Choose Ireland for your golf and you’ll find the ever
coveted hidden gems, Ok they might not be the shiny ones to bling up your
fingers but they are worth the trip with heritage and long associations to
golf.
Visiting Ireland last month I arrived into Dublin Airport and
drove a couple of hours up through Northern Ireland and into the most northerly
part of the Republic of Ireland; Donegal.
Driving is a great way to see somewhere and the whole trip opened my
eyes to landscapes and scenery befitting a well thumbed through coffee table
book. Coming from England, the drive was
an easy one, the roads are the same as in the UK, the signage clear and a sat
nav to aid the way for a pleasant trip.
I’ve never been to Northern Ireland before, certainly I know the names
of the places, but never actually set foot in this part of the UK. It caught me off guard when the speed signs
changed from KM/hour to miles/hour as I drove into Northern Ireland though. Money was another one. Now who can’t call off
at local bakery and get a potato cake – so I did in one of the picturesque
border villages for breakfast. “That’s £1.50” said the cheerful lady behind the
counter, ‘but I’ve only got euros with me’ I exclaimed thinking I’m not going
to get my lovely warm potato cake– Oh that’s OK we take Euros or pounds came
back the reply. These people are so
accommodating, and I think she knew I’d do a runner if she didn’t give me my
potato cake. I’ve no idea what the
exchange rate was, I didn’t really care. I got my lovely warm potato cake. I was happy.
Off the beaten track – in fact the sat nav had a habit of
doing this aided by my ignorance of the geography of Ireland, I think it had
been programmed by Failte Ireland so visitors see as much as they can – and it
worked, I welcomed the unspoilt Ireland, even at that time of the year it is
beautiful. Even the sheep looked content
munching away on the lush green grass!
First stop, Rosapenna where I pitched my metaphorical tent
and checked into this family run golf resort on the bay. To be fair the outside of the hotel building was a little
‘corporate’ so I expected it to be similar inside, you know ‘one size fits all’
kind of rooms-this was not at all. They
bucked the trend at Rosapenna by increasing the room’s sizes from 3 to 2
thereby loosing rooms but gaining a better quality and size of room, building
into this new space character.
The restaurant and generous sized room overlooked the bay but
my beautiful and tasty candle lit dinner for one was a little wasted on me. Rosapenna opened its arms to me, and I fully
embraced the warmth and sincere welcome received from the freshly baked
biscuits in the room to the two 18 holeand one 9 hole golf courses. I played Sandy Hills with one of the members – this was something the Irish do very well, in my job I often play golf by myself, in Ireland they would not hear of such a thing and always paired me with members or with staff so I could enjoy the golf courses. A luna landscape links course, Sandy Hills invites you to crack a straight drive down the centre of the fairway and envelopes around you softly encouraging you to enjoy the course. A sunny yet cold and windy day open to ocean scenes is this elevated golf course in great condition despite the wet winter. Testimony to this well maintained course was a temporary green which had been laid to give the new green chance to settle, the temporary green was as good and some of the main greens at other golf courses I've visited. Needless to say the green staff were part of the family.
Next day I drove to Ballyliffin, a short distance as the
crow flies, but a couple hours in the car in real terms going around the inlet
– but definitely worth it. Passing
through Ballyliffin, a sleepy village should have geared me up for the relaxing
welcome at Ballyliffin Golf Club. The
driveway up to the golf course had farmers fields either side occupied by
perfectly clean, white, fluffy lambs hovering close by their mothers for warmth
and security. Ballyliffin, I was told is the most Northerly part of Ireland. Lady Captain, Molly had been drafted in to play with me, and she bought with her two equally wonderful ladies, Margaret and Lisa. Well talk about the Irish sense of humour, these ladies were on fire, we literally laughed our way around that golf course. We played the Old Links golf course on a beautiful sunny day with seagulls squawking in the background and ladies laughing in the foreground, it made for a perfect day. The Old Links course with short mown grass made it a bit thought provoking for me who is used to playing parkland, but I got the hang of it eventually. Stood on the 13th tee watching a well hit drive soar through the
air, words of warning pop into my mind as the ball travels towards the bunker
in the centre of the fairway. Giggles
and sympathy from my playing partner’s exclaiming that the bunker shouldn’t be
there anyway!! Slippery greens made any
apathy towards them quickly disappear.
Lines of concentration securely furrowed on my brow the stakes, a drink
in the bar, were high. These ladies knew
their golf course, were a delight to play with and made me feel very welcome. My only regret, I didn’t stay for that drink
as I had to drive back to Rosapenna– next time ladies, I promise (if you’ll
have me back that is!)
