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Explore the Emerald Isle: Ultimate Golf Tour in Ireland

This is the classic golf tour in Ireland, quintessential Irish experience. This route, concentrated in Counties Clare, Kerry, and Cork, is defined by its staggering coastal beauty and a collection of "bucket-list" courses that are household names worldwide: Ballybunion, Lahinch, Waterville, and Old Head.

Because this is the most popular route for North American travelers, it boasts the most developed and mature 5-star luxury infrastructure. It is home to transcendent castle and manor hotels such as Adare Manor and Dromoland Castle. This route also aligns perfectly with Ireland's most famous non-golf sightseeing, including the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry, which can be seamlessly woven into the itinerary. The logistical flow is streamlined by arriving and departing via Shannon Airport (SNN), which places a traveler within an hour of the first tee. This itinerary is best executed as a "hub-and-spoke" model, moving between 3-4 luxury bases

A. Detailed Day-by-Day Itinerary: The Southwest.

Day 1: Arrival and start your Golf Tour in Ireland

Arrival: Arrive at Shannon Airport (SNN). This is the ideal gateway for the Southwest, located less than an hour's drive from the first hotel hub , compared to a 3+ hour transfer from Dublin.
Transport: A private chauffeur greets the group. The vehicle, typically a Mercedes Sprinter, will have ample room for all luggage and golf clubs (see Part VIII-B).
Hotel (Hub 1): Check-in for 4 nights at Adare Manor or Dromoland Castle. Both are world-class 5-star castle resorts. Adare Manor offers a modern, opulent Ryder Cup experience , while Dromoland provides a deep, authentic 16th-century royal heritage.
Activity: Settle in. Optional warm-up round on the superb on-site parkland course at Adare Manor or Dromoland Castle if flights permit.

Day 2: The Ryder Cup Jewel

Golf (Round 1): The Golf Course at Adare Manor. A pristine, Tom Fazio-designed parkland masterpiece and host of the 2027 Ryder Cup. The course is known for its immaculate conditioning and sub-air systems, guaranteeing playability.
Sightseeing: For non-golfers or post-round, explore the Adare Manor estate, which offers activities like falconry, archery, and fishing.
Evening: Michelin-starred dining at The Oak Room at Adare Manor or the more relaxed (but still exceptional) Carriage House.

Day 3: The Classic Links & The Cliffs

Golf (Round 2): Lahinch Golf Club (Old Course). Travel from Adare (~1.5 hrs). This is the "St. Andrews of Ireland" , a revered links designed by Old Tom Morris and Alister MacKenzie. Prepare for the eccentricities of the blind "Klondyke" and "Dell" holes.
Sightseeing (Integrated): Following the round, drive 15 minutes to the Cliffs of Moher. Visiting in the late afternoon is a key strategic move: the crowds depart, and the cliffs are open until 9:00 PM in summer , offering a vastly superior experience with sunset views. Pre-booking tickets is essential.
Evening: walk into Adare Village, Great restaurants and Local Pubs

Day 4: The 'Ballybunion Old Course

Activity: Travel from Adare (~1.5 hrs)
Golf (Round 3): Ballybunion Golf Club (Old Course). Consistently ranked in the world's Top 20, this is a "rite of passage" for links purists, set among towering, rugged dunes.
Evening: Return to Adare Manor: Dinner at The Manor

Day 5: Transfer to Killarney & The Kingdom

Activity: Hotel transfer day. Check out of Adare/Dromoland.
Golf (Round 4): Tralee Golf