Bucket lists and rankings - I hate them! The number of enquiries we have received over the years with the golf courses selected being Royal Portrush (in the far north of Ireland), Royal County Down, Portmarnock, Lahinch, Ballybunion and Old Head (as far south as one can go) for good measure! I'll post an itinerary later but suffice to say this requires 6 accommodations, 900 miles (18 hours) on the road and is not my idea of a golf holiday!
The 30 (or more) best Irish links can be played on 5 separate trips - here is how.
Year 1 - Southwest
Ballybunion Old - Ballybunion Cashen - Tralee - Waterville -Dooks - Old Head
Year 2 - North
Royal County Down - Royal Portrush - Portstewart - Castelrock - Ballyliffin Old - Ballyliffin Glashedy
Year 3 - East
Portmarnock - The Island - The European - County Louth - Portmarnock Links - Royal Dublin
Year 4 - West
Lahinch - Doonbeg - Carne (twice) - Enniscrone - Connemara
Year 5 - Northwest
Sandy Hills - Old Tom Morris - Portsalon - Narin & Portnoo - Donegal - County Sligo
Peter,
Thanks so much for making our trip for Southwest golf a WONDERFUL experience. We could not have asked for a better itinerary. Driving ourselves over 700 miles on Irelands highways and "byways" in 9 days was an experience in and of itself. Your assistance was greatly appreciated and we will never forget the experience and meeting your was an added bonus. The stay on property at Old Head was exceptional and worth every penny. Please ensure you continue to use Teach de Broc as the hotel of choice for those playing at Ballybunion! The owners there were wonderful people, and the accommodations were great! Anyone wanting to leave the planning details to someone else or don't …