Lower prices at top venues such as Ballybunion, above, are making Ireland golf vacation packages extremely attractive.
In the January 2009 issue, Golf Odyssey tipped readers off about one of the best bargain regions to visit when taking Ireland golf vacations.
This region boasts a trio of fantastic golf courses, and Golf Odyssey’s editors proclaimed, “each is a jewel, more highly polished now than ever, and each can be played for an average weekday green fee of only $66.”
Today, in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, we’re going to dive into our pot of gold once again and share even more deals for Ireland golf vacations, this time from some the best known courses to play.
For example, Ballybunion’s Old Course, Tralee Golf Club, and Waterville Golf Links each regularly charge a green fee of €180 (about $234), but you can play all three for €290 (about $378) during the months of April, May, June and July (more info at traleegolfclub.com). This fabulous triumvirate for Ireland golf vacations will leave you with long-lasting memories.
Ballybunion and Tralee have their own Ireland golf vacation specials, too. Ballybunion will include a free round on its Robert Trent Jones-designed Cashen Course with every paid round on the Old Course. There’s only one course at Tralee, but you can play it twice (within seven days) for the single green fee.
The three courses at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club (Mahony’s Point, Kileen, and Lackabane) are offering a great deal as well, but they are not in the same league and may prove disappointing to those seeking a seaside links experience for their Ireland golf vacations (the Killarney courses are more of the parkland variety). Still, you can play all three as part of the “Killarney Challenge” package for €210 (about $273). The regular price to play them separately is probably in the neighborhood of €350 ($455).
Up in the northwest, Ballyliffin Golf Club is offering two-round, two-night stay-and-play Ireland golf vacation packages from €179. The combined weekend green fee alone on its two courses is €170.
Not only is consumer spending (or lack thereof) partly responsible for these Ireland golf vacation packages, but the Euro has also weakened a bit against the US and Canadian dollars since the start of 2009, making Ireland golf vacations less expensive than they were last year. Airfare to Ireland has dropped, too. A quick check of round-trip flights from New York City to Dublin showed prices of about $350 in May, $450 in June, and $550 in July.
“I don’t think you will ever be able to take Ireland golf vacations as inexpensively as in 2009,” wrote Simon Duffield, general manager of Ballybunion Golf Links, in an email to us. “I just want people to know that there is huge value to be had, even at the top links courses in the world.”
There’s one final Ireland-related deal we wanted to make you aware of today: Celebrated photographer Larry Lambrecht is offering signed copies of his beautiful coffee table book, “Emerald Gems – The Links of Ireland” for $50. This photo-laden book normally sells for $95, but if you use this code: SaintPats, you’ll get the special price. Just go to golfstock.net or call 401-348-9600 to order. Shipping is free in the continental US and Larry will even personalize the inscription if you like.
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
While Killarney’s courses are parkland types, the Killeen course is recommended, and the surrounding scenery is picturesque whether you play golf or not. The town of Tralee has some beautiful rose gardens. The golf course was not so easily accessed (in 1997), but worth the effort to locate it. The front nine appears “wide open” and the back nine is very different, winding among the high dunes covered with tall grasses. One of my favorites of the ten courses I’ve played in Ireland. A round at Ballybunion would probably be most difficult to schedule, but I call it a “must” for both design and historical significance. I played Waterville in 1990, when it was still a local club. Located on the Ring of Kerry, the drive is a long one but scenic, so make the drive to see the sights and dodge the tour buses, stay on the peninsula and play the course. It too was one of my favorites. Knightstown was an interesting detour… terminus of the original transatlantic cable. Ireland’s Bed and Breakfast network is outstanding and budget friendly. The people are friendly and the breakfast is good. They make it easy to plan lodging as you go. One Itinerary: Use Shannon Airport, visit Bunratty Castle and Irish Village, maybe north to The Burrens country, Yeates Tower, then south to Lahinch and Cliffs of Mohr, then take the ferry across the Shannon River to Ballybunion to start that part of the trip. Practice driving in the airport lot before venturing into the traffic as you begin to “alter” your driving directional instincts. The more rural roads of Ireland are in your favor. John F Gipson Hoover, AL
Now that’s what I call a comment! Thanks for the additional detail, John.
Always great to see any blog promoting Ireland’s golf courses. Since Waterville, Killarney and Tralee/Ballybunion are mentioned, let me add an additional beauty: Dooks GC. It’s about 30 minutes from Killarney and on the northern stretch of the Ring of Kerry. As a links it boasts the most beautiful scenery of any course in Ireland (which is saying something when Waterville and Tralee are mentioned), and it costs 55 euro if you book online (http://www.dooks.com/pgs/green_fees.html). This is a quality course and one of my favourites. The club’s logo is the natterjack toad.
I agree with John G about Killarney: the Killeen course is the best of the three by far (and you’ll have deer around you all day). Mahony’s Point is alright, but the Lackabane course is not for tourists (no views).
I don’t need to make a comment about Ballybunion or Tralee because they’re world-class, although some golfers actually prefer Ballybunion’s Cashen to the Old course.
One final course to mention: Skellig Bay. Again, it’s a quality course, and just a couple of miles from Waterville. You will never have played anything like it – the course/holes are surrounded by 8000 yards of ancient ‘famine’ walls. (http://www.skelligbay.com/)