Golf and Sightseeing Ireland

The major golf courses are mainly situated on the coast but are spread out around the island. During your vacation, whatever golf course you want to play, it will never be far from some interesting sightseeing. The table below links sightseeing options with the nearest major courses or resorts. Eight of the most popular sightseeing locations are indicated in green and two world heritage sights in red.

Dingle Peninsula — Touring the Dingle Peninsula try to get away from the touristy main roads and find its desolate beauty and the spectacular views of harbors, cliffs, villages and beaches. Visit Dunquin, home to the Blasket Center, a heritage center celebrating the literary history of the Blanket Islands.. The Gallorus Oratory near Ballyferriter built c. 750 is one of the oldest churches in Ireland. In this area you can also visit the Clochans, small townships of beehive huts built by Monks. Golf at Ballybunnion, Tralee, Dooks and Killarney

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Ring of Kerry — Ring of Kerry This is a circular route of about 110 miles, one of the most spectacular tours in Europe. It is best to start from Killarney and follow the route counter-clockwise for the best views. The drive is about 4 hours but you should take longer and explore inland and some of the coastal towns. The route is studded with ruins and archaeological sights, towns ,villages and spectacular scenery. Golf at Waterville

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Killarney Town — Killarney is a small town and can best be seen by walking. It can be very crowded and you may prefer to escape to the scenic hinterland, which is the main attraction and borders the town on all sides.

Killarney is a place of lakes and forests which may be enjoyed from panoramic walks. Places to visit are Muckross House and Abbey, Killarney National Park and the Torc Waterfall. Golf at Killarney Golf and Fishing Club.

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Kenmare — This is the last town on the Ring of Kerry Tour and is the most enchanting. It has fine hotels and restaurants and is an alternative base to Killarney for touring Co. Kerry. For golfers the only major course nearby is Waterville.

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Cliffs of Moher — The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland's most breathtaking natural wonders. They rise vertically out of the sea to a height of 700 feet and stretch 5 miles along the coast. There is a visitor center and the parking area is a favorite spot for performers in the high season. Golf at Lahinch

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The Burren (a rocky place) — This area is being developed as a National Park. It is a strange sight with irregular slabs of limestone stretching in all directions like a lunar landscape. The limestone plateau is dotted with cliffs, lakes and an incredible variety of plant life and wildlife. It is rich in archaeological remains dating back to the Neolithic period. There are dolmens, wedge tombs, ring forts, round towers, high crosses, holy wells and monasteries. Golf at Lahinch

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Kinsale Town — This is one of Ireland's most picturesque towns with narrow streets descending from the surrounding hills to the beautiful harbor. It has also built a reputation as the "gourmet capital of Ireland" having the finest collection of good restaurants outside of Dublin. In October there is a 3 day gourmet festival. Golf at Old Head.

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Cork and the Blarney Stone — Cork is Ireland's second largest city and the commercial hub for the south. However it is only one tenth the size of Dublin. It is a lively place with a great pub scene, traditional music, art galleries and off-beat cafes. Blarney Castle and Stone are a great visitor attraction. The term Blarney is said to date back to when Queen Elizabeth was trying to obtain an oath of fealty from the Lord of Blarney. The silver tongued Lord was a master of the Irish art of never saying yes or no (dissimulation). The Queen, exasperated, exclaimed. "This is nothing but Blarney, what he says he never means." Later in 1830 a Father Prout wrote these lines. "There's a stone there, that whoever kisses, Oh! he never misses, to grow eloquent". So if you already have the "gift of the gab", avoid the health risk. Golf at Old Head, Kinsale

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The Queenstown Story (Cobh) — This is a new heritage center at Cobh (formerly Queenstown) just outside of Cork. It commemorates the 2.5 million people who came here from all over Ireland to emigrate to the USA, Canada and Australia. It also tells the story of the great transatlantic liners including Titanic, whose last port of call was Cobh and Lusitania , sunk off this coast by a German submarine in 1915.

