The Celtic Challenge Golf Tour
Your 'Experience' of Ireland
You'll need to get your clubs out and give us your best swing for this ten day challenge! I must warn you though... you'll need a brave amount of balls for some of these courses. ;)
Ireland is a world-class golf destination with an impressive 58 links courses single handedly accounting for a third of all the natural links courses on the planet. It's common for these facilities to have high winds, few trees, and dramatic sand dunes (some as high as 200 feet)--
all of which require a certain skill set to play well. In addition, most courses also have amazing coastal views, which only adds to the challenge as it's hard to keep your eye on the ball!
We've included a variety of courses including Royal Portrush Golf Club established in 1888 in County Antrim which routinely ranked among the world's top 20 courses. Beyond the links courses, there are hundreds more parkland and heath-land golf courses in Ireland, many over a century old, as well as new courses, such as the Jack Nicklaus-designed Mount Juliet Golf Course near Kilkenny, that incorporate the latest course-design philosophies. Although we couldn't include them all, we did include some of the best throughout this tour.
As this is only a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour! Each day we'll collect you for tee time, we'll have a light lunch when it suits your fancy, we'll get you sorted at each course throughout your tour and settle you into your 'home' for the evening as well as make recommendations for your dining pleasure. Scroll down to view your 10 day challenge...
Total cost for this 10 day Challenge is €15000.00 total per person sharing with an additional €500.00 for single occupancy. Secure our services and your tee times for this 10 day challenge by submitting our required €1000.00 deposit per group followed by an email letting us know your intended dates if we've not discussed them already. Once deposit has been received, we'll tweak your itinerary so that it meets (exceeds) your expectations! It's your tour and we'll do it your way!
Your challenge will include...
1) Your personal driver / guide providing history, folklore and of
course...challenges!
2) 4-5 Star accommodation with a traditional full Irish breakfast.
3) Comfortable touring vehicle that meets all EU inspection standards
inclusive of free wifi, snacks and expenses for fuel and driver.
4) Green fees on each course throughout your tour.
5) An experience worth writing home about!
6) Risk free cancellation policy T&C’s apply
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
County Meath...
Welcome to Ireland! ;-) As you'll be arriving in the morning, we'll begin with a tour of Trim Castle (filming location for Braveheart) before we hit an outstanding 36 hole parkland complex dominated by magnificent specimen trees and river scenery. Both courses take full advantage of the natural beauty of one of Ireland’s oldest and finest estates. We'll then get a good nights sleep in a 4-5 star rated hotel near by so you'll be well rested for tomorrows challenge. :)
You may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour and we'll do it your way!
Day 2
County Down ...
We'll make our way into the north and challenge another club consisting of two courses. The first is reputed to be a very testing course, with magnificent views of sea, mountains and duneland. After a light lunch (and a drop), we'll play the second course set against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne. This links course stretches along the shores of Dundrum Bay, zigzagging back and forth providing a different vista from virtually every hole. We'll settle you into your 'home' for the evening at a 4-5* hotel in Antrim for a relaxing drop and a well needed sleep.
As this is a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour and we'll do it your way!
Day 3
County Antrim ...
We'll start today with a visit to Giant's Causeway followed by a tour of Bushmills Distillery to get a light lunch & complimentary drop before we brave a course voted 12th in the world by Golf Magazine. The unimaginable rough and testing greens, combined with the unpredictable weather of the roaring North Atlantic make this course an admirable test for even the most seasoned golf aficionado. We'll retire for the night in Co Donegal to be well prepared for the next days challenge :)
As this is a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour!
Day 4
County Donegal ...
We'll drive along the beautiful Lough Swilly, through the very scenic village of Rathmullen to our next tee box. This gem of Irish golf holds a lasting memory for every golfer of a truly outstanding golf links. Golfers have the opportunity to play golf on an original golf links design. Unspoiled, uncrowded, natural links land, surrounded by spectacular mountains and beautiful white sandy beaches. We'll get you settled in for the night near Donegal Town so that we're well rested for the next challenge :)
As this is a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour!
Day 5
County Sligo ...
We'll play today's round near Sligo town shortly after touring the world renowned Beleek China Factory where you'll have the oppurtunity to shop for the ones back home. This course features rugged dunes and the estuary of the River Moy as it flows to the Atlantic Ocean, all set against the backdrop of the Nephin and Ox Mountains. A spectacluar golf course in spectacular surroundings. From the moment you arrive there is an air of specialty about the place. Former Irish international, Noel Fogarty would approve of the opening hole - it begs to be played. The real challenge of this course is an elevated green protected on both sides by sand hills and the margin for error is small. We'll spend the night treated like Royalty in the beautiful Connemara region of Co. Mayo.
As this is a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour!
Day 6
County Clare ...
We'll begin today by passing through the 3rd largest city of Ireland, Galway where we'll also see the beautiful Galway Bay then on through the Burren, the largest limestone flat in the world. Next you'll tee-off at the St Andrews of Ireland consisting of two courses while you take in the breathtaking views of the Cliffs of Moher. You'll be able to enjoy 36 holes and be well ready for a drop in the club house after this challenge! You'll then spend the night at a 4* hotel in Ennis before meeting the next days challenge.
As this is a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour!
Day 7
County Kerry ...
We'll meet todays challenge at a course situated in a panoramic setting in a corner of Dingle Bay on the Ring of Kerry. It was founded in 1889 and is one of the ten oldest Golf Clubs in Ireland but no less challenging. As this is such a brilliant course, you have the option of playing it twice or enjoying a few attractions in the area. We'll spend the night at a 4-5* hotel in Killarney.
As this is a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour!
Day 8
County Kilkenny ...
We'll begin today with a guided tour of Midelton Distillery before we arrive for tee-off at another world renowned parkland course that opened in 1991 with a match featuring golfing legends Christy O'Connor Snr and Jack Nicklaus. This beautiful and challenging course has established itself as a premier golfing venue for top professionals as well as leisure golfers worldwide. It was the first Jack Nicklaus designed golf course in Ireland. You won't have to go far to settle in after celebrating your par scores (fingers crossed) as this estate also offers one of the finest hotels in Ireland.
As this is a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour!
Day 9
County Kildare ...
This morning we'll get an insight to what our ancestors experienced while immigrating with a guided tour of Dunbrody Famine Ship before we set the tee for a Ryder Cup experience in Co. Kildare. This club offers two challenging courses - the first being quite simply, one of Europe's most spectacular courses. It charms, it entices and invariably, brings out the very best in your game. It is unlikely that you will be asked to tackle the course from the championship tees, but this should in no way diminish the excitement of pitting your wits against Arnold Palmer, for, in a sense, this is precisely what you are about to do. The second course was to ensure that a comparison with the first course would be difficult and that the golfers experience would be completely different. When this brief was given to the design company, they came up with a concept, which was radical with regards to golf course developments throughout the World.
You'll retire for the evening at a 5* hotel located just beside these incredible courses so that you're well rested for your journey back to share your experiences :)
As this is a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour!
Day 10
County Dublin ...
We'll bid you a safe journey home while leaving you at Dublin Airport and look forward to your next visit to Ireland.
As this is a sample, you may make changes to suit or book this tour as it's drafted...it's your tour!
Exclusions ...
Airfare, meals and drinks. (a full Irish breakfast will be included and gratuities to be at your discretion).