by Judi Mehrens
Ireland is truly a golfer's paradise, and it has some of the most impressive golf courses in the world. Here is a look at a few of them. Perhaps this will give you the incentive to book your vacation now.
The Ballybunion Courses, both Old and Cashen, are a must see and play for any serious golfer. Located in County Kerry in Southwest Ireland, the course is 65 miles from Shannon Airport and presents a lovely drive to get there. The town of Ballybunion welcomes visitors with a statue of President Clinton in full golf swing (he is much admired in Ireland for his work at reconciliation). The Old course is said to remind visitors of St. Andrews, and Cashen, built in 1984, has been described as "a theatrical event all its own, and a highlight of any golfing visit to Ireland."
Druid's Glen is located just 30 minutes south of Dublin in Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow, and it is considered to be one of the finest parkland courses in Ireland. The area where it is located is known as the Garden of Ireland, in an area with lots of wildlife. The name Druid's Glen comes from a pre-Christian stone altar discovered during the construction of the course. The altar stands today with a Druid priest presiding over the 12th green. How's that for a bit of interesting bragging when you get back to your home course?
Royal Dublin Golf Course sits on an island 3 miles north of Dublin and was the first club in Ireland to have 18 holes. Although originally built in 1895 in Phoenix Park, it moved in 1890 to its present location on Bull Island, in Dublin Bay, which is also a protected wildlife habitat. This course offers a glorious golf experience in a setting that provides breathtaking scenery.
Lahinch, County Clare, is often described as "the St. Andrews of Ireland," and the site also offers two courses, Old Course and Castle Course. Lahinch town is just over 30 miles west of Shannon Airport in County Clare. Founded in 1892, the course today is a favorite of a number of pro golfers. Castle Course offers the sights of Castle ruins as you play through.
Finally, Adare Golf Club, County Limerick is host to the 2007 Irish Open. It is an 18-hole parkland course established in 1900. The course is built around the ruins of Desmond Castle, built in 1200, and the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey, built in 1464, offering challenges to concentration and diversions from the course.
These are only five courses out of hundreds to be found in Ireland. There are accommodations either at the courses themselves or quite nearby, ranging from luxurious to the more basic. You can plan your own vacation or avail yourself of the many tour planning companies that specialize in golf vacationing. While not cheap, there are ranges of prices to fit most vacationers' budgets.
A tour of Ireland's magnificent and varied courses is certainly on every serious golfer's wish list. Make this your year for an Ireland golf vacation.
About the Author
Judi Mehrens loves to travel, loves to golf, and thinks it's best to combine the two. She's most anxious to get back to Ireland's courses. For more information, visit http://www.irelandvacation.judimehrens.com
Thanks to Judi Mehrens for this article.
Ireland is truly a golfer's paradise, and it has some of the most impressive golf courses in the world. Here is a look at a few of them. Perhaps this will give you the incentive to book your vacation now.
The Ballybunion Courses, both Old and Cashen, are a must see and play for any serious golfer. Located in County Kerry in Southwest Ireland, the course is 65 miles from Shannon Airport and presents a lovely drive to get there. The town of Ballybunion welcomes visitors with a statue of President Clinton in full golf swing (he is much admired in Ireland for his work at reconciliation). The Old course is said to remind visitors of St. Andrews, and Cashen, built in 1984, has been described as "a theatrical event all its own, and a highlight of any golfing visit to Ireland."
Druid's Glen is located just 30 minutes south of Dublin in Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow, and it is considered to be one of the finest parkland courses in Ireland. The area where it is located is known as the Garden of Ireland, in an area with lots of wildlife. The name Druid's Glen comes from a pre-Christian stone altar discovered during the construction of the course. The altar stands today with a Druid priest presiding over the 12th green. How's that for a bit of interesting bragging when you get back to your home course?
Royal Dublin Golf Course sits on an island 3 miles north of Dublin and was the first club in Ireland to have 18 holes. Although originally built in 1895 in Phoenix Park, it moved in 1890 to its present location on Bull Island, in Dublin Bay, which is also a protected wildlife habitat. This course offers a glorious golf experience in a setting that provides breathtaking scenery.
Lahinch, County Clare, is often described as "the St. Andrews of Ireland," and the site also offers two courses, Old Course and Castle Course. Lahinch town is just over 30 miles west of Shannon Airport in County Clare. Founded in 1892, the course today is a favorite of a number of pro golfers. Castle Course offers the sights of Castle ruins as you play through.
Finally, Adare Golf Club, County Limerick is host to the 2007 Irish Open. It is an 18-hole parkland course established in 1900. The course is built around the ruins of Desmond Castle, built in 1200, and the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey, built in 1464, offering challenges to concentration and diversions from the course.
These are only five courses out of hundreds to be found in Ireland. There are accommodations either at the courses themselves or quite nearby, ranging from luxurious to the more basic. You can plan your own vacation or avail yourself of the many tour planning companies that specialize in golf vacationing. While not cheap, there are ranges of prices to fit most vacationers' budgets.
A tour of Ireland's magnificent and varied courses is certainly on every serious golfer's wish list. Make this your year for an Ireland golf vacation.
About the Author
Judi Mehrens loves to travel, loves to golf, and thinks it's best to combine the two. She's most anxious to get back to Ireland's courses. For more information, visit http://www.irelandvacation.judimehrens.com
Thanks to Judi Mehrens for this article.
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