DUBLIN AND THE SOUTH EAST
Ireland has top quality golf at all points of the compass. However, you often have to travel quite a long way to find it. If you are looking for an Ireland trip that doesn’t involve too much travelling, and where you can spend the whole time in the same place, then Dublin is the perfect spot. The odds are you will have flown into the city and there is a great selection of top quality golf within an hour’s drive. Alternatively, if you are travelling to one of the other regions, you may well want to add a couple of days in Dublin as well.
Dublin is one of many people’s favourite cities. Temple Bar is known as one of the best areas for an authentic pint of Guinness and some great nightlife. But the city is more than that. With an extended stay here you can explore the city and really get to know this special place.
COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
Portmarnock (ranked 53 in the World) will be likely to form a key part of a Dublin itinerary. It’s only 3o minutes from the centre of the city and close to the airport. Also on the north side of the city you will find The Island - a local’s favourite and a real gem. If you are travelling up to the North then a stop in County Louth makes for a great game on the way and is fully deserving of a day trip in its own right. Modern creations at The European Club and The K Club are also well worth seeing to understand all the contrasts of Dublin golf.
-
Portmarnock
GOLF MAGAZINE WORLD RANKING - 53
TOP100.COM GB & I RANKING - 44
GOLF WORLD (UK) GB & I RANKING - 17Portmarnock is a classic links course. It has hosted The Amateur Championship and many believe it could yet host The Open - it really is that good. It is seen a a very ‘fair’ course. There’s only one blind shot on the whole course and the challenge is relatively clear in front of you. But have no doubt, the challenge is still strong. Portmarnock’s place at the top table of world golf is fully deserved.
-
The European Club
GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 79
GOLF WORLD (UK) MAGAZINE GB & I - RANKING - 57Pat Ruddy’s European Club opened for play in 1993 and immediately made a significant impact on Irish golf. The course is, unusually. 20 holes long and it is hard to see where it could be trimmed to 18 holes given the quality on display. Many have this as one of their favourite courses in the area, with manicured conditioning and railway sleepers on display, the course has a very different feel to it compared to many of the more traditional links courses.
-
The Island
GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 51
GOLF WORLD (UK) MAGAZINE GB & I - RANKING - 56The Island flies under the radar a little, but everyone who plays it comes away wondering why it’s not talked about more! The dunes serve to frame the holes and lead you through the, sometimes narrow, ribbons of fairways. Recent work has only enhanced the routing and pace of the course. This really is a must-play course when in the Dublin area.
-
County Louth
GOLF MAGAZINE GB & I RANKING - 50
GOLF WORLD (UK) MAGAZINE GB & I - RANKING - 53County Louth lies under an hour north of Dublin and makes for either a great day trip or a stop on the way up to Royal County Down and the North. Paul McGinley describes it thus, ‘It’s a championship course but it’s also a fun course. It doesn’t overly intimidate you although it is challenging with a great variety of holes. It’s brilliantly framed, with some big sand dunes and some great green complexes.’
-
The K Club
GOLF WORLD (UK) IRELAND RANKING - 27
It’s safe to say that The K Club will be a very different experience from the other courses you will play in the Dublin area. This is lush parkland course with drama provided through water and carefully shaped greens. It is also a course full of history - most notably as host of the 2006 Ryder Cup. The dramatic finishing holes ensure a great climax to your round as you follow in the footsteps of giants!
-
Royal Dublin
GOLF WORLD (UK) IRELAND RANKING - 38
Harry Colt’s Royal Dublin is a traditional out-and-back links (something you don’t see very often in Ireland) set among the dunes of Bull Island. It is a club and course steeped in tradition and history. But the club doesn’t sit on its laurels, Clayton, DeVries and Pont have been tasked with working on the bunkers to ensure Colt’s original vision is maintained.
WHERE TO STAY
Many will choose to stay in central Dublin - there is a huge range of hotels to fit all budgets. However, you may also want to consider some of the great, luxurious country hotels just outside the city which can make for easier commutes to golf courses.
-
The Fitzwilliam
The Fitzwilliam is probably Dublin’s most famous hotel. A boutique, luxury escape in the heart of everything. This multi award-winning 5-star hotel may well have the best location in Dublin
-
The Grafton Hotel
A modern, art deco-style hotel located off Grafton Street. The Grafton is a buzzing home from home in the heart of Dublin, with Trinity College, Grafton Street, and The Guinness Storehouse all in easy walking distance.
-
The K Club
The K Club is a stylish country resort, tucked away in the Kildare countryside but right on Dublin’s doorstep. It is firmly anchored in old-school Irish hospitality in a delightfully relaxed and unfussy way.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
DAY 1
We will meet you at Dublin airport and transfer you to your hire car or private vehicle with driver.
Your first round will be just a short drive away at The Island Golf Club. It’s a great course to blow away the cobwebs straight off your flight and give you an introduction to some classic Irish links golf
After your round you will transfer to The Grafton Hotel. Located in central Dublin the hotel not only has a great location but wonderful rooms and a lovely bar and restaurant. It’s a perfect place to base yourself for the perfect Dublin golf trip.
DAY 2
We will make the drive about an hour north to County Louth. It’s no pushover, but equally you will be able to open your shoulders at times and enjoy it. We can recommend you a couple of good pubs to enjoy in the area after your round and, if you have taken one of our chauffeur drivers, you won’t need to worry about having a couple of pints either!
Picture - www.countylouthgolfclub.com
DAY 3
It’s a morning round today, close to the hotel at the Harry Colt course at Royal Dublin. After the round we can organise a Dublin city tour for you. Visit Trinity College and explore inside the city walls with an expert guide before capping it off with a meal at one of the city’s finest restaurants.
DAY 4
After a leisurely breakfast you will transfer to The European Club, just over an hour south of Dublin. Pat Ruddy’s creation is an excellent addition to golf in the area and the distinctive look and feel to the course is a good contrast to some of the older links you will be playing.
Picture - www.theeuropeanclub.com
DAY 5
You will take a break from links golf with a visit to Ryder Cup venue, The K Club. This is the only parkland-style course you will play on the tour and you can expect a highly manicured course with plenty of drama. After the round we can organise a tour of the famous Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, maybe followed by a literary pub tour of the city of Dublin. It might be best to avoid having too late a night ahead of tomorrow’s last round!
DAY 6
Today’s final round is at one of the greatest golf courses in the whole of Ireland. Portmarnock is a really ‘old school’ links course. It’s a magnificent layout - reminiscent of a British Open course. In fact the whole club is full of history and has the feeling of a Muirfield or Royal St George’s about it. It will be a really fitting end to this trip.
After your round we recommend you spend some time in the clubhouse soaking up the atmosphere before returning to Dublin for a final night.
DAY 7
It’s only about 30 minutes to the airport from your hotel. However you may want to consider adding another region on to your Irish golf trip and of course we are more than happy to organise that for you.
This is just a sample of one Dublin and the South-East golf itinerary. Please contact us now to start planning your trip of a lifetime!