Ireland - 20% off everything, golf trips included
By David Brice / Golf International Inc
Imagine a great big sign hanging over all of Ireland saying in bold letters, "20% OFF EVERYTHING" -- now if that doesn't grab your attention, I don't know what will. Assuming the sign does its job, you'll be wasting no time in checking what you might be able to buy for a 20% discount. But this is the age of truth in advertising and although our sign may be imaginary, the message is not, it's absolutely accurate, literally everything in Ireland has been discounted by 20% - there's no fine print and no exceptions, everything is on sale, if you have US dollars to spend.
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That's exactly what has happened during the past year as our US dollar has gone from strength to strength and gained a whopping 20% in value against Ireland's currency, the euro. Savings are even greater in Northern Ireland where the currency is the British pound and the dollar has gained even more in value. The Emerald Isle is presenting us all with a very generous discount card.
Now what's your excuse for not taking that Irish golf trip you've been promising yourself for so long? Perhaps the more appropriate question is can you afford not to take advantage of the travel bargain of the decade?
So it's time to get down to brass tacks and decide which courses you're going to play and which will be left for the next trip. With the entire island of Ireland as your oyster, the choices are endless. No matter whether you fly into Shannon, in the southwest, Dublin in the southeast or take the convenient direct flight into Northern Ireland's capital of Belfast, top-drawer golf will surround you and golf decisions are going to have to be made.
From fabled, windblown links courses, ranked among the world's best, to inland jewels set in pastoral wooded and lakeland settings, to dramatic cliff top challenges, precariously perched above the crashing sea. There are well manicured, parkland tracks surrounding historic, stately homes and for the fortunate, those true hidden gems, filled with character and characters. Tucked away from the beaten path, you may find yourself the only visitor, sharing some banter, a few laughs and a glass or two with new found local friends -- friendships that will last a lifetime.
Irish golf is not a particular kind of golf or a specific type of golf course -- it's an entire experience, a very special experience that is as much about the people as it is the game and as much about the pleasurable time spent in the clubhouses, before and after golf, as it is the time spent on the course. This is Irish golf and the stuff that goes into the memory book, where it's likely to stay for a very long time -- it's the uniquely Irish golf experience. You'll find it throughout the length and breadth of the land, but you'll still have to choose at which courses you obtain it.
For those who may now be in something of a quandary, the following guideline offers a very personal mix of big name courses and lesser known jewels. In your chosen combination, they at the very least provide an all round taste of Ireland's amazingly varied golf and no doubt will whet the appetite for more. The far from complete, alphabetical listing is divided by region, then sub-divided within, between the famous, big name courses and those lesser known gems, deserving of far more attention than they receive.
The Southwest (Counties Kerry and Clare)
More famous links courses than you can shake a stick at, spectacular scenery, bustling market towns, charming old fishing villages, mountains and lakes - this is the Ireland many have dreamed of and for golfers, pure paradise. Base yourself in the vibrant town of Killarney and you'll have a popping nightlife at the front door and be within striking distance of many of the top courses and less familiar gems.
Top Names: Ballybunion, Doonbeg, Lahinch, Tralee, Waterville
The Gems: Dingle, Dooks, Killarney (Killeen), Ring of Kerry,
The West (Counties Galway, Mayo and Sligo)
Many Americans can trace their roots back to this part of traditional Ireland, which is also Yeats country, the source of inspiration for Ireland's Poet Laureate. It does the very same for its visitors -- golfers included - with dramatic links courses that are as challenging as they are good-looking.
Top Names: Enniscrone, Sligo (Rosses Point)
The Gems: Carne (Belmullet), Connemara, Westport,
The Northwest (County Donegal)
Ruggedly handsome, this is the Ireland of yesteryear, where the world moves at a slower pace and Mother Nature's grandeur reigns supreme. The courses here are only now being discovered by visitors, but what a discovery - they rank among Ireland's best
Top Names: Ballyliffin, Donegal (Murvagh), Port Salon, Rosapenna
The Gems: Bundoran, Nairn & Portnoo
Northern Ireland (Counties Londonderry, Antrim and Down)
No larger than the state of Maine, this British outpost just might be the most beautiful corner of the Emerald Isle and its jam packed with exceptional golf, including the top two ranked courses in all of Ireland -- the two Royals at County Down and Portrush, But don't miss playing some of the other beauties, each and every one is a treat.
Top Names: Castlerock, Portstewart, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush
The Gems: Ardglass, Malone, Royal Belfast
Dublin and the Southeast (Counties Louth, Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow)
Combine the city pleasures of Europe's liveliest capital, with a selection of the more than 20 courses, including more than a few of Ireland's top ranked layouts, sitting within a half hour's drive of Dublin city center.
Top Names: European Club, Portmarnock, Baltray (County Louth)
The Gems: Druids Glen, The Island, K-Club, Royal Dublin
In depth feature articles on most of these great Irish courses can be found on this website in the archive of Ireland Stories.
Armed with an idea of what's what and where, now you can start planning your own bargain trip of a lifetime, back to the Emerald Isle. But a few insider tips from someone who has spent more than a couple of decades devoted only to planning golf trips to Europe, will only make the job easier and the end result, that much better.
The first and most important thing to remember is, don't try to overdo things. A frequent mistake made by many first time, do-it-yourself, golf trip planners, is to try to cram too much golf into a single trip. One round of golf a day is a good pace for the more energetic traveler, but maybe too much for many and a day away from golf courses, in the middle of the trip is usually well appreciated. Remember, Ireland is filled with many other attractions besides golf and a day without golf, perhaps sightseeing, shopping, exploring the countryside or simply relaxing, will do wonders for body and soul -- it can also do miracles for a waning golf game!
A golf trip to Ireland is going to involve some driving around the countryside in order to play all of the courses you are intent on playing, but don't drive yourself crazy. Driving times will probably be longer than you anticipate and unless you enjoy checking into and out of a never ending stream of different hotels, base yourself in one, but no more than two, well located hotels during a week-long trip.
Each of the five main golfing regions shown above has more than enough top quality golf to keep even the most avid player busy for far longer than a week. But if you insist on combining a couple of regions and picking off the plum courses from each, do yourself a favor and make it two neighboring regions.
The Northwest combines well with either the West or Northern Ireland. Northern Ireland also makes a perfect pairing with Dublin and the Southeast. The Southwest has ample top-flight golf to keep anyone busy for at least a few weeks, so stay put and enjoy it to the fullest.
Meshing all of the never ending details of a golf trip together perfectly, is often a frustrating, if not downright aggravating experience, so consider using the services of an experienced golf travel company such as Golf International for the job. They will not only save you a few grey hairs, but they have the expertise and a local office in Ireland to ensure your trip runs like clockwork.
The most important thing is to make the decision to go -- you deserve it -- and there's never been a better time than now. Take full advantage of the wonderful bargains that Ireland has to offer during this 20% off everything sale -- it won't last forever! For more cost saving ideas on how to get the most out of your golf trip to Ireland, click here.
©2009 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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