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golf trip 4 guys September

I talked 3 of my friends into a golf trip to Ireland. We are golfing 4 days of the 8 day trip. My 2nd trip, was there with my father 10 years ago. I have planned the itinerary - rooms, car, golf courses, rental of golf clubs and sites. I know it seems like an aggressive itinerary but my friends are no help. two have never been out of the US. I love Ireland and their people. I can change some of the room reservations. The only one we are committed to is the 4 night stay in Killarney. Below is our current plan. I would appreciate any recommendations. If we are short on time a certain day we may decide to skip certain parts. After a couple of heavily traveled days we may want to relax in a nice pub with a Guiness :)

  • day 1 arrive Dublin early - spend the night at Parliament Hotel and take the hop-on hop-of bus ride
  • day 2 pick up rental car drive to Kilkenny - tour Smithwicks, Waterford - Waterford Crystal, Dunmore East - Hayes Pub I have a Hayes in my group then drive to Killarney spend the night
  • day 3 play golf at Old Head GC then travel to Kinsale, Cork, Cobh and return o Killarney
  • day 4 play golf at Ballybunion Old GC early, take ferry ride at Tarbert on way to Cliffs of Moher, The Burren, Limerick back to Killarney
  • day 5 play golf at Tralee GC early then to Dingle and then back to Killarney
  • day 6 play golf at Cashen GC early then to Blarney and Cashel. Spend the night in Cashel?
  • day 7 drive to Birr (visited 10 years ago wanted to stop and see proprietors of the place my father and I stayed) then to Walsh Distillery in Carlow then on to Dublin for 2 nights Arlington Hotel O'Connell Bridge ?

the golf is scheduled and the 4 nights in Killarney - other are up for debate.
We have club rental's lined up along with caddies, buying recovered balls from Ireland and having delivered to Killarney. what should we expect for golfing weather Sept 9-17. I am no world traveler I have done a lot of research but appreciate any personal experiences that are offered. When I return I will tell everybody how the trip went.
Thank you so much
Don

Posted by
1266 posts

DWalsh - I've made a couple of these drives and in may opinion you're going to be pushing yourself. Your drive to Old Head from Killarney will take at least 2 1/2 hrs. Your other drive times are in the 1 1/4 hrs+ time frame. After your round of golf your looking at 6-8 hours for sightseeing.

Check out www.viamichelin.com to get an estimate on travel routes and times. And my rule of thumb is to add 25% to the time estimate given.

Posted by
238 posts

It's impossible to predict the kind of weather to expect in Ireland. That said, when we were there last September (11th-30th) my husband played golf three times during that period and the weather was mostly sunny and in the low 60s. It helps to be flexible because rainy days can happen any time. For that reason we did not book any tee times until the day before he wanted to play and we had no problems getting a time or renting clubs. We played mostly smaller courses though (Skibbereen, Dingle and Westport). Dingle was a particular favorite.

Posted by
10 posts

PJ thank you for the response, hopefully our weather is as nice as it was for you and your husband.

Posted by
10 posts

Joel,

thank you for the viamichelin route website. I did get a lot of different times

Don