Ireland Golf Trip, Western Ireland and the Ring of Kerry

The itinerary for our Ireland Golf Trip took us into and out of Ireland via the Shannon airport. Shannon is north of the vast majority of Western Ireland golf courses you want to play in Ireland. We landed in Shannon on a Thursday and made the 40 minute trek to Doonbeg. Doonbeg is a very small hamlet near the courses of Lahinch and Doonbeg. From there we went almost 3 hours south to Killarney which is more or less centrally located to 5 additional courses you would want to play when on this side of the country. Killarney is as close as you can get to be centered, but there still is a fair amount of driving back and forth to courses that are an hour to an hour and a half away from Killarney. Once we were done we needed to make the 2 hour trek back up to Shannon for an 11am flight. This made for an early early wake up to transfer to the airport.

Another option would be to take a plane into Kerry and then go from course to course maybe playing 2 a day. Then from there head up to Doonbeg where you could play Lahinch and Doonbeg, then go north to the airport. This would avoid some of the doubling back that it seemed we did a great deal of on this trip. If you are not well versed in driving on the left hand side of the road I would make a very strong suggestion to hire a driver or a coach service to get you around. Ireland requires a fair amount of driving any way you slice it.

Finally, the Trump Doonbeg and many of the properties around the ring of Kerry are equipped with helicopter pads. This makes the far flung hamlet of Doonbeg much more accessible if you have the wallet and the stomach to hop from venue to venue.

Western Ireland golf is by in large links style golf. The weather is generally overcast and be prepared for very strong prevailing winds. Because the threat of rain is ever present, you certainly want to make sure you have quality rain gear with you at all times, and be prepared for rounds of golf that have more wardrobe changes than your average Broadway Production.

The food in Ireland is on the whole better than Scotland, and if you decide to center yourself in Killarney you will have plenty of nightlife options to distract you from your golf round the next day. Just be sure to not get too distracted…

Doonbeg:
Doonbeg is little hamlet literally in the middle of nowhere. The Trump resort is nearby. In Doonbeg there is a small town not to far away from the Trump resort and that they will drive you to. There is literally a restaurant and a pub in Doonbeg, you are likely better off staying at and on Trump property.

Accommodations
We stayed at the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Doonbeg

Donald Trump purchased this property in February of 2014 and very shortly after the new course was emblazoned in headlines of newspapers. There were plans to build a second golf course on property, but apparently, environmentalists were inspecting the property and discovered a “microscopic snail” that is endangered and forbade the building of the second golf course. Ask a local about the story, they will be happy to regale you.

Secondly, the property is against the sea and applied for a sea wall “due to rising tides in conjunction with climate change”. Clearly this is at odds with the overall philosophy of Donald Trump and has made headlines as such.

The resort is very nice, well appointed and has excellent views of the water nearby. There is a main stone building that makes up the clubhouse, restaurant and bar. The food is very good and the bar is a bit of a hot spot for Doonbeg, and is generally packed with very friendly locals that will want to drink and chat and generally have fun.

Then a number of other buildings that make up the various types of accomodations on property. You can get a hotel room, lease a cottage, or even rent a townhome on property. You are going to want to pay very close attention to the accommodations you are getting if you are planning on to “buddy up”. We booked 1 of our rooms as a double through our Golf Tour Company Garmany golf, and literally the room was tiny The two twin beds were like 4 inches apart (see photo). Not ideal? Not workable and would be a major let down while on a bucket list trip. That said others on the trip who upgraded stayed in a full townhouse with their own large bedrooms complete with plush bathrooms and a living room with fireplace. So buyer beware when on your Western Ireland Golf Trip.

Killarney
Our driver affectionately calls Killarney the “graveyard of ambition” because there’s so much to do in and around killarney. It’s a hot-bed for surfers, windsurfers, hunters, golfers and those seeking leisure activities, who have time to pass. Additionally, it’s centered an hour to an hour and a half from 4 or 5 of the best golf courses Western Ireland has to offer, and provides a metropolis retreat with plenty to do and eat when you’re done with a day on the links.

While in the town of Killarney, you have many nice hotels to choose from and seemingly endless choices of Pubs and local shopping. When the pubs give way in the late evening there are even a couple night clubs that will keep you occupied until the wee hours of the morning. The town is abuzz with locals and tourists alike and offers generous dining options from classic Irish Pub all the way to Italian. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time if you are going to be there on a weekend.

Accommodations
Our group stayed at the Killarney Park Hotel, which is very nice. The staf

f is very accommodating and the rooms are serviceable for 2 buddy’s to share. If you can upgrade to a suite with 2 beds you will even have an adjacent room to run to if your roommate starts snoring. The breakfast at the restaurant the “Park” was also very good, and when we had early morning transfers to golf courses they were kind enough to put together “to go” bags for the road so we did not starve.  When you come back a drowned rat from a tough day on the Links, Killarney Park even has a dedicated “drying room” where you can bring your gear to have it dry down for the next days adventure.

Golf Courses: 

Doonbeg

Ballybunion

Dooks

Lahinch

Tralee

Waterville