[Michael Wolf]

Anyone know a retiree or golfer looking to make a few euro driving a single in Ireland?


I have a few days I can layover in Dublin and would taxi to some combination of Euro Club, Portmarnock and the Island. But if it can be worked out I'd like to try to get up to County Louth, RCD or even Portrush. Problem is I'm not confident enough to drive lefty, especially if I go 36 and have a pint or two in the clubhouse afterwards. The trip will be short enough that burning time using trains and buses is probably not what I want to do. I might want to overnight one night in N.I. if that's what works best with the tee times. Flexible on dates and locations. Probably 4 days, maybe 6 rounds of golf if it can be lined up. Half of those within taxi distance of Dublin hotel. So the rest I'd need help.


Would be happy to find a golfer who'd like to play along and I could subsidize some of the hotel and greens fees.


Flexible on dates but needs to be late March/April. I will be laying over on way back from business trip to Germany and therefore somewhat tied to work schedule.


Dm or email if you have any leads.


thanks,


Michael

[Tim Martin]

Michael-It can be extremely expensive if you are not part of a group. I can't help you with the itinerary you have described. That said I can tell you who not to call if you are looking to go from County Clare to Lahinch or Ballybunion.

[Bill Brightly]

Let's re-think hiring a driver... Driving a car on the wrong side of the road is no big deal and you won't be drinking more than one pint after golf. That's the rule. Rent a GPS or use your phone to be your copilot.


Rent a car in Dublin airport, 16 minute drive to Portmonarch. Drive to County Louth, 52 minutes, stay in one of their dorm-style rooms upstairs. Very spartan but you can eat in their restaurant drink all you want. (You may even strike up some interesting conversations with their members at the bar. I did this with my two adult sons and it was a blast.) Play 36 holes there, it is a great course. Stay there night two.


Continue North in the morning, 80 minute drive, play Royal County Down. Twice. Stay at Slieve Donard. Eat and drink all you want, no need to drive after golf, the hotel is next to the clubhouse. Play Ardglass the next day. Thirty minute drive. Play  Ardglass twice if you want or back to play RCD again. RCD is a course worthy of multiple plays. If you play it once, I promise you you'll wish you had scheduled a second or third round. Stay in Slieve Donard again and drink all you want. Head to airport in the morning, one hour forty minute drive. You can do this!

[Tony_Muldoon]

If you’re not confident us telling you just do it, won’t change that.  Have you already tried?
 
The staying local is good advice anyway,
Portmarnock (all 27 holes), Portmarnock Links, and The Island are all world class and a short drive/taxi form the airport.
Co Louth not much further away
See Sean’s tour of Corballis (next to the Island) for the true meanings of ‘undiscovered Gem’, ‘wild ride’ and ‘golf how it used to be’.  Dollymount, St Margaret’s and Bettystown are also worth a round.
 
If it’s something you want to do more of in future, then maybe you’d be ok with driving on these short trips?  Also get an Auto. They are extra in Europe but its one less thing to think about as you approach you’re first roundabout of the day. Enjoy.

[Charles Lund]

Out of curiosity, does Uber operate in Ireland?


If so, you could get lodging out near the Dublin Airport and get an Uber to The Island Club or Portmarnock.  I usually stay at The Premier Inn.  I've done 11 trips to Ireland, 13 trips to Australia, and other trips to New Zealand, Scotland, and England.  Caution about driving on the other side of the road is a good thing.


In Ireland, many car rental insurance benefits on credit cards are not applicable, so insurance can be a costly add on.


Unlike Scotland, which has good train service and concentrations of courses in various destinations, trains do not appear to be a good option and the more desirable courses are far apart.


Charles Lund

[Adam Lawrence]

I've never really understood the issue about driving on the other side of the road. It's not hard. However, if you don't fancy it you don't fancy it, and that's fair enough, especially when you add the likelihood of any car you rent in Europe being a manual (autos do exist in the rental fleet but they are more expensive and you will only get one if you specifically request it when booking).


Like most Europeans, my car is a manual, but there is a lot to be said for having an automatic when you're dealing with driving in unfamiliar circumstances.

[Tim Martin]

The original poster seemed adamant about not wanting to drive which if you are not comfortable or inclined to do seems entirely reasonable. I don’t see how people then imploring him to do so or questioning “how they have never really understood the issue of driving on the other side of the road” is helpful in any way. To then add “it’s not hard” seems sort of mean spirited and he probably now wishes he didn’t look for advice on this board.

[Michael Wolf]

Unfortunately I am just not comfortable on the left. Despite this being my 26th golfing trip to the UK, my anxiety of driving lefty, and particularly in possibly injuring someone else, would hang over the fun. Most of my trips have been with groups in vans, and for my solo ventures I usually just pick the Heathlands or east Lothian or another one of the great golf clusters, and taxi to/from a central hotel. Very fond memories of Mr. Cromartie shuttling me around between Nairn and the other Highland courses, all while giving me his thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of the courses I was playing and missing.


Just hate the idea of being in Dublin, with some real diamonds just out of reach.


But where there is a will there is a way. Something will turn up.


No worries! Michael

[Rich Goodale]

You "'...hate the idea of being in Dublin....?" That's like hating waking up beside Marilyn Monroe.  Play Royal Dublin, Portmarnock and Malehide, all within easy taxi distance and spend the rest of your time learning how to love Dublin.  IMHO.

[JMEvensky]

You "'...hate the idea of being in Dublin....?" That's like hating waking up beside Marilyn Monroe.  Play Royal Dublin, Portmarnock and Malehide, all within easy taxi distance and spend the rest of your time learning how to love Dublin.  IMHO.

