just beyond. We enjoy a 19th hole pint before taking a short drive west to
Magilligan Point where we board the Lough Foyle car ferry to Greencastle
back in Ireland, and then continue north-west across the scenic Inishowen
Peninsula to the village of Ballyliffin and our bed for the night.
Overnight: Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa (Ballyliffin)
Day 5: BALLYLIFFIN - County Donegal
Ballyliffin is such a beautiful and intriguing spot, that six-time major
champion Nick Faldo used to visit it before playing the British Open
and at one time was so smitten with the place he tried to buy it, on the
cheap according to locals. A remarkable 36 holes meander through this
most beguiling of links land, with rocky outcrops, perfect greens and
enchanting views of the coast. Principally designed by Mother Nature
(with upgrades by Faldo including new bunkering, tees and enlarged
greens) the classic Old Links undulates in the glory of its natural terrain.
The rippling fairways give the course a unique character and charm and
its the type of place where you can easily imagine the golfing forefathers
striding along the sheep-cropped turf with their hickory clubs.
The more recent Glashedy Links (designed by Pat Ruddy and Tom
Craddock) is fashioned around the incredible dunes on predominately
higher ground above and beyond the Old Links offering stunning views
as you play. Here, we tee it up with two other golfers we meet, Jo from
Belgium and Scott from America and engage in a thoroughly enjoyable
matchplay contest. The course kicks off with three long par-4s and the
challenges never let up – negotiating cavernous peat-riveted bunkers,
large contoured greens, fairways that twist and roll between towering
dunes and a collection of exciti