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A wealth of courses all across Ireland
While Scotland lays claim to be the home of golf, Ireland is a close runner-up as regards great courses. This is the cradle that produced Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Graeme McDowell and Rory McIlroy – all winners of Majors. You too, can play these courses. Unlike the US, all courses are accessible – there are no purely private clubs.
Choose an area in Ireland – North, South, East, West – and you will find a wealth of courses. There are the world-famous – Ballybunion, Royal County Down, Lahinch and Royal Portrush, to name but 4 – but there are many other challenges for you, some of which you may not have heard of, but which nevertheless will give you a great day’s golf.
We have 25% of the world’s links courses but we would counsel against an all-links itinerary. It can be very taxing and including one or two parkland courses will provide some relief from the wind. They also closely resemble what you normally play at home.
England & Scotland: through our associates and good friends in Southport Golf, we can offer the three Open courses of Royal Birkdale, Lytham & St Anne’s and Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) plus a host of other top class courses in the north west of England. In Scotland, our friends in C T Executive Travel of St Andrews offer the entire range of great Scottish links courses including the Open venues at St Andrews, Carnoustie, Muirfield, Turnberry and Troon.
Sample Tours
Take a look at some of our sample tours to see an example of what you might expect on a Lynchpin Scenic Tour
Sample Tour
North & Northwest Tour
Day One - County Louth
Arrive in Dublin and transfer 30 miles northwards to the excellent links at County Louth where Shane Lowry won the Irish Open as an amateur. Wonderfully natural links at the mouth of the River Boyne with two cracking short holes. Transfer across the border to your hotel in Newcastle, Co Down.
Day Two - Royal Co Down
Play the world ranked no.2 (or 3 or 4 depending on the list) Royal Co Down, scene of the 2007 Walker Cup and the 2012 Irish Open (subject to availability). RCD is above and beyond anything you can imagine – they have “bunkers with attitude.” Then transfer to Belfast to a three or four star hotel, surrounded by excellent restaurants and pubs – you’ll be needing these.
Day Three - Royal Portrush
Travel further north (just over an hour) to the end of Ireland: Portrush, home of the 2019 British Open: Royal Portrush. The Dunluce course is a wonderful Harry Colt creation and the two new holes have added greatly to its quality. Play Dunluce and then check in to another comfortable three star hotel for two nights.
Day Four - Castlerock
One of the most under-rated links courses in Ireland, the Mussenden course at Castlerock is a genuine test of skill. From the par 3 fourth with OB on either side to the ski slope approach to the 18th, Castlerock demands that you think about every shot – and offers you in return the most magnificent panorama of three separate countries from the 17th tee.
Day Five - Old Course or Glashedy
A day excursion over the border to play either the Old Course or Glashedy at Ballyliffin in Co Donegal: both superb links courses.
Day Six - Royal Belfast
Return to Belfast for travel home or extend your holiday by a day or two to play other excellent N.I. courses such as Royal Belfast or Ardglass.
What courses do you want to play?
Sample Tour
The Wild West Tour
Day One - Galway Bay
Arrive Dublin at breakfast time and transfer to Galway city, approx. 2-3 hours journey time. Play Galway Bay GC. Check into the four star Park House (beside the railway station) in the city centre. Dinner, bed and breakfast.
Day Two - Connemara
Travel west for about 2 hours till you finally come to the Eddie Hackett wonder which is Connemara GC at Ballyconeely. A fabulous place on the edge of the world. Afterwards, short transfer to the last of the great Irish country house hotels – Renvyle. DBB at Renvyle.
Day Three - Westport
Transfer to Westport, capital of the Far West. Drive through the spectacular scenery of the Connemara National park for golf at Westport GC. A good par 73 parkland course with superb views across Clew Bay. Overnight at the four star Westport Woods.
Day Four - Carne
Transfer along the coast thru the nothingness that is Mayo to the end of the world: Belmullet. Play the absolutely wonderful Carne. The first nine are tough enough – the second nine are off the planet. Then drive along the coast to Enniscrone for DBB at the Diamond Cost Hotel.
Day Five - Enniscrone
Play Enniscrone, another wonderful links course. Then on eastwards to Sligo for two nights at the Radisson Blu Hotel, located between the town and Rosses Point.
Day Six - County Sligo
Play County Sligo aka Rosses Point. Home of the West Of Ireland championship, just stunning.
Day Seven - Donegal
Play Donegal GC, a very challenging and much under-rated track north of Sligo. After golf, transfer to Dublin airport hotel.
What courses do you want to play?
Sample Tour
South West Tour
Day One - Killarney
Arrive Dublin or Shannon a m. Transfer to Killarney to your base Killeen House Hotel. One of Killarney’s best family run hotels.
Day Two - Mahony's Point
Play the oldest of Killarney’s courses – Mahony’s Point. The view of the lake and mountains is stunning (rain permitting..)
Day Three - Ballybunion Old
Play Ballybunion Old, one of the all-time classic Irish links, much beloved of Tom Watson.
Day Four - Beaufort
Fun golf: play the nearby Beaufort. A great wee course which will not drain you.
Day Five - Waterville
Play Waterville. This is one of the true greats, out at the end of the island on a windswept peninsula. A really magnificent course and setting.
Day Six - Dooks
Play Dooks – close to Killarney, a smaller but friendly course with superb views of the Dingle peninsula.
Day Seven - Tralee
Play Tralee. Arnold Palmer’s links have stood the test of time. One of the great unsung heroes of Irish links golf. Afternoon transfer to airport hotel at Dublin or Shannon.
What courses will you play on your trip to Ireland?
Get in touch with us to begin organising your trip to Ireland with Lynchpin Tours