Letterkenny Golf Week
8 Nights & 7 Rounds of Golf from € 1920 per person
Day 1
Arrival to Ireland
On arrival to Dublin Airport you will be met by a Tailor-Made Golf Tours representative and your chauffeur if applicable. After the tour bus has been loaded or your self-drive vehicle collected the journey to Letterkenny will take 3¼ hours. From City of Derry Airport (via LHR), Letterkenny is only 45 minutes or Belfast City Airport is 2 hours.
Golf could be considered at either The Island or County Louth before the journey to Letterkenny. There is also the fine parkland course at Concra Wood to be considered. The neolithic site at Newgrange is accessed from the Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre and/or the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre are just off the main route about an hour north of Dublin. From here cross County Monaghan and into Northern Ireland and on to Omagh. Just outside Omagh is the Ulster American Folk Park, telling the story of Ulster people's emigration to North America and the impact they had on their new homelands.
Letterkenny is the principal town of County Donegal situated on the River Swilly as it flows into Lough Swilly, one of Ireland's 3 glacial fjords. There are a number of hotels available both in the town centre and just outside.
Day 2
Narin & Portnoo
Narin & Portnoo links is located beside the seaside village of An Fheartainn (Narin) 40 miles southwest of Letterkenny. The journey takes 1 hour.
Narin & Portnoo golf links is located immediately adjacent to the village of Narin, a seaside village with access to the magnificent beach that borders the golf course. The course has always been constrained by the area of land available and since first becoming an 18 hole course in 1965 has gone through several iterations. Pre-2009 crash investment led to post-2009 struggles for the golf club and its members eventually leading to a controversial takeover by an Irish-American businessman with local roots. The members lost control of their golf course and Gil Hanse was engaged to redevelop the course as part of an ambitious plan to make Narin a golf resort. The result will continue to divide opinion, from the weak opening stretch to the awkardness of the new par-3 holes and the siting of some greens that are offset by the genuine spectacularness of the location and the thrilling elevated tee-shots and wonderful views.
Accessible at low tide from the beach beside the golf course, Inishkeel Island is an old monastic site where the ruins of two 6th century churches can be seen. The Dolmen Centre is south at Kilclooney where the Kilclooney Dolmen is a fine example of Europe's oldest construction. Head west to Rosbeg and its beautiful sandy beach, a typical example of the beauty of west Donegal.
Day 3
Glashedy Links at Ballyliffin
The golf links at Ballyliffin are on the northwestern side of the Inishowen Peninsula, 40 miles northeast of Letterkenny. The journey takes 1 hour.
A wonderful modern links course designed by Pat Ruddy. When it come to designing links courses, Ruddy pulls no punches, stray and narrow and you will find yourself in some kind of trouble, be it deep rough, a bunker or an impossible stance, so it is with Glashedy. From the start with three testing par-4's you are in no doubt as to the quality of this course at the very northern tip of Ireland. Glashedy, taking its name from the prominent rock in the ever visible ocean, is punishing for those that are less than straight off the tee. A wonderful mixture of holes follow the natural contours of the dunes. As with most links golf, the wind will have more than a few shots bearing on your score on this headland. Unquestionably the tougher of Ballyliffin's two courses, the Glashedy course will test, charm and delight any true lover of links golf. Be sure and play both courses for the complete links golf experience.
Ireland's most notherly point at Malin Head can be visited on a circular drive around the top on the Inishowen Peninsula. From Malin village, noted for its fine village green, the road passses Five Finger Strand, another lovely Donegal Beach. Malin Head car park is adjacent to Lloyd's Signal Tower, where ships were once recorded passing before the data was transmitted back to London. There is a spectacular walk from the car park past Hell's Hole to Malin Head viewpoint. Returning south Farren's Bar is the most northerly bar in Ireland while nearby is the Seaview Tavern, a renowned seafood restaurant.
Day 4
Portsalon Golf Links
Portsalon golf links is on the northwestern shore of the Fanad Peninsula overlooking Lough Foyle. The journey from Letterkenny using the R246 takes 35 mintes.
