Immerse yourself in Ireland for a week and spirits can only soar
By David Brice, Golf International Inc.
It's that time of year again! It's time for shamrocks, green beer, the annual boiled beef and cabbage dinner and another chance to wear that very green tie that gets but one outing a year -- yes, it's St. Patrick's Day. This is when the Irish blood that may or may not run through everyone's veins, takes over and we can all be Irish for the day, whether the Irish in us is real or imagined. It's as good an excuse as any to forget our troubles for a while and instead, enjoy ourselves and have a darned good time. Good times and the Irish always seem to fit together perfectly.
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But why limit ourselves to only St. Patrick's Day to join the happy-go-lucky, Irish clan? If being Irish for a single day is such an effective tonic and just about as good a picker-upper as exists, think what a whole week or so might do -- it can only set the spirits soaring. Total immersion is the solution. You need to surround yourself with Ireland and the Irish for a week, something best accomplished by taking a trip to The Emerald Isle -- and there's never been a better time than now.
Our strong US dollar is strutting around with more muscle than Superman, buying over 20% more in Ireland today than it bought even a year ago. Trans-Atlantic airfares are at their lowest in a long time and there are more deals on hotels, car rentals and golf courses flying around than you can shake a stick at. It's a buyers market these days and Ireland has become a real bargain, offering one of the best values in all of Europe. But bargains don't last forever -- if you don't take advantage of them now, someone else will and you'll be kicking yourself for missing this golden opportunity.
Chances are most golfers have long been yearning to get to Ireland and test their skills on a few of those fabled links courses. together with a few other things Irish. There are pub evenings to be savored over a Guinness or two, enjoying the banter of the locals and so many other Irish experiences to be discovered. Ireland is very special and essential to the full enjoyment of any visit is the fun of trying to sample as many of the images of the country as flood the mind.
But Ireland is not the exclusive domain of visiting golfers alone and that traditional, warm Irish welcome is there for all, golfers or not. Whether a group of avid golfing buddies, couples with non-playing spouses, family groups, or just good friends, where nobody plays golf, Ireland has an irresistible charm that appeals to one and all. There's something for everybody and for those who choose, excellent golf is always close by.
Small as this green island may be, it's much larger than most first time visitors anticipate, so decisions must be made on what part or parts to include. There's not a corner of Ireland that doesn't have its own character and fascination and wherever you go will never be wrong, but maybe this thumbnail introduction will be of some help.
Dublin is one of Europe's liveliest capitals, filled with an energy few other major cities can match, yet it retains a sophisticated elegance that makes it an immediate favorite with practically every visitor. Excellent restaurants, superb shopping, museums, art galleries and a dynamic cultural scene, all wrapped up in a thousand years of history - and that's only the beginning of Dublin's wealth of attractions.
Want to see some of Ireland's most alluring countryside? Take a day excursion and drive south of the city to Wicklow, the garden of Ireland, with enough picture-postcard scenery to satisfy the most ardent sightseeing fiend. Drive east to handsome County Kildare, the heart of Ireland's horse breeding country, it's nothing less than spectacular and if you love horses, include a visit to the National Stud. If you're looking to squeeze a round or two of golf into your Dublin stay, it couldn't be easier.
There are over 20 world-class golf courses located within a half hour's drive of the city center, including some ranked among Ireland's very best, so take your pick. Portmarnock Golf Club, The K-Club of Ryder Cup fame, Royal Dublin, The Island, The European Club and Druids Glen, together with a choice collection of other gems, are all waiting with open arms to show you what real Irish golf is all about.
Northern Ireland may be no larger than the state of Maine, but what a treasure trove of golf and intriguing sightseeing is contained within the borders of this tiny British outpost. The capital of Belfast begins to rival Dublin for its vitality, effervescence and every other city attraction imaginable, all on a smaller, very manageable scale.
The stunning beauty of the Antrim Coast is legendary and the coastal route from Belfast to Portrush is ranked as one of the world's Top 10 Drives. But Mother Nature's handiwork in this part of the country is always superb, from the wonder that is the Giants Causeway, another natural marvel that simply cannot be missed, to the dramatic Glens of Antrim. There are magnificent, historic stately homes to explore and some of The Emerald Isle's most spectacular formal gardens to be admired. And to quench the thirst brought on by so much sightseeing, a stop at the world's oldest whisky distillery at Bushmills is just what the doctor ordered.
The two top ranked courses in all of Ireland, Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are going to be at the very top of every golfer's Northern Ireland play-list, but don't overlook the other golfing pleasures that reside here. Portstewart, Castlerock and Ardglass are just three of the links gems that deserve attention, together with a healthy selection of wonderful inland challenges, including Royal Belfast, Ireland's oldest golf club.
