GJ
Strandhill is a step down in quality from Carne, Ennsicrone and especially Rosses Point, but that is tough company to keep and the course is plenty good enough without having to be great. I would say its a Doak 5 whereas Carne is probably a solid 6, Ennsicrone a 6/7 (I would say 6) and Sligo a 6/7 (I would say 7). It was a huge surprise for me as nobody I heard talked Strandhill up. Although, most of my party was not terribly impressed. I would definitely go back if in the area and I suspect my opinion of Strandhill would rise. I didn't give it the Arble star because I am not convinced many would fully appreciate Strandhill's merits, but it was my second favourite in the area behind Enniscrone. One still gets the sensation of playing a classic Irish links and at a price which makes sense. There are a lot of very good holes; #1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 14 & 18. The 8th is just a matter of cutting some rough down to be an excellent short 4.
Ciao