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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