drummer0002

We will be in Ireland by mid-September, specifically in Dublin and Cork. DH wants to go golfing at one of these cities. But since we are only spending one day on each city, I have to forgoe site seeing in one of the cities. Which one has more interesting sites to see? And where to golf at the other city?
Thanks,

NEDSIRELAND

Most interesting sites: Dublin!
Where to golf: Old Head, Kinsale (Cork)

But say goodbye to about $200 to play an 18-hole round of Golf at one of the big name Links courses (like Old Head).

Where else will you be traveling in Ireland?

youngblueeyes

Golfing in Ireland need not mean paying a fortune. There are excellent courses that have very reasonable green fees. Check out http://www.golf.ireland.ie/ for course locations, green fees etc.

bridonohue

old head is a favorite among golfers. someone just told me it was the nicest course they have ever played and the most beautiful spot they have ever visited. it ain't cheap though. 300E for 18 holes, 60E for a cart, and 40E if you want to rent clubs instead of take them over for just one round. so you can easily spend over $500 for a round of golf.

Lawchick

There is a golf club round every corner in ireland. You can play golf for 20euros or 500euros.

What is your handicap?

Do you prefer links or parkland?

Are you fit?

NEDSIRELAND

I guess I seriously underestimated the cost to play golf at Old Head. I've never played Old Head or Ballybunion.

My favorite course in Ireland is Carne Golf Links, near Belmullet in Mayo's 'wild, wild west.' Prices are much more reasonable, probably because it is so remote. But it gets more and more popular every year. www.carnegolflinks.ie

That's why I asked where drummer0002 will be traveling in Ireland.

Lawchick: you'll have to show me where in Ireland you can play golf for 20 Euro. The last time I was able to do that was about 8 years ago on a 9-hole parkland coutse in west Limerick (Abbeyfeale).

Lawchick

Ned,

Try Corballis in Donabate!

NEDSIRELAND

Corballis website: weekday Greens Fees 20 Euros, weekend 25 Euros (less for Members & Guests). That's Euros, not US Dollars; and doesn't include club rental.

I stand corrected and I was surprised!

Lawchick

There are a lot of hackers there - but its fun and I really like links courses.

Its cheap becasue its owned by the local council authority.

ter2000

Please don't play at the Old Head Golf Club in Kinsale. In order to transform the land from a public beauty spot where families would go for picnics to a golf club the owners had to promise to allow the public right of way in certain areas. Since the course was constructed, they have consistently refused to do so, with the result that locals (and others) who grew up with this marvellous beauty spot on their doorstep, now have to pay green fees to get access to it.

Deerpark in Howth (near Dublin and accessible by DART) is also good value -
www.deerpark-hotel.ie/golf/rates.html
Nice scenery too.

If you have a car, it takes about 30 minutes to get to Balbriggan - www.balbriggangolfclub.com .

Lawchick

Last year I was in Kinsale and I had never played the Old Head and I was passing by one day and I decided to swing by to have a look (I was on holidays in Kinsale) with the intention of playing during the week when I was there. The old git at the gate wouldn't let me in. I explained that I wanted to have a look as I would like to play. He kept asking me if I was a member and wouldn't let me in.

I wasn't looking particularly touristy - usual dress/ high heels.

I'd forgotten about this - I must write and complain.