Northern Links
6 Nights & 5 Rounds of Golf from € 2235 per person
Day 1
Arrival to Ireland
On arrival to Ireland 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 Portrush will take 3¼ hours from Dublin Airport. Connections at Hethrow for City of Derry or Belfast City airports.
Just north of Dublin a visit to the megalithic site at Newgrange is highly recommended. Located in the scenic and historic Boyne Valley, Newgrange is the most famous of 3 ancient passage tombs that have been preserved and can be visited by guided tour only from the Bru na Boinne visitor centre. Alterntively visit Belfast, Ireland's second largest city now a thriving and progressive city with attractions including the Titanic Visitor Centre, Crumin Road Gaol and Belfast Botanic Gardens.
There are a number of hotels in either Portstewart or Portrush and further east the iconic Bushmills Inn.
Day 2
Castlerock Golf Links
Castlerock is 25 minutes drive from either Portstewart or Portrush requiring a visit to or bypass of Coleraine to cross the River Bann.
As the River Bann flows into the sea it separates Portstewart and Castlerock golf courses. Castlerock is on the western sidew of the river mouth and there are 27 holes with the Mussenden Links, names after a nearby estate, being the championship course. Castlerock is a course where the best holes are those furthest from the clubhouse although the first and eighteenth holes are stronger than at many of the similar courses. Efforts have been made to make the second hole, a dog leg right, less quirky. Indeed a members poll that resulted in a request for consistency in the bukering led to a major upgrade to Castlerock by Dr. Martin Hawtree.
Explore the Causeway Coast. The main attraction is the famous Giants Causeway, a geological formation made up of some 40,000 massive black basalt columns sticking out of the sea. A walk from the visitor centre takes 20 minutes or it is possible to take a 30 minute Causeway Tram (2 miles!!) from Bushmills. Afterwards test your head for heights by crossing the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge just 8 miles from the causeway, east towards Ballycastle.
Day 3
Strand Course at Portstewart
Portstewart is a 10 minute drive from Portrush.
Portstewart is on the eastern side of the River Bann as it enters the sea. Between the river and magnificent Portstewart Strand is an area of towering dunes though and around which the Strand Course is routed. The round begins with surely the most appealing opening drive in Ireland, from a height down to a valley that enters the dunes. For the next twelve holes the drama and appeal does not let up. The final six holes are slightly flatter although efforts have been made to improve their appeal, including changing the 14th hole to a lonber par 4 and re-siting tees. All in all Portstewart easily sits with its more famous Royal neighbour as a must play destination on the Causeway Coast.
Browse Portstewart along the promenade with its many interesting shops and cafes. Portstewart Strand and the Bann Estuary are designated an Area of Special Scientific Interest. The dunes are 6000 years old and with the river cutting through the dune system, it offers a mosaic of habitats for wildlife. Managed by the National Trust, bird hides are provide at the Barmouth. Southe of the university town of Coleraine ins Mountsandel Fort, home of the oldest known humans in Ireland.
Day 4
Dunluce Links at Royal Portrush
The golf courses at Royal Portrush are just outside Portrush centre and 10 minutes drive from either Portstewart or Bushmills.
The Dunluce Links at Royal Portush, named after the nearby ruined castle, has always been at the upper end of Irish links courses. The removal of its two weakest holes (the old 17th and 18th) for the 2019 Open it has surely silenced any lingering criticism and Royal Portrush is unmissable on any golf trip to the Causeway Coast. The original layout, much of which remains today, was by Harry Colt. The location is stunning with view west to the Donegal Hills, north to Islay and the southern Hebrides and east to the Antrim Hills and Tory Island. The tangly rough is unforgiving but the fairways are wide enough for it not to be an issue. The greens are undulating and complex making putting one of the real challenges. Notable is the absence of any weak holes, even the holes adjoining the main Bushmills Road are visually appealing golfing challenges.
A direct journey from Portrush/Portstewart to Newcastle, Co. Down takes 2¼ hours. The route offers a chance to stop and visit Belfast City centre and/or the Titanic Visitor Centre.
Newcastle is perhaps best known for the iconic Slieve Donard Hotel that sits adjacent to Royal County Down golf course. There is also the 3*** Burrendale Hotel and a boutique guesthouse called Golf Links Lodge as well as several Bed & Breakfast options.
Day 5
Ardglass
Ardglass is 20 miles east of Newcastle and the journey takes 35 minutes.
