More Ireland golf trip help

[Brad Wilbur]

Like several other GCA people, my wife and I are going on a 2 week trip to Ireland in May.  I've got the itinerary partially booked, but another couple is going with us for part of the trip.  We arrive in Dublin on the 19th, and by the Wednesday the 24th at noon, will have finished playing Portstewart.  My plan is to get the other couple to a flight at the Donegal airport on Saturday at 2:30 PM.  Choices include Castlerock, going to Ballyliffin, or heading to Donegal.  I'd like to make the Narin & Portnoo their last game before taking them to the airport on Saturday, because of its proximity. 


Right now, my favorite alternative is either Castlerock,and then Donegal (with a tour of Londerry's walled city, and tweed shopping for wives), or skipping Castlerock to go directly to Donegal, and possibly trekking to County Sligo.  I'm thinking that might that Saturday might be our only 27 hole day, with Cruit Island done after we drop them at the airport.  From there, the two of us will head south, with our last round at Lahinch. 


Any advice about whether County Sligo is worth the drive from Donegal and back vs Castlerock is appreciated.  Also, would Ballyliffin for a couple days be a better couples destination?  My wife and I could always pick up County Sligo, as it along with Carne, Enniscrone and Connemara are in the discussion for our three other remaining days. 



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[Carl Johnson]

I've played Castlerock but none of the others you mentioned.  I was not "blown away," although I guess in one sense I was.  Fairways were fairly narrow and it was very windy and therefore very difficult to keep the ball in the fairway.

[jeffwarne]

Like several other GCA people, my wife and I are going on a 2 week trip to Ireland in May.  I've got the itinerary partially booked, but another couple is going with us for part of the trip.  We arrive in Dublin on the 19th, and by the Wednesday the 24th at noon, will have finished playing Portstewart.  My plan is to get the other couple to a flight at the Donegal airport on Saturday at 2:30 PM.  Choices include Castlerock, going to Ballyliffin, or heading to Donegal.  I'd like to make the Narin & Portnoo their last game before taking them to the airport on Saturday, because of its proximity. 


Right now, my favorite alternative is either Castlerock,and then Donegal (with a tour of Londerry's walled city, and tweed shopping for wives), or skipping Castlerock to go directly to Donegal, and possibly trekking to County Sligo.  I'm thinking that might that Saturday might be our only 27 hole day, with Cruit Island done after we drop them at the airport.  From there, the two of us will head south, with our last round at Lahinch. 


Any advice about whether County Sligo is worth the drive from Donegal and back vs Castlerock is appreciated.  Also, would Ballyliffin for a couple days be a better couples destination?  My wife and I could always pick up County Sligo, as it along with Carne, Enniscrone and Connemara are in the discussion for our three other remaining days. 



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I'm a little confused, but then that's normal.
Given that you're definitely going to NI and you're definitely going to Donegal Airport/Narin and Portnoo, I'd say either Castlerock or something in Donegal would work.
I see NO reason to detour to play play Sligo with the other couple as you can catch that on the way down to Lahinch.
Ballyliffin is a fine choice, friendly people -solid links courses.
I'd say neither Ballyliffin course has the uniqueness or charm of Northwest Golf Club or the raw spectacular beauty of Portsalon, and Ballyliffin only makes sense to me if you're seeking a 36 hole destination.


Here's my suggestion as it sounds like you're looking at 18 per day
Wed afternoon drive over or take the ferry to Greencastle-if taking the ferry perhaps a drive around the Inishowen peninsula stopping for drinks and a peek at Ballyliffin, then stay in Buncrana-a lively town. Alternatively, play the new 9 at Castlerock(very cool compact wild and wooly nine).then drive or ferry to Buncrana

Thursday play Northwest GC-stay in Buncrana again-Northwest is very easily walked.

