Dublin Trip Recommendations

ajgoodal.704 · August 22, 2018

I’m working on putting together my first trip to Dublin to both sight-see and golf next September. My wife will be going with, but not playing. From reading some of the forums I know most would say to play all the top links courses in the area, but my budget will not allow for it and some of the parkland tracts look excellent. My current list that I’m considering is Killeen Castle, The Island (my links splurge), Druids Glen, Powerscourt East or West (way back to town from DG) and the two Carton House courses (staying a couple nights at hotel). I originally wanted to play more but have opted for more time in Dublin and hiking the surrounding areas. Anybody whose spent time in the area have any good suggestions on courses, restaurants, pubs, etc??

duffer987 · August 23, 2018

Personally I'd replace Killeen, with Laytown & Bettystown; a proper affordable links course 1hr North of Dublin. You can drop the missus off at Slane/Newgrange 15 mins away, while you play.

I'd also punt Druids Glenn for Arklow Golf Club, another affordable old school links another 20 mins further south.

Not played Carton House, but they look solid and I know others on here have good things to say about them.

I posted a thread from a trip last year, with Dublin pub recommendations, if you do a quick search. Used to live there some time ago now and visited all the time from the UK up until 2009. Since then not been back much though.

ajgoodal.704 · August 23, 2018

Thanks Duffer. I was looking at Royal Dublins website earlier and they have a decent early bird rate. Would you recommend punting L&B for it? I have no issue playing before 830AM. Before I decided to do more sightseeing Arklow and Macreddin were on my list. Druids has been one of those courses that I’ve wanted to play for years. Something about it (thru watching Crossfields vlogs) just speaks to me. Maybe an Arklow/Druids 36 day instead of Powerscourt? I thought that one looked like a nice course with some great views.

duffer987 · August 23, 2018

^Ah OK. If you're keen on a place then by all means have at it :)

I was simply thinking of how to get more affordable links courses in, in place of the parkland style courses we typically play here.

I only saw Royal Dublin's rack rate, didn't see they have a 100-ish EUR before 8:30am price.

One thing you might want to consider - that's really quite excellent value - is the Boyne pass. You get Baltray, which many put at the same level as The Island, the neat old school Laytown & Bettystown and the largely faux links with a handful of true links holes Seapoint. If you played in the order of Seapoint/B&L/Baltray, that's a cool intro to links golf if you've not played before.

http://countylouthgo...special_offers/

Boyne Valley Links Golf Pass

Play 3 Stunning Links Courses all situated just north of Dublin airport at the mouth ove the River Boyne for just €230.
The pass will allow golfers to enjoy a round of golf at County Louth Golf Club (Baltray), Seapoint Golf Club and Laytown & Bettystown Golf Club all of which are located just minutes from the M1 motorway and in close proximity to Dublin.
The pass can be booked by contacting reservations@countylouthgolfclub.com

puttnforthe8 · August 23, 2018

When in Maynooth(Carton) go to Avenue Cafe for dinner. Don't eat at the hotel.

I would suggest Knightsbrook over Killeen; or L&B as noted.

Druids Glen is a great course. Arklow is good too, but I would not choose it over Druids Glen. But I would also consider Mount Juliet.

Agree on Baltray (County Louth)

One underrated parkland is Esker Hills.

ajgoodal.704 · August 23, 2018

Great tips fellas. That Boyne Pass is a great deal. I had considered visiting Kilkenny and staying and playing at Mount Juliet. Seeing the Rock of Cashel while we down that way. Wasn’t sure if that would be biting off more than we can chew since we’ll be there for 6 days.

Malvern · August 23, 2018

Big thumbs up for County Louth, brilliant course.

If you want to get away from Temple Bar, we liked Kehoes, can stand outside and have a pint.

puttnforthe8 · August 24, 2018

If you go into Dublin for Dinner: Il Vicoletto is the best italian restaurant in Ire.

imakaveli · August 27, 2018

Play the Island and dine at The Greedy Goose, you won't regret it!

ajgoodal.704 · August 27, 2018

I think I’ve narrowed my lineup down. Royal Dublin (early AM savings is pretty substantial), The Island, Druids Glen (maybe the Heath too if time allows), and both Carton courses. I’ll be sure to check out some of the restaurant/pub recommendations. Anyone eat out on Howth? Sounds like a great area for seafood.

puttnforthe8 · August 27, 2018

I think I’ve narrowed my lineup down. Royal Dublin (early AM savings is pretty substantial), The Island, Druids Glen (maybe the Heath too if time allows), and both Carton courses. I’ll be sure to check out some of the restaurant/pub recommendations. Anyone eat out on Howth? Sounds like a great area for seafood.