All eighteen tees and all eighteen greens have views of the Irish Sea which, together with the oldest clubhouse in the world making Ardglass an unforgettable round of golf. There are dramatic clifftop holes to start and the course returns to the shore line at the beginning on the second nine with the ocean being in play on eight of the holes. Being elevated the wind will always be a factor here while most holes, especially those on the landward side are extremely well protected by tricky sand bunkers of the traditional kind. The course plays to a par of 70 (6,200 yards) with five par-3s, all of which are particularly memorabe, and only three par-5s.
Ardglass is a beautiful fishing village which overlooks the Irish Sea. Ardglass has been a fishing port for over two thousand years. Today it is the home port of thirty fishing vessels and it is a major fish marketing and processing centre boasting a fabulous marina created in 1991.
Consider visiting nearby Downpatrick where Saint Patrick is reputed to be buried on the grounds of Down Cathedral. A short walk away is the St. Patrick Centre, the only such centre dedicated to St. Patrick in the world. 4 miles east of Downpatrick, past Saul Church, is the tallest statue of St. Patrick in Ireland.
Day 6
Royal County Down
The golf links is a short stroll from the Slieve Donard Hotel while from other Newcastle accommodations it is a very short drive.
Royal County Down is one of Ireland's leading golf courses and a 'must play' for those who have the opportunity. The location is stunning, beside the sea under the watchful gaze of Slieve Donard. The terrain is classic links - alongside, over and through high sand dunes. The layout and visual appeal of the course, especially the front nine, is second to none. Like many courses the best time to play is when the spectacular gorse is in full bloom. The course is immaculately maintained with nothing out of place. There are blind shots aplenty and Royal County Down is a course where the ball can bounce anywhere making good shots bad and bad shots good.
After golf take a tour of the Mourne Mountains, an area of outstanding natural beauty. The twelve peaks include Slieve Donard, which at 850m is Northern Ireland\'s highest mountain. Features include Silent Valley, an area of natural beauty containing a reservoir that supplies 30 million gallons of water per day to County Down and most of Belfast City. A popular walk follows the Mourne Wall. There are several forest parks in the area the most popular being Tollymore and Castlewellan. Just north of Newcastle, Murlough Bay is an extraordinarily beautiful dune landscape.
Day 7
Departure from Ireland
After a final night in Newcastle it is a 2 hour drive south to Dublin Airport.
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 |
2448 | 938 | 2448 | 938 | 2448 | 938 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Self-Drive Automatic |
2635 | 1125 | 2635 | 1125 | 2635 | 1125 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chauffeured | 4291 | 2781 | 3198 | 1688 | 2651 | 1141 | 2432 | 922 | 2295 | 785 | 2235 | 725 | |
| Single Supplement of approximately € 270 applies to all rooms for sole occupancy | |||||||||||||
| 3*** |
Self-Drive Manual |
2673 | 1163 | 2673 | 1163 | 2673 | 1163 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Self-Drive Automatic |
2860 | 1350 | 2860 | 1350 | 2860 | 1350 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chauffeured | 4516 | 3006 | 3423 | 1913 | 2876 | 1366 | 2657 | 1147 | 2520 | 1010 | 2460 | 950 | |
| Single Supplement of approximately € 390 applies to all rooms for sole occupancy | |||||||||||||
| 4**** |
Self-Drive Manual |
2823 | 1313 | 2823 | 1313 | 2823 | 1313 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Self-Drive Automatic |
3010 | 1500 | 3010 | 1500 | 3010 | 1500 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chauffeured | 4666 | 3156 | 3573 | 2063 | 3026 | 1516 | 2807 | 1297 | 2670 | 1160 | 2610 | 1100 | |
| Single Supplement of approximately € 600 applies to all rooms for sole occupancy | |||||||||||||
| 5***** |
Self-Drive Manual |
3273 | 1763 | 3273 | 1763 | 3273 | 1763 | - | - | - | - | - | - |
|
Self-Drive Automatic |
3460 | 1950 | 3460 | 1950 | 3460 | 1950 | - | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Chauffeured | 5116 | 3606 | 4023 | 2513 | 3476 | 1966 | 3257 | 1747 | 3120 | 1610 | 3060 | 1550 | |
| Single Supplement of approximately € 960 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
- 5 rounds of golf, tee-times guaranteed and prepaid
- 6 nights accommodation, including full breakfast each morning
- Either
- 6 days car hire in large station-wagon or space wagon or
- 7 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