Friday play Portsalon-a beautiful drive over from Buncrana-there may be a ferry operating there as well to Rathmullen-maybe not.
After golf, lunch at the clubhouse or Sarah's/Store's pub-then drive to Dunfanaghy.
On the drive to Dunfanaghy take the NEW Bridge route-spectacular scenery
 and stay there-lively town on Friday night with traditional music etc.

Saturday early rise to Narin and Portnoo(Saturday time may be tough)
or play Cruit if tee time hard to come by-will free up Friday night a bit
Then take them to airport and play the other course that afternoon.

[RJ_Daley]

I'm not the expert, and hopefully some of the GCA.com posters who do know the lay of the land will chime in.  Just on impression, the idea of doubling back from Sligo might put me off, given Donegal is very good.  Also, I note you'll be more in the general vicinity of Port Salon on the way from Ballyliffin or Castlerock.  I can't say enough how much I enjoyed Port Salon.  And, a couple rounds at Portnoo is worth any extra time you save from the doubling back from Sligo, IMHO.  Perhaps, the most enjoyable of the lot, for my tastes was Cruit Island.  Any extra time you spend there, including multiple 9 hole loops using the alternate teeing grounds is a day in Irish heaven.  Simple, beautiful, good golf with a lovely drive to the island itself.

[Carl Johnson]

Above, I said that of the courses you'd mentioned, the only one I played was Castlerock.  Not true, as I also played Ballyliffin (Old).  Like Castlerock, I found it o.k., but was not blown away.  My only strong recollection of Ballyliffin (Old) is that it had the most rumpled fairways I've ever experienced.  Ballyliffin for a couple of days?  I'd say no.  My recollection from 6 years ago is that it was essentially "in the middle of nowhere."

[Scott Whitley]

Why not Donegal GC (Murvagh) for final round before airport (recognizing Saturday morning tee time might be problematic)?  Anyway, I've played all the courses you mentioned and it's so subjective, depending on your friends' interests, etc.  But I would say you can't go wrong at Portsalon or Rosapenna (especially for a 36 day) and definitely try to work in nine holes at Cruit on one of your days. Portsalon and Cruit have the most spectacular scenery/visible seaside setting and will leave a huge impression, though Dunfanaghy has two very memorable par 3s, one at each end, around an otherwise fairly flat links.  North West, suggested above, I would tend to skip on a first visit unless you are true GCA aficionados. Ballyliifin and Castlerock are both worth a visit, but you only have two days so I would sacrifice them. Can't really go wrong with any of these choices though!

[jeffwarne]

It is a LONG way from Donegal GC to Donegal Airport(1 1/2 hrs)-not really a drive I'd want to make after an 18 hole round for a 2:30 flight
and it's a really long way from Portsalon GC to Donegal GC, with Portsalon, N&P and Cruit being the must sees of the detour.
never found Donegal GC all that compelling.And Rosapena is not all that compelling anymore either save the Old Tom Morris (now the back nine of OTM)-unless like, Ballyliffin, you are looking for a 36 hole day.

[Charles Lund]

I see you are finishing up at Portstewart on Wednesday the 24th.   You have to drop off your friends at the Donegal Airport the afternoon of the 27th, a Saturday.

From Portstewart, it is about two hours by car to Ballyliffin, whether you take the ferry or drive around through Derry. It is about the same length of time from Portstewart to Rosapenna and it takes about 90 minutes to drive from Ballyliffin to Rosapenna.

The Rosapenna Hotel had (and probably has) a package with two nights and three rounds of golf.  This includes Portsalon and the two Rosapenna courses.  That would take care of your Thursday and Friday golf.  Saturdays are not always the best days to play at some courses because they have preferred tee times for members. 

Ballyliffin has two courses, each one being quite unlike the other.  I am partial to Ballyliffin and have gone there on each of ten trips to Ireland.  I am partial to the Donegal area in general due to the remoteness of the place.  Ballyliffin offered me some experiences that seemed special to me in a personal sort of way and I like the people and the craic.  That being said, if you want to play a lot of courses and make for a more simplified drive, consider going to Rosapenna and getting a stay and play package there.  The food is very good and it is in a nice setting. 