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Old Midleton Distillery — Midleton Distillery, County Cork is adjacent to the Jameson Heritage Center and dates to 1825. Over the years it has amalgamated with other distilleries. Several different brands are produced today at Midleton. You can visit the Jamieson Heritage center for a guided tour which ends with a complimentary tasting. Visitors are welcome with daily tours, March 1st to October 21st, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the last tour at 4 p.m. Admission fee is about $6. For golfers the top ranked links course nearby is the spectacular Old Head at Kinsale or try Fota Island.

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Waterford Crystal — This town of Waterford is famous for the Glass factory which you can tour. It manufactures lead-crystal of great purity and thickness which enables the ornate designs for which it is famous. The Visitor Center has an outstanding display of lead crystal which can be purchased but is worth a visit just to see it. Golf at Mount Juliet Estate often ranked #1 inland course in Ireland.

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Kilkenny — Considered by many to be the most attractive large town in Ireland, Kilkenny is possibly the best surviving Irish example of a medieval town. Its medieval churches, castles, public buildings and streets are well preserved. Kilkenny Castle, founded in 1172 dominates the southern end of the town. Kyteler's Inn is the oldest in town and thrives on the history of Dame Alice Kyteler, a wealthy lady accused of witchcraft in 1324.

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Glendalough Monastery — The Wicklow mountains can easily be visited from Dublin on a day trip. The monastery is in the most beautiful part of the mountains. It was founded in the 6th century by St Kevin in a beautiful and secluded setting. Although the monastery is essentially a ruin there are interesting remains including a round tower, churches, crosses and burial grounds. The visitor center provides exhibits on the archaeology, history, folklore and wildlife of the area.

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Trinity College and the Book of Kells — Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland and was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1st. It is in the center of Dublin on a lovely 40 acre site. The Book of Kells can be viewed on the ground floor of the Old Library. It is an 8th century, illuminated, 680 page manuscript in Latin, of the four gospels. It is the most striking manuscript to survive from the early centuries of Celtic Christianity.

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Central Dublin — There is something for everybody in Dublin, heritage sights, theatres, fashionable shops, singing pubs, fine restaurants. Some of the top heritage sights are Trinity College, National Museum, Dublin Castle, St Patrick's Cathedral. It is easy to walk to most of the attractions and entertainment as the centre is quite compact. Golf at Portmanock, The Island, Royal Dublin.

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The Old Jamieson Distillery, Dublin — On the site of the Jameson Distillery with it's origins dating to 1780 is the visitor center which will introduce you to the taste and history of John Jameson's Irish Whiskey. It is open 363 days a year with first tour at 9.30 a.m. and then continuously until 5.30 p.m. There is a restaurant and gift shop open until 5.30 p.m. and then a bar open from 5.30 p.m. There is a small admission charge, about $5. For Golfers the top ranked clubs nearby are Portmarnock, The Island and Royal Dublin.

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Guinness Hopstore — Founded by Arthur Guinness in 1759, Guinness is the world's largest stout brewery. The 19th century "Hop Store", part museum and part gift shop puts on an 18 minute audio visual presentation and is a favorite with tourist's. Visitors receive two half pint complimentary glasses of the famous black stout. Between April and September opening hours are Monday to Saturday 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday 10.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. There is a small admission charge, about $5. For Golfers the top ranked clubs nearby are Portmarnock, The Island and Royal Dublin.

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Newgrange Passage Tombs (World Heritage Site) — Older than the Pyramid's or Stonehenge in England, Newgrange, one of the archaeological wonders of Western Europe, was built more than 5000 years ago. It is a huge mound 260 feet in diameter and 36 feet tall, consisting of of 200,000 tons of stone, some of which was hauled from the Wicklow Mountains and Mountains of Mourne. The tour gives a fascinating insight into the world of Neolithic Man. The visitor center is about one hour drive north from Dublin. Golf at County Louth

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Giants Causeway (World Heritage Site) — The Giants Causeway is one of Irelands outstanding sights of natural beauty. It is a strange natural phenomenon, a mass of 37,000 mainly hexagonal pillars of volcanic basalt. The pillars extend for about 3 miles along the coast. The top of the pillars form stepping stones from the bottom of the cliff until they disappear into the sea. Golf at Royal Portrush and Portstewart.

