Golf Travel Guide to Western Ireland

Golf Travel Orientation

Western Ireland comprises the three counties of Galway, Mayo and Clare that are all dominated by the Atlantic coast on their western borders. Galway city, Ireland's 4th largest city is 50 miles north of Shannon airport and 135 miles west of Dublin.

The area to the north and west of Galway city is known as the west of Ireland comprising the main area of County Galway (including the Connemara region) and all of County Mayo.

South of Galway city and including counties Clare and Limerick is generally referred to as the Midwest of Ireland. In the north of County Clare is the world famous Burren region.

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>>> Golf Accommodation in County Clare

>>> Golf Accommodation in County Galway

>>> Golf Accommodation in County Mayo

Shannon Airport

Shannon airport is located on the estuary of the River Shannon, 12 miles north of Limerick City and 50 miles south of Galway City. Dromoland Golf Club is just over 5 minutes drive and the adjacent Dromoland Castle is one of Ireland's finest luxury hotels.

Ennis Town

Just north of Shannon airport is the principal County Clare town of Ennis. Ennis is a good accommodation base for the final night of a golf travel itinerary or for a short break using Shannon airport. The famous golf village of Lahinch is 20 miles west of Ennis, very close to the famous Cliffs of Moher on the west coast of Clare. Just south of Lahinch is the new, Greg Norman designed links at Doonbeg.

Woodstock golf club is in Ennis town, while Dromoland, Gort, Galway Bay, East Clare and Portumna are all within easy reach. Adare golf manor is also accessible travelling south.

Ennis itself is an old medieval town of quaint narrow streets built on the River Fergus.

Galway City

40 miles north of Ennis is Galway City. Galway is a medieval city built on the River Corrib. It is Ireland's fourth largest and best city offering a vibrant mix of old and new, young and old.

Clifden

Clifden in the capital of the beautiful Connemara region. Located 50 miles west of Galway city there is magical mountain and ocean scenery in every direction. Clifden is a good base for a combined golf and sightseeing holiday.

Just south of Clifden, near the village of Ballyconneely is Connemara Golf Links. This one of Ireland's many hidden gems - a terrific links course with one of the best inward halves in Ireland.

Westport

Travel north from Clifden along the Sky Road, one of Ireland's most scenic journeys. There are many attractions along the route including Kylemore Abbey and Kylemore House and Gardens and Connemara National Park. But the principal attraction is the scenery, miles of mountain vistas to the east and the Atlantic coast to the west. Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord is also on this route.

Westport is probably Ireland's best tourist town. A small and charming town, Westport is not overly commercial or overrun by visitors. Yet it offers the traveller the everything expected of a tourist destination: plenty of attractions, great restaurants and lots of great pubs - the most famous of which is Matt Molloys.

Westport golf course is an excellent parkland test, while the triuverate of hidden gems - Connemara, Enniscrone and Carne - are all just over an hours drive.

Non-Golf Travel Attractions

Besides magnificent scenery and great golf, the west of Ireland offers plenty of other activities and attractions.

Bunratty Castle, the unique flora and the limestone caves of the Burren region and the Cliffs of Moher are the principal attractions of County Clare which is also a very good fishing region.

Fishing is equally popular in both Galway and Mayo on the main lakes Corrib, Mask and Cong as well as their many smaller tributaries and lakes.

Galway is home to two crystal manufacturers, Clarinbridge and Galway. Oysters are famous in the south of the county and the annual Oyster festival is held in late summer.

Achill Island is a popular destination in County Mayo. Mayo is also home to Beleek pottery and Wesport House and Gardens.

Full details of these and other travel attractions are available at www.irelandwest.ie.

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