Golf Ireland - Sample Itineraries

Northwest Classic Links

Tour length: 11 days
Number of courses: 10 courses
Number of accommodations: 5

Day 0 Depart the U.S for your overnight flight to Ireland.

Day 1 Arrive Shannon Airport early morning. Board your luxury motor vehicle and travel to Lahinch. Check into your accommodation. Take in a round of golf at the Old Course in Lahinch. The world-famous links at Lahinch need no introduction. The Old Course is perhaps the most appealing blend of challenge and setting in Ireland. You will also you have the option of doing some sightseeing. The majestic Cliffs of Moher stand on the edge of Ireland with the Atlantic crashing on the rocks 700 feet below and look out on the Aran Islands in the distance.

Day 2 Check out of your accommodation. Golf today is at Connemara Links. Another remote Atlantic location, this time in the South Western corner of County Galway. Connemara (also known as Ballyconneely) is another world-class links. After your round continue on to Westport for your overnight accommodation.

Day 3 Check out of your accommodation today and travel to Carne Golf Links for your next round. On the remote Belmullet peninsula, in the Northwestern corner of County Mayo, the links at Carne (host to Belmullet Golf Club) is without doubt one of the great links courses in the world. Its remote location is a possible reason why this course is relatively unknown, but for any discerning links golfer it is simply unmissable. After golf travel to Sligo for your next overnight.

Day 5 Your round today at Enniscrone completes the hat-trick of top-rated 'hidden' links courses in the Western region. Course modifications completed in 2001 have elevated this links to a peer level with Carne and Connemara. From the 1st, where an approach shot is played to an elevated green camped between the high sand dunes, Enniscrone continues to present a fine and varied selection of links holes. Overnight Sligo.

Day 6 Golf today is at Rosses Point. County Sligo Golf Club is one of Ireland's great championship links located on the Rosses Point peninsula, 6km from Sligo. Established in 1894, the present championship links was designed in 1927 by the famous golfing architect, Harry S. Colt, with a variety of holes to create a test for the very best golfers. Overnight Sligo.

Day 7 Check out of your accommodation. Golf today at Donegal Links. A massive links (7,300 yard from the tips) isolated between a forest and the wild Atlantic, Donegal is a beguiling challenge—the peace and serenity belying the daunting nature of the links. A Eddie Hackett design, Donegal will probably beat you up and invite you back. Continue on to your next overnight in Derry.

Day 8 Enjoy a round today at Rosapenna. Originally laid out by Tom Morris and later improved by James Braid and Harry Vardon, Rospenna is a charming links. The first ten holes play along Sheephaven Bay between the beach and a range of tall sand dunes. The last eight play inland and uphill in meadow where the high grounds present distracting and delightful views. Overnight Derry.

Day 9 Play Ballyliffin Links, 18 holes of links golf at its finest. Just 26 miles from Derry, Ballyliffin is only 20 miles from the most Northerly point in Ireland. Ballyliffin's Old course is sublime—a terrific links of the truer kind where the luck of the bounce plays as much a part as good striking. The more recent Glashedy course is even better. Overnight Derry.

Day 10 Golf today is at the excellent Royal Portrush. Host course to the 2004 Senior British Open (which was also held here from 1994-1999), Royal Portrush is consistently ranked as one of the world's greatest golf courses. The dramatic sea views should not (but do!) divert one's attention from the serious challenge posed by the 6,900 yards. Overnight Derry.

Day 11 Depart your accommodation and travel down to Newcastle to play Royal County Down. This course is consistently rated as one of the world's best courses. The main challenge is to find a line from the tee and to then hit it straight. You miss the fairways here at your peril. Overnight Newcastle.

Day 12 Sadly your tour has come to end. After breakfast we will transfer to the Dublin Airport where there is time for duty-free shopping before boarding your return flight.