I'm guessing the Oxford(?) comma caused a misinterpretation. No sentient being could hate Dublin.

[Michael Wolf]

Mr Goodale,


I hate the idea of being less than an hour from a couple of the worlds great golf courses and not being able to play them. Of course I recognize Dublin is a pretty nice place to hang my hat for a couple of days. Hence my decision to travel there.


But thank you for taking the time out of your day to post a reply.

[John Kavanaugh]

Michael,


I can't even walk properly overseas. The highlight of my year was crossing a street improperly and cutting off a cyclist. Watching a grown man pick up his bicycle, put it on his shoulder, and run at me yelling c.nt at the top of his lungs was one of the happiest moments of my life.


It didn't end well for him. After I started laughing everyone within earshot joined in and he put his bike down and rode off. Every man needs to hear a Londoner say that word in anger. A beautiful thing.


Here is an article showing that I am not alone: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/10/07/number-pedestrians-fatally-seriously-injured-cyclists-has-doubled/

[jeffwarne]

Michael,
Contact Garreth Cooke of Cooke travel-based in Dublin.
I'm sure he could arrange something to suit your needs-tell him I said to send his brother Lenny, a good friend of mine.
Of course what you save in fees Lenny will hustle off you on the course.
In addition to the ones Rich mentioned, The Island and Corballis would be great.
No need to go far with Portmaronack, The Island, Corballis, Layton and Bettystown nearby- and Baltray, The European Club and RCD all a short drive away.


I'd volunteer for the job but limiting myself to one pint is a nonstarter....

[Rich Goodale]

Mr Goodale,


I hate the idea of being less than an hour from a couple of the worlds great golf courses and not being able to play them. Of course I recognize Dublin is a pretty nice place to hang my hat for a couple of days. Hence my decision to travel there.


But thank you for taking the time out of your day to post a reply.

You are welcome, Mr. Wolf.


IMVHO you are going to find it hard to find an Irish golfer who doesn't drink and can manoeuver his or her automobile over the treacherous random patches of asphalt that define the "roads" of Ireland.


Have you thought about hiring your distant cousin Wilson for the job?  http://www.indiewire.com/2012/03/being-winston-wolfe-9-reasons-why-pulp-fiction-is-the-management-guide-every-indie-filmmaker-needs-48445/


Good luck!


PS--to Mr. Evensky.  Not sure it is an Oxford comma, just an equally annoying use of the punctuation mark.

[Ally Mcintosh]

Michael,


Drop me a note when you know your travel dates and if you can fit a Friday afternoon in at Portmarnock, I’d be happy to host you (date dependent)...


Not so good on drivers though... so can’t really help there.


Ally

[JMEvensky]

PS--to Mr. Evensky.  Not sure it is an Oxford comma, just an equally annoying use of the punctuation mark.

I'm sure you're right (on both counts)--I've never had the opportunity to cite one before so I took a shot; and whiffed. Was just pointing out the "let's eat grandma" element and my (our?) affection for the city of Dublin.

[Bill Brightly]

Michael, if you are really that uncomfortable with the idea of driving on the left side, then don't do it. Perhaps that means chopping off the RCD portion of your trip and just focusing on the courses outside of Dublin, taking taxis back and forth. Lots of great options. I wonder what the Irish gca.com posters think about Wicklow? I've never played it but it seems like the kind of course I'd like to try when I get back to Dublin.


I was curious about Uber in Ireland and apparently it is not permitted:


https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/uber-banned-from-operating-private-car-rides-in-ireland-1.3169768

[Jon Wiggett]

Michael,


I too would have thought looking at a private hire care (booked taxi) would be the way to go. Not cheap but also not so much more than hiring a car for a few days.


Bill,


in the UK several cities have stopped Uber's licence most notably London.

[Craig Sweet]

Stay in Dublin...Buy a LEAP card...Take DART to Malihide...taxi to Island Club, Corballis, Portmarnock....Easy as pie...and cheap travel.  Use LEAP card on all public transportation....Uber and taxi cabs charge the same by law...so not much advantage with Uber.

[Dónal Ó Ceallaigh]

Michael,


If I was you, I'd stick to the greater Dublin area. You have loads of good courses (Royal Dublin, Portmarnock, Portmarnock Links, The Island, Corballis, Laytown & Bettystown, Baltray, Seapoint) on the north side within 15-45 minutes. You could also try Howth GC. It's on the hill and the views are wonderful. Take the time to enjoy Dublin. Take the DART to Howth (grab some fish'n'chips with vinegar  and walk the pier) and Dun Laoghaire (walk to the end of the pier).


You can get a train to Drogheda (from Connolly Station) and then a short taxi to Baltray (Co. Louth). As was mentioned, you could stay in the Dormy House and maybe play Baltray twice. Laytown & Bettystown GC is just south of Drogheda. You could get a taxi from Drogheda to L&B or get off at Laytown and get a taxi to L&B, or even a taxi from Baltray to L&B. The distances are very short.


Right next to Baltray is Seapoint. I haven't played Seapoint, but it's on the same strip of linksland as Baltray. It's not in the same league as Baltray, but I've heard it's quite good. That's three links courses close to Drogheda.


I think you should also consider Royal Dublin (shortish taxi ride), but only if you get the winter green fee.


Maybe the though of getting trains/DART and taxis sounds like a lot of hassle, but it's isn't as the distances and times are short and all the courses are close to the same line. The DART and trains generally adhere to timetables (it's the buses that are awful).

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