24 Days to Ireland Trip

[ESOX ZO]

Headed over to Ireland - first big golf/travel trip with the wife and sister-in-law. 

 

Cannot wait to get over there, only have been able to get out once so far this year, but weather is looking nice here in WI for some much needed practice rounds.

 

Trying to keep my expectations moderate moving into the closing weeks. 

[carrera]

Same...I am going over with my boys at the end of the month!

[El Gringo]

Just returned from Ireland. Played a 4 day comp at Rosapenna…2xSandy Hills, 1xOTM & 1xSt Pats. It is clear to me that St Pats is streets ahead of the other two courses. Although I like OTM quite a bit. 
 

Also played Co Down Annesley, Cruit, Gweedore, Dunfanaghy, Castlerock Bann and Bushfoot. All have their moments, but Bann, Cruit and Annesley are the picks of that bunch. 
 

Donegal is a great place for golf. 

[carrera]

We won't be near Donegal - doing a more "typical" tour down the west coast - though we will be in Carne. 

 

Will save Donegal for a return trip.

[ESOX ZO]

2 hours ago, carrera said:

Same...I am going over with my boys at the end of the month!

What a trip it will be for you guys!

[carrera]

Yeah, Covid-delayed HS and college graduation gifts.  Now the youngest guy has graduated college!  Lost a few dollars on the abandoned 2020 trip, but looking forward to it.  Hope you have a great trip as well!

[ESOX ZO]

1 hour ago, carrera said:

Yeah, Covid-delayed HS and college graduation gifts.  Now the youngest guy has graduated college!  Lost a few dollars on the abandoned 2020 trip, but looking forward to it.  Hope you have a great trip as well!

What's the dates?

[carrera]

3 hours ago, ESOX ZO said:

What's the dates?

Arrive Dublin on 5/31 (or 31 May for locals) and depart 6/11.  Playing Carne, both Ballybunion, Lahinch, Tralee, Waterville and one or two others.  Time in Dublin at end to just sightsee and family time at beginning for a get-together.

 

You?

[Chanceman]

1 hour ago, carrera said:

Arrive Dublin on 5/31 (or 31 May for locals) and depart 6/11.  Playing Carne, both Ballybunion, Lahinch, Tralee, Waterville and one or two others.  Time in Dublin at end to just sightsee and family time at beginning for a get-together.

 

You?

For the 0ne or two others, consider Dooks and Dingle (Ceann Sibeal) and maybe Castlegregory for a spare 9 holes. All in your region.

[hammergolf]

10 hours ago, El Gringo said:

Just returned from Ireland. Played a 4 day comp at Rosapenna…2xSandy Hills, 1xOTM & 1xSt Pats. It is clear to me that St Pats is streets ahead of the other two courses. Although I like OTM quite a bit. 
 

Also played Co Down Annesley, Cruit, Gweedore, Dunfanaghy, Castlerock Bann and Bushfoot. All have their moments, but Bann, Cruit and Annesley are the picks of that bunch. 
 

Donegal is a great place for golf. 

How was the turf at St. Pat’s? I heard the conditions were bad a few months ago.

[carrera]

2 hours ago, Chanceman said:

For the 0ne or two others, consider Dooks and Dingle (Ceann Sibeal) and maybe Castlegregory for a spare 9 holes. All in your region.

Thank you! 

 

Both of my parents are from Ireland so on this trip balancing golf (6 rounds so far) versus spending time with cousins and relatives (County Longford).  At end of trip, hoping for boys to get an appreciation for Dublin and the benefit of getting an Irish passport.

[El Gringo]

4 hours ago, hammergolf said:

How was the turf at St. Pat’s? I heard the conditions were bad a few months ago.

Apparently four holes lost their fairways or damn near did. All seemed fine to me…nothing brilliant, but fine. The course closes in winter so it can always recover. St Pat’s will always suffer in drought conditions just as many other courses do. It’s a tough walk so not a bad one for a caddie. 

[El Gringo]

4 hours ago, carrera said:

Thank you! 

 

Both of my parents are from Ireland so on this trip balancing golf (6 rounds so far) versus spending time with cousins and relatives (County Longford).  At end of trip, hoping for boys to get an appreciation for Dublin and the benefit of getting an Irish passport.

A major benefit of an Irish passport is entry into the EU. It’s a no brainier.

[ESOX ZO]

14 hours ago, carrera said:

Arrive Dublin on 5/31 (or 31 May for locals) and depart 6/11.  Playing Carne, both Ballybunion, Lahinch, Tralee, Waterville and one or two others.  Time in Dublin at end to just sightsee and family time at beginning for a get-together.

 

You?

Arrive June 1st and Depart June 13th! 

