Ballybunion Christmas access....

[Mark Chaplin]

Sean - Princes has a good product, the kitchen doesn't know if it's fine dining or golfers fare, last time I ate there the food was very good but the room echoes, fine for couples and fours, problem is the 8 and 12 golf parties arrive and the noise level goes through the roof.

I think their room pricing as softened as one of my mates paid £120 for a single on a Saturday night, he was gutted when I told him we were £33 cheaper and no £10 each way cab ride to Deal for dinner!

[mike_malone]

For Christmas 2004 I took my family to Doolin, which is just past the Cliffs of Moher. The day before Christmas Eve I went down to the Lahinch clubhouse and was told by the woman behind the counter " we are closed to visitors at the holiday, but if you come tomorrow afternoon we may be able to do something."
This must be a peculiar Irish way of speaking which says two opposite things in one sentence.

Well I showed up around noon the next day and they said they would not sign me up but here's a set of clubs and Merry Christmas.


I set off up the first hole into a wind and hail as my family got visual evidence of my insanity. Around number 8 the tethered goats looked at me the same way.

[Joe Bentham]

we've veered off topic a bit...anybody have a similar experience at Ballybunion as Mike did at Doolin?

[Mark Bourgeois]

Regarding the possibly precipitating reason for no visitors at Ballyb, here in the DC area, just learned that one private course is going with mats for the winter. Something about eliminating ~5,500 divots. Have never before heard of a U.S. course doing this. Quite surprising and will be curious to see if the members riot.

[jeffwarne]

Regarding the possibly precipitating reason for no visitors at Ballyb, here in the DC area, just learned that one private course is going with mats for the winter. Something about eliminating ~5,500 divots. Have never before heard of a U.S. course doing this. Quite surprising and will be curious to see if the members riot.

taking the pins out Thanksgiving slows them down
that and the 35+ mph winds that blow from Oct-June

[Rob Marshall]

For Christmas 2004 I took my family to Doolin, which is just past the Cliffs of Moher. The day before Christmas Eve I went down to the Lahinch clubhouse and was told by the woman behind the counter " we are closed to visitors at the holiday, but if you come tomorrow afternoon we may be able to do something."
This must be a peculiar Irish way of speaking which says two opposite things in one sentence.

Well I showed up around noon the next day and they said they would not sign me up but here's a set of clubs and Merry Christmas.


I set off up the first hole into a wind and hail as my family got visual evidence of my insanity. Around number 8 the tethered goats looked at me the same way.

Mike,
Doesn't surprise me a bit. On my trip to Ireland I found the people at Lahinch to friendliest of any of the courses we played.

[mike_malone]

My point is if he shows up there ( I forgot to say I bought some things the first day before saying anything) he has a chance to experience the kindness of the Irish. Lahinch was abandoned on Christmas Eve afternoon.

In the fall of 1997 I went to Ireland with my non golfing wife and walked into Ballybunion and got a tee time for the next day. Of course, it may be that I look like a nice person!

[JMEvensky]

For Christmas 2004 I took my family to Doolin, which is just past the Cliffs of Moher. The day before Christmas Eve I went down to the Lahinch clubhouse and was told by the woman behind the counter " we are closed to visitors at the holiday, but if you come tomorrow afternoon we may be able to do something."
This must be a peculiar Irish way of speaking which says two opposite things in one sentence.

Well I showed up around noon the next day and they said they would not sign me up but here's a set of clubs and Merry Christmas.


I set off up the first hole into a wind and hail as my family got visual evidence of my insanity. Around number 8 the tethered goats looked at me the same way.

I got to Lahinch near the end of my Ireland trip. A lady in the Pro Shop insisted on personally boxing up everything I'd bought and getting it shipped home for me. She wouldn't accept a nickel.

I love Ireland and the Irish people--they must be the friendliest people on Earth.