West Ireland golf trip?

[Ian Mackenzie]

Have never asked for travel help here before...;-)


One of my best pals wants to go on a brief 2-man trip to West Ireland on July 5th and I seek your guidance please.


We will drive ourselves.
Limited to just 4 nights for too many immovable reasons.


- Planned on landing in Dublin and driving to Rosepenna for 2 nights
- Play 2-3 rounds on St. Pats and one of others.


- Drive south to Sligo and play County Sligo and Enniscrone.


My questions:


1. Should we play anywhere else near Rosepenna?
2. Hotel recommendations in Sligo? 2 nights


I have checked on availability and while tight is still possible.


Sure would appreciate all comments one way or another.
Thanks,
ian

[Tom_Doak]

I would recommend you play at Portsalon one afternoon while you are staying at Rosapenna.  It's a lovely spot.  Or, Dunfanaghy, which is not as challenging, but a bargain, and also beautiful when the tide is out.


Some will say you should instead detour past Cruit Island en route down to Rosses Point.

[Brett Meyer]

Just got back from a trip that took me from Dublin along the coast to the northwest, hitting most of what seemed worth seeing from Portmarnock to Narin and Portnoo.

I'd strongly second the Portsalon recommendation, especially if you know you'll be spending some time at St. Patrick's. It's only 20-30 minutes away and it was probably my favorite of the second-tier Irish courses. Narin and Portnoo is also very good, but it's over an hour drive from Rosapenna and I don't think it's on the way to Sligo. Otherwise, the other two courses at Rosapenna are also good and worth playing if you can get a stay-and-play deal. My preference is Sandy Hills, but only if you don't mind getting beaten up (it's by far the hardest of the Rosapenna courses).

Still, I think I'd take Portsalon over the other Rosapenna courses even with the drive and at twice the price (if that's what it is; I'm not sure).

[jeffwarne]

Have never asked for travel help here before...;-)


One of my best pals wants to go on a brief 2-man trip to West Ireland on July 5th and I seek your guidance please.


We will drive ourselves.
Limited to just 4 nights for too many immovable reasons.


- Planned on landing in Dublin and driving to Rosepenna for 2 nights
- Play 2-3 rounds on St. Pats and one of others.


- Drive south to Sligo and play County Sligo and Enniscrone.


My questions:


1. Should we play anywhere else near Rosepenna?
2. Hotel recommendations in Sligo? 2 nights


I have checked on availability and while tight is still possible.


Sure would appreciate all comments one way or another.
Thanks,
ian

Waaay too much driving given what you are passing for a 4 day trip  and I like to drive.
To play St. Pats 2-3 times and then drive to another area and not play one its best courses(Carne)  (or Mukranny)seems daft to me.


In the Northwest
Day 1 St Pats on arrival Day
My actual preference would be Northwest GC(easy walk) on arrival day ,but you want multiple St Pats on a vey limited schedule.


Day 2 Portsalon paired with OTM Rosapena
Day 3 Sandy Links paired with Cruit(9)
Day 4 St Patrick's paired with Dunfanaghy


You could also play Northwest Day 4 on way out and stay in Buncrana


With that itinerary there is always an easier walk(or 9 hokes) in the afternoon and nobody feels deprived if exhaustion or weather causes them to skip an afternoon.


I would try to play Northwest Golf Club on the way in or out of Donegal-easy walk and compelling compact golf with plenty of teeth off the 6300 back tees .

[Ally Mcintosh]

I’m with Jeff.


However if you are going down to Sligo, just play Strandhill with Rosses Point rather than adding another 2 hours drive to go to Enniscrone and back.


A lot depends where you are flying in to?

[Jim Sherma]

Agree with the Strandhill option over Enniscrone. I was not enamored by Enniscrone nearly as much as others here. The newer holes in the dunes are not a lot of fun as there is a lot of lost-ball/unplayable gunch right off the fairways due to the steepness of the slopes. The older Eddie Hackett holes are more interesting if less scenic. Strandhill is better golf in my opinion with more room for recovery shots and enough quirk to still be unique. The Strandhill/Rosses Point combo is a great duo with minimal driving between the two. I stayed at the Strandhill Lodge & Suites and found it to be convenient and relaxing with the walk down to the beach very nice.


Northwest is a place that is well worth getting a round in at as well. Not a lot of eye candy but solid golf with good links turf. Very pleasant club as well.

[Dan_Callahan]

Amazing the variety in preferences.


I was just in that area for three weeks last summer. Given your tight timeline, I would stay at Rosapenna and do laps around the three courses. I don't love Portsalon as much as others. I would skip it without hesitation. I also wouldn't put Dunfanaghy in the same company as Rosapenna. It's a fine locals course, and I met some super friendly people there. But other than a few holes along the water, it is pretty flat and unremarkable (compared to the rugged dunes you get elsewhere).