[ESOX ZO]

The Lineup:

 

6/4 Ballybunion - Me

6/4 Tralee - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/5 Lahinch - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me
6/7 Narin & Portnoo - Me

6/8 Donegal - Me

6/8 St Patricks - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/9 Royal Portrush - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/11 Royal County Down - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/13 The Island - Me

[hammergolf]

34 minutes ago, ESOX ZO said:

The Lineup:

 

6/4 Ballybunion - Me

6/4 Tralee - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/5 Lahinch - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me
6/7 Narin & Portnoo - Me

6/8 Donegal - Me

6/8 St Patricks - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/9 Royal Portrush - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/11 Royal County Down - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/13 The Island - Me

That’s a great lineup! 

[Kaptain]

Joining in the Ireland fun. We've got a group of 8 trailing you all by a few weeks....

 

Jun 23  Royal Portrush Dunluce
Jun 24  Portstewart Strand
Jun 25  Royal County Down Annesley / Championship
Jun 26  Ardglass
Jun 27  European Club
Jun 28  Corballis Links / The Island
Jun 29  County Louth

 

Very much looking forward to it.

[ESOX ZO]

Heck of a trip lined up, Ardglass was hard to pass up but there's so many courses you're bound to miss a few. Excuse to come back for another trip. 

[Kaptain]

Agreed. We're missing Portmarnock as they're closed for a few weeks for a tournament. And we're going to try to do a western Ireland trip in 2027 and combine it with going to the Ryder Cup.

[ESOX ZO]

That's a great idea, I reached out to Adare Manor to potentially line up a round there, but they're only allowing a minimum of a 4some. If you are single and want to get on you'll have to fork over 4 green fee's worth, no thanks! 

[carrera]

1 hour ago, ESOX ZO said:

The Lineup:

 

6/4 Ballybunion - Me

6/4 Tralee - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/5 Lahinch - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me
6/7 Narin & Portnoo - Me

6/8 Donegal - Me

6/8 St Patricks - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/9 Royal Portrush - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/11 Royal County Down - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/13 The Island - Me

We just miss you at Lahinch and Ballybunion.  Great lineup...enjoy!

[ESOX ZO]

5 minutes ago, carrera said:

We just miss you at Lahinch and Ballybunion.  Great lineup...enjoy!

If you find any of the Hawaii Themed Tp5's in the rough no need to thank me 😄

[El Gringo]

2 hours ago, ESOX ZO said:

The Lineup:

 

6/4 Ballybunion - Me

6/4 Tralee - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/5 Lahinch - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me
6/7 Narin & Portnoo - Me

6/8 Donegal - Me

6/8 St Patricks - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/9 Royal Portrush - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/11 Royal County Down - Wife/Sister-in-law/Me

6/13 The Island - Me

If you feel like a quick 9 on the way to Portrush, do give Otway a go. It’s a cool ma n’ pa place with a most unusual design. Fun as hell. 

[ESOX ZO]

9 minutes ago, El Gringo said:

If you feel like a quick 9 on the way to Portrush, do give Otway a go. It’s a cool ma n’ pa place with a most unusual design. Fun as hell. 

Actually could make that work, do you have to call to book a tee time there? 

[El Gringo]

2 hours ago, ESOX ZO said:

Actually could make that work, do you have to call to book a tee time there? 

I would try to call to make sure there isn’t an event on. It can be tough to get through. I showed up there after making no contact and among rumours the course was closed. But it was open and redesigned to resolve the issues to keep the course open. It’s cheap as chips. You pay a lady in a bungalow…I think the owner’s mother. Only understood about half of what she said! 15 Euros cash. These sort courses are the the heart of golf. Below are a few pix. 2 which plays over a beach…great hole. 5th green, one of several great greens. 9th tee shot…crazy hole.

Edited May 9, 2024 by El Gringo

[ESOX ZO]

15?????!!! 

 

Hell of a recommendation and will report back, gonna give them a ring tomorrow. Would only fit in the early morning hours of the Portrush day. 

[ESOX ZO]

1 hour ago, El Gringo said:

I would try to call to make sure there isn’t an event on. It can be tough to get through. I showed up there after making no contact and among rumours the course was closed. But it was open and redesigned to resolve the issues to keep the course open. It’s cheap as chips. You pay a lady in a bungalow…I think the owner’s mother. Only understood about half of what she said! 15 Euros cash. These sort courses are the the heart of golf. Below are a few pix. 2 which plays over a beach…great hole. 5th green, one of several great greens. 9th tee shot…crazy hole.

Booked - Headed out at 6:00am and paying them after the round 

[El Gringo]

5 minutes ago, ESOX ZO said:

Booked - Headed out at 6:00am and paying them after the round 

Very fine. 
 

If you are looking for another cool 9 holer after Portrush, try the Bann at Castlerock. If the club tries to charge you more than 30 quid at the counter, book it online.

[migolfke]

Has anyone played ballyhague castle between ballybunion and Tralee? We are looking for a second 9 or 18 after Ballybunion. 

[azgolfer44]

I can't wait to get over there in September.  We've got all three courses at Rosapenna, Ballyliffin Glashedy, Portstewart Strand, Castlerock Bann and Royal Portrush twice.  Looking forward to everyone's reports!