Print this page  |  Close Window

By David Brice
Golf International, Inc.

Anyone in search of the storybook Ireland need look no further than the West of the country. With new, non-stop air services starting in May from New York and Boston to Ireland West Airport in Knock, County Mayo, this delightful part of the Emerald Isle and its fine collection of championship golf courses, suddenly becomes accessible.

Ballyliffin Old Course No. 8.

Only adding to the appeal for Americans with Irish roots will be the unique new connection the Knock air service provides with their ancestral ties. It was from the West and Northwest of Ireland so many of Ireland's native sons and daughters fled the Potato Famine in the mid 1800's. Setting sail for the New World, they came from Counties Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim and Donegal in search of hope and a new life.

What these brave souls left behind was the most dramatically beautiful part of the entire island of Ireland. It's a landscape of windswept mountains and lakes, rolling hills, bogland and a ruggedly handsome coastline. The population is sparse, the Irish language is widely spoken, traditional Irish music practiced and appreciated everywhere and life is lived as it always has been -- at an easy pace, without complications.

Bundoran -- where shorter does not mean easier.

This combination of majestic, unspoiled good-looks and a simple life style where traditions are preserved and treasured, has attracted artists and painters for years, all eager to capture their own interpretation of the magic that makes this such a truly unique region. Visitors come to this part of Ireland to savor the peace and quiet and take in all of the God given magnificence that abounds. They come to experience a very special corner of the Ireland of old.

Golfers in the know, come here to play the very special courses that have been kept a secret for years. These are the true hidden gems of Irish golf, tucked far away from the well-trodden path most visitors follow. A golf vacation to this little known part of the Emerald Isle becomes a golf trip filled with amazing discoveries.

Carne -- 13th hole.

Visitors come here to play the daunting links at Connemara that have impressed the world's best players, our own Tom Watson among them. They journey the 30 miles or so northward into County Mayo to experience the top class layout at Westport, en route to one of the true wonders of Irish golf at Belmullet - Carne Golf Links.

Not to be missed is Enniscrone, lying just 25 miles east of Belmullet. One of Ireland's most challenging links Enniscrone's layout takes the player through a spectacular, almost lunaresque landscape as it twists and winds it's way into, over and around a never ending succession of sand dunes, with incessant winds only adding to the examination of links technique and abilities.

Donegal -- 10th hole.

Continue on to Sligo and Rosses Point, to play yet another links course, ranked among the best in Ireland and a real treat for any connoisseur of links golf. Dating from 1894, this is the design work of the great Harry S. Colt of Royal Portrush fame and a layout many consider the equal of Ballybunion, while others consider it better. But this is a land filled with unsung heroes of golf and there are quite a few more, all now readily accessible.

Donegal Golf Club at Murvagh prides itself on having one of the longest links track in all of Ireland. Measuring well over 7,200 yards from the tips, it's a big hitters delight, filled with monster holes. Only the most accomplished should even attempt this beauty from the championship tees.

Enniscrone -- one of Northwest Ireland's jewels.

If Donegal sounds a little too lengthy for you, nearby Bundoran may be a better choice and proof positive that shorter doesn't necessarily mean easier. Enjoying an idyllic setting, this combination links and parkland course was redesigned by Harry Vardon between the wars, although its origins date back 113 years. It's a highly recommended layout, with a special appeal to those who may lack a little muscle, but make up for it with finesse, strategy and ability with their mid and short irons.

Play any of these courses and the furthest will never be more than 70 miles away from Ireland West Airport and most, considerably closer. If you feel a little more adventurous and travel further north, another treasure trove of golf can be brought into the equation, with the excellent links that sit along County Donegal's most northerly coastline. Included are the two championship layouts at Rosapenna, the historic links at Portsalon and two superb links tracks at Ballyliffin.

The new non-stop air service from New York and Boston to Ireland West Airport will be operated by flyglobespan, one of the airline industries fastest growing carriers. Based in Scotland, flyglobespan will operate 2 services a week from Boston and 3 services a week from New York's JFK Airport. Service starts at the end of May offering three classes of travel, economy class seats begin at $259 each way (including tax) premium economy service starts at $309 each way and business class at $485 each way.

Now with direct air service and some very attractive airfares, the west and northwest of Ireland can't hide from America's golfers for too much longer - better get there before the crowds. For a few ideas on how to include the best courses of this part of Ireland in your golf trip, click here.

© 2007 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988.