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Old Bushmills Distillery — County Antrim, Northern Ireland claims to be the world's oldest whiskey distillery based on a charter granted by King James 1st on 20th April 1608. Known world-wide for it's blended whiskey's Black Bush and Bushmills Original they have more recently introduced Bushmills 16 year old Single Malt. The distillery is situated just one mile from the spectacular Giants Causeway on the North coast. You can enjoy a guided tour which takes about one hour and a complimentary glass of the final product. Visitors are welcome April to October. Monday to Saturday 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. and Sunday 12 noon to 5.30 p.m. with the last tour 4 p.m. each day. There is a small admission fee. For golfers it is close to the top ranked courses of Royal Portrush and Portstewart.

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Slieve League Peninsula — Slieve League are the highest sea cliffs in Europe and very spectacular. The peninsula stretches 30 miles into the Atlantic. You drive to the village of Teelin and then take a narrow lane to the viewing point at Bunglass. The fit and the brave walk the wind swept cliffs from Tallin taking the difficult coastal path along the ridge.

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Ardara for Donegal Tweed — Ardara has been an important wool trading center for many centuries. Great cloth fairs were once held monthly and cottage workers in the surrounding countryside still provide Donegal with high quality handwoven cloths, especially knit-ware. It is well worth a stop for shopping and a visit to the Ardara Heritage Center where displays represent the history of tweed production in the area.

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W.B. Yeats — Fans of the poet W. B. Yeats will find a great deal in the Sligo area to interest them. He is buried at Drumcliff. In the poem "Under Ben Bulben " he spelled out where he should be buried and what should be on his tomb. In Sligo is the Yeats Memorial Building containing a library, art gallery and the headquarters of the Yeats International Summer School. Many other local places commemorate the work of W.B.Yeats and other members of his family. Golf at County Sligo.

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Carrowmore — Carrowmore is the largest group of megalithic tombs in the British Isles. There are sixty tombs, dolmens and other ruins here, some pre-date Newgrange by 700 years. Most are communal tombs dating from 4800 B.C. A small interpretive center offers exhibits and tours. A further site Carrowkeel is a Neolithic mountain top cemetary. About one hours drive to the south, it is unattended, has not been presented or interpreted and is infrequently visited.

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Croagh Patrick — It was here in A.D. 441 that St Patrick spent the 40 days of lent in prayer. The mountain is 2,500 feet high and is one of the West of Ireland's most distinctive landmarks. It is a place of pilgrimage today and on the last Sunday in July thousands of Pilgrims, some barefoot climb the mountain to pray to St Patrick at the oratory on the peak. The climb can be made on any fine day starting at Murrisk and takes about 3 hours for the round trip.

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Knock — The Shrine of our Lady of Knock is another important place of pilgrimage. In 1879 two local women claimed to have seen Mary, Joseph and St John appear at the south end of the local church. The apparition was confirmed by 13 other people and eventually supported by Church investigations. There is now a basilica seating 7,000 people and many other facilities. In 1979 Knock became known world-wide when Pope John Paul II visited the shrine and preached to vast crowds.

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Galway — is only just over an hours drive from Shannon airport and is the major city on the West coast. It is a lively city, the center is easily walked from one end to the other and  and is spectacularly situated on the north shore of Galway Bay. In summer the city teems with people having fun and there are three big festivals. Galway races are held the last week in August, the Arts festival in the 2nd and 3rd weeks of July and the Oyster Festival in the last week of September.

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Aran Islands — A visit to the Aran Islands is a popular side trip for tourists staying in Galway or Connemara. They can be reached by flights from Connemara airport or by boat from Galway City (30 miles) or from Rossaveal (15 miles). The islands have been populated for thousands of years and the 1500 inhabitants have kept to many of the traditions of their ancestors. The islands a true outpost of Gaelic culture. The classic hand-knit Aran sweaters that originated here are still worn and the fishermen use currachs (small craft made of tarred canvas on a timber frame). The people live in stone cottages and transport is typically a pony-drawn trap.

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Connemara National Park — The stunning park includes large areas of Connemara's mountains, heath-land and bogs. It is home to herds of Connemara ponies and Irish Red Deer. The visitor center offers a series of displays and an audio-visual presentation covering the history and ecology of the reason, including the origins and growth of peat. Golf at Connemara.

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