In Howth area Abbey is usually my stop. Beschoffs is out there too and a decent choice.

hlca · August 29, 2018

I’m working on putting together my first trip to Dublin to both sight-see and golf next September. My wife will be going with, but not playing. From reading some of the forums I know most would say to play all the top links courses in the area, but my budget will not allow for it and some of the parkland tracts look excellent. My current list that I’m considering is Killeen Castle, The Island (my links splurge), Druids Glen, Powerscourt East or West (way back to town from DG) and the two Carton House courses (staying a couple nights at hotel). I originally wanted to play more but have opted for more time in Dublin and hiking the surrounding areas. Anybody whose spent time in the area have any good suggestions on courses, restaurants, pubs, etc??

Last week I played the Island, which was lovely, and spent a day walking around the historical areas of Dublin. I found the sightseeing pretty boring in Dublin. Thankfully we hit the road for a roadtrip after that. Some of my wife's Irish coworkers said they were glad we were going beyond the city, since get didn't think there was much to see or do either. I'm sure some ppl love it though. Depends on what you like I suppose.

mjtoal · August 29, 2018

Getting some good advice. The cluster of courses around Beltway, L&B and Seaport are all pretty close and offer authentic links at reasonable prices. You aren't too far from Northern Ireland then, either. Could include Ardglass, a nice semi-links on the coast near Newcastle. Royal County Down (Newcastle) is a big chunk of change but could change your life. Hopefully for the better.

Around Dublin, The Island is great. Could also looks at Portmarnock Hotel Links, a Langer course near the bigger name place of a similar name. I haven't played it, but St Anne's gets good reviews.

duffer987 · August 29, 2018

I'm working on putting together my first trip to Dublin to both sight-see and golf next September. My wife will be going with, but not playing. From reading some of the forums I know most would say to play all the top links courses in the area, but my budget will not allow for it and some of the parkland tracts look excellent. My current list that I'm considering is Killeen Castle, The Island (my links splurge), Druids Glen, Powerscourt East or West (way back to town from DG) and the two Carton House courses (staying a couple nights at hotel). I originally wanted to play more but have opted for more time in Dublin and hiking the surrounding areas. Anybody whose spent time in the area have any good suggestions on courses, restaurants, pubs, etc??

Last week I played the Island, which was lovely, and spent a day walking around the historical areas of Dublin. I found the sightseeing pretty boring in Dublin. Thankfully we hit the road for a roadtrip after that. Some of my wife's Irish coworkers said they were glad we were going beyond the city, since get didn't think there was much to see or do either. I'm sure some ppl love it though. Depends on what you like I suppose.

You're correct that architecturally/culturally speaking - for a city its size - it lacks a lot of what you'd expect from other big European cities. The countryside and coastline is definitely where it's at for visitors.

It's a great city to hangout with your mates and drink in though, and you could do a lot worse than make sure to stop in at each of these for a pint: Kehoes, Mulligans, O'Neills, Doyles, Doheny & Nesbitt, Toners, The Duke, McDaids and Nearys, amongst many others. Just best to avoid the sh1tshow that is Temple Bar.

ajgoodal.704 · August 30, 2018

I have a day and a half set aside for Dublin proper with golf days and day trips mixed in. Going to day a day tour of Kilkenny and Wicklow, a coastal trip up to Carlingford with stops around the Boyne, Skerries and dinner in Malahide, and also a trip out to Trim Castle since Braveheart is one of my favorite films. Any other recommendations?

puttnforthe8 · September 4, 2018

I have a day and a half set aside for Dublin proper with golf days and day trips mixed in. Going to day a day tour of Kilkenny and Wicklow, a coastal trip up to Carlingford with stops around the Boyne, Skerries and dinner in Malahide, and also a trip out to Trim Castle since Braveheart is one of my favorite films. Any other recommendations?

Need to do Newgrange...not far out of Dublin.