Another links course blessed by nature, Portsalon is not often mentioned internationally as one of Ireland's finest golfing jewels as it remains one of golf's best kept secrets. Not only is it a magnificent test of golf, its setting is simply breathtaking. The three golden beaches of Ballymastocker Bay, the beauty of Lough Swilly and the Inishowen Peninsula beyond provide the backdrop for almost 7000 yards that will enthrall any golfer. The opening holes are tough, six of the opening seven are into the prevailing wind. The second is a superb hole where a narrow strip of rough down the left separates the fairway from the strand. The back nine are set a little inland from the bay giving a sense of a parkland course but with all the trickery of a links lay out. Redesigned in 2001 by Pat Ruddy, dune lined fairways, cannily placed bunkers and well protected greens are the hallmark of Portsalon.
The Fanad Peninsula and Inishowen Peninsula are separated by Lough Swilly, a long, narrow glacial fjord that once was of military significance. Portsalon is on the northwestern shore of Lough Swilly and Ballymastocker Strand, one of the finest beaches in the world (lying immediately below Portsalon golf links) is accessible from the southern end on the R268. Indeed this R268 road is a scenic route back to Letterkenny that provides stunning views back over the strand to Portsalon and then incredible views of Lough Swilly to the village of Rathmullan. Consideration can also be given to the loop drive north from Portsalon to Fanad Head and the wonderful views from Fanad Lighthouse where guided tours are an intriguing experience.
Day 5
Donegal Golf Links
Donegal golf links at Murvagh is located on the Murvagh Peninsula south of Donegal Town. The journey from Letterkenny takes 1 hour.
The 180 acres that make up the Murvagh Peninsula were part of an estate used to pay death duties of the former landowner to the Irish State. It was given over to the forestry commission in the 1960s who, happily for golfers, discovered that the 180 acres would not even allow trees to grow. This coincided with the fledgling Donegal Golf Club spotting their opportunity for an improved course and so a lease was obtained and Eddie Hackett engaged to build a golf course. Inspired by Muirfiled, Hackett created a massive par-73 links with an outer loop enclosing the homeward 9 holes and each loop in an opposite direction. Over the years Pat Ruddy has lent his expertise and the course has constantly evolved. Although 7,453 yards from the tips, Donegal is a relatively flat and easy walk through moderately high dunes in an exceptionally peaceful location, separeted from the world by the forests where trees did manage to grow.
Historic Donegal Town for Donegal Castle. The town istelf is a busy throroughfare where the River Eske flows into Donegal Bay and founded by the Vikings in the 8th century. The castle was built by Red Hugh O’Donnell in 1474, head of the O'Donnell clan that ruled Donegal for 400 years. The castle is furnished throughout and includes Persian rugs and French tapestries. At the end of the pier are the ruins of the Franciscan Friary. It was here that the first complete history of Ireland was written down in the 17th century in what is now known as the 'Annals of the Four Masters'. Just northeast is the beautiful Blue Stack Drive and Poisoned Glen. The route offers fabulous views over Lough Eske and to the Bluestack Mountains. To the southeast Belleek Pottery is 18 miles from the golf course and from there the wonderful lake county of Fermanagh can be explored.
Day 6
St. Patricks Links at Rosapenna
The golf links at Rosapenna are on the Rosguill Peninsula, 20 miles north of Letterkenny. The journey takes 40 minutes using the R245.
The latest chapter in the storied history of St. Patricks Links is the newest course at Rosapenna, an 18 hole links on the most stunning site possibly imageinable overlooking Sheephaven Bay. St. Patricks occupies ground that is an extension of the dunes occupied by the Sandy Hills and Old Tom Morris courses with the benefit of some true oceanside holes. Tom Doak took the existing 36 holes and recreated an 18 hole links that makes use of the exceptional terrain with stunning views, memorable tee-shots and true links greens. The style is much like that of Doak's Scottish creations at Castle Stuart and The Renaissance Club, extremely generous landing areas with large accessible greens. St. Patricks is a course that must be played if only so that the golfer can decide for themselves whether it deserves its lofty world ranking.
