One third of all the links courses in the world are in Ireland. We will help you to explore the finest fairways and most glorious greens in the world. This is one of our tried and tested itineraries that takes in some of the finest golf courses in the country, and combines them with memorable hotels and great food, with a bit of sightseeing thrown in for good luck. But this itinerary is only one sample of the many vacations we can offer.

Day 1
Arrive Shannon Airport where your driver will be awaiting you. Transfer to an excellent hotel in Adare with a Trent Jones golf course on the doorstep. Situated in this very picturesque village with thatched cottages, rambling roses and enchanting shops, the hotel reflects the atmosphere of the luxuriant Irish countryside and the hotel's amenities will delight even the most discerning guest.

The Adare Golf Club, an 18 hole championship course on the 840 acre estate of Adare Manor, was designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. Mr. Jones is one of the most respected and best known golf course architects in the world. From his first impression of Adare Manor as having all the flavor of Augusta, he has created an Irish masterpiece to match the challenge of champions.

The Adare Golf Club measures 7,138 yards and uses 230 acres of lush countryside. The Maigue River comes into play on three holes with a dramatic finish at the 18th hole. Having designed 45 of the top 100 golf courses worldwide, Mr. Jones foresees the 18th hole to be possibly the best par 5 in the world.   The exquisite parkland atmosphere of the demesne has been preserved and the course is set amid magnificent mature trees. The course has three lakes, including a 14 acre lake anchoring the front nine. The Maigue River meanders through the back nine creating a sense of beauty and challenge, particularly on the 11th par 3 and the 18th par 5 finishing hole.  The course has four tees on every hole with a championship yardage of 7,138 declining to 5,082 yards.
 

Day 2
Transfer to Ballybunion for a round of golf on this wild and magnificent links perched precariously in the southern shores of the Shannon estuary where its cliff side holes possess an incredible beckoning spirit of adventure. In the afternoon visit Bunratty Folk Park and Castle, a 15th century castle set in the centre of a village. Here you will see the rural heritage of Ireland - basket making, cooking, bread making, candle making, agricultural demonstrations, thatching, farming and housing. Possible Dinner in Durty Nelly's Pub, one of Ireland's most famous pubs. This thatched pub which dates from the early 1600s very much as it was when the castle's guards used to hustle in for refreshment. Much of its clientele is local, indicating its authenticity. There are also impromptu sing songs.

Day 3
Full Irish breakfast in the hotel before leaving for County Kerry. Morning coffee in the splendid 19th century house, Islanmore House and visit of the garden. Lunch at leisure in Blarney.In the afternoon visit Blarney Castle, a 15th century castle, famed for its magical stone. Dinner and overnight in Killarney in the heart of Killarney's National Park.

Day 4

Full Irish breakfast in the hotel before leaving for Waterville Golf Club. Situated in a natural amphitheatre of mountains and fringed by the Atlantic, Waterville offers some exhilarating golf. Continue the ring of Kerry via Lady's view, magnificent scenery of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, highest mountains in Ireland, and the lakes of Killarney. Dinner at leisure in Killarney.

Day 5
Full Irish breakfast before heading for County Clare and its wild region. Cross the Shannon Estuary to go to Lahinch Golf Club which possesses an air of antiquity blended with rugged topography, modernistic and ancient holes, and its glowing history of epic golfing duels, plus of course the Lahinch goats!!  Set right on the Atlantic and exposed to the ocean through all her moods, moulded and shaped over centuries by nature's harsh elements and an occasional touch of human genius, Lahinch, with its towering sand dunes, undulating fairways and rolling greens is the perfect natural golfing terrain - a true links.

Continue towards Galway via the dramatically beautiful Cliffs of Moher and the Burren, a strange lunar-like rocky region rich in flora. Overnight in a Country Manor hotel located in the heart of Connemara.

Day 6

Transfer to the Connemara Golf Club, one of Ireland's best and most challenging links. It may have something to do with its intoxicating air, breathtaking scenery and the last massive six holes. Spend the rest of the day cruising around this wonderful part of the country as far as Killary Harbour and across the Maamturk Mountains. Dinner at leisure in Clifden.

Day 7

Leave for Dublin via Athlone. Visit Clonmacnoise, site of one of Ireland's foremost early monasteries founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century and visited by Pope John Paul II in 1979. There you can see the High Cross, for the most part covered with panels of interlacing vine scrolls and various scenes of the Bible. Continue towards Dublin. Visit Locke's Distillery, Kilbeggan, a 19th century whiskey distillery in a scenic setting on the River Brosna. It is also a good stop for lunch. Dinner and overnight in a town house hotel tucked away in a secluded part of Dublin and yet very close to the city centre.

Day 8
Full Irish breakfast at the hotel. Depart for an early moring round at Royal Dublin Golf Club a replica of the Old Course design at Saint Andrews with nine holes out and nine holes straight back. With the Wicklow Hills and Dublin city as a backdrop, the area houses one of the richest bird sanctuaries in Europe. Transfer to Dublin Airport.

Click here to see the accommodation where you will be staying

A few other of the 537 Irish courses that you might play

Druid's Glen		The K Club - Ryder Cup Venue 2005
	Luttrelstown (left)         Limerick            Old Head (right)