Luttrellstown Castle or Killeen Castle then taking M4 to Enniscrone, or longer drive to Sleive Russel then driving on to Enniscrone?

[hammergolf]

Working on logistics for my trip back to Ireland in late September. Looking for a course to play on my drive over from Dublin airport to Enniscrone. Any comments or recommendations would be appreciated.

Edited April 14, 2022 by hammergolf

[sifijg]

Carton House?

 

Glasson is pretty and a fun knock too. 

[puttnforthe8]

My order (based on route):

 

1. Moyvalley (Darren Clarke design).
2. O'Meara course at Carton is a great course...there is a stretch at the end that is amazing.
3. You could go play K-Club (nostalgia for the Ryder Cup course, but the new course is the better course)
4. Esker Hills - It is about 30 minutes off the route; but it is where Tullamore Dew whiskey is made and it's a very cool course - so I must provide it as an option.
5. A little off the route:  Glasson as mentioned; I always enjoyed Athlone (one of the best values); 
6. Carrick on Shannon - nice setting; some so so holes. 
7. Knightsbrook - a good course, but not a 1st timer friendly design.
   

 

 

[hammergolf]

15 hours ago, puttnforthe8 said:

My order (based on route):

 

1. Moyvalley (Darren Clarke design).
2. O'Meara course at Carton is a great course...there is a stretch at the end that is amazing.
3. You could go play K-Club (nostalgia for the Ryder Cup course, but the new course is the better course)
4. Esker Hills - It is about 30 minutes off the route; but it is where Tullamore Dew whiskey is made and it's a very cool course - so I must provide it as an option.
5. A little off the route:  Glasson as mentioned; I always enjoyed Athlone (one of the best values); 
6. Carrick on Shannon - nice setting; some so so holes. 
7. Knightsbrook - a good course, but not a 1st timer friendly design.

 

 

Thanks for the info!

[Hawkeye77]

Is Esker Hills Lowry’s childhood course?

Edited April 19, 2022 by Hawkeye77

[puttnforthe8]

25 minutes ago, Hawkeye77 said:

Is Esker Hills Lowery’s childhood course?

Yup...grew up just down the road.  

 

Esker is a pure class golf course for many reasons.

[hammergolf]

Esker looks awesome. Might have to add that either on the way over from Dublin or on the way back to Dublin.

[hammergolf]

Ok, definitely adding Esker Hills to the itinerary after reading reviews and looking at the course. However, why is it not ranked higher given all the rave reviews?

[puttnforthe8]

15 hours ago, hammergolf said:

Ok, definitely adding Esker Hills to the itinerary after reading reviews and looking at the course. However, why is it not ranked higher given all the rave reviews?

I think it is because it is 'middle of the country' kind of course.  

 

There are courses like that - For example, for a long time The Island was never given it's due respect; actually neither was Baltray.

 

Fota Island down southwest is every bit a good course and gets less love.   I think Mount Juliet gets a lack of love.  

[ajgoodal.704]

It is easy to be ranked 40-60 when there is so much quality golf spread across the island.  

[hammergolf]

Ok, have made my final itinerary. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to book Luttrellstown Castle, Killeen Castle, or St. Margaret’s. However, I think I’ve found a hidden gem to play on my way over from Dublin to Sligo. I just booked a time at Esker Hills. Looking at videos and pics looks like a ton of fun to play. Would be great to hear any comments or reviews of the course.

 

Day 1 Arrive Dublin drive to Esker Hills then on to Sligo.

Day 2 Rosses Point

Day 3 Carne

Day 4 Strandhill

Day 5 Donegal

Day 6 Enniscrone

Day 7 Narin & Portnoo

Day 8 Depart Dublin

Edited April 29, 2022 by hammergolf

[sifijg]

Esker is great fun. My wife’s family are from nearby so played with my FiL a month or so after Shane had won the Open in 2019. They’ve got tons of fun Shane memorabilia in the clubhouse. 
 

Club is very low key - not posh at all. Course was a bit patchy conditions wise but it’s tough and has got some wacky fun holes and definitely lives up to the Hills of its name! 
 

I

 

 

Edited April 29, 2022 by sifijg

[hammergolf]

5 minutes ago, sifijg said:

Esker is great fun. My wife’s family are from nearby so played with my FiL a month or so after Shane had won the Open in 2019. They’ve got tons of fun Shane memorabilia in the clubhouse. 
 

Club is very low key - not posh at all. Course was a bit patchy conditions wise but it’s tough and has got some wacky fun holes and definitely lives up to the Hills of its name! 
 

I

 

 

Awesome! Thanks for the reply. What are the conditions like in early October?

[sifijg]

1 minute ago, hammergolf said:

Awesome! Thanks for the reply. What are the conditions like in early October?

Wet and autumnal! Will really depend on how much rain there’s been but expect it to be soft - leaves will have turned so should be beautiful though

[hammergolf]

24 minutes ago, sifijg said:

Wet and autumnal! Will really depend on how much rain there’s been but expect it to be soft - leaves will have turned so should be beautiful though

Thx.

[Rollotomasi]

New Forest golf club is near to Esker Hills and is a lovely course, if Esker Hills does not work out. 

[hammergolf]

4 hours ago, Rollotomasi said:

New Forest golf club is near to Esker Hills and is a lovely course, if Esker Hills does not work out. 

Thx