Itinerary for Golfers
"Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today, it's called golf."
Golfer’s Paradise
Ireland is home to many of the world’s best golf courses. For day trips from Doonbeg, we suggest:
Lahinch Golf Club (34 minutes)
Dromoland Castle Golf Club (50 minutes)
Ballybunion Golf Club (1 hour, 50 minutes including car ferry)
Adare Manor Golf Club (1 hour, 20 minutes)
Golfing Suggestions - Note that tee times book up months in advance, especially during the summer months. It is prudent you book as far out as possible. Please reach out to Bret Edson for help with unaccompanied rates and tee times at both Doonbeg and Old Head.
Day 1
Start with an early morning round at Doonbeg Golf Club. Book a Tee Time here. (Or you can reach out to Bret Edson for assistance booking an unaccompanied rate and tee time). Break for lunch at Doonbeg’s Bar and Restaurant.
Head to nearby Lahinch Golf Club for an afternoon round. If there is time, first check out the Cliffs of Moher. Book a Tee Time here. Afterwards, grab dinner or drinks in the town of Lahinch. Check out Vaughans on the Prom, The Corner Stone, Danny Mac’s, and Spooney’s Fish and Chips.
Day 2
Day trip to The Golf Course at Adare Manor (roughly 1 hour, 15 minute drive), host of the 2027 Ryder Cup. Inquire about a Tee Time here. Following the Tee Time, grab a bite to eat or a drink at the Carriage House Restaurant. Take a detour through Adare village before returning to Doonbeg.
Top sights include: Heritage Centre, Desmond Castle, Trinitarian Abbey, Augustinian Friary, the Adare River Bank Walk, and simply wandering around the village.
Adare Manor has been named #1 Resort in the World at the 2022 Condé Nast Traveler Readers' Choice Awards (if you want to turn the day trip into an overnight, this might be the place to do it!).
Day 3
Day trip to Ballybunnion Golf Club. You are able to cut the drive time to roughly 1 hour, 15 minutes via the Killimer – Tarbert car ferry. There are two courses (The Old Course and The Cashen Course) if you would like to make it a double header for the day. Book Tee Times here. If you would like to do some sightseeing, take the longer route back through Limerick. Stop by the Bunratty Castle & Folk Park.
Alternatively, if you choose just one course at Ballybunnion, the Old Course is the most revered. Tralee Golf Club is a 35 minute drive away, and it would be an excellent spot for a second round of the day. You can choose a full 18 holes or make it a quick 9. Book a Tee Time here.
Day 4
Next up, visit the beautiful Ring of Kerry and book a Tee Time at Waterville Golf Links. It is about a 2.5 hour drive from Doonbeg to Waterville via the Killimer-Tarbert car ferry. 45 minutes from Waterville is the Ring of Kerry, a fantastic place to drive and spend the afternoon. From here, you can head to Old Head or Kinsale (roughly 2 to 2.5 hours away) to overnight and play Old Head the following day, or head back to Doonbeg and have a pint at the Cottage.
Day 5
Saving the best for last, Old Head is golfer’s paradise. The course books up months in advance, so plan accordingly if booking your own tee time. You can also reach out to Bret Edson for assistance with unaccompanied rates and tee times. If you chose to overnight in Kinsale, it is roughly a 20 minute drive. If you make a day trip from Doonbeg, it is a little over 3 hours each way. Inquire about Tee Times on the website or call (+353) (0)21 4778 444.
