Golf holidays in County Down
Without doubt the main attraction for golfers to County Down is Royal County Down Golf Club. Many golfers head for the North of Ireland just for a round and then leave - some don't even stay one night! Shame that they don't tarry a while, as there are a few other courses worthy of a knock and Newcastle is a nice little seaside village for a night or two.
Golf holidays in Belfast
Belfast has risen the tourist rankings over the past decades from just about rock-bottom to somewhere near the top. It's a pretty, peaceful city these days with a relaxed atmosphere and makes a good night out any day of the week! The city has a good little collection of golf courses to play and two major stars in Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke to be very proud of. A golf holiday based in Belfast can easily include Royal County Down as it's only an hour away by car.
County Down - Golf Clubs
County Down has one, rather significant golfing attraction: Royal County Down Golf Club, once played, never forgotten. The course and setting is remarkable and draws golfers from across the globe to spend their golf holiday in County Down. Tee-times for visitors are severely limited however, so you will need to arrange your golf tour well in advance (think in years not months!) or come and play in the Winter.
The other course that should not be left off any golfing itinerary is Ardglass, a little up the coast from Newcastle on a tremendous tract of seaside land, the oldest Clubhouse in the world and a very natural course design - rocky gullies and all!
Belfast - Golf Clubs
For a city golfbreak Belfast has to be amongst the best these days. Even if you don't take the trip down to Royal County Down, the likes of Royal Belfast, Holywood, Malone and Belvoir Park offer fine parkland golfing and are all well cared for by their members.
Where to stay - Belfast or County Down?
Newcastle, County Down, is a compact town at the foot of the Mourne Mountains with an active fishing harbour and a High Street with a couple of lively bars and restaurants. This means that the restaurants in town have a goodly supply of fresh fish and seafood, coupled with a glass of the black stuff, it makes for a fine evening after a fine day on the links.
Belfast on the other hand is a big city with all of the shops, cafés, Titanic museum, theatres, cinemas, bars and restaurants that go along with metropolitan life. If you wish to combine your golf with getting to know the city you could stay either in the centre of things at the Europa Hotel for example. If you prefer to be beside the seaside and closer to the golf courses then head for Belfast Lough and the affluent suburb of Holywood.
Getting to County Down & Belfast
It is very easy to to get to County Down for your golf holiday with with so many flights into Belfast, which is just an hour's drive away or you could fly to Dublin and drive up from there to Newcastle as it should take less than a couple of hours (unless you stop off at some of the rather nice golf courses en-route!).
Of course, you can also travel over with your own vehicle via the Stenaline or P&O ferries and fastcraft (very impressive) from Stranraer to Larne or to Dún Laoghaire or Dublin Port from Holyhead.
We can of course include these crossings in your golf holiday at our reduced rates.
