pepperjack1

We are going on a sightseeing and golfing tour of the Republic and Northern Ireland next July. Have read everyone's trip reports and got lots of great information, but specifically want recommendations for good accomodation in the following areas:
Budget 120 - 140 euros per night
Newcastle (near Royal County Down golf)
Ballycastle
Portrush
Portstewart
Donegal
Enniscrone
Somewhere in the environs of Carne Golf club.

Where would be a great place to stay in or near Sligo Town?

Also, has anyone done the boat tour out to Skellig Michael and how was it?

Many thanks for your help

jaja

Is that budget per person or for two or just how many? In Ireland and NI prices are usually quoted per person. And do you want hotels or will B&Bs do?
If B&Bs, near Donegal we liked Rhu-Gorse and just out of Sligo look at Iorras.

JeffTWA

Your trip sounds great. Some thoughts/suggestions if I may.
1. Carne: BroadHaven Bay Hotel near Belmullet is a nice hotel. Before going you may want to find/read the book (I forget its name right now) about the guy who goes to that area and plays #17 18 times to try and break 90. The back 9 is FABULOUS. #17 justifies the book.
2. Enniscrone: There is a reletively new hotel close to the course. I have not stayed in it but my friends who have give it good reviews.
3. Sligo: The Riverside Suites aren't great, but are in a great location. Right on the river near downtown. Play Strandhill if you haven't. It is a wonderful course. In the Donegal area stop in Rossonogh and have a (always wonderful) meal at Smuggler's Creek. It's about 15 minutes from the Murvagh course.
4. Between Donegal and Portrush, if you have the time, treat yourself and veer north to Carrigart and play the Rosapenna courses. They are wonderful and the Rosapenna Hotel will treat, and feed, you well.
5. We stayed at The Anchorage in Portrush. Decent rooms and in a great location, with a nice bar to exchange golfing stories.
6. When you are near Newcastle consider playing 36 holes and adding Ardglass to that day's golf.

Have a great time.

Tony2phones

I really don't understand where Skellig Michael fits any thing like into your plan. You are not planning on being anywhere near Kerry

pepperjack1

Thanks jaja and JeffWA for those suggestions. I was meaning that accomodation price per couple. The northern part is the bit I'm trying to plan first as we are meeting another couple for 10 days of golf and good times. Before that my husband and I will be travelling around the south of Ireland (with a couple of games of golf) and I am keen to see Skellig Michael on that leg of the trip.

Thanks for all your help

Padhraicin

boats to Skellig Michael go from Portmagee - a few each day. Can be busy in Summer so it may require getting there the evening before and booking a place. Here is a link to a place I stayed in once on the harbour and they got me tickets for the boat.

http://www.moorings.ie/Kerry-Accommo...-Moorings.aspx

Padhraicin

Have a look at the following links for some options near Sligo:

http://www.castledargan.com/

http://www.cromleach.com/

http://www.markreecastle.ie/

http://www.yeatscountryhotel.com/

pepperjack1

Thanks Padhraicin,
Have checked out all your suggestions. Really like the look of Moorings in Portmagee.

With thanks,
Pepperjack

GreenDragon

For the boat to Skellig, keep in mind that weather is very strong there, and often keeps the boats from making the trip. Plan your trip so you can go on one of several days, and you will have a much better chance of going. I've gone to that spot 3 times, and none of them were good enough weather to take the boat trip.

historytraveler

GreenDragon is absolutely correct. Landing at Michael Skellig is solely dependent on the weather and the weather doesn't have to be awful.

Padhraicin

I was very lucky - have been out there twice - on both occasions just arrived in Portmagee and made enquiries and was told there was a boat in the morning. Then was told that the boat hadn't been out there for a few days. They usually have an idea the night before what the weather is going to be like.