Midlands Ireland Golf Travel Guide
Golf Courses
Irish golf courses can generally be distinguished between the old, those originally built before the 1930's, and the new, those built after circa 1990. Ireland's midlands offers not only a perfect balance between old and new courses but also surely the best value golf anywhere in the world!Older mature courses such as Athlone, Mullingar, and Tullamore can be contrasted with newer designs at Esker Hills, The Heritage and Glasson
Around Tullamore
Tullamore golf course is a James Braid design from the 1920's. Esker Hills, where Shane Lowry learned to play golf, is a modern design by Christy O'Connor Junior. Birr is another old course while The Heritage, a Ballesteros/Howe design, was opened in 2004.
Around Athlone
Athlone is an old established course on the southwest shore of Lough Ree. It looks across the lake to the opposite shore where Glasson golf course is found - another O'Connor Jnr. design. Portumna to the southwest and Slieve Russell (northwest region) are also accessible.
Around Mullingar
Mullingar is another fine James Braid design that has stood the test of time. One of the newest golf courses in the region is between Mullingar and Tullmaore at New Forest, a Peter McEvoy design in wonderful mature woodland.
Towns & Villages
The midland towns of Tullamore and Athlone are the principal bases for golf tours of the region. Both are approximately 1½ hours from Dublin Airport. Athlone is in the very centre of Ireland and is built on the River Shannon on the southern exit of Lough Ree. It offers a wide array of restaurants, bars and other amenities. Tullamore is another principal midland town offering good facilities and easy access to the midland golf courses.
Birr, 36km southwest of Tullamore, is a pleasant town with many fine architectural features dating from the days it was known as Parsonstown after the Englishman who owned the surrounding lands. Birr offers two popular 3*** hotels and makes an attractive base of playing Portumna as well as offering access to the amenities and sights of the River Shannon, Clonmacnoise, Boora Bog and the famous observatory at Birr Castle.
Mullingar, the county town of Westmeath, is a further option and is slightly closer to Dublin than either Athlone or Tullamore.
Sights & Attractions
The River Shannon and its hinterlands provide the setting for many of the midland's major attractions. Clonmacnoise was an ecclesiatical centre and seat of learning ever since Saint Ciarán established a monastery there in the 6th century. On the banks of the river, and perfectly isolated, the site today includes the ruins of a Cathedral, two round Towers, three high crosses, nine Churches and over 700 Early Christian graveslabs.Athlone, a major crossing on the Shannon, was the scene of the defining act of the Williamite Wars. Athlone Castle was besieged by Williamite forces, with fierce fighting centred on the bridge. After 10 days the Jacobites eventually fled west where Jacobite resistance was finally crushed at the Battle of Aughrim, a bloody battle remembered at the Aughrim Visitor Centre 20 miles west of Athlone.
Kilbeggan Distillery is an old and historic distillery and perhaps the most authentic small distillery experience in Ireland. It has been completely restored and production resumed in 2007. Staying with distilleries, Tullamore Dew Visitor Centre is housed in an old bonded warehouse used by the distillery in the centre of Tullamore.
Also near Tullamore, Charleville Castle is considered the finest example of gothic architecture in Ireland. Southwest Birr Castle is still the private residence of the Parsons family but the gardens and observatory, home of what was the biggest telescope in the world for over 70 years, are open to the public.
Also in County Offaly, Lough Boora Discovery Park is an open bog with a small visitor centre and miles of trails with relics of the turf cutting industry.
Access
Dublin Airport is a major international airport serving most European countries, an increasing number of North American cities and Asia, Australia and New Zealand via middle-eastern hubs. Ferries arrive to Dublin Port from Holyhead (Wales) and Liverpool.Mullingar is just over an hour from Dublin Airport, Athlone and Tullamore approximately 1½ hours while Birr is 2 hours.
Birr is approximately 2 hours northeast of Shannon Airport. The mindlans are about 3 hours drive northwest from Rosslare Harbour.