For the Golfer’s of the group Doonbeg is the place to go. It was opened in 2002 and was considered an ideal location for the Golf links. It was designed by two-time British Open Champion Greg Norman and stretches to 1.5 miles of beach and sand dunes. Doonbeg Golf Club was purchased by Donald Trump in 2014 for an estimated €15 million. The President aimed to turn Doonbeg into a “truly iconic” golfing resort.
Here’s what a golfer can expect at the Trump Golf Course, Doonbeg; the Golf Course is a 72 par course that plays 9 in and 9 out. The speed and variation of wind in this open play can be the challenge that awaits here. This is definitely a course in which all clubs will be used! The talking point of this course is the 14th and a wedge is the only real choice here on this lovely par 3, if lucky with the wind direction it can be a shot of a lifetime to get to the green in one. Well you relax and play golf be at ease knowing that the non-golfer’s will be sight-seeing for the day with their own private driver who will escort them back for the evening time when everyone can catch up on the days events.
Not a golfer? Not to fear there are a variety of activities to choose from in Trump International Golf Resort like; an early morning relaxing stroll or jog along 1.5 miles of coastline. For the more adventurous, there are activities galore! Including – horseback riding, hillwalking, nature adventures, coastal cycle rides and family activities to suit every interest. Surfing, shoreline and off shore fishing, kayaking and diving are some of the many water activities, all can be facilitated at the resort and it’s surrounding area. Let your deluxe tour of Ireland be arranged by your luxury tour operator.
There is also the White Horse Spa which offers a range of luxury treatments including massages, body treatments, facials and hair and nail services. Guests can also avail of the steam area and sauna. Or your driver can bring you outside the resort….
In the meantime the non-golfers can have a wonderful day exploring the magnificent Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Your very own private chauffeur in Ireland can take you there and back in time to join the rest of the group later that day. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park has just undergone a major upgrade and has opened its’ very own Food and Retail Emporium in the courtyard of the castle. The new emporium offers the best in food, artisanal gifts, crafts and traditional Irish produce. Bunratty means the ‘end of the ratty’ (river) in Irish and the river can be seen surrounding the castle. The castle was built in 1425 and is a very popular tourist attraction. It hosts a medieval banquet, guests dine at banquet tables in the castle while drinking traditional Irish mead and listening to historical Irish music. The castle and the Folk park are very unique and charming.
The Bunratty Folk Park is like stepping back in time, there are a number of houses all decorated to an older day and highlight the difference in living standards. There is also a post office, a school house, a doctor’s house and many more fascinated places to freely walk around in this Folk park. There is Durty Nelly’s pub next door for some food, drink, music and a bit of Irish ‘craic’. Also a short walk from the Folk park is Blarney Woolen Mills were you can indulge in some duty-free shopping for some original Irish gifts to bring home (or gifts for the golfer’s to make them jealous they missed out on some sight-seeing!!)
For the golfer’s vacation there’s Lahinch Golf Club, it is one of the oldest golf clubs in Ireland officially opened in 1927. There are two courses, the Old Course and the Castle Course. The Old Course is designed by Tom Morris/Alister MacKenzie and is the St Andrews of Ireland. It looks out on the Atlantic Ocean and is taxing to play when blustery winds come in off the Atlantic.Lahinch’s 5th hole is one of the most talked about golf holes in the world, simply Known as “The Dell”. It is an original design from Tom Morris. The reason that the Dell is so famous from the Tee, is that the hole is entirely blind. This tough, 154 yards, par 3 is surrounded on all sides by massive, natural sand dunes. Starting off, all the player can see are dunes and a white direction rock, which provides the line for locating the hole. If that wasn’t a challenge enough, the hole plays directly into the wind and towards the sea. This will give you loads to talk about later when you re-group with the rest of your party!
While the golfer’s are busy in Lahinch today’s tour takes you non- golfers to the Cliffs of Moher, climbing from the sea to a height of 214 meters & spanning 5 miles of awe-inspiring walks that will leave your holiday album filled with magnificent images. There are plenty of souvenir & craft shops in which to do some shopping too.
The tour then takes you along the famous Galway Bay into the typical Irish town of Ballyvaughan where you can enjoy a spot of lunch.
The next stop is the Burren region, a limestone mesa of huge geological and archaeological significance & is the residence of numerous Irish ancient monuments. Of particular interest is the Birds of Prey at Aillwee Caves, where for 50 minutes, you will see Falcons, Eagles, Owls & Hawks. This is followed by the Dolmen Graves, Neolithic graves characteristic of County Clare, which extend to 3600 B.C.. Once the tour is complete your private chauffeur will bring you back to your to the rest of your party to re-group and enjoy the evening.
This is a great one for the golfers! The Sign of a good golf course are the holes that stick in your mind. In Tralee Golf Club is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, it is really hard to concentrate without gazing at the area surrounding that includes Castles, distant islands and towering mountains. Tralee Golf Club was his first Irish adventure into golf architecture and was officially opened to critical acclaim in 1984. Tralee, is a rugged and exhilarating masterpiece and Palmer, let nature do most of the work. The majority of the elevated holes grip tightly to the coast land, giving way to some spectacular scenery from the cliff tops right over Tralee Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. There are very few links that grab your attention the moment you see them; Tralee golf course is one of those few captivating courses.
For our non-golfers we depart your hotel and leave for Killarney which offers some magnificent sightseeing gems like Lady’s View. It was named after Queen Victoria’s Ladies-in waiting, in the course of the Queen’s visit in 1861. The breath-taking view takes in the McGillycuddy Reeks & the splendid Purple Mountain Range. Nearby, the 18-meter-high Torc Falls boasts some of the countries outstanding panoramic views.
Equally, Muckross House & Gardens, a Victorian mansion, establishes the kernel of Killarney National Park. The final stop in Killarney is Ross Castle, a resplendent 15th century fortress owned by the O’Donoughue Ross Chieftains.
You will then be taken a short drive to the Kissane Sheep farm, where you can view sheep shearing and sheep dog trials which are very entertaining. You can peruse the gift shop for vacation gifts too. Your Irish personal chauffeur will then return you to your hotel to re-group and relax for the evening.
That completes our small sample of a Combined Golf and Sight-seeing Tour, there is so much more to see and do in the Emerald Isle. If you would like further information on a Customized Tour of Ireland, then please click the Enquire button below:
Alternatively, if you would like to call us directly Toll Free from the US or Canada the number is 1 888 793 0416
All the best,
Mike Ryan
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