Golf
Portmarnock Golf Club: Universally acknowledged as one of the world's truly great links courses. Located near Dublin on a small peninsula, which extends into the Irish Sea, Portmarnock is surrounded by water on three sides and is laid out in a serpentine fashion, with no two successive holes playing in the same direction.
Portmarnock is the spiritual home of the Irish Open which has been hosted here on a record 19 occasions. Some of the winners at the venue include legends of golf such as Ben Crenshaw, Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Jose Maria Olazabal. The course also hosted the prestigious Canada Cup (World Cup) in 1960 when the American ‘dream team’ pairing of Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead emerged victorious.
The European Club: The links of the European Club in Co. Wicklow have developed into one of Ireland's finest links golf courses in a relatively short period of time. This high quality layout displays a combination of rugged dunes, deep bunkers, sea breezes and large undulating greens.
The European Club is renowned for hosting the Irish PGA Championship in 2007 & 2008. This event, held the week before the British Open, was used as valuable preparation by Padraig Harrington and undoubtedly played a major role in his back to back ‘Open’ triumphs.
The K Club Golf & Spa Hotel - THE PALMER COURSE: Set amongst 700 acres of lush Kildare countryside, the Palmer Course at the K Club is arguably one of the finest parkland golf courses in Ireland, regularly ranked in the top 3 in Ireland. Designed by Arnold Palmer, the course hosted the prestigious Smurfit European Open on 11 occasions and became the first Irish venue to host the Ryder Cup in September 2006.
Though there are many who insist that the Ryder Cup should have been played on one of the great Irish links courses, anyone who has played the K Club will know that the course is a worthy venue for an event the magnitude of the Ryder Cup. The Palmer Course charms, entices and frustrates. Although it is recognised as one of Ireland’s most testing inland layouts, the course invariably brings out the best in your game.
Tralee Golf Club: Representing the first European design of Arnold Palmer, Tralee Golf Club in south west Ireland is one of the most spectacularly beautiful golf courses you will ever encounter. Having completed his masterpiece, Palmer commented: “I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course. I am happy that we have one of the world's great links here”.
With views of the Atlantic and white sandy beaches from almost every hole, this superb layout earns rave reviews from all who play it.
Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course): Rated one of the ten best golf courses in the world, the Old Course at Ballybunion is a true seaside links, with the contours on the fairways and greens a distinct feature.
Having achieved such a standing in the game, it is no surprise that great names such as Byron Nelson, Lee Trevino, Jack Nicklaus and even Bill Clinton have all visited this legendary Co. Kerry venue. However, Ballybunion’s favourite adopted son is without doubt 8 time major champion Tom Watson who is a frequent visitor to the old links and was bestowed the role of Honorary Captain in 2000.
Waterville Golf Links: Host venue for Carr Golf Travel famous World Invitational Father & Son Golf Tournament, Waterville Golf Links in Kerry is one of the finest links golf courses in the world, let alone in Ireland. Located on the Ring of Kerry, the surrounding scenery and quality of golf holes is breathtaking to say the least.
Over the years, Waterville has enjoyed great popularity and has hosted some of the worlds leading professionals from Faldo and Floyd, to Stewart, O'Meara and Woods, all of whom have been captivated by the course.
Accommodation
The Merrion Hotel, Dublin: The luxury, 5-Star Merrion Hotel in Dublin comprises of four meticulously restored listed Georgian townhouses and a specially commissioned contemporary garden wing, arranged around two private period gardens.
Renowned for its Georgian architecture, The Merrion Hotel is a working, living example of this bygone era. This hotel will transport guests back to a golden age and has been sympathetically designed to complement the Georgian interior using period colours, antiques, and 18th century style furniture and fabrics.
On the doorstep of the hotel, situated almost directly opposite the Irish Government Buildings is Merrion Street, where the National Gallery and National Museum provide a wonderful insight into the nation's heritage and culture. Grafton Street, home to some of the latest designer shops and restaurants, is but a leisurely stroll away, while the famous university, Trinity College (which is home to the world-renowned Book of Kells), is a five-minute walk from the hotel.
Adare Manor Hotel, Adare, County Limerick: Set amid 840 acres of lush Limerick countryside, Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort provides its visitors with every service and amenity to ensure a thoroughly enjoyable stay.
