Come With Me to Ireland
by Ed Holbrook
Somebody asked me the other day what I would suggest
for a 10-day golf trip to Ireland.
"Funny you should ask," I said. "My wife and I just put together a
trip for May. Why don't you join us?"
After I outlined the itinerary, he said, thanks...he'd love to go.
Maybe you would, too. We'll fly from New York JFK May 18, landing in
Shannon, Ireland.
First stop is Lahinch, where the golfers will play the famous
course that's known as the St. Andrews of Ireland. This is the place
where goats graze on the course and the sign at the clubhouse warns
if the goats are close to the clubhouse, it's going to rain. Let me
warn you at the outset, you should always be prepared for rain! Our
sightseeing here will include the beautiful Cliffs of Moher, where
the Atlantic Ocean crashes over the rocks 700 feet below.
Crossing the country, we'll spend two nights in Dublin. Golfers
will enjoy famed Pormarnock and Royal Dublin Golf Club while the
non-golfers tour Malahide Castle, Christ Church, St. Patrick's
Cathedral and Dublin Castle, and descend on the shops on Grafton
Street (my wife gets these strange stars in her eyes when she talks
about Grafton Street. I guess it's the female thing!)
Faithlegg Golf Club at Waterford offers some wicked slopes and
borrows on its immaculate greens and our golfers will see them all,
while the others tour Waterford Glass works. On the way to Waterford,
we'll all take a look at Wicklow, known as the "garden of
Ireland"...a place of incredible beauty as well
as historical significance.
Near Cork is a seaport named Cobh, which
has long been important to seafaring history. It was a regular
stop for the ships of the Cunard and White Star lines, and was the
last port of call for the Titanic. The Lusitania was sunk near Cobh
and the survivors brought here. All of these stories and many more
are chronicled in an exhibition called "The Queenstown Story," housed
in the beautifully restored Victorian railway station. Our
non-golfers will take it all in while the golfers will see how Dr.
Allister McKenzie wove a parkland golf course around a quarry to
create Cork Golf Club's Little Island.
Three nights in Killarney will give us time to relax a bit. On the
way there, we'll stop at Blarney Castle where those who need to will
kiss the Blarney Stone. Golf in and around Killarney will be at
Killarney Killeen, Waterville and Ballybunion Old Course. Sightseers
will feast their eyes on the Gap of Dunloe, and the Ring of Kerry.
The village of Killarney itself is a treat, with its quaint setting
and peaceful lifestyle. Horsedrawn carriages provide tours through
the narrow streets and you can always find a pub for a snack and a
cool drink.
What do they say about saving the best for last? Well, we
did...we'll end our trip at Adare Manor. Once a private estate for
the Earls of Dunraven, Adare Manor is now a luxury hotel complete
with its own Robert Trent Jones golf club. (Of course, we'll play!)
The manor itself is something to see, and staff members happily
recount tales of the resident ghost (a mistress of the lord of the
manor) while they show off the exquisite details of the house,
including the long gallery with its 17th century Flemish choirstalls.
Adare is the perfect place to unwind...maybe enjoy a massage...and
get ready for the long flight home.
So, wanna go? There's still time to get on the bus but you must
speak quickly.
Travel Tidbits
Think ahead! If you want to travel to Scotland next summer and be
sure you have a tee time at the famous courses, you must plan NOW.
These course book way ahead and some (like Muirfield) are already
selling out.
Ladies...what are you going to give that golf-addicted man in your
life for Christmas? May I suggest a weekend of golf in Palm Springs
with tickets to the Super Bowl? Or the ultimate stocking stuffer...a
trip to the Masters. Whether it's practice rounds or a full
tournament package, you won't need mistletoe when he tears the
wrapping off that! The time to plan is NOW!
You know, life is just ho-hum if you're not planning your next
golf vacation. See you next month with more about Palm Springs and
Masters '98.
Ed Holbrook is a golf travel connoisseur in his spare time, as
well as by occupation. He is the South Florida Rep for SGH Golf Inc.,
providers of custom, worldwide golf travel packages. You can reach Ed
by calling 561-770-2222 or 800-785-7180.
edh@floridagolfing.com