On the drive from Rosapenna to Sligo, I would absolutely put in a 27-hole day at Cruit and Narin & Portnoo. I love both of them. Also, Murvagh has made significant improvements with some clearing, and that course jumped up several places in my opinion compared to when I previously played it in 2019. And it is right on the way as you travel from Rosapenna to Sligo.


And then in Sligo, I would play Rosses Point twice rather than Strandhill. If you do play Strandhill, try to join a member who can give you advice because there are a lot of holes where the correct line off the tee isn't clear at all (starting with the first hole).


I love Enniscrone, but I would save that region for a different trip. Honestly, you could just stay at Rosapenna and have more than your fill with those three courses, although Rosses Point is worth the detour.


There are lots of good places to stay in Sligo. On one of my trips, I stayed in the Glasshouse, which was centrally located and made it easy to walk to everything. And a nice balcony on the river.

[Charles Lund]

"Honestly, you could just stay at Rosapenna and have more than your fill with those three courses, although Rosses Point is worth the detour."

I  spent a lot of time in that part of Ireland from 2009 to 2018.  July will give you lots of daylight.  I'd add Donegal Golf Club, aka Murvagh, to the excellent options people mentioned.  It's on the way for the drive from Letterkenny to Rosses Point.

I've played Portsalon quite a few times.  I liked my time there quite a bit, but thought of the last four or five holes, although inherently decent holes, as being a bit out of character with the rest of the course.

Charles Lund

[Charles Lund]

I spent a lot of time in that part of Ireland from 2009 to 2018.  July will give you lots of daylight.  I'd add Donegal Golf Club, aka Murvagh, to the excellent options people mentioned.  It's on the way for the drive from Letterkenny to Rosses Point.

I've played Portsalon quite a few times.  I liked my time there quite a bit, but thought of the last four or five holes, although inherently decent holes, as being a bit out of character with the rest of the course.

Charles Lund

[Ally Mcintosh]

Ian,


Bottom line is you’ve 10 different opinions in 10 different posts.


Just do your own thing.

[Sean_A]

Have never asked for travel help here before...;-)


One of my best pals wants to go on a brief 2-man trip to West Ireland on July 5th and I seek your guidance please.


We will drive ourselves.
Limited to just 4 nights for too many immovable reasons.


- Planned on landing in Dublin and driving to Rosepenna for 2 nights
- Play 2-3 rounds on St. Pats and one of others.


- Drive south to Sligo and play County Sligo and Enniscrone.


My questions:


1. Should we play anywhere else near Rosepenna?
2. Hotel recommendations in Sligo? 2 nights


I have checked on availability and while tight is still possible.


Sure would appreciate all comments one way or another.
Thanks,
ian

To be honest, your schedule is packed. If you feel like pushing the boat out and don't mind a bit of a detour, the time out of your way heading to Sligo is indicated below

Gweedore is about 55 minutes

Cruit Island is a little over an hour

Murvagh is about 5 minutes

Portsalon is about 20 minutes

Dunfanaghy is about 20 minutes

North West an hour

Otway 30 minutes

All do the job, although Cruit, Otway and Gweedore may get you to your final destination a bit quicker.  I am biased because I have never seen Gweedore, but I would have that as my priority and go with the weather on a decision the day before travel.

Ciao

[Doug Wright]

Ian,
You have a lot of good information already but I’ll offer my 2 cents because I was in the area last fall on my Ireland golf trip.
I think all three Rosapenna courses are very good. Sandy Hills is much improved with some softening; it was too penal the previous time I played it. I really like Old Tom Morris course, and play the new St. Patrick’s course twice if you can—it’s that good.
As others have said, play Cruit Island and Narin & Portnoo en route to Sligo. I’m not crazy about the changes to N&P, but it’s still a fine course in an awesome setting.[size=78%] [/size]
I’d strongly suggest playing Strandhill along with County Sligo. It’s very close to Sligo, while Enniscrone is over an hour away and not a better course in my view. Strandhill was the biggest surprise or me last fall.[size=78%] [/size]
I stayed at The Driftwood in Sligo. A couple blocks from the golf course and a very nice restaurant on the main floor below the rooms.  Recommended…

[jeffwarne]

Have never asked for travel help here before...;-)


One of my best pals wants to go on a brief 2-man trip to West Ireland on July 5th and I seek your guidance please.


We will drive ourselves.
Limited to just 4 nights for too many immovable reasons.