A spectacular circular drive can be taken from Downings around the nothern end of the Rosguill Peninsula. The drive features many beautiful sandy beaches. In a clockwise direction the route first provides views over Sheephaven Bay to the hamlet of Doagh, an old fishing village. The road then turns east across the peninsula where there is a left hand turn that leads to the far north of the peninsula at Melmore Head. Along this road, popular with campers and caravanners, is Tranarossan beach, one of the loveliest in Ireland. From Tranarossan, or from a new trail beginning at a car park further on, it is possible to reach the intruigingly named Murder Hole Beach. Returning to Downings along the eastern shore overlooking Broadwater is a traditional thatched pub, An Sibin Ceoil (the singing pub) which serves food in a wonderful atmosphere. Back in Downings The Harbour Bar is among our very favourite in Ireland.
Day 7
Old Links at Ballyliffin
The golf links at Ballyliffin are on the northwestern side of the Inishowen Peninsula, 40 miles northeast of Letterkenny. The journey takes 1 hour.
Ballyliffin Old is the older of the two courses of the 36 holes and is the most northerly course on the island of Ireland. A traditional ‘bump and run’ course of such high standard that Nick Faldo wanted to buy it. The setting at Ballyliffin is probably the best in Ireland, vast acres of dunes (one can only guess how many golf courses could be built here) and two of the finest links anywhere. The Old Course is a gem, undulating fairways and greens laid out in a traditional manner offering a visible and unprotected path from tee to green. Those straying from the path are penalised by thick dune grass and sand. Bounded by rugged Donegal countryside on the southern and by the wild Atlantic on the northern side, the Old course is traditional links golf at its best.
Close to Ballyliffin Golf Club is Doagh Famine Village, a unique attraction telling the stories of local families and their efforts to survive after the famines of the 1840's and continuing to the present day. Informative story telling, life-size exhibits and a generous dollop of humour make Doagh a visit worth considering. Just west of Clonmay in the village of Straid is Glenevin Waterfall, an 30 ft. cascade oreached by a well maintained trail from beside Glen House guesthouse. The road peters out to the west near the towland of Dunaff where there is a trail to Dunaff Head that marks the end of Lough Swilly and the beginning of the Atlatic Ocean.
Day 8
Sandy Hills Links
The golf links at Rosapenna are on the Rosguill Peninsula, 20 miles north of Letterkenny. The journey takes 40 minutes using the R245.
Opened in 2003, this stunning Pat Ruddy design is built on ancient sand dunes and is one of Ireland's greatest golf links. The appeal of Sandy Hills lies in its beautifully balanced routing through the high dunes cloaked in marram grass. These sandhills bear a striking resemblance to the ones near the Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland that form the spine of Royal Portrush, Portstewart and Castlerock. Many of the holes feature elevated tees and greens, with drives into natural bowls on the dune floor. Each hole is spectacular and the views across the Old Tom Morris course to the ocean. From the tees, landing areas are clearly visible and the definition provided by the dunes is remarkable. From the fairways the traditional links bump and run is rarely an option - precise approach shots are required to large, elevated greens tucked into the dunes and protected by bunkers that can be properly called hazards. A real tough test of golf, typical of Pat Ruddy and not for the fainthearted!
Glenveagh National Park, is situated on the eastern side of the Derryveagh Mountains. The Park contains 14,000 hectares of mountain, raised bogland, lakes and woodlands and is dissected by the valley which gives the park its name, Glenveigh (Gleann Bheatha) meaning Glen of the Birches. The Estate was established by John Adair who, in April 1861, evicted 244 tenants and cleared the land so as not to mar his views of the magnificent landscape. This ignoble history makes the beautiful views all the more poignant for today's visitor. The Park lands include the two highest mountains in Donegal, Errigal and Slieve Sneacht. At the south-west end of the park are the ice-carved cliffs of the Poisoned Glen, a corruption of the name in Irish which mean 'heavenly glen'. Lough Veagh has natural stocks of brown trout, salmon and artic char. The 19th century Glenveagh Castle with its neo-gothic architecture complete with ramparts, turrets and a round tower is open to the public. There are a number of pleasant walks through the fine gardens and guided tours of the castle interior. The Park has the largest herd of Red Deer in Ireland if not in Europe. The deer spend the summer on the Derryveagh mountains, coming down hill in winter. The Park is also home to meadow pipit, stonechats, grouse, ravens, siskins, tree-creepers, redstarts, wood warblers and occasionally peregrines and merlins. The Golden Eagle was reintroduced to the park in 2000. Having become became extinct 100 years ago, largely due to over hunting by both farmers and game keepers. The park is particularly spectacular when the prolific Rhododendron Ponticum are in bloom in early Summer.
