Ireland is a country steeped in history
and in every region, name and place there will be a tale told of battle, of territorial dispute or of
pure imagination and myth.
From the Irish Saints of the early centuries to the modern scholars of the twenty-first, an indelible
mark has been made, which makes this fair country a highly sought after destination.
Excellent golf courses such as The Old Head Course and Druids Glen Golf Course set the principle
for your golfing aspect of this tour.
Included
- 12 nights 5 star accommodation, twin/double occupancy to include all taxes, service charges and Irish breakfast.
- Airport meet, greet and assist
- Car hire: 13 day manual transmission car hire (Saab 9.3 or similar), to include unlimited mileage, all taxes, collision damage and theft insurance
- 8 x 18 holes per person
- Complete vacation travel packet including final itinerary, vouchers, road directions, maps, sightseeing suggestions and restaurant recommendations and other helpful hints
- Drommedaris Golf Tour Specialist on call 24hrs a day
Day 1
Arrive Dublin Airport. Welcomed by local tour representative who will assist you with
collecting your vehicle and road assist to the Merrion Hotel. Welcoming visitors to the city with
stunningly appointed rooms, crackling turf fires and a host of facilities.
Behind the refined exterior, the Merrion has revived a 200-year-old tradition of
gracious living amidst elegant surroundings and is excellently positioned for those who wish to
sample the best Dublin.
Relax at the hotel or explore Dublin City, a visit to the world famous Guinness
Brewery is a must. Originally built in 1904 to house the Guinness fermentation process, this
incredible building was constructed in the style of the Chicago school of architecture, with massive
steel beams providing the support for the structure of the building.
Day 2
Head for the fairways of the The Island Golf Club after breakfast.
One of Ireland's premier links courses, this championship links course is located across
the estuary of Malahide, just north of Portmarnock. Established in 1890, the course is surrounded
by the sea on three sides and enjoys a truly unique setting.
We recommend taking a drive to Dowth, Knowth and Newgrange Stone Age settlements,
situated only an hour north of Dublin.
The Boyne Valley Mounds at Newgrange were built around 3200BC making them older
than Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt. Built by Neolithic farming
communities 5000 years ago, the passage tombs have clear astronomical alignments such as the
Winter Solstice Sunrise at Newgrange.
Day 3
Tee off at the Druids Glen Golf Club.
The classic parkland course features many signature holes and provides golfers with a
thrilling golf experience amidst a beautifully manicured landscape, which is why Druids Glen is
considered one of the top golf course in Ireland.
After your round of golf, we recommend that you visit the Wicklow Mountains National
Park. The park covers part of a mountain range that extends over most of County Wicklow on the
east coast of Ireland. The upper slopes and rounded peaks are blanketed with heath and bog. The
open vistas are interrupted only by forestry plantations and the winding mountain roads. Fast-flowing
streams descend into the deep lakes of the wooded valleys and continue their course into the
surrounding lowlands.
Day 4
Check out after breakfast and travel the scenic route to Mayo. Check into Ashford Castle,
standing over the shores of Lough Corrib and hidden deep within over wooded parkland.
This 13th century castle is a monument to a fascinating history of a bygone age. Once
owned by the Guinnes family, the castle opened its doors as an exclusive hotel in 1939. Boasting an
unsurpassed reputation for providing guests with the very finest rooms and suites. Each guest room
is individually designed to provide stylish personal comforts, from the marble fittings in the
luxurious bathrooms to sumptuous coordinated fabrics and furnishings.
Enroute to Ashford, visit the historic Abbey of Clonmacnoise. Situated on the Shannon,
about half way between Athlone and Banagher, King's County, lies the most remarkable of the
ancient schools of Erin.
An Early Christian site founded by St. Ciar'n in the mid-6th century on the eastern
bank of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral,
seven churches (10th -13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and the largest
collection of Early Christian graveslabs in Western Europe. The original high crosses and a selection
of graveslabs are on display in the visitor centre.
Day 5
Tee off at Enniscrone Golf Club after breakfast.
One of Ireland's finest links golf courses set amidst the scenic splendour of Killala Bay,
this championship venue provides golfers with the ultimate golf vacation experience.
Boasting dramatic dunes land, an inspired design concept, superb greens all year round
and breathtaking views. The new holes add an exciting dimension to the 27 hole championship
layout.
Visit the famous Ceide Fields Visitor Centre, a Stone Age settlement located near
Ashford, indulge yourself in a vast prehistoric landscape, a natural wild ecology of blanket bog,
dramatic cliffs and coastline, and a much acclaimed building.
Day 6
Tee off at the Connemara Golf Club after breakfast. Nestled between the scenic
splendour of the 12 Bens mountain range and the rugged Atlantic ocean. From the testing dog leg
opening hole through to the breathtaking back 9, which have been acknowledged as the "equal
to any in the world", Connemara is an enduring monument to its designer Eddie Hackett.
Buggies /pull carts & caddies available.
