☘️SOUTH & SOUTHWEST OF IRELAND -9 DAY ESCORTED GOLF TOUR

More on DAY 1-WELCOME TO IRELAND

Upon Arrival, transfer by arranged transport & Guide to your Hotel.

The Europe Hotel & Spa

The Europe Hotel & Resort, beautifully located overlooking the famous Lakes of Killarney, is a Five Star Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry, Ireland, incorporating ESPA at The Europe, one of the most decadent luxury spa hotels in Ireland. one of the top spas in Killarney, Kerry.

It is in the beautiful grounds of this 5 Star spa resort in Killarney that the waters of Killarney’s largest lake, Lough Lein, reflect the wilderness of Kerry’s magnificent McGillycuddy Reeks Mountain range.

Let relaxation envelop you as you enjoy one of Ireland’s finest views from your own private balcony overlooking Killarney Golf & Fishing Club or the Lakes of Killarney.

About Killarney

Killarney, located in County Kerry, is a highly sought-after destination due to its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. Some of the attractions that you will visit while in Killarney will include Killarney National Park:

Killarney National Park

A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, offering opportunities for walking, hiking, cycling, and exploring its ancient woodlands, lakes (Lough Leane, Muckross Lake, Upper Lake), and wildlife. The park was established in 1932 when the Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish Free State by the Bourn and Vincent families. The land around the lakes has a long history of human occupation, dating back to the Bronze Age with evidence of copper mining on Ross Island. It was also home to monastic settlements, such as the 7th-century Inisfallen Abbey, and served as strongholds for Gaelic chieftains.

Muckross House & Gardens

Built between 1839 and 1843 for Henry Arthur Herbert and his wife, Muckross House & Gardens is a magnificent 19th-century Victorian mansion and its surrounding estate, nestled within the stunning Killarney National Park in County Kerry, Ireland. It’s a testament to the elegant lifestyle of the landed gentry of the past. Here you will also find Muckross Abbey: A beautifully preserved 15th-century Franciscan friary ruin, Muckross Abbey is a peaceful and atmospheric site to explore, with its distinctive central courtyard and ancient yew tree. The surrounding gardens, including the Sunken Garden, Rock Garden, and Stream Garden, are beautifully landscaped and free to explore.

Ross Castle

Ross Castle is a magnificent and historic tower house situated on the shores of Lough Leane, the largest of Killarney’s three lakes, within the breathtaking Killarney National Park in County Kerry. The Castle was originally built in the late 15th century by the O’Donoghue Mór (O’Donoghue the Great) chieftains, who were a powerful ruling family in the region. It served as their ancestral home and a symbol of Gaelic power.

The castle has undergone significant restoration including the great hall, dining room, and bedrooms and is now furnished with 16th and 17th-century period furniture, offering visitors a glimpse into its past. The spiral stone staircase, built with varying heights to break the stride of attackers, is a notable feature. The construction is of a typical tower house with strong defensive features:

Thick Stone Walls and Narrow Windows: Designed for defense, the lower levels have narrow slits for shooting arrows or guns, while upper levels have larger windows for light. Bartizans and Machicolations: These are defensive turrets and openings that allowed defenders to drop stones or boiling liquids on attackers.

Fortified Bawn: The tower was originally surrounded by a square bawn (enclosed courtyard) with corner towers for added protection. It’s an iconic landmark, steeped in history and folklore.

The Ring of Kerry

Killarney is a popular starting and finishing point for exploring this world-famous scenic driving route.

The Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula or Corca Dhuibhne in Irish is a breathtakingly beautiful finger of land jutting into the Atlantic Ocean from County Kerry on Ireland’s southwest coast. Often described as “the most beautiful place on earth” by National Geographic, it’s renowned for its dramatic coastal scenery, rich ancient history, vibrant Irish-speaking culture, and charming towns. The peninsula is characterized by a wild and rugged coastline, with steep cliffs, wide sandy beaches, and numerous headlands and coves.

A range of mountains forms its spine, running from the Slieve Mish in the east to the Brandon range in the northwest, including Mount Brandon, the peninsula’s highest peak (952m). Its location at the edge of Europe means it’s heavily shaped by the Atlantic elements, leading to a mild but unpredictable climate. Expect all four seasons in one day, so layering is key! Fuchsia and even palm trees thrive here due to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream.