As rich in beauty as it is in history, the Manor is an architectural jewel presiding over a breathtaking formal garden, a majestic golf course and fascinating ruins, dating back some 800 years. The River Maigue meanders through the estate and forms the backbone of the championship golf course at Adare, which was enjoyed by Tiger Woods in 2010 at JP McManus Invitational Pro-Am, prior to the British Open.
The Killarney Park Hotel, Killarney: A family-owned and managed establishment, the 5-star Hotel in Co. Kerry is one of Ireland's finest hotels and is committed to achieving the highest possible standards of guest comfort.
A place of genuine elegance laced, with warmth and hospitality, the Killarney Park Hotel is superbly located on its own grounds adjacent to the centre of Killarney town. The hotel is literally a stone's throw away from everything Killarney has to offer, yet has the quietness, intimacy and privacy associated with times past.
Excursions
DUBLIN | FULL DAY: Ireland's capital, better known as "Dublin’s Fair City" is steeped in history and particularly noted for its eighteenth century Georgian architecture. The tour will pass by all the well-known sites and landmarks including the Georgian Squares and Trinity College, home of the 9th Century illustrated manuscript the "Book of Kells".
Take a Liffey River cruise in a waterbus out into the Dublin Bay, under the historic bridges with commentary about the buildings you pass along the way. Lunch will be taken at Gilroy’s on the 5th Floor of the Guinness Storehouse. Order from the menu of the day and pay directly.
Visit the Guinness Storehouse, a 7-storey world-famous tourist attraction housed in an old converted warehouse. The building dates from 1908 and is the first steel frame building in Europe. The story of Guinness is told on two floors, with a large shop and food outlets on the 5th floor. Visit the Gravity Bar on the 7th floor with views over the city on all sides. Here you can enjoy a free ice-cold pint of Guinness while enjoying the superb vistas.
DINNER AND SHOW AT JOHNNIE FOX’S HOOLEY NIGHT: Johnnie Fox’s is located high up in the Dublin mountains with great views over the city, about a 35-minute drive from the city centre. This white-washed cottage was once part of a farmyard and now every building in the farmyard is part of the pub (even the old pig shed!). Every inch is covered with bric-a-brac and antiques. There is sawdust on the floor and roaring turf fires – a crazy place which is popular with locals and visitors.
Guests will enjoy a 3-course dinner while being entertained by a ballad group playing well-known Irish music throughout the evening. There will be also be an excellent display of Irish dancing (Riverdance style).
HISTORIC WICKLOW TOUR: GLENDALOUGH AND POWERSCOURT | FULL DAY: Drive south of Dublin through the County of Wicklow, known as the garden of Ireland. You visit Glendalough, a beautiful valley with two ancient lakes where St Kevin founded a monastery in the 6th century. Remains include a church, Round Tower and cemetery in the most evocative setting. Enjoy lunch in a country house or a local pub.
After lunch drive back to Enniskerry, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland lying in a wooded hollow among the hills. Visit the Powerscourt House and Gardens nearby. The impressive historic House stands above magnificent terraced gardens where one may view the Sugar Loaf Mountains in the distance.
The interior now houses beautiful gift shops, cafeteria with indoor and outdoor seating, and a history of the house exhibition.
KILLARNEY | FULL DAY: Killarney has long been famous for its beauty – mountain, lake and woodland richly overlaid with legend, archaeology, history and folklore.
Ride the famous horse-drawn ‘jaunting cars’ in the company of a 'Jarvey' (driver & guide) road, view the historic 15th Century restored Ross Castle, and take a boat trip on Killarney’s famous and enchanting lakes.
Visit and tour the world-renowned Victorian Muckross House (1845) and Garden, the centerpiece of the beautiful Killarney National Park. Here you will lunch in the gardens. View the picturesque Torc Waterfall, and visit the famous 150 year old Kate Kearney’s Cottage nestled at the entrance to the world famous Gap of Dunloe.
End the tour with an Irish Whiskey Tasting at the Beaufort Bar located within a stone's throw of the Gap of Dunloe. The Beaufort Bar licensed since 1841 is in perfect harmony with its natural surroundings, and is the ideal retreat after a day of touring.