First trip to SW Ireland

[jeffwarne]

Well, I got the answer on Doonbeg - they are undergoing some 'maintenance' such that only 10 holes will be in play until June 1st - so that clears some time in the itinerary!  Reworking things to see if I will add Old Head, or more time in Dingle, or 36 at either Ballybunion or Lahinch - appreciate all the good advice from this group!

Don't add Old head.
Too much drive from where you are for too little
Keep the itinerary I gave you and knock out Doonbeg for the Cliffs, which gives you only 2 36 hole days, one of which is at the same facility in a buggy!
You'll have a nice mix of big guns, gems, pub culture and scenery.

[Kirk Gill]

I found the Cliffs of Moher to be a beautiful place. Some places that are so designated might leave you flat, and some might excite your senses the way these cliffs did mine. I enjoyed walking along them, on a dreary overcast and foggy day. If they're not your cuppa, then onward and upward !

I did play Ceann Sibéal (Dingle Golf Links) and wasn't necessarily deeply moved by the golf there, although it too is a lovely place, and a very low-key experience. It might serve as a breather between playing much more difficult and more impressive courses. Aiden Bradley has some representative pictures of the course on his website.

[Jim Eder]

Keith,

A lot of great advice already.

I am not sure about when you are going but afternoons at Ballybunion (Old) are typically reserved for members. I can't remember the last non-member time, it might be about 1:30PM or so (just contact them). So that might influence the routing. Please be aware of that.

Dooks is brilliant and really should not be missed and can be played on the way down and/or on the way back up from Waterville.

Lahinch is brilliant as is the town, special place.

I do the roads and not the ferry but Michael brings up a good point on the early morning ferry up to Lahinch if the routing works out that way.

I think where you play depends on how much stamina you all have and what you are looking for. Tralee is beautiful as is Waterville and on your first visit to the area I would suggest playing those. That morning drive to Waterville will be tough if you are not used to that sort of thing. Lahinch off the plane would probably be best but it sounds like the times might be difficult.

If possible playing the greats twice is not a bad idea as I think the second time around you one can typically see more of the course. But it depends on what you all are looking for.

So I would make sure I play (in order of importance to me personally) Lahinch, Ballybunion Old, Dooks, Waterville, Tralee. Then if I was looking for more golf and had time I would think about adding Ballybunion Cashen, and possibly Adare Manor (the majority of people on this site will not agree with Adare). Dingle would be fun but it may be a bit of a stretch on your timetable.

Just take your time driving and try to leave a lot of time, have a GPS, take the full car insurance even though it is pricey, bring the best waterproofs money can buy and you'll have a blast. A very special area. Enjoy, hope this helps.

 

[Pete Lavallee]

What is it with the Cliffs of Moher...?

You kind of walk up to them, get a pic, cos everyone else it taking pics and then it's done. Lots of cliffs.

I just didn't get what the fuss was about... call me a philstine if you want... maybe I should get the guide book next time!

It may be the only two hours of non golfing time you don't have a pint in you hand!

[Jim Sherma]

I agree that Caeen Siebell / Dingle is no world beater but it is a fun day out. The surface was nice f&f links turf and the location sets up for a nice low key day. Rolling back into Dingle for some pub time is a great way to end the day and prepare for the next.

Also, try to make it to Castlegregory on the Dingle peninsula's north coast. I really liked the stop that I made there. Holes 2-8 had some real fun shots and it's a neat place once you find it. Hopefully they added some signs since I was there.

The original 9 at Kenmare might be worth a quick stop. I did not play it because the greens had just been aerated, but it looked like a really nice walk. I did not see the second nine that was added on higher ground. The town of Kenmare is idyllic and well worth a stop for lunch if nothing else.

[David Stamm]

Is heading North an option?

[Norbert P]

  If you and your boys are into experiencing local music, check out the pub in Doolin, just North of Lahinch. 
Excellent craic, as well.

[Brett Hochstein]

If you do this, http://www.doolincliffwalk.com, the Cliffs of Moher is anything but a "walk up and shoot a picture."  I also wouldn't recommend it for the faint of heart or for this particular itinerary.  Easily a top five coolest/craziest thing I've ever done though.  Also, if you aren't impressed by 600 foot cliffs straight down to a blue crashing sea, then what are you impressed by?

For that afternoon post-Lahinch, check out the Cliffs on the way up to Doolin, have a pint in the pub, and bring a few clubs for the pitch and putt.  I didn't have time to play it, but it looks like a blast, especially if the turf is thinner in the warmer months. 

If you really want to fit in more and are into history, namely anthropology, drive through the Burren and see the Poulnabrone.  Very, very good chance it will be the oldest human site/creation you ever see.

