Kylemore Lake & Abbey lies at the foot of Doughruagh mountain in the middle of an area of breathtaking mountain scenery.

Some of the country’s best links courses can be found in the West. In the heart of Connaught you will find the likes of Enniscrone where the towering dunes are unchanged since time began, the rugged beauty of Connemara or the historical links of Rosapenna will challenge your game with its layout and breathtaking scenery.

Enniscrone is among the finest and most challenging traditional links courses, which was founded in 1918.

The West of Ireland has some of the most varied things to do and see in Ireland including the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara National Park, The Burren and Galway City. Known the world over for its friendly people and charming countryside, the West will refresh flagging spirits like no other place.

From the Cliffs of Moher on a clear day one can see the Aran Islands and Galway.

Once you review the below golf courses and hotels, please Request a Quote from one of our golf travel specialists.

GOLF COURSES

CARNE (Belmullet): Designed by the celebrated Eddie Hackett, Carne Golf Links, was recently voted #28 in the world by Golf World and has been described as the “Ballybunion of the West”. “From the 1st tee to the 18th green it is all that one could ever yearn for.” James W. Finnegan – Emerald Fairways and Foam Flecked Seas.

Carne lies in magnificent unspoiled sand dunes overlooking Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic Ocean.

CONNEMARA: The championship links is in the heart of beautiful Connemara with the Atlantic as a backdrop. The challenging layout combines breathtaking scenery with an assortment of gentle and challenging holes.

COUNTY SLIGO (Rosses Point): One of Ireland’s great championship links courses. Rosses Point, over 100 years old, has hosted most of Ireland’s major golf championships. It has been described as a testing course for the skilled and fun course for the moderate player.

DONEGAL (Murvagh): Also known as Murvagh, this course is hidden away on a rugged, , peninsula that is screened by a wall of dense woodlands. The par 73 links layout winds its way through 180 acres of sandhills and carefully maintained fairways and greens.

ENNISCRONE: Designed by the late great Eddie Hackett and improved to 27 holes by Donald Steel, . Enniscrone gives the golfer a picture of life as it must have been many centuries ago – rugged high dunes, unchanged since time began, a bracing wind, clear sky, the most beautiful beach in Ireland, the Moy Estuary and the Atlantic Ocean, all encompassed by the backdrop of the Nephin and Ox Mountains as they loom heavily against the sky. An idyllic haven indeed!

ROSAPENNA-OLD: Originally designed by Old Tom Morris in 1893, Roaspenna was reshaped by James Braid and Harry Vardon in 1906 before Eddie Hackett added the final touches in 1993. This unique design pedigree makes Rosapenna a must play for golfers with a sense of history of links golf.

Golfers have been travelling to Rosapenna since the late 19th century when the Old Tom Morris links was ranked 3rd in the British Isles behind St. Andrews and Royal County Down.

SELECTION OF HOTELS

First Class

ARDILAUN HOUSE HOTEL (pictured above), Galway (Superior First Class): The Ardilaun is a 4-Star hotel set in 5 acres of beautiful grounds overlooking the picturesque town of Galway. All rooms are en suite with direct-dial telephone, color TV, trouser press, tea and coffee making facilities and hairdryer. Dinner is available in their award winning restaurant, or enjoy their new state of the art leisure club.

BRENNANS YARD, Galway (First Class): A refurbished city center hotel, Brennans Yard is a charming, intimate property with excellent standards of accommodation, food and service. Their en suite bedrooms have been individually designed and are furnished with antique pine furniture. In their restaurant, you can dine in discreet elegance and choose from a wide range of dishes prepared from the freshest ingredients. The Spanish Bar offers an intimate, warm and lively atmosphere, or try their new Terry’s Restaurant.

DOWNINGS BAY HOTEL, Downings (Superior First Class): Situated on Sheephaven Bay, Downings Bay Hotel offers its guest peace to relax from their day of golf. Located in the quaint village of Downings, each of the hotel’s forty bedrooms are tastefully finished with all of today’s modern comforts. Enjoy the elegant food served in the Haven Restaurant. Sit back and relax to the live music with a pint in hand at the Wheelhouse Bar.

GALWAY BAY HOTEL, Galway (Superior First Class): Situated on Galway’s City Seafront at the Promenade, Salthill, has all the advantages of a city location while being situated on a beautiful beach overlooking the famous Galway Bay. All bedrooms are designed for maximum guest comfort. The hotel has a fully equipped leisure centre and swimming pool. Enjoy dining in The Lobster Pot Restaurant which offers modern style cuisine with strong emphasis on fresh fish and lobster from the lobster tank.

ROSAPENNA HOTEL, Downings (Superior First Class): It is here, where the bays of Sheephaven and Mulroy converge, that a unique experience awaits you. The wild Atlantic waves have chiselled the rugged features of Rosapenna for thousands of years, the beauty is spectacular, the air is invigorating and the welcome that awaits you is warm and sincere. This is Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Links where the waters meet the wild and 4 star luxury nestles amidst the rolling Donegal landscape. Tranquil lounges and elegant dining areas overlooking the bay combine to set the ambience. A choice of bedrooms ranging from standard, deluxe with sea views to their spacious junior suites provide the comforts and style one would expect from a hotel with such history.This is a haven of tranquility where you can recharge after a day on the links or simply escape from the pressures of modern-day living.

RADISSON SAS HOTEL, Sligo (Superior First Class): Your secret hideaway in beautiful and peaceful surroundings within four minutes of Sligo town and Rosses Point Golf Course. This brand new hotel (opened in June 2004 as the reincarnation of the Ballincar House Hotel) features 132 bedrooms, a ‘state-of-the-art’ spa and health club with 20 treatment rooms, a restaurant overlooking Sligo bay featuring the finest in local and international cuisine as well as a ‘local’ bar.

KNOCKRANNY HOUSE HOTEL, Westport (Deluxe Country House): Beautifully appointed in secluded gardens overlooking Westport and Clew Bay, this Victorian style hotel offers sheer luxury in opulent surroundings. Log fires and friendly service combine to provide a wonderfully warm and tranquil atmosphere. La Fougere Restaurant is renowned for the superb quality of its cuisine. Guests enjoy complimentary use of the nearby C-Club leisure facilities, while the hotel’s own luxury health spa is scheduled to open in early 2004.

Deluxe

ASHFORD CASTLE (pictured above), Cong (Deluxe): This 5-Star hotel has long been considered one of Ireland’s most outstanding properties – and has adapted the facilities to cater for the demands of today’s discerning clientele. Ashford is unique in that each of the 83 bedrooms are individually designed by a leading designer who has captured the essence of magic that permeates each room. Each window frames magnificent views of the splendid Lough Corrib, the River Cong and wooded parkland.

GLENLO ABBEY HOTEL, Galway (Deluxe). This 18th century country residence, is located on a 138 acre lake side golf estate just 3 miles from Galway City. A 5-Star rated hotel, Glenlo Abbey is a haven for all discerning travelers. All 46 rooms have marbled bathrooms, personal safe direct-dial telephone, trouser press, cable TV, radio and 24-hour room service. The Pullman restaurant with its two Orient Express carriages, offers a totally unique dining experience.

Croagh Patrick, which overlooks Clew Bay in County Mayo, is considered the holiest mountain in Ireland.