Golf in Ireland: The Wild Atlantic Way

This tour takes you further up the West coast of Ireland from where Series Number 2 started in Galway. The whole coastline from Westport up to Donegal and Narin & Portnoo is part of the Wild Atlantic Way, a windswept coast with the sea stretching thousands of miles to the West.

It covers a variety of courses, seaside links, clifftop links, huge dunes 100 feet high, a long modern course and an old fashioned natural links golf course. There is even one where you put the modest green fee in an honesty box. All the way the golf is exciting and the views outstanding.

Your Ireland Golf Tour Itinerary  

DAY 1 - Arrive at Dublin or Knock Airport, met by AGS representative, collect auto or meet your private driver/guide, drive to your hotel base in County Donegal for 4 nights.  

DAY 2 - Play Bundoran, a clifftop links on the Wild Atlantic Way that overlooks the south of Donegal Bay,  It’s an open course and its main defence is the wind. 6256 yards, Par 70.

In the area: Bundoran is known for its beaches and is a world-renowned surfing area.

DAY 3 - Play Donegal, built on a promontory extending into the Atlantic Ocean, with the outside loop along dunes and the ocean. Despite its length it’s an easy walk, with beautiful views. 7400 yards. Par 73.  

Until the early 17th century Donegal town was the 'capital' of Tyrconnell, a Gaelic kingdom controlled by the O'Donnell dynasty of the Northern Uí Néill. The centre of the town, known as The Diamond, is a hub for music, poetic and cultural gatherings in the area.  

DAY 4 - Play Narin and Portnoo. It’s a charming old fashioned course with routing around the dunes. You need many shots, draws for doglegs, crisp iron shots, and accurate tee shots down some narrow fairways, low shots into the Atlantic winds, chip and run shots over the mounds and dips and high shots downwind into raised and firm greens. 6895 yards, Par 73.

DAY 5 - On route to your hotel at Westport for 3 nights play Strandhill. It lies between Knocknarea Mountain and the Ocean. Pure linksland with some amazing 100-foot dunes, undulating fairways, blind shots and greens surrounded by sandhills. 6243 yards, Par 69.   

In the area: Knocknarea or ‘Moon Mountain’ is said to have the ‘Maeve’s Cairn, grave of a mythical Queen on the top. The mountain is a 1000-foot limestone mass with a stone structure 180-foot diameter and 30-foot-high on top as the cairn.

W. B. Yeats the poet was from the Sligo area. He is buried at Drumcliff. In the poem "Under Ben Bulben” he spelled out where he should be buried and what should be on his tomb. In Sligo is the Yeats Memorial Building containing a library, art gallery and the headquarters of the Yeats International Summer School.  

DAY 6 - Play Mulranny Links on the shores of Clew Bay. It has fantastic views of Croagh Patrick and Clare Island. This is where you can experience a truly natural, old fashioned links, nobody knows who laid it out and it has lost 9 holes to the sea. You pay by putting your €20 fee into an honesty box. 6257 yards, Par 71.

In the area: Croagh Patrick is Saint Patrick's sacred mountain, the holiest mountain in Ireland and a place of pilgrimage. Just five miles Westport, the mountain's conical shape soars majestically above the surrounding countryside.  

DAY 7 - Play Carne, it sits in splendid isolation on the edge of the Atlantic. The course has towering dunes and is wild and natural. With few bunkers it relies on its magnificent unspoiled undulating terrain and sand dunes. There are really no weak holes.   6706 yards, Par 72.  

DAY 8. Depart from Dublin or Knock Airport 

4* The Sandhouse Hotel & Marine Spa has a dramatic location on a hill above the sands of Rossnowlagh beach. There are spectacular views over the Atlantic. The beach, with its Atlantic breakers and its broad sands is enticing. To the south is the resort of Bundoran and to the north lovely Donegal Town. 

All rooms are smart and comfortably furnished with all modern amenities. A sea view room is recommended for the views. The Glasshouse Restaurant overlooks the beach and the ocean. Enjoy fine cuisine from locally sourced products while the sun sets, a dining experience to remember.

Breakfast is full service; you can enjoy a wide selection of fresh fruit, fresh fish as well as the traditional Irish Breakfast in the Seashell & Glasshouse Restaurants. The spacious Marine Spa is a notable Sandhouse attraction, with a full range of treatments and a focus on Voya seaweed products.  

4* Westport Coast Hotel - is the town’s only waterfront hotel. It is located at the trendy Quay Side, overlooking Clew Bay. The hotel has splendid views and is only a short distance from the vibrant town centre. The award-winning, fabulous, rooftop Waterfront Restaurant has spectacular views.

The Coast Bar and Bistro offers a full bar menu featuring locally sourced ingredients. It also has an extensive wine menu and live entertainment on selected nights. The spacious rooms have baths, power showers and some overlook the harbour. Each room includes satellite TV and free Wi-Fi. Guests can also relax in the onsite Veda spa and indoor swimming pool.

 See also our Hidden Gem Golf Tour in Ireland, as well as our packages for Scotland, Wales and England

 

If you would like to book a custom golfing holiday in Ireland, contact us to discuss your needs.

See all our Ireland golf tours:

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