Playing at Donegal Golf Club the following day, this
friendly golf club was a little overshadowed by the rain – the only day it did
rain but it didn’t deter us hardy golfers on this gently undulating luna
landscape links where rugged beauty thrust out to the untamed sea despite the
grey day. The course played well, again
following the wet winter it showed little sign of the harsh weather it had been
exposed to, the grass was slightly longer on the greens, but this didn’t slow
the ball down as the wind quickly dried them out. Bunkers, well it isn’t often that people say
how good the bunkers were, but they were very playable, good quality sand and
‘easy’ to get out of! A welcome Guinness followed the round – when in Rome…
Staying the next two nights in Mount Falcon, I was a little
unsure about what to expect from these three bedroom lodges. The Woodland Lodges had three bedrooms with
private facilities lending themselves for all walks of visitor. Mount Falcon has salmon fishing on site and
is associated with a number of golf clubs in the area, not having golf on site
brings in other dimensions for the holiday goers– families or sports enthusiasts,
as well as being able to morph for the buddies on their golf or fishing
break. With sufficient cooking
facilities in the lodges and the historic family home turned into a hotel you
can choose where to eat, although I heartedly recommend their excellent
restaurant. Mount Falcon also had one of
the best falconry displays I’ve ever attended, with Jason, a young Irish chap
prancing around to enhance the display with clear and obvious passion for his
animals made it a treat to watch the whole shebang. This family owned business is making waves in
the industry for all the right reasons – its location and varied offerings for
starters.
Carne Golf Club was the next place to visit. Despite its relative youthful years, its
appearance and play shows an old head on its shoulders cleverly designed with a
complete understanding of working within its own peculiarities to produce a top
golf course. Offering many challenges
whilst winding your way through the dunes to the next lush green fairway. Undulating greens reflect the overall course,
pretty tough yet rewards there for the taking. Blind tee-shots require courage
and faith in one’s game, especially if there is wind in play to fully
appreciate Carne Golf course.
Connemara Sands Hotel with its 20 bedrooms and 10 holiday
homes is again one to attract the families.
We were treated to some Irish dancing by a young local girl who
performed marvellously to an eager audience.
A great location by the sea where the owner is also the chef and clearly
keen as mustard to have visitors to his establishment.
Connemara Golf Club another highly regarded links, arguably the
best course to play for ladies in so far as it is what you see, the layout is
more open with dunes that don’t over shadow the course the luna landscape look
is almost by appearance only, with the overall effect being similar to that of other
links. However once you start to play
the course it opens up; you can see your ball land and can play for fairways to
give yourself a chance with the second shot.
Interestingly playing longer on the Red Tees than some of the other golf
courses, it didn’t seem to play longer.
Ardilaun Hotel – the only hotel on this trip to be in a
city. Galway. A perfect place to stay and enjoy city life
with countryside and golf on your doorstep.
A larger hotel than previous ones yet retaining its friendly
welcome. Lovely food and a bar that
stays open far too late! Irish
hospitality is world renowned as friendly open and welcoming, we experienced
this at the Ardilaun after dinner and after most sensible people had gone to
bed we were approached by a young gent who turned out to be a garda (policeman)
who was staying in the hotel with his wife. He was playing the piano, she was
singing. A circle was formed with the chairs
and we spent the night caterwauling with the best of them, drinking far too
many G&T’s and Guinness a good night was had by all – except maybe those
people in the rooms closet to reception!
The final day dawned, and with match sticks holding up the
eyes and a few bottles of water in hand we set off for Galway Bay Golf Club, a
hybrid golf course of links feel with parkland style, an unusual mix that
really worked a treat with its versatility to blend from one to the next. Being a parkland course did not detract from
the views overlooking the bay with the intense green course merging into the vivid
blue sea in the background, add a bunker or two and you have the perfect golf
beach holiday. A contrasting golf course
with a welcoming clubhouse serving great food - but just because it is
parkland, don’t think it is a push over!
North West Ireland is still relatively undiscovered for golf
and hospitality, Irish Fayre is as good as it gets, the golf can easily match
or beat some well-known golf courses, and the people well what can I say. The Irish are known for liking their fine
hospitality and a few bevvies , and I can honestly say, hand on heart – a
reputation well deserved! The best
Guinness in the world remains in Ireland.
Interested in going to Ireland?
Contact Sarah Forrest
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