Golfing Break to Ireland and Scotland
Programme Overview
Duration: 9 days
Enjoy a 9-day trip to Scotland and Ireland for the golf vacation of your life!
Highlights: Newmarket-On-Fergus, Bunratty, Kilbeggan, Dublin, Powerscourt, Edinburgh, Gleneagles, St Andrews
Newmarket-On-Fergus, Co Clare
Upon arrival in Ireland you will be met and transferred in comfort to Dromoland Castle, an estate set in the beautiful County Clare countryside. Lunch and afternoon activities are at leisure; maybe enjoy a relaxed stroll in the gardens and then treat yourself to Afternoon Tea, which can be served on the outdoor terrace if weather allows.
Enjoy a lavish 6 course evening meal in Earl of Thomond restaurant at the hotel with your group.
Overnight: Dromoland Castle
Meal Plan: D
Newmarket-On-Fergus, Co Clare
After breakfast, head out on to the 18-hole golf course set in beautiful parkland, where your tee time has already been confirmed for you. Redesigned by the renowned Irish golf architect Ron Kirby and golfing legend J.B. Carr in 2003, the course boasts numerous challenging natural features and hazards. Take a break for lunch at your leisure.
In the late afternoon join your Ghillie on board one of the estate boats to try your hand at fishing for trout and perch on the estate’s lake.
Your evening meal tonight will be at Fig Tree Restaurant, on the grounds of the estate, a relaxed restaurant with a fresh and contemporary décor.
Overnight: Dromoland Castle
Meal Plan: B,D
Lahinch Golf Course & Bunratty
Your group and golf equipment will be picked up and privately transferred to the Lahinch Golf Club.
Today you are faced with an 18 hole championship course dating back to 1892, which is set amongst the sand hills and offers breathtaking views out to the Atlantic Ocean. Lunch has been arranged for you in The Club, which enjoys fantastic views over the course and out to sea - a perfect opportunity to discuss your day’s golfing with your companions.
Round off the day with a fun evening at Bunratty castle. You will be greeted in the Great Hall with a mead reception followed by a four-course medieval banquet and an evening of entertainment.
Overnight: Dromoland Castle
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Newmarket-On-Fergus, Kilbeggan & Dublin
Depart Dromoland Castle to make your way to Dublin, stopping en-route at Kilbeggan. This town is home to the Old Kilbeggan Distillery, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world. On your private group tour you will learn about the history of the distillery, witness the water wheel that drives the machinery in action and the various processes and sample the award winning Irish Whiskey. Lunch is at leisure.
Continue on your journey to the capital where you will enjoy a half day city tour with your private guide. Highlights will include Trinity College where the Book of Kells (medieval illuminated manuscript) is housed, St Patrick’s Cathedral. The tour then continues to the Guinness Storehouse, another much celebrated export from Ireland! The tour will include instructions on how to pour the perfect pint of Guinness, which is then enjoyed afterwards!
After checking into the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, where you will be spending the next two nights, you will be transferred to the Glencullen public house, Johnnie Fox's, for a hooley night experience! As well as a four-course meal, you will be treated to traditional Irish dance and music performances before being transferred back to your hotel.
Overnight: Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt
Meal Plan: B,D
Powerscourt
Today head back out on to the Golf Course, this time on the Powerscourt Estate grounds, where you are spoilt for choice with two courses, both within walking distance of your accommodation. Tee times have been arranged for you on The East Course which is characterised by undulating greens surrounded by parkland and moorland. After lunch (at your leisure) you will then get to experience The West Course, offering a variety of challenges on a panoramic parkland course.
For your last evening in Ireland you will be dining at the fantastic Gordon Ramsay at Powerscourt restaurant. Your group will take advantage of the semi-private dining rooms to make this evening an extra special occasion.
Overnight: Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt Hotel
Meal Plan: B,L
Dublin, Edinburgh & Gleneagles
Say farewell to the Emerald Isle as you are transferred to Dublin airport for your flight to Edinburgh.
On arrival in Edinburgh you will be joined by an expert local guide for an orientation tour of one of the most beautiful and dramatically situated cities in Europe. The highlight of your visit is a tour of Edinburgh Castle, where you will see the 'Honours of Scotland', or the Scottish Crown Jewels, and obtain stunning views of the city. At the end of your tour, you will be transferred to Gleneagles, where you will enjoy a dinner at Deseo and spend the next three nights.
Overnight: Gleneagles
Meal Plan: B,D
Gleneagles
Take a full day at leisure to enjoy the fantastic golfing facilities of Gleneagles Hotel. These facilities include 3 excellent 18-hole golf courses, one of which will play host to the Ryder Cup in 2014.
Lunch is at leisure followed by an afternoon back on the golf course, or alternatively take an excursion with your guide into the Trossachs, the scenic region to the west of Gleneagles that was the lair of the infamous outlaw Rob Roy McGregor. Drive through the woods and hills of the region to Loch Katrine, where you will take a scenic boat cruise on this lonely and picturesque stretch of water.
Later on rejoin the rest of the group and enjoy a session of clay pigeon shooting on the Gleneagles estate. Dinner is at leisure.
Overnight: Gleneagles
Meal Plan: B
St Andrews
Head over to St. Andrews on the North Sea coast, known throughout the world as the home of golf, St. Andrews was originally the ecclesiastical and educational capital of Scotland. You will visit the ruins of the cathedral, destroyed during the Reformation. You will also visit the British Golf Museum, located next to the Royal and Ancient Clubhouse before having an informal lunch in the St. Andrew’s Links Clubhouse overlooking the legendary Old Course.
Tee times have been arranged for the afternoon on one of the superb St Andrews Links golf courses (please note this does not include access to the Old Course at St Andrews).
Once you have been transferred back to Gleneagles the group will enjoy a final meal together at The Strathearn restaurant at the hotel, where you will savour the seasonal cuisine of Scotland in grand surroundings.
Overnight: Gleneagles
Meal Plan: B,L,D
Gleneagles & Edinburgh/Glasgow
Depart Gleneagles to Edinburgh or Glasgow Airport for your departure flights back home.
Meal Plan: B