Stay & Play Ireland's West Coast

Stay & Play Ireland's West Coast

In 2022 we had a number of groups golfing on the other side of the Irish Sea from our popular Scottish courses.  Golf Concierge Scotland visited on three occasions. These are the highlights of the trip to County Sligo & County Mayo on the west coast of Ireland.

3 Courses To Play

1. County Sligo Championship, Rosses Point (Ranked 8 in Ireland by Top100GolfCourses)- This Harry Colt design course is steeped in history and hosts the prestigous West of Ireland Amateur Golf Championship won by names including Rory McILroy & Padriag Harrington. You will enjoy views of mountains, rolling countryside and the sea on your way round the course - on a clear day you can see five counties from the third tee. We thought there were similarities to the Gullane courses in Scotland, particularly with some of the elevation changes. County Sligo is consistently ranked in Ireland’s Top 10 courses and in my opinion a must play course.
2. Enniscrone Dunes, Sligo (Ranked 15 in Ireland) - Enniscrone has some of the highest sand dunes to be found anywhere in Ireland. In fact the course is called The Dunes. I found the 10th to 17th to be a particularly memorable stretch of golf. These holes serve up some spectacular hazards by way of dunes and chasms in the natural landscape. I also received a warm welcome from the General Manager Keith O'Neill.
3. Carne Golf Links, Mayo (Ranked 14 in Ireland) - One of the most westerly courses in Europe, situated on the remote and rugged Mullet Peninsula in the North West of County Mayo. It is somewhat of a golfing pilgrimage to get to Carne but once there you will be rewarded with a raw links course, impressive dunes stretching 150m above sea level set in a wild and ancient landscape. There are 27 holes in total including the 18 holes designed by the late Eddie Hackett and arguably some of his finest.

4 Places To Stay

1. Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone- This family friendly 4-star hotel is situated directly on the Wild Atlantic Way and overlooks Enniscrone Dunes Links. The location is a perfect base as you are less than an hour from Sligo, Westport, Knock and some of Mayo and Sligo's most famous landmarks. The town of Enniscrone is only a 10 minute walk from the hotel and if you fancy a stroll, wild swim or some watersports, then you are only a stone’s throw from Enniscrone Beach. 
2. Mount Falcon Estate, Mayo- Situated in the heart of the Moy Valley this 4-star Victorian Gothic manor house has become known as the most romantic house in Ireland and has been frequented by celebrities such as actor and golf fan Bill Murray. Situated along The Wild Atlantic Way, you can experience luxury accommodation, award winning food and an abundance of activities to enjoy within the 100 acre estate. You can fish on the banks of Ireland’s beautiful River Moy, the most prolific Salmon River in Ireland, enjoy some falconry or try your hand at the Clay Shooting range. There is also a driving range and 3km of forest trails.
3. Great National Hotel Ballina, Mayo - This contemporary four-star hotel, located just a few minutes drive from Ballina town is a good family-friendly option in the Enniscrone area. There is McShane’s Bar & Bistro onsite and the Éidin Spa and Leisure Centre, including a Swimming Pool, Steam Room, Sauna and Gym.
4. The Glasshouse Hotel, Sligo - It is hard to miss this 4-star city centre hotel, shaped like a ship in the dock and towering dramatically over the Garavogue River. It has a chic modern vibe with great city views and proximity to all downtown Sligo has to offer. Make sure you book your room well in advance as this hotel fills up fast.

Where To Go For Something Different

• The Yeats Trail, Sligo - The poet William Butler Yeats referred to Sligo as the ‘Land of Hearts’ Desire’ and his love for the County is reflected in his poems. The Yeats Trail links the most important sites in the County associated with Yeats. There are 14 sites, which each have a unique artistic installation. We would thoroughly recommend Number 5- Benbulben for a walk and chance to get up close and personal with County Sligo's famous landmark. This large flat-topped mountain was shaped during the Ice Age when the Irish landscape was beneath glaciers. 
• Blacksod Lighthouse, Mayo - Blacksod Lighthouse has shone brightly over Blacksod Point for over 150 years. Here you have a rare opportunity to have a guided tour of a working lighthouse overlooking the pier at the southern end of the Mullet Peninsula and the entrance to Blacksod Bay. 
• Enniscrone Traditional Hot Seaweed Baths, Mayo - In 1912 the doors of Kilcullen’s Bath House opened for business. Each visitor can expect exclusive use of a private bathing room complete with an individual wooden steam cabinet - with only your head exposed, your body is gently steamed with pure moist vapour. This is followed by a bath full of hot sea water with added seaweed and ended with an invigorating cold sea water shower. Prepare to be transported back in time as the bath house retains all the original Edwardian features and charm. It is a relaxing and unique experience which leaves your skin feeling moisturised and refreshed. 

Where To Eat & Drink

• Gilroy's Bar & Ait Eile Restaurant, Enniscrone - Traditional Irish pub with downstairs restaurant offering excellent choice of fresh seafood and artisan meats. Local favourites such as The Black Pig of Enniscrone and Seafood Linguine 
  
• WB’s Coffee House & The Sligo Bay Oyster Experience - In the heart of Sligo you will find WB’s Coffee House, named after WB Yeats, serving tasty café fare along with the freshest oysters. The Oyster Experience is supplied directly from the Coney Island working oyster farm on the shores of Sligo bay. You can have your oysters natural, baked or try the Oyster Po' Boy Sandwich. 

• The Beach bar, Aughris Head - This is not a hostelry which you will just stumble across but it is worth making a point of visiting. This quirky and traditional 300 year old thatched pub and restaurant by the beach is open whatever the weather. In the summer you can sit outside with a cool Guinness and admire the unspoiled Aughris beach in Sligo bay, with the Atlantic waves rolling in and the Ox mountains behind you. Or you can warm up with an Irish coffee in front of the open fire within the thick walls of this thatched hidden gem.

What we enjoy most about visiting Ireland is a feeling of being at home. It is hard to beat a round of links golf surrounded by the wild Irish landscape, finishing off with a seat and a dram in front of an open fire and some good craic. As they say when they raise a glass - Sláinte!!