GOLF HOLIDAYS IN KERRY
Golf guide to Killarney, Tralee, Waterville and Ballybunion.
Golf holidays in Kerry - Killarney, Ballybunion & Waterville
Kerry, in the Southwest of Ireland is for many golfers the very epitome of Irish golf. Hard to disagree for the most part as the quality and choice of golf courses is exceptional, the scenery is stunning, the towns and villages jolly in their brightly-painted liveries, the locals welcoming and the Summer evenings seem to go on and on for ever.
Wherever you wander in Kerry your gaze will be filled with the most verdant vistas, the whole county oozes emerald greeness framed by deep blue loughs or the roaring Atlantic Ocean. The inland hills are mirrored by the seaside dunes: unrivalled terrain for creating golf courses and there are some very special ones to play. Names like Ballybunion, Tralee and Waterville will make the hairs stand-up on most golfer's necks but many of the smaller Golf Clubs are just as exciting to discover.
Food in Kerry is outstanding whether it's prime Irish beef or delicious seafood fresh form the Atlantic you won't find better quality produce anywhere. And rest assured, the Irish welcome is as warm in Kerry as anywhere. So after a long day on the links, what better than a fine dinner, a quiet pint beside the turf fire and some gentle melodies...
McMunns, Ballybunion.
Kerry Golf Clubs
Difficult to know where to start when it comes to golf in Kerry! So let's start with the well known courses that attract thousands of golfers to Southwest Ireland year after year. Ballybunion is perhaps the most famous of all and it is an incredible stretch of holes from about the 8th where you hit the beach all the way back in through the mighty dunes. Plus, if that is enough for you, brace yourself for their Cashen course too!
Tralee has a similar stretch of tumultuous dunes across the back nine and perhaps a more interesting opening as you play around the estuary and sand bars: hard to omit from any Irish golf tour. Waterville has a magical feel, whether it's its remoteness that does it with the journey to get there around the Ring of Kerry, or the stupendous setting where McGillycuddy's Reeks crash into the Atlantic, who knows? It just feels like another world - and you won't want to leave!
For a parkland alternative to the fine Kerry links, Killarney Golf and Fishing Club is a haven of tranquillity on the shores of beautiful Lough Leane. Here there are two courses that entertain you in a more gentle style away from the harsh Atlantic gales.
Find time on your Kerry golf holiday for some of the smaller Clubs too, we guarantee you will not be disappointed! The likes of Dooks on the northern side of the Ring of Kerrry has a majestic setting; on the south side the Ring of Kerry course has some exceptional views; Beaufort, close to Killarney, is very good fun; even little Killorglin is worth a visit for some real 'locals' golf.
Kerry - Where to stay: Killarney, Waterville, Ballybunion, Tralee?
Killarney is an out and out tourist destinations and makes a great effort to attract visitors from all over the world, playing heavily on its beautiful green setting around the peaceful Lough Leane. It has not however lost any of its Irishness - just try visiting on a Gaelic Football or Hurley weekend! It is a superb base for golf holidays with so many Kerry golf courses within range in a day's drive: Killarney, Waterville, Dooks, Tralee, Ring of Kerry even Ballybunion. Every evening on returning to Killarney from the golf courses you will find a huge choice of places to eat and afterwards be entertained by any number of minstrels plying their trade in the bars up and down the High Street.
For a wilder week head for Waterville. A small village at the tip of the Iveragh peninsular with a big beach and quite a few hoselries too in a pure Kerry setting. Here the Butler Arms offers very comfortable accommodation overlooking the Ocean and close to the golf course, or there is the plush Waterville House for the Country House party feeling and any number of B&Bs.
Ballybunion afficionados can stay close to their field of dreams, we have a very nice Guesthouse right by the gates or there are other options in the small village that owes its living to wayfaring golfers.
Tralee is much more of a real town than the rest, with a life of its own outside of golf and tourism! So a good place to stay in the off season and about midway between Killarney and Ballyunion making it convenient too transportwise.
Getting to Kerry
The best route to Killarney is either flying to Kerry with Ryanair (limited services). Or there are more services to Cork and Shannon; both of which are a slightly longer, but very pretty drive into Killarney.
Of course, you can also travel over with your own vehicle via the P&O and Stenaline from Fishguard to Rosslare, from where it will take about half-a-day to cross the country to Killarney (unless you stop in Waterford or Cork en-route?). We can of course include any of these crossings in your golf holiday at our reduced rates.
Getting to Waterville
Waterville sits at the very end of the Iveragh peninsula - better known as the 'Ring of Kerry' a classic scenic drive around Irelands southwestern outpost. This remoteness is half of its charm and the effort to get here is richly rewarded with a small seaside holiday town and farming community perched seemingly in the middle of the Atlantic! Having taken the trouble to get there, we'd recommend spending a night or two of your Irish golf holiday in Waterville.