The diverse geological formations, spanning 485 million years, contribute to the unique landscape of contrasting rugged rock, verdant fields divided by ancient stone walls, and sheltered coves. Inhabited for nearly 6,000 years there is evidence of early human activity, from the Stone Age to the Iron Age, is abundant with numerous archaeological sites like standing stones, forts, and beehive huts.

Jaunting Car Rides

A Jaunting Car Ride is a traditional, horse-drawn carriage tour, offering a unique way to experience Killarney National Park and hear local folklore. It’s an iconic and charming way to experience the local sights and scenery.

The Carriage of a jaunting car is typically a two-wheeled vehicle pulled by a single horse. Its distinctive feature is the seating arrangement: passengers sit back-to-back, facing outwards, with their legs dangling over the side. This unique design allows for unobstructed views of the surroundings. Some larger versions might have benches facing forward. The “Jarvey” is the driver of the jaunting car. These individuals are as much a part of the experience as the ride itself. They are usually local, often multi-generational, and are renowned for their wit, storytelling, historical anecdotes, and knowledge of the area. They’ll share local folklore, facts, and often a good laugh.

The gentle, unhurried pace of a jaunting car offers a refreshing contrast to today’s rushed high-speed travel and it connects you to how people moved around centuries ago. It’s a genuine piece of Irish heritage, often operated by families who have been Jarveys for generations, adding a layer of local character that modern transport simply can’t replicate. The combination of the unique seating, the clip-clop of hooves, the fresh air, and the Jarvey’s engaging stories all contribute to a truly distinctive and nostalgic experience.

Free day to enjoy a range of leisure activities in Killarney, Co. Kerry. Overnight at The Europe Hotel & Resort for the Evening.

More on DAY 2 -TRALEE LINKS COURSE

Tralee Links Course

Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Tralee’s magnificent and challenging Arnold Palmer course was his first golf course in Europe. In addition to boasting a clear view of the Atlantic Ocean with exhilarating cliff top greens, Tralee’s course offers incomparable views on all sides including the Dingle Peninsula and Kerry Head.
Like the terrain, the region is steeped in history, being the birthplace of St. Brendan in 484AD. The magnificent beach and surrounds featured prominently in the epic film Ryan’s Daughter.

On the gentler outward nine you will negotiate the 6th, 7th and 8th known locally as Palmer’s loop. The back nine is a world of extraordinarily wild and massive dunes. The 12th hole probably has the most examining second shot in golf, where one is faced with a deep ravine protecting an elevated green.

From the 14th tee there is a breathtaking view of Banna Strand which is renowned in song and story. The downhill par three 16th and the doglegged 17th are two more outstanding holes.

On reaching the sanctuary of the clubhouse one can sit for a pint and scan the spectacular vista of a golf course to which you will want to return time and time again. Tralee has a fully qualified resident professional, fully stocked pro shop and a spacious and comfortable restaurant and bar.

“I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course. I am happy we have one of the world’s great links here” Quote: Arnold Palmer

Return to The Europe Hotel & Resort for the Evening.

More on DAY 3 -BALLYBUNION - THE OLD COURSE

Ballybunion Golf Club

Ballybunion Golf Club, in County Kerry, is a private members golf club founded in 1893. After playing Ballybunion for the first time, a person would think that the game of golf originated here. Located on the Shannon estuary, it is a true seaside links course, virtually treeless and a course of sharp contours throughout. There appears to be no man-made influence. It looks like a course laid out on land back in the 10th century. There is a wild look to the place, the long grass covering the dunes that pitch and roll throughout the course making it very intimidating.

This is a dateless golf course which after playing makes you ask yourself if you’ve ever played amid quite such surroundings. Rated in the top 100 by Golf Magazine, the vast majority of Cashen’s green positions have been copied by many new course designers. Spectacular and supremely challenging, what can never be copied is the majestic landscape and fresh sea air that is distinctly part of the Ballybunion experience.

Home to two unique and challenging links courses – The Old Course and The Cashen Course. The Old Course was established in 1893, while the Cashen Course was established in 1984. The Old Course requires shot-making, placement and trajectory control.

