Kerry Top Four

Bunratty village is 10 minutes from Shannon Airport just off the main route. As well as the Norman castle there is a recommended folk park recreating rural and urban life in 19th century Victorian Ireland. Bunratty village also has a shopping area and Durty Nellie's pub is enduringly popular.

Continue through Limerick City, where St. John's Castle and the Hunt Museum can be visited, before reaching Adare, one of Ireland's prettiest villages. On the River Maigue the main street boasts many fine examples of thatched cottages (several housing excellent restaurants). The principal feature of Adare however are the three abbeys (Franciscan, Augustinian and Trinitarian) and Desmond Castle.

As Ireland's most popular visitor destination, Killarney offers a host of quality accommodation options although at a price.

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."

Ireland's most visited golf course, much loved by Tom Watson. A totally natural links located by the ocean, Ballybunion features many classic links holes. The contours, on the fairways and on the greens, are what make it a great golf course. There are uphill and downhill and sidehill shots, uphill and downhill par-3s. You must play accurate iron shots into the greens, usually to a small target with not a lot of room to miss right or left. But there is room to roll a ball on to the greens in the true links manner. The first six holes are enigmatic - the 2nd hole is one of the best par-4's anywhere but the two consecutive par-5's (4 ,5) are our least favourite. From the 7th the true Ballybunion unfolds and the homeward nine provide an idelible golfing memory with such classic holes as the iconic 11th, 12, 15, 16 and the oceanside 17th with its spectacular drive.