Dooks is great and an experience not to be missed--reminded me of the more remote links in the Scottish Highlands.  I played on a calm December day with almost the entire course to myself, and it was maybe the most relaxing round of my life.  The course and terrain is good (though the new greens are a bit too repetitive IMO), and the scenery and texture of the place are incredible. 

I've only done part of Highway 1, and I've been on the Great Ocean Road.  Perhaps we just had a perfect sunny, calm, tourist-less day, but the Ring of Kerry is my favorite of all.  The range of landscapes, formations, vistas, and towns just blew me away.  Awesome crab claws too.

[Keith Phillips]

Thanks, everyone - plans are coming together - a couple more thoughts:

- due to tee time availability we may flip and go from north-to-south...will likely mean more lodging stops but that's a compromise i'm okay with
- so day 1 straight to Lahinch...tee time at 1230 so may in fact go to the Cliffs of Moher first, then stop somewhere for a great Irish breakfast, then play 18 at Lahinch and either stay in Lahinch or power on down to the town of Ballybunion
- as advised, Ballybunion limits tee times after 1pm to members-only, so the 'tralee in the morn/BB in the afternoon' isn't working...we can flip those however, which is now our day 2 plan
- day 3 will be waterville then dooks then head back north
- day 4 tbd - thinking ballybunion mid-morning then a leisurely drive back north toward Lahinch to be close to airport
- day 5 #1 son off to London...#2 son and I will play Lahinch a 2nd time then add some more golf ... possibly the 10 open holes at Doonbeg, but have also just been reading about the 9-hole Spanish Point...is that a good final round or waste of time?

Total drive time is fairly similar to the other route, though we will backtrack north toward the end of the trip - more relaxing day 1, but a bit more driving the other days - play 18 at waterville, tralee and dooks and 36 at BB and Lahinch - likely night stays in Ballybunion, Waterville and Lahinch - this excludes Dingle, which I may squeeze in but the timing is tight.  Someone asked about heading north...I am going to Northern Ireland with friends in 2016, and unfortunately don't have time this trip for the Connemara's or County Sligo's.

I've found remarkably reasonable rental car prices and am currently looking at a Mercedes C200 auto - don't know the size of it but hoping that works!

[Jim Eder]

Keith,

The plan looks good. I like that you are separating the second rounds at Lahinch and Ballybunion, my idea when I do that is one of the days for each course should be ok.

My one concern is Day 2. Lahinch is a great place, a great place to enjoy arrival day and evening. But the drive down to Ballybunion takes a little while (The ferry might make sense though). So it would be an early start (though at that time the days are pretty long)  then to get in the 36 holes at Ballybunion and then Tralee. So it may make sense to head down to Ballybunion for the evening. Tough call as hanging out in Lahinch is really cool for you and both sons. After the rounds at ballybunion and Tralee I would think about staying either in in Tralee or somewhere on the way to Dooks or Waterville or maybe power on through to Waterville. That will be a pretty long day especially the day after arrival. It can be done but just a thought to consider. Tough call on whether to stay in Lahinch or to get closer to Ballybunion Day 1 evening. Would be nice to have both sons enjoy Lahinch.

I personally tend to want to get close to my next day of golf. So I typically play golf then drive to the next destination for the evening so that the next day I can have a good breakfast, a relaxing drive to the course and be fresh for the golf. But each golfer has different preferences.

I am sure you all know this but try to sleep on the plane and stay awake on the arrival day, try not to nap, have a nice dinner and try to go to bed at a "normal" time like 9 or 10PM.

But overall I really like the way the trip is looking. It is pretty fast "out of the gate" but then it slows down a bit. The excitement and adrenaline should help the first few days though.

[Keith Phillips]

Thanks, Jim - all good advice - I'll reflect in the next day or two before booking but generally agree - one key on the itinerary is to get to either Ballybunion or hopefully Lahinch the night of the 14th, so the airport transfer is easier/cheaper for my son.  I'm pretty good at redeyes (not sure about the boys) and have booked three window seats back to back to back for the way over so hopefully the boys will close their eyes on takeoff - I'll likely get 3-4 hours and be okay the next day - you are right it's critical to power through day one, and golf certainly is a nice way to do that!

[jeffwarne]

Thanks, everyone - plans are coming together - a couple more thoughts:

- due to tee time availability we may flip and go from north-to-south...will likely mean more lodging stops but that's a compromise i'm okay with
- so day 1 straight to Lahinch...tee time at 1230 so may in fact go to the Cliffs of Moher first, then stop somewhere for a great Irish breakfast, then play 18 at Lahinch and either stay in Lahinch or power on down to the town of Ballybunion
- as advised, Ballybunion limits tee times after 1pm to members-only, so the 'tralee in the morn/BB in the afternoon' isn't working...we can flip those however, which is now our day 2 plan
- day 3 will be waterville then dooks then head back north
- day 4 tbd - thinking ballybunion mid-morning then a leisurely drive back north toward Lahinch to be close to airport
- day 5 #1 son off to London...#2 son and I will play Lahinch a 2nd time then add some more golf ... possibly the 10 open holes at Doonbeg, but have also just been reading about the 9-hole Spanish Point...is that a good final round or waste of time?

