Golf holidays in Sligo & Mayo
The two counties of Sligo and Mayo lie on the western extemity of Ireland and in many ways they encapsulate true Irishness. There is a lovely tempo to life out here, most of the land is agricultural with just the odd stone farmhouse dotted across the landscape, you will hear plenty of Gaelic spoken and nobody seems in too much of a rush: perfect for holidaying!
The golf courses are a little spread out so some driving is required to play all of the best ones but we can assure you that it is well worth it. A golf holiday comprising Donegal, Sligo, Enniscrone and Carne will never be forgotten.
The most central place to stay is Sligo as from here you can get to the best Golf Clubs in the West of Ireland in a reasonable time: although a two-centre golf holiday at Sligo and Ballina or Belmullet is another possibility worth considering - if you don't mind moving hotels mid-break?
Sligo & Mayo - Golf Clubs
Tucked away, halfway up the west coast of Ireland there is a thicket of links courses that only the savviest golfer seems to be aware of. If you want to experience some real Irish golf and genuine Irish hospitality then you need to discover Sligo. The headline golf course in the area is County Sligo (aka Rosses Point) and is a wonderful stretch of pure linksland unspoilt by mankind.
Close on its heels is the breathtaking Enniscrone a wil ride through the roughest, toughest dunes edged by the wild Atlantic shores: unforgettable.
There are also golf courses in County Sligo that you may never have heard of: Bellmullet, out on the Carne promontory, feels like halfway to America admittedly, but worth every inch of the road to get there; Strandhill is an understated little local's course but should not be overlooked for fun golf; just over in County Donegal at Murvagh, is Donegal Golf Club, another marvellously natural golf course amongst the inlets and islands.
If you would like a break form the sea air (and remind yourself what trees look like!), then head inland to the recent, Darren Clarke designed, Castle Dargan with its plush accommodation on-site.
And for the very definition of 'holiday golf' join the bucket-and-spade brigade at the seaside village of Bundoran and play the Harry Vardon designed course there - if you can put down yaur candy-floss and ice-cream for long enough!
Sligo & Mayo - where to stay
For the best of the nightlife in this corner of Ireland there is no better place to stay than the friendly little town of Sligo. It is well placed for the majority of golf courses too (although Carne would be a bit of a stretch). Sligo has everything, shops, cafés, bars resounding to Irish music every evening and a burgeoning gastronomy bubble bursting across the town.
If you would prefer to stay a little further west to concentrate your goling at Carne and Enniscrone, or split your golf holiday between two centres to encompass all of the great golf courses out here; we know a couple of small hotels in Ballina or Bellmullet where you can enjoy the quieter side of life.
Getting to Sligo & Mayo
It is a lot easier to get to Sligo for your golf holiday these days with flights into nearby Knock. The other alternative is to fly to Dublin, or even Belfast, and drive across country from there, it should only take a couple of hours (and there are some 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 Irish Ferry or Stena Line crossings in your golf holiday at our reduced rates.
