RECAP @ END:Tips for an August Saturday and Sunday between Rosapenna and Clifden

[Mike Baillie]

In a few weeks, after 2 rounds at St Patrick's, on a Saturday morning we check out of Rosapenna.  We have an open night until a Sunday evening check-in in Clifden.  Looking for some ideas for those two days that can include golf and other things of interest.


The tee sheets look full at places like Donegal, Sligo, Enniscrone given the weekend.  There are times on the Wild Atlantic Way version of Carne Saturday afternoon.  An unique 18 or 9 hole course would be fine any where along the way.  Hoping some on here have suggestions.  My wife is a novice golfer but does at least enjoy playing.


Will probably fit in the village of Cong some time on the Sunday.  Any tips much appreciated.

[Jim Sherma]

Strandhill is well worthy if available. A bit out of the way could take you to Mulranny for a great old school 9-holer.

[jeffwarne]

Saturday possibilities?
Golf
Cruit Island and or Gweedore(now 15 holes I think)
Atractions
Slieve League Cliffs-dwarf the Cliffs of Moher-easy to do and far less touristy


Further south
As mentioned Strandhill or Bundoran-a glorious place on a sunny day and a bit tamer for golf
Mulranny-highly recommended OR if going to Kong anyway check out Connemara Isles(not near Connemara but semi near Kong and Clifden, a cool seaside 9 holer with a thatched hut clubhouse-the drive in amongst barren rocky outcroppings is very cool

[Ally Mcintosh]

The N59 is a great, scenic road to drive, especially if you take the route from Ballina via Bangor, Newport, Westport, Leenane to Clifden.


If you go that way, you really should play the Wild Atlantic Dunes at Carne. But you also pass the really cool rustic 9 at Mulranny. You should stop at Westport (brilliant town) and if you are feeling really energetic you could climb Croagh Patrick.


This adds a little bit of driving to your route (which is over 4 hours direct). If you are going direct for the second half of the journey, stopping at Strandhill (half way down) for a game is a good option. Rosses Point the other option.

[Thomas Dai]

Mike,
You mention that your wife is a novice golfer.
Most of the bigger names mentioned can be/are pretty difficult and could well result in a disenchanting and expensive slog for a novice.
However, County Sligo and Enniscrone also have 9-hole courses that have golfing merit but are laid out more with the novice or lessor player in mind. They may also be easier to get on than their bigger brothers at the same site and much less expensive too. Gweedore and Mulranny have already been mentioned. There's also a rustic 9-holer at Achill. Dunfanaghy would be good too.
atb

[Tom_Doak]

Carne and Mulranny are a perfect pair.  Couldn't be more different -- one is the biggest dunes ever and the other is a grazed low-lying links [and a much easier walk].

[Tony_Muldoon]

Mike,
You mention that your wife is a novice golfer.
Most of the bigger names mentioned can be/are pretty difficult and could well result in a disenchanting and expensive slog for a novice.
However, County Sligo and Enniscrone also have 9-hole courses that have golfing merit but are laid out more with the novice or lessor player in mind. They may also be easier to get on than their bigger brothers at the same site and much less expensive too. Gweedore and Mulranny have already been mentioned. There's also a rustic 9-holer at Achill. Dunfanaghy would be good too.
atb

There's also a lovely P&P at Enniscrone - find it via a shared 'drive', between two houses. Cost me £4 to play (a few years ago.)
NO country takes P&P as serious as Ireland.

[Mike Baillie]

Thank you all for the suggestions.


While things may vary until we do them, our most likely route will be N59 as Ally notes.  The golf either Carne or Mulranny as a few have noted.  When near Clifden, the suggestion of Connemara Isles looks appealing.


We have just over two weeks in total heading counter clockwise from Dublin around to Galway then across to Dublin.  The booked golf for the two of us both Royal Portrush courses beyond the two rounds at St Patrick's.  I will attempt to get on as a single at Royal County Down early in the trip if possible.  Failing that perhaps Ardglass.


Thank you again.

[Garland Bayley]

For Ardglass, contact Dick Daley to find the Bed and Breakfast owned by the club captain. Secured him rounds there as guest of and with the captain.

[Mike Baillie]

Thanks again to all for their advice.


There was lots to do on the west coast of Ireland that weekend so we only saw Mulranny. A return trip will have more time in that area enabling a quick round.


Highlights from a golf perspective:
- could not get on the Champ Links at RCD and the tee sheet was full at Ardglass
- played RCD Annesley instead.  Quite enjoyed it especially the thinking involved with playing the 270 to 340 yard par fours
- played both at Portrush.  Lots of excellent holes.  As commented by others right in front of you but you need to execute the shots
- played St Patrick's twice.  Really enjoyed it. More golfers likely to go there in the coming years


Obviously more grow in needs to occur.  The fairways have plenty of width - you want to hit them as the rough or natural sand areas are penal.  The real highlight the greens and surrounding areas.  Contours both on the greens and around superb.  In many cases, there was no sand bunkers nearby but frankly no need.  I noticed the same thing on some of the holes at Royal  Portrush.


Lots of great holes - my favs were 7 and 14.  On the St Pats thread there was discussion on whether 16 should be a par 5 instead.  In my view no, given the severe downhill it effectively played a bit shorter than the 9th and 11th.  The most minor concern the par 3s a bit similar.  However, like virtually all holes, there are so many options for pin positions that similarity concerns
disappeared.