The Northwest & West. From Counties Donegal and Sligo to Mayo and Galway, this is the Ireland of yester-year where old rural traditions not only survive, but thrive and life moves at a slower pace. Sparsely populated, the rugged coastline and windswept mountains proudly display some of the country's wildest scenery and with plenty of drama.
Steeped in 5,000 years of history and Celtic myth, this is the land that inspired W. B. Yeats, Ireland's poet laureate and is home to the celebrated Aran Islands, perhaps the most famous bastion of traditional Irish culture. If you are looking for more genteel surroundings the elegant 18th century town of Westport is well worth visiting as is fast growing, Galway City, whose youthful university population brings life to the medieval streets and cozy pubs.
Golf courses in this part of Ireland are as dramatic as the windswept coastal locations they occupy, all perfectly prepared over the centuries for only links golf. From Co. Donegal's Ballyliffin, Rosapenna and Murvagh to Co. Sligo's Rosses Point and Enniscrone, to Co. Mayo's Carne Links and Westport to Connemara and Galway Bay, golf in these parts is in a league of its own. These links wonders may not have the name recognition of some others, but they are among the best in Ireland. Discover them before the masses start arriving, while they still reflect the isolated tranquility of this peaceful, unspoiled corner of Ireland.
The Southwest has long been a favorite Irish arrival point for American golfers attracted by the wealth of trophy courses in the region. Established names like Ballybunion, Lahinch, Doonbeg, Waterville, Killarney and Tralee have been joined more recently by Ring of Kerry, Dooks, Dingle and visitors are discovering more hidden gems each year. Golf maybe a King in the Southwest of Ireland, but the region attracts even more visitors who have absolutely no interest in chasing a little white ball around a golf course.
The spectacular beauty of the region extending from Co. Clare to Co. Kerry is legendary and the stuff travel posters are made of. From the hauntingly handsome Cliffs of Moher to the nearby Burren, a massive limestone plateau, with its own unique flora and fauna, adapted over centuries to the inhospitable environment, nature's wonders are everywhere.
The Ring of Kerry is an especially magnificent 100 mile drive that starts and ends in the bustling town of Killarney, winding its way around, the stunning scenery of the Kerry Coast. Mountains, lakes, dramatic sea and landscapes, all interspersed with charming small fishing and farming villages.
Explore the market town of Ennis and its many antique shops and intriguing small boutiques. As Ennis is also a center for Irish music, enjoy a Guinness or two in a couple of the fun pubs where local musicians play traditional Irish music either scheduled, or often, with impromptu sessions.
If you are staying in Killarney, a lively town filled with all manner of pubs and dining establishments, promise yourself at least a couple of treats to experience the quality of today's Irish cuisine - it compares with the best of any European country. For a change of scenery and more excellent dining opportunities, take the short drive over to the small 17th century town of Kenmare one evening. This charmer has established itself as something of an Irish center of gastronomy during recent years.
The South. If you have Irish roots, your original Irish relatives probably took a ship from the port of Cobh in Cork Harbor, to sail to the New World, so a small pilgrimage to this area should be on the itinerary. The city of Cork, Ireland's second largest, is filled with history, a vibrant cultural scene and it's an important center for traditional Irish music, so explore it in depth and enjoy.
Nearby is Blarney Castle and the famous Blarney Stone and also the delightful small port of Kinsale. This is not only one of the prettiest towns in all Ireland and another center for gastronomy, but a wonderful place to stay for a night or two if the spectacular Old Head Golf Links is on your play list- and it should be. Other courses to be played in the area include Irish Open venue, Fota Island and a magnificent new layout at Moy Valley.
Traveling further east along this south coast, the historic city of Waterford shouldn't be missed and for the ladies, a visit to Waterford crystal factory is going to be a mandatory part of the visit. It's only a short detour inland to discover Kilkenny, arguably the best preserved medieval town in Ireland and a sightseeing delight. If you are in the mood for golf, the often overlooked, championship parkland course at Mount Juliet is just down the road.
Ireland has so much to offer everyone and for any who are looking for a week's worth of St. Patrick's Days to set their spirits soaring, there literally is nowhere else to even consider. So take advantage of the bargain that is today's Ireland and start planning your trip of a lifetime. Happy St. Patrick's Day!
For more ideas and suggestions on how to get the most out of your trip to Ireland, both on the golf courses and off, click here.
©2009 David Brice / Golf International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Golf International -- Providers of quality golf travel arrangements since 1988.
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