Day 9
Departure from Ireland
After a final night in Letterkenny, for those with suitable flights, it is 3¼ hours to Dublin Airport. If flights are earlier then accommodation is arranged closer to the airport the night before. Routing through London Heathrow allows departure from City of Derry Airport, just 45 minutes from Letterkenny.
Itinerary Cost (per person sharing)
| Accomm Rating | Transport | 2 Pax | 4 Pax | 8 Pax (2 vans) | 12 Pax | 16 Pax | 20 Pax | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golfer | Walker | Golfer | Walker | Golfer | Walker | Golfer | Walker | Golfer | Walker | Golfer | Walker | ||
| B&B |
Self-Drive Manual |
2220 | 1250 | 2220 | 1250 | 2220 | 1250 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Self-Drive Automatic |
2470 | 1500 | 2470 | 1500 | 2470 | 1500 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chauffeured | 4564 | 3594 | 3158 | 2188 | 2454 | 1484 | 2173 | 1203 | 1997 | 1027 | 1920 | 950 | |
| Single Supplement of approximately € 360 applies to all rooms for sole occupancy | |||||||||||||
| 3*** |
Self-Drive Manual |
2520 | 1550 | 2520 | 1550 | 2520 | 1550 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Self-Drive Automatic |
2770 | 1800 | 2770 | 1800 | 2770 | 1800 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chauffeured | 4864 | 3894 | 3458 | 2488 | 2754 | 1784 | 2473 | 1503 | 2297 | 1327 | 2220 | 1250 | |
| Single Supplement of approximately € 520 applies to all rooms for sole occupancy | |||||||||||||
| 4**** |
Self-Drive Manual |
2720 | 1750 | 2720 | 1750 | 2720 | 1750 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Self-Drive Automatic |
2970 | 2000 | 2970 | 2000 | 2970 | 2000 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chauffeured | 5064 | 4094 | 3658 | 2688 | 2954 | 1984 | 2673 | 1703 | 2497 | 1527 | 2420 | 1450 | |
| Single Supplement of approximately € 800 applies to all rooms for sole occupancy | |||||||||||||
| 5***** |
Self-Drive Manual |
3320 | 2350 | 3320 | 2350 | 3320 | 2350 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Self-Drive Automatic |
3570 | 2600 | 3570 | 2600 | 3570 | 2600 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chauffeured | 5664 | 4694 | 4258 | 3288 | 3554 | 2584 | 3273 | 2303 | 3097 | 2127 | 3020 | 2050 | |
| Single Supplement of approximately € 1280 applies to all rooms for sole occupancy | |||||||||||||
Prices are based on current average 2023 accommodation rates. Prices shown are not guaranteed and are based on twin share or double room accommodation. Single supplements apply for sole occupancy of rooms. Prices shown are indicative based on normal high-season accommodation and car hire rates. Lower rates may apply in months outside of July and August. All tours are booked subject to client agreement with our Terms and Conditions of Booking. All tours are subject to availability of tee-times which may be affected by course closures for certain periods.
Itinerary Options
Itinerary Includes
- Greeting on arrival by Tailor-Made Golf Tours
- 7 rounds of golf, tee-times guaranteed and prepaid
- 8 nights accommodation, including full breakfast each morning
- Either
- 8 days car hire in large station-wagon or space wagon or
- 9 days hire of luxury appropriate size vehicle and chauffeur
- Full availability during your stay
Not Included
- Airfares or other transportation costs to/from Ireland
- Any form of travel insurance
- If applicable, Car hire extras as per Terms and Conditions
- Caddy/Cart/Trolley Fees (Caddies/Carts can be arranged)
- Tips and gratuities