Return to The Europe Hotel & Resort for the Evening.

More on DAY 4 -THE WATERVILLE LINKS COURSE

The Waterville Course

Today you will have a delightful journey along the broad, dramatic coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula and through the charming villages and towns of Killorglin and Cahirciveen to Waterville. The stunningly beautiful Dingle Peninsula, a Gaelic speaking area and where you will find some of the finest coastal scenery in Ireland and is also famous for its Celtic, pre-Christian monuments and Christian churches.

Waterville Golf Course is over 100 years old. The course is rated among the top 5 golf courses in Ireland and the top 20 links courses in the world. Links golf combines sand dunes, gorse and native grasses, firm fairways, sod faced bunkers and subtle putting surfaces all intertwined by the ever-changing weather.The earliest structured golf at Waterville has been traced back to 1889, when it came under the umbrella of the extremely active Waterville Athletic Club.

A modest nine-hole layout, occupied the flat eastern section of the present championship links. The original nine holes were reconfigured and expanded to create today’s front nine. Its layout was designed as a contrast to the more rugged and exposed back nine, yet it quickly introduces the player to the complexity and beauty of links golf.

The testing begins early at Waterville with the first hole named “Last Easy”, and ends with the challenging and scenic “O’Gradys Beach”. The course can be stretched to over 7,300 yards but players should not be intimidated as several tees come in to play on every hole, so all standards of golfers can enjoy a game here.

Return to The Europe Hotel & Resort for the evening.

More on DAY 5 -THE OLD HEAD OF KINSALE

More on DAY 6 - ADARE MANOR - RYDER CUP VENUE 2027

Proud host To the Ryder Cup 2027

Masterfully designed, magnificently maintained, and perfectly set within the glorious estate of one of Europe’s most spectacular manor house hotels, The Golf Course at Adare Manor is ready to take its place among the best championship courses in the world.
Celebrated golf architect Tom Fazio has taken what was already an award-winning course and transformed it into a parkland paradise befitting a country in the top tier of global golfing destinations. The new course has been created in harmony with the outstanding natural beauty of its surroundings: lush, softly rolling terrain, mature tree scaping, and the sweeping banks of the River Maigue.

Each hole of The Golf Course at Adare Manor could be crowned the feature hole: each one has been entirely redesigned and reconstructed, with the very latest technology and course innovations, creating a challenging, characterful, and profoundly satisfying playing experience for golfers of every level. The final result is a course that is at once strategic and soulful, playable in all conditions, and future-proofed in preparation for premiere amateur and professional golf events. Cared for by an experienced, passionate team of devoted greenkeepers, the condition of this course and its velvet-smooth Pure Distinction bent grass greens is unrivalled.

Check in to Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort or Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate for the Evening.

More on LAHINCH GOLF CLUB

Lahinch Links Course

Lahinch Golf Club has been described as ‘The St Andrews of Ireland’ and many other complimentary titles. Those who know and love the place firmly believe that Lahinch Golf Club doesn’t need comparison with any of the game’s other world class venues.

From the infant days back in 1892 up to its 125th anniversary, the Club has stood out on its own merits as a golfing institution like none other. Lahinch Golf Club is renowned for the way the links has retained all of its old virtues. The Irish Open took place here in 2019

Return to Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort or Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate for the evening.

More on DAY 8 -DOONBEG LINKS COURSE

Doonbeg Links Course

Golf in Doonbeg at Trump Doonbeg Golf Course has been regarded as one of the top golf resorts anywhere in the world! Situated on over 400 acres of Ireland’s most spectacular links overlooking the majestic Atlantic Ocean, Trump Doonbeg has been named the #1 Resort in Europe by Conde Nast Traveler, a World’s Best by Travel + Leisure, and many, many more.

This spectacular Martin Hawtree-designed, 18-hole Championship golf links course is a stunning site to behold. You will experience not only an incredible course, but unparalleled five star facilities, world-class hospitality and the highest standards of luxury.

Return to Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort or Dromoland Castle Hotel & Country Estate for the Evening.

More on DAY 9 -FAREWELL

FAREWELL

After a final full Irish Breakfast, depart for Shannon/Dublin Airport for the groups departure flight home. (Flights under own arrangements)