The 18th green Ballyliffin’ s Old Links-( Credit: Ballyliffin Golf Club)
A golfer relaxes by a peat fire at the Bushmills Inn.
“ This is as good a day as it gets at Connemara,” says life member Rod McGahon, who we join for a better-ball Stableford match, along with his mate and former club captain Lorcan Geoghegan. The par-72 test begins with a lovely dog-leg left opener with the approach to a well-guarded green, and after that the thrills never end with the course building up nicely to a terrific back nine. The great thing about Connemara is that Eddie Hackett designed it in such a way that it’ s eminently playable by golfers of all levels and unlike some links, there’ s a better chance of finding your ball in the light wispy rough if you stray off line. The course opened in 1973 and has received many illustrious visitors over the years including five-time Open champion Tom Watson, who raved about the elevated greens on the back nine.
A hole that typifies Connemara is the 200 yard par-3 13th. The tee shot is usually into a prevailing wind in your face, with a treacherous green sloping right to left, protected by pot bunkers.“ Whatever you do don’ t under club here,” says Rod as he pulls a driver from his bag. Rod and Lorcan are excellent company as we plot our way around the course, and at the end of a tight contest, Paul holes a terrific birdie putt up the bank of the 18th green to halve an exciting match. From Connemara, we journey south-east to our final accommodation at Glenlo Abbey Hotel rising majestically from the still waters of Lough Corrib on the outskirts of Galway city. Dating back to the 18th century, Glenlo Abbey is where old world charm meets contemporary elegance. From the Victorian inspired décor of the graceful French Room and Reading Room, to the Corrib Suite and the fairy-tale setting of the beautiful stone cut restored abbey, everything about this 5-star lakeside estate is elegant and grand. The Glenlo Abbey Hotel offers a variety of dining experiences, but star billing must go to the unique 66-seater Pullman Restaurant aboard the Orient Express in the estate grounds. Comprising of two original carriages, one of which dates back to 1927, they once served on the Paris- Istanbul- St. Petersburg route of the Orient Express for nearly 40 years. One of the carriages, called Leona had a starring role in the Sidney Lumets classic, Murder on the Orient Express, that featured greats such as Albert Finney and Lauren Bacall.
Savouring our evening meals of Roast Canon of Connemara Lamb in the Pullman Restaurant, we raise our glasses to an unforgettable week’ s golf in Ireland’ s north-west- with images of stunning coastal scenery, Atlantic Ocean views and only skylarks for company, as we hit our tee shots down a another winding fairway hidden among the dunes...
FACT FILE:
Where To Play
Narin & Portnoo Golf Club: www narinportnoogolfclub. ie Donegal Golf Club( Murvagh): www. donegalgolfclub. ie County Sligo Golf Club: www. countysligogolfclub. ie Enniscrone Golf Club: www. enniscronegolf. com Carne Golf Links( Belmullet): www. carnegolflinks. com Connemara Golf Links: www. connemaragolflinks. com
Where To Stay
Harvey’ s Point Hotel( Donegal): www. harveyspoint. com Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa( Sligo): www. radissonblu. ie / hotel-sligo Mount Falcon( Ballina / County Mayo): www. mountfalcon. com Foyles Hotel( Clifden / Connemara): www. foyleshotel. com Glenlo Abbey Hotel( Galway): www. glenloabbeyhotel. com North West Golf Club: www. northwestgolfclub. com and Portsalon Golf Club: www. portsalongolfclub. ie
FURTHER INFORMATION:
North & West Coast Links Web: www. northandwestcoastlinks. com Email: Sales @ northandwestcoastlinks. com
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