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IRELAND, THE MECCA OF GOLF IN EUROPE

The golfing world’s discovery of Irish golf has not been an overnight phenomenon. The country has long been regarded as a front runner in terms of traditional links. Ireland owns 30% of the world’s links courses together with some top championship parkland courses.

The list of outstanding international links courses spread right around the coasts of Ireland. Add to that, in the last ten years major new international championship parkland courses have been developed and one of these courses, the K club has been selected as the venue for the Ryder Cup in the year 2006.

Over the past decade there has been substantial investment in golfing facilities. There are now 386 clubs affiliated to the Golfing Union of Ireland and Club Membership has grown by almost 100,000 in the past decade. Golf has become their single biggest sporting holiday attraction with 204,000 overseas golfing visitors contributing £100 million to the national economy.

One of the main reasons for the growth of Irish golf is the international TV coverage of the five major tournaments now held in Ireland – the Murphy’s Irish Open, the Smurfit European Open, the AIB Seniors Open, the West of Ireland Classic, and the Waterford Crystal Irish Ladies Open. Board Failte is an associate sponsor of all these events which are beamed into 300 million homes world wide.

The terrain is sympathetically sculpted for golf and there are many hidden gems of golf courses both links and parklands to suit all standard of golfers. The Irish pride themselves in the hospitality and friendliness they have become known for and you will find it on all their golf courses and wherever you travel throughout the Irish golfing Circuit.

South West Irelandoffer a great range of golf holidays staying in friendly B & B’s, quality hotels and even luxury Manor Houses with their own golf courses. Killarney is a perfect place to stay, it has good hotels and restaurants and is the centrepoint for the many and varied courses in that area.  The courses best known are Killarney, Ballybunion, Tralee, Waterville and The Dooks.

The South East Sunshine Circuit was successfully launched in 1993. Since then, many golfers from all over Ireland and overseas have gone to appreciate and enjoy the great abundance of choice and variety that exists in that region, of course it is in the clubhouse where the real golf is often played! The names most familiar to this area tend to be: Mount Juliet designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in July 1991. Set close by the River Nore, water comes into play on six holes: the beauty of woodland and trees is ever present, while some eighty ever vigilant bunkers, strategically placed throughout the course, place a premium on accuracy from tee to green. Waterford & Kilkenny are also popular although it is difficult to choose from the high standards to be found in this area.

 

Fota Island Golf Club

Dublin the capital of Ireland is the most popular destination for the après golf but if you travel just 15 minutes from the airport or 30 minutes from the Ferry Port then you can not go wrong with the Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links just 11 miles from the bustling shops and traditional pubs of the city.

Set in a quiet position overlooking the sea between the villages or Portmarnock and Mahalhide it is the perfect base for so many activities.

The Links at Portmarnock is the only PGA European Tour Golf Course in Ireland and the first to be developed by the International Management Group (IMG). If offers a challenge to both professional and amateur golfer alike and contains all the traditions of links golf along with challenges of the modern game.

“There are very few locations in Europe which could have allowed me the opportunity and landscape to design such a classic championship links. I hope all those who play it discover its magic and its challenging beauty”. – Bernhard Langer.

Ireland is made up of a number of regions each with its own unique flavour, but what is common to them all is because of Ireland’s temperate climate, most courses are playable all year round, which gives you great flexibility when arranging your vacation.

The golfer will recognise the prospect for some great golf holes in this exciting landscape and golf architects have responded to the inspiration of their surroundings in a way which has established Ireland as a prestigious golfing destination.

IRISH FACTFILE:

Population: of the Republic (26 counties) is just over 3.5 million. Dublin is the largest city with 1,058,264 inhabitants and Cork the second largest with 420,510 inhabitants.

Passports: are not required by British citizens born in the UK when travelling from Britain to Ireland. It is good practice, however, to carry identification.

Driving: is on the same side as in Britain and the rules of the road are similar with some minor differences. Signposts are mostly bilingual. Whilst Ireland has gradually converted to metric, it should be noted that most of the black-on-white fingerpost signs are in miles and the newer green and white ones are in kilometres.

Taking your own car: is very simple, you need – Motor registration book, green card or insurance certificate valid for the Republic of Ireland and your driving licence. Inform your insurance company of your travel plans. It is important to note that your vehicle may not be driven by an Irish resident during your visit, other than by a garage hand with your written permission.

Car Hire in Ireland:  You can easily arrange to have a hired car waiting for you when you arrive. The simplest and most economical way is to book a fly-drive or rail-sail-drive inclusive package. If you intend holidaying during the peak months of mid-July to mid-August, early booking advisable.

Language: Everyone speaks English in Ireland. Officially the country is bilingual, English and Irish (the Gaelic language).

Accommodation: the choice is wide and varied from horse-drawn caravans to luxury castles and all that goes in between.

Information:  before you travel can be obtained from the Irish Tourist Board information line on 0800 039 7000 or via the Tourism Brand Ireland web-site at www.irelandtravel.co.uk

Booking your golf break/holiday: contact Peter Walsh, Fairway Holidays, Cheshire Tel: 0161 439 7500

Peter has been sending clients to Ireland for many years now:

   
 

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