Visit Kylemore Abbey after golf. Set in the heart of Connemara, Kylemore Abbey shares
its woodlands, lakes and rivers with a large variety of birds and animals.
The Abbey was originally built in 1868 by Mitchell Henry, in memory of his late wife
Margaret. Its architecture is best described as neo-gothic and the house still displays all the
characteristics of that period.
Kylemore Abbey's most famous feature is its miniature cathedral, known locally as the
Gothic church.
Day 7
Check out after breakfast and travel the scenic route to Adare and check into the Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort in County Limerick.
This is the ultimate luxury vacation destination, complete with an 18 hole championship
golf course, a luxurious spa, world-class dining facilities, fishing, shopping, sightseeing and a host of
other estate activities guaranteed to make memories which will last a lifetime.
Relax at the hotel or visit Adare Village and heritage centre. Situated in Ireland's most
picturesque village, the Adare Heritage Centre allows you to experience the area's unique history.
Enjoy some authentic Irish cuisine at one of the casual bistro style restaurants.
Day 8
Tee off at the Adare Manor Golf Club after breakfast. Drive carts/pull carts available.
This was the last major golf course designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones,
Senior.
The exquisite parkland atmosphere of the demesne has been preserved with the
course set amid magnificent mature trees. The course contains many aquatic features including a
14 acre lake anchoring the front nine holes. The River Maigue meanders through the entire golf
course creating a sense of beauty and challenge.
We recommend a visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park after golf.
It is the most complete, authentically restored and furnished castle in Ireland.
Bunratty Folk Park, recreates rural and urban life in 19th century Victorian Ireland.
Day 9
After enjoying a filling breakfast you will tee off at the Ballybunion Old Course.
Ballybunion is a true seaside links course, virtually treeless and a course of sharp contours
throughout the 18 holes. There are uphill, downhill and side hill shots as well as uphill and downhill
par 3's.
It has been said that playing Ballybunion is similar in many respects, to playing Cypress
Point in America, and along with the wind on the course, it makes for an interesting challenge and
rewarding round of golf. Motorised trolleys/ ride on buggies available
Visit Franciscan Friary after golf. Founded in 1464 by Thomas, Earl of Kildare, and his
wife for Franciscan Friars of the Strick Observance, it was attacked and burned in 1646 by
parliamentary forces. The ruin, located in the heart of the Adare Manor Golf Club, is still beautifully
preserved with numerous gables.
Day 10
Enjoy breakfast before checking out and travelling to the Park Hotel Kenmare, beautifully
situated on the Kenmare River between the Ring of Kerry and the Beara Peninsula.
Dating back to 1897, each of the bedrooms enjoys a spacious sitting area furnished
with antiques and objects d'art while most have a full water view or private veranda. In essence the
hotel provides a rare destination where one can totally unwind and enjoy the comforts and service
of a world-class retreat.
After checking in, you can enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the Samas Spa. From its
conception, the luxury spa, was designed to soothe and revive tension, stress and fatigue.
Even in ancient Ireland they had a Gaelic word for such experiences Samas, 'indulgence of
the senses'. Enjoy the virtues of this bygone age in a special & unique place that blends healing
and therapeutic traditions from the East & West with the life inspiring scenery of Kerry.
Day 11
Tee off at the Old Head Links Golf Course, built on a 220 acre diamond shaped stretch of
land, jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. Unrivalled in terms of the magnificent beauty
and setting of the site located in the southwest of Ireland, this par 72 course stretches over
7,200 yards from the tips, with a minimum of six tees per hole.
With the ever-changing sea breezes, the course provides a stern test to the touring
pro and the high handicapper alike. Professional caddies available.
We recommend a visit to Desmond Castle Wine Museum, Kinsale, A good example of
an urban tower house, the castle houses the International Museum of Wine. This exhibition
documents the fascinating story of Ireland's wine links with Europe and the wider world.
Day 12
Tee off at the Waterville Golf Club after breakfast.
Golf at Waterville is a mystical experience, the beauty of classic links land surrounded
by the sea, yet forever challenged and shaped by the elements.
Over 100 years old, Waterville is rated among the top 5 courses in Ireland and the top 20
links courses in the world. Links golf combines sand dunes gorse and native grasses, firm fairways,
sod faced bunkers and subtle putting surfaces all intertwined by the ever changing weather.
Complete the Ring of Kerry drive after golf.
Part of the mystical and unspoiled region of Ireland, it provides an amazing insight into the
ancient heritage of this spectacular country.
Visit the Iron Age Forts and Ogham Stones, Old Monasteries and a landscape carved
out of rock by the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago.
Day 13
Enjoy breakfast before checking out and doing some last minute gift shopping. Return
vehicle to the airport and catch your flight back home
Did you know using a well respected tour operator such as Drommedaris Golf gives you peace of mind of having one expert central point of contact in organising your entire golf holiday + offers better rates than booking directly at the hotels and golf courses
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