Thanks for all the help, the trip was (no words to describe)


Here is the first set of pictures from Portmarnock, I will upload some more when I have free time. This was my first experience with a Top 50 course and it lived up to everything I dreamt of. There is a feeling that your doing something extremely special as soon as you step foot on the property.(once you get through the electronic securtiy gate)

One last thing, the food enough said

When we were in Dublin, we played 3 courses in/near town plus the European Club (not a long drive). Not sure about the price, but the European Club is world class. If you can get there, it is worth the price. We easily drove there, played 18, and got back to town.

In the city, we played Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, and the Island Club. Royal Dublin and Portmarnock are built on geography that makes it seem like a giant sandbar. Very similar on dead flat land, they have really cool clubhouses. BUT the pleasant suprise of our trip was the Island Club. Close enough that we played Royal Dublin in the AM and Island in the evening, it was a blast. Everyone in our group loved the course. Since it is not considered a "trophy" course, it is probably available for a reasonable amount of money.

Thanks for the reply. They do have a tee time at the European Club open but I hate the idea of paying 500 dollars for my father and I to play but with no caddies allowed. With already playing two world class courses(royal county and portmarnock old) were looking for something just a little less. It seems like everything I read says to play either The Island or Co. Louth just not sure which one to go for if anyone has played both it would be great to hear from you. It looks like thurs. afternoon I'm gonna try and play Ardglass so it looks like this:


Mon=off
Tues=Carton House
Wed=(still between the island and co. Louth/baltry)
Thurs=Pormarnock old am and Ardglass pm
Friday=Royal County Downs

County Down is one of the best courses in the world. It doesn't really matter what you play beforehand because it will be your round at RCD that you remember.

you could play the portmarnock hotel links as a cheap alternative in the afternoon - easy walk - right next door to portmarnock old and quite different in terms of design from the old course

Did you play the hotel course? Did you like it? That was another option I had looked into.

That would leave it as Portmarnock hotel vs The Island vs County Louth

yes i played the hotel course - liked it just fine

co louth is probably a better course though but i thought you were playing there wednesday

the hotel course would be a good option for thursday after portmarnock old if you wanted to play 36 in one day

Trip is now set thanks for all the help guys

tues=The Island
Wed=Druids Heath
Thurs am=Portmarnock Old
Thurs pm=Carton House Monty course
Friday=royal county downs

i'm so excited I can't sleep

I will be sure to post lots of pictures when I get back

Make sure you report back - with pictures!!!

bump

Ahhhh. This thread brings back memories. I grew up in Ireland and while studying at Dublin City University our golf association was allowed to play Portmarnock old as our home course. Quite a change compared to the desert courses I play here in Phoenix these days That electronic gate wasn't there back then ('91-'95) !

On your next trip be sure to get down to the southwest and play Ballybunion, Waterville and Tralee.

more pics added, will be adding Royal County in the next day or two

RCD first five pics added