Once you have dropped off your friend at the Donegal Airport, there probably would be time for golf later that day at Donegal GC, which is a welcoming place.  There is lodging close to the course for the night.  If you stay in Sligo a couple of nights, you can play Rosses Point and Enniscrone and from there head to Lahinch.  I liked my time at Carne and Connemara on my first trip to Ireland which was a five week swing.  But I haven’t been back yet.

Lahinch was one of my favorite stops on my first trip.  I would play it again but haven’t been back to the Southwest.  Became enamored with County Donegal.

Charles Lund

Like several other GCA people, my wife and I are going on a 2 week trip to Ireland in May.  I've got the itinerary partially booked, but another couple is going with us for part of the trip.  We arrive in Dublin on the 19th, and by the Wednesday the 24th at noon, will have finished playing Portstewart.  My plan is to get the other couple to a flight at the Donegal airport on Saturday at 2:30 PM.  Choices include Castlerock, going to Ballyliffin, or heading to Donegal.  I'd like to make the Narin & Portnoo their last game before taking them to the airport on Saturday, because of its proximity. 


Right now, my favorite alternative is either Castlerock,and then Donegal (with a tour of Londerry's walled city, and tweed shopping for wives), or skipping Castlerock to go directly to Donegal, and possibly trekking to County Sligo.  I'm thinking that might that Saturday might be our only 27 hole day, with Cruit Island done after we drop them at the airport.  From there, the two of us will head south, with our last round at Lahinch. 


Any advice about whether County Sligo is worth the drive from Donegal and back vs Castlerock is appreciated.  Also, would Ballyliffin for a couple days be a better couples destination?  My wife and I could always pick up County Sligo, as it along with Carne, Enniscrone and Connemara are in the discussion for our three other remaining days. 



.

I'm a little confused, but then that's normal.
Given that you're definitely going to NI and you're definitely going to Donegal Airport/Narin and Portnoo, I'd say either Castlerock or something in Donegal would work.
I see NO reason to detour to play play Sligo with the other couple as you can catch that on the way down to Lahinch.
Ballyliffin is a fine choice, friendly people -solid links courses.
I'd say neither Ballyliffin course has the uniqueness or charm of Northwest Golf Club or the raw spectacular beauty of Portsalon, and Ballyliffin only makes sense to me if you're seeking a 36 hole destination.


Here's my suggestion as it sounds like you're looking at 18 per day
Wed afternoon drive over or take the ferry to Greencastle-if taking the ferry perhaps a drive around the Inishowen peninsula stopping for drinks and a peek at Ballyliffin, then stay in Buncrana-a lively town. Alternatively, play the new 9 at Castlerock(very cool compact wild and wooly nine).then drive or ferry to Buncrana

Thursday play Northwest GC-stay in Buncrana again-Northwest is very easily walked.

Friday play Portsalon-a beautiful drive over from Buncrana-there may be a ferry operating there as well to Rathmullen-maybe not.
After golf, lunch at the clubhouse or Sarah's/Store's pub-then drive to Dunfanaghy.
On the drive to Dunfanaghy take the NEW Bridge route-spectacular scenery
 and stay there-lively town on Friday night with traditional music etc.

Saturday early rise to Narin and Portnoo(Saturday time may be tough)
or play Cruit if tee time hard to come by-will free up Friday night a bit
Then take them to airport and play the other course that afternoon.

[Scott Whitley]

Ah, my apologies. I have never actually used Donegal airport and now see it is miles from Donegal town, though quite close to Cruit. So definitely Cruit on the Saturday; and I would vote for that Rosapenna - Portsalon package Thursday-Friday.  Lovely old world ambience at Rosapenna if that is your thing, especially nice for couples I would suggest.