- Planned on landing in Dublin and driving to Rosepenna for 2 nights
- Play 2-3 rounds on St. Pats and one of others.


- Drive south to Sligo and play County Sligo and Enniscrone.


My questions:


1. Should we play anywhere else near Rosepenna?
2. Hotel recommendations in Sligo? 2 nights


I have checked on availability and while tight is still possible.


Sure would appreciate all comments one way or another.
Thanks,
ian

To be honest, your schedule is packed. If you feel like pushing the boat out and don't mind a bit of a detour, the time out of your way heading to Sligo is indicated below

Gweedore is about 55 minutes

Cruit Island is a little over an hour

Murvagh is about 5 minutes

Portsalon is about 20 minutes

Dunfanaghy is about 20 minutes

North West an hour

Otway 30 minutes

All do the job, although Cruit, Otway and Gweedore may get you to your final destination a bit quicker.  I am biased because I have never seen Gweedore, but I would have that as my priority and go with the weather on a decision the day before travel.

Ciao

I had a lovely day at Gweedore,and it has a certain eclectic charm, but I would NOT be driving to Gweedotre,and therefore skipping Northwest, Portsalon, OTM, Sandy Links, N&P, Cruit or Strandhill on a 4 day trip that includes 2 plays(at least) of the same course.
For that matter I'd even play Dunfanaghy, mainly due to ist proximity to Rosapena, but also because it's walkable and a good pairing with St Patrick's or Sandy Links due to their difficulty of walk.
I've made many trips to Donegal-I find it hard to fit in all that's there on a 7 day trip-can't imaging leaving the region on a 4 day trip.
I'd save Narin and Portnoo, Donegal, Sligo, Strandhill, Enniscrone,Carne and Mulranny for another trip.


I  might recomend you throw in Cruit if you stay up at Rosapenna.

[Sean_A]

Have never asked for travel help here before...;-)


One of my best pals wants to go on a brief 2-man trip to West Ireland on July 5th and I seek your guidance please.


We will drive ourselves.
Limited to just 4 nights for too many immovable reasons.


- Planned on landing in Dublin and driving to Rosepenna for 2 nights
- Play 2-3 rounds on St. Pats and one of others.


- Drive south to Sligo and play County Sligo and Enniscrone.


My questions:


1. Should we play anywhere else near Rosepenna?
2. Hotel recommendations in Sligo? 2 nights


I have checked on availability and while tight is still possible.


Sure would appreciate all comments one way or another.
Thanks,
ian

To be honest, your schedule is packed. If you feel like pushing the boat out and don't mind a bit of a detour, the time out of your way heading to Sligo is indicated below

Gweedore is about 55 minutes

Cruit Island is a little over an hour

Murvagh is about 5 minutes

Portsalon is about 20 minutes

Dunfanaghy is about 20 minutes

North West an hour

Otway 30 minutes

All do the job, although Cruit, Otway and Gweedore may get you to your final destination a bit quicker.  I am biased because I have never seen Gweedore, but I would have that as my priority and go with the weather on a decision the day before travel.

Ciao

I had a lovely day at Gweedore,and it has a certain eclectic charm, but I would NOT be driving to Gweedotre,and therefore skipping Northwest, Portsalon, OTM, Sandy Links, N&P, Cruit or Strandhill on a 4 day trip that includes 2 plays(at least) of the same course.
For that matter I'd even play Dunfanaghy, mainly due to ist proximity to Rosapena, but also because it's walkable and a good pairing with St Patrick's or Sandy Links due to their difficulty of walk.
I've made many trips to Donegal-I find it hard to fit in all that's there on a 7 day trip-can't imaging leaving the region on a 4 day trip.
I'd save Narin and Portnoo, Donegal, Sligo, Strandhill, Enniscrone,Carne and Mulranny for another trip.


I  might recomend you throw in Cruit if you stay up at Rosapenna.

No idea what Ian prefers. Just offered a different PoV.

Ciao

[Thomas Dai]

What time does your intended flight land in Dublin and realistically what time will you be leaving Dublin airports hire-car point? From there it's about a 3 hr maybe slightly more non-stop drive to Rosapenna. Consider tiredness and fatigue in relation to driving after a flight. Incidents usually mean no or less golf.
On the way back what time does your flight leave Dublin and how much earlier will you actually have to get to the airport to return the hire-car and do all the usual airport pre-takeoff activities?
Worth pondering these aspects coz they will likely have quite an impact on when and where you can play. Travel time is non-golf time.
Enjoy and tell us afterwards where you went and how you got on.
atb

[J_ Crisham]

Rosses Point is a must if in that NW corner of Eire. Vastly underrated IMO. Great lodging options there as well.