The days will be short and the weather will be spotty but besides that it's an outstanding plan. Go expecting the worst and you may be surprised on the bright side. I'm sure you can find a warm pub if need be.

Arrive Shannon drive to Waterville, play Waterville and return to Tralee is a tall order, nearly 7 hours in the car on the worst roads in Ireland. Give yourself a break, drive to Waterville, play and spend the night at the Butler Arms Hotel, have dinner at the Huntsman. Get up early and drive to Ballybunion and play 18 (if you play 36 you end up playing the second 18 on the other course). After golf take the ferry across the Shannon and spend the night in Lahinch. There are numerous B&Bs in town as well as restaurants. Spend the rest of your time in Lahinch. Leave about 7:30 AM for a noon flight back.

Have fun!!


MJF

I spent an enjoyable day walking Inch this past December and it was as nice as any day in summer.

Best part: no crowds.....great opportunty to meet locals. So don't rush around too much.

i'll say you didnt rush around too much...next time challenge yourself and trying walking foot or even walking yard.  stop and rest every now and then if need be.

i would not bother playing the second course at ballybunion. it is not worth the effort

Phillip,

Why is it not worth the effort? I also prefer the Old Course but I've played the Cashen multiple times and I particularily like the back side holes of 13, 16, and 17. If in Ballybunion it's well worth the effort to play the course. It's links golf over some pretty rugged dunes. This leads to some great views but also a fairly strenous walk. Like the Old Course the holes go in every direction so the wind direction is constantly changing.

The thing about the Cashen course in Ballybunion is that you might just love it. Then again, you might hate it. It really does divide people.

Driving around the Ring of Kerry is absolutely beautiful, but slow. You will be on the Ring on your travels.

Dooks is worth a visit.

Jason - Killarney, Kenmare, Kinsale are good places for non-golfers to visit too. Lahinch is good fun at night, and the non-golfers can go and explore the Burren during the day. Gus Connors is a famous music pub in Doolin, which is nearby. It's worth a visit. You could also take a boat of plane out to the Arran Islands...

A good time to visit Co Clare is during the Willie Clancy festival, which is early July. Lots and lots of live Irish music in Milltownmalbay.

There's Puc Fair in Kilorglin, Co Kerry, too, where they crown a goat king every year.

Cork hosts the national Jazz festival every year on the October bank holiday weekend...

You might also get some ideas at http://www.ireland.travel.ie/

Have a look at http://www.townandcountry.ie/ for accomodation, or http://www.ireland.travel.ie/?id=14

Scott,

Are you dead-set on SW Ireland?  Have you considered Dublin?  There great courses directly around Dublin (Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, European Club, The Island) and Royal County Down is about a 90 minute drive north.  And if the weather doesn't cooperate, Dublin's a great city to spend some time.

Brian,  

The main reasons for thinking about the SW part of the island are the direct flights into Shannon and that I figure the SW is more likely to have better weather than the Dublin-Belfast area.

On a seperate note, we have an opening on Fri morning at Lochmere (956am) if you are interested.  

For the rest of the board, Lochmere is just southwest of St. Andrews, about 4000 miles; fact of the matter, its a Club Corp course in Cary, NC.

Scott

As for the Cashen, I'm decidely biased. I almost prefer people to bash it.......part of what makes it so nice is that, typically, not many people are on the course.

Tim,

I find this to be one of the great mysteries of GCA. Both Neil and yourself speak in spititual tones about Cashen, and then most seem to bash it. I have never been, but am dying to get back over and make my decsion.

Scott, Southwestern Ireland can have some lousy weather in the winter.  You might be better off on the eastern coast and play Portmarnock, Baltray, Island, The European club,et al.   They get less rain.  But if your heart is set on Ballybunion then buy one of those sweaters that is gore tex lined and some of that new underarmour.  It is awsome in keeping you warm.  Good luck.

 Neil
    That first picture is much appreciated,when i played there it was shrouded in fog.