnoo again, but I need a deal…not gonna pay full whack. Same goes Portrush for and Co Down. Ballycastle looks improved with fairly recent work, but not sure I want to pay that much. North West looks interesting, but above my pay grade. I need deals…this is why I have been to Rosapenna four times…good deals. 

Wonderful trips.

Did you stop off at Ardglass for a couple of jars of mussels and some potted herrings?
And I hope the Craic was good. 

[El Gringo]

12 hours ago, Chanceman said:

Wonderful trips.

Did you stop off at Ardglass for a couple of jars of mussels and some potted herrings?
And I hope the Craic was good. 

The street sign looks familiar 😎. No stops at Ardglass. Too pricey for me…never played. I have heard mixed reports about the course to be honest. 

Edited December 23, 2024 by El Gringo