The likelihood of Irish golfers returning to these courses should offer ‘ a glass half full ’ mentality after such a difficult year . And with 2021 looking like it will follow a similar path , Irish golfers be anticipating some mouth-watering stay & play deals . The hotels in Belmullet ( the Broadhaven Bay and The Talbot , most notably ) may not be part of the golf course but you can be sure there will be deals available that tie them together . This will be a common theme nationwide and for those international travellers who like to collate their own itineraries many of those same deals will apply .
Destination Golf produces a World Stay & Play guide and six Irish resorts make the list . With golf such a major tourism attraction , and over 400 courses across the island , it is no surprise that golf courses and hotel resorts often go hand-in-hand . From the five star super luxury of places such as Mount Juliet , The K Club and Dromoland Castle to the colourful hotels aimed at the more price conscious , like Ballymascanlon and the Woodenbridge Hotel , there is literally nowhere where you will find a golf course without quality accommodation close by .
Yes , the choice and range are vast and there are close to 30 resorts in this guide alone , each boasting a golf course ( or even two in the case of The K Club , Powerscourt and Carton House ) in our Top 150 . The spread of these resorts is also vast , from Rosapenna in the northern wilds of Donegal ( where a new Tom Doak-designed course will open this summer ) to the farthest southern tip of Co . Cork , where Old Head awaits on a diamond-shaped peninsula , and from Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links , on Dublin ’ s coastline , to the western edges of the Wild Atlantic Way where you will find Dromoland Castle , you are spoiled for choice … and luxury . And I haven ’ t even mentioned the heart of Ireland where resorts at
Druids-Glen
Glasson , Moyvalley , Slieve Russell , New Forest , and the idyllic Rathsallagh are only a few of the options you can choose from .
Of course , just as in Belmullet , you don ’ t have to stay at a golf resort to get stay & play deals . You could stay in the local town and then play a few of the courses in the vicinity . The 10-bedroom Clody Lodge , in the heart of Bunclody town , is a perfect example with Bunclody Golf & Fishing Club on the doorstep and exceptional Carlow and muscular Mount Wolseley a short drive away . In Waterford , you could stay in Ireland ’ s oldest city and play any or all of the five golf courses in the region . It means quick and easy access to the town ’ s nightlife , shops and history … but you might prefer the simpler route of staying at the four star Faithlegg House , which comes with its own golf course and two types of accommodation . Choose between hotel rooms or their two and three bedroom self-catering houses .
It is one of the strengths of accommodation providers that such options are available . Self catering provides golf groups with more freedom in their comings and goings while still giving them access to the hotel facilities , bars and restaurants .
Faithlegg is a perfect example in Waterford , while Fota Island and Castlemartyr , hotels , farther west , in Co . Cork , also provide self-catering alternatives . Mount Juliet , in Co . Kilkenny , deserves a very special mention here : it too has self catering options ( a two-bed and a four-bed cottage ) but it also has two hotels . Its Jack Nicklaus-designed course speaks for itself – and will host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open this summer – but having two hotels to choose from is just a little bit special don ’ t you think . And when courses re-open in 2021 there will be many golfers who will want to experience this graceful course before or after the Irish Open .
In the midlands one of Ireland ’ s youngest courses , New Forest , has converted the estate ’ s original courtyard into luxurious two bedroom lodges . Each can accommodate up to six guests and they are conveniently located between the driving range and the clubhouse . The clubhouse restaurant is highly regarded for its food and the club is well located for the golf courses at Mullingar , Esker Hills , Tullamore , Glasson and Moyvalley ( all of which comfortably make our Top 150 ). That right there is some pure parkland pleasure .
Of course if you prefer a more traditional approach – namely staying at a hotel – you could enjoy the same parkland sextet above by staying at the modern hotel at Moyvalley . The practice facilities are excellent and Moyvalley offers a rhythmic , calm and generous round of golf with a sting in its tail ( 16 , 17 and 18 ). Interestingly , Moyvalley and New Forest were developed at the same time and opened in 2006 . They both have the modern flourishes and facilities but their parkland style is very different : the
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