Total drive time is fairly similar to the other route, though we will backtrack north toward the end of the trip - more relaxing day 1, but a bit more driving the other days - play 18 at waterville, tralee and dooks and 36 at BB and Lahinch - likely night stays in Ballybunion, Waterville and Lahinch - this excludes Dingle, which I may squeeze in but the timing is tight.  Someone asked about heading north...I am going to Northern Ireland with friends in 2016, and unfortunately don't have time this trip for the Connemara's or County Sligo's.

I've found remarkably reasonable rental car prices and am currently looking at a Mercedes C200 auto - don't know the size of it but hoping that works!

Keith
a c200 is not going to work for 4 people with golf clubs, travel bags and luggage, esp/ with your itinerary.
I really don't understand day 3 as it's a long way down to Waterville which you'd have to do after your 36 hole day 2.


Spanish Point is ok, but it's more of an after 18 lark.

Calling about tee times often proves more fruitful than internet if you run into problems.

Killarney Mahoney's Point or Dingle are worth squeezing in (for different reasons)

Given you already have a day 1 tee time, the below involves less hotel switching and avoids 2 big slow courses in one day (ex. BB zoo and Tralee same day tough)
and gives you the scenery you were looking for

Day 1 Lahinch  (stay BB)
       2   BB, Dooks (Dooks easier walk than Tralee) (stay waterville)
       3 Waterville, Killarney Mahoney's Point (nice inland contrast to links and stunning and a small course mixed with big Waterville)also gives you Ring of Kerry drive.   36 too much? play Parknasilla or Kenmare 9 holer inland/seaside outside Waterville on Ring of Kerry(StayTralee)
       4 Tralee/optional Castlegregory 9 holer day 4 or 5 (stay Tralee)
        5 drop off son,  Dingle/optional Castlegregory (stay Tralee)
      

Lahinch is not THAT much closer to airport than Tralee town

all that said Lahinch/Doolin, Dingle, Waterville nice towns to enjoy night out

[Jim Eder]

Keith,

You are very welcome. Agreed, Ballybunion or Lahinch on the 14th is a very good idea for your son. Personally I would probably choose Lahinch but either one can work.

Jeff makes great points. What kind of golf travel bags do you have? A club glove with the hard plastic on the back third or so times 3 can take up a lot of room. The full canvas travel bag is very different as it can be rolled up (of course inferior for the clubs though). A C-class can get tight on luggage but a lot of cars can. If possible pack light and try to carry on. The carry on bags could always go next to the person in the back seat then during golf go into the trunk. Never leave anything in plain view in an unattended vehicle.

If you have a connection please leave enough time between connection flights in the US and avoid London if there is a connection (I am guessing you are doing Aer Lingus into Shannon though). You want the clubs to make it. On the way back you clear customs in Shannon so if you have a connection in the US to get back home it doesn't have to be too long between connecting flights.

I hope this helps, please feel free to ask anything. You guys are going to have a great time, that is some great golf. Enjoy!

[Jud_T]

I would second the idea of allowing at least a couple hours to enjoy the town of Lahinch.. Walk down to the beach and check out all the surfers, then have a bite and a pint in one of the pubs in town.

[Jay Mickle]

 Just made tee times for Ballybunion on 5/15. Seemed that there weren't a lot available. I have been to Ireland to Foxhunt but not to play golf. I am really looking forward to it. Starting on the 6th at The European Club and going North around to Ballybunion heading home on the 20th

[Sean_A]

Keith

Lahinch isn't the town it once was.  The recesssion has hit it hard so I wouldn't make any special plans to hang about.  Believe it or not, Ballybunion is now nicer than Lahinch! 

The only thing I would suggest is to stay put more.  You are doing a lot of running around when Lahinch and Ballybunion are THE two main courses to see.  Try to play each of them at least twice.  I would also say the Cashen offers a lot of very cool shots and makes it worthwhile to hang about.  For example

1 & 2. Lahinch and stay for the next day as well...3 games

3. Ballybunion & Cashen

4. Ballybunion and Tralee or Dooks, but Dooks is a loooong way. 

5. Airport from Ballybunion...if the day is not spent playing golf it doesn't much matter that the drive time is twice as long to Shannon than it is from Lahinch.

You miss Waterville and Tralee or Dooks, but your drive time is cut way down and you spend more time at the courses which warrant more of your attention.  Four different courses in four days is still good going.

Ciao