| Ireland has some of the most impressive golf | | | | also a protected wildlife habitat. Besides offering a |
| courses in the world. Here are 5 reasons to book | | | | glorious golf experience, the setting provides |
| your vacation. | | | | breathtaking scenery. |
| The Ballybunion Courses, both Old and Cashen, | | | | Lahinch, County Clare, is often described as "the |
| are a must see and play for any serious golfer. | | | | St. Andrews of Ireland," and the site also offers |
| Located in the Southwest of Ireland, County | | | | two courses, Old Course and Castle Course. |
| Kerry, the course is 65 miles from Shannon and | | | | Lahinch town is just over 30 miles west of |
| presents a lovely drive to get there. The town of | | | | Shannon Airport in County Clare. Founded in 1892, |
| Ballybunion welcomes with a statue of President | | | | the course today is a favorite of Phil Mickelson. |
| Clinton in full golf swing. The Old course is said to | | | | Castle Course offers the sights of Castle ruins as |
| remind visitors of St. Andrews, and Cashen, built | | | | you play. |
| in 1984, is described by one site as "a theatrical | | | | Finally, Adare Golf Club, County Limerick is host to |
| event all its own, and a highlight of any golfing visit | | | | the 2007 Irish Open. It is an 18-hole parkland |
| to Ireland." | | | | course established in 1900. The course is built |
| Druid's Glen, 30 minutes south of Dublin in | | | | around the ruins of Desmond Castle, built in 1200, |
| Newtownmountkennedy, County Wicklow, is | | | | and the ruins of the Franciscan Abbey, built in |
| considered to be one of the finest new parkland | | | | 1464, offering challenges and diversions. |
| courses in Ireland. Located in an area known as | | | | A tour of Ireland's magnificent and varied courses |
| the Garden of Ireland, in an area of abundant | | | | is certainly on every serious golfer's wish list. |
| wildlife, the course is considered Europe's answer | | | | These are only five courses out of hundreds to |
| to Augusta. The name of the course comes from | | | | be found in Ireland. There are accommodations |
| a pre-Christian stone altar discovered during the | | | | either at the course itself or quite nearby, and |
| construction of the course. The altar stands today | | | | they range from luxury to more basic. You can |
| with a Druid presiding over the 12th green. | | | | plan your vacation yourself or avail yourself of |
| Royal Dublin Golf Course sits on an island just 3 | | | | the many tour planning companies that specialize |
| miles north of Dublin. It was the first club in | | | | in golf vacationing. While not cheap, there are |
| Ireland to have 18 holes. Although originally built in | | | | ranges of prices to fit most budgets. |
| 1895 in Phoenix Park, it moved in 1890 to Bull | | | | Make this your year for an Ireland golf vacation. |
| Island, in Dublin Bay, its present location, which is | | | | |