Southwest Swing

Visit the old market town of Ennis with its narrow streets and Ennis Friary. Begin exploring The Burren. Take a route through Corofin to Kilfenora where The Burren Centre provides an informative overview of this unique region. Adjacent is Kilfenora Cathedral with some of the finest examples of Celtic high crosses. An extended tour takes in Caherconnell Stone Fort and Poulnabrone Dolmen while enjoying the unique limestone landscape. Ballyvaughan for refreshment before returning south on the spectacular coastal drive past Black Head and through Fanore to Doolin and The Cliffs of Moher.

Lahinch is a seaside resort and offers a range of accommodations from traditional B&B to 4**** hotel. 30 minutes east, Ennis is County Clare's principal town and this may also be considered as a base.

A severe storm in 2014 proved to be the catalyst for the transformation of the links at Doonbeg from a course that divided opinion to a course that deserves a place amongst Ireland's very best links courses. The storm destroyed five greens and in the case of the old 14th, a par-3 that was bizarrely often referred to as the signature hole, the hole was complately lost. Kiawah Island Properties had enough and sold the property. The new owners engaged Martin Hawtree to restore the course and his efforts resulted in a links that finally does its oceanside location justice. The links is a proper golf test with few design anomalies to moan about, while the location - considered in 1892 by the Black Watch Regiment as the location for Lahinch Golf Club - is simply one of the most glorious and allows several holes to hug the 3 mile stretch of land perched atop the magnificent strand below.

Arnold Palmer's first European design on the shores of Barrow Bay and with great views of Banna Strand. When he first saw the area upon which his company was to build Tralee golf links, Palmer was ecstatic about the possibilities. "I have never come across a piece of land so ideally suited for the building of a golf course" Tralee features probably the finest homeward nine holes in Ireland, each one spectacular and each one offering breathtaking views of the beach and ocean. As you climb the hill to at the long and difficult 11th (Palmer's Peak) the dramatic views unfold. From here a series of outstanding links holes provide a white-knuckle golf ride through the dunes, with the scenery your only friend! Possibly somewhat unfair, but totally unforgettable. "I designed the first nine but surely God designed the back nine", Palmer explained. "I am happy that we have one of the worlds' great golf links here."

Old Head is a well-designed and challenging golf course and as plantings have matured over the years it would be a worth play on any golf trip. What sets Old Head apart is its spectacular location, perched on a diamond shaped outcrop that stands 100m above the surrounding Atlantic Ocean. Magnificent views are never far away at Old Head and the oceanside holes begin early with the 2nd-4th holes clinging to the eastern side -- the 4th green is virtually last stop before the edge of the cliff. Both the par-3 7th and 13th holes are adjacent to the cliffs while the drive at the par-5 12th hole is probably the most memorable of all -- a drive across a gully to an almost invisible fairway. Holes 5-17 then play along the western edge back towards the lighthouse which provides a magnificent backfrop to the tee-shot at the last hole. On a fine day Old Head will provide an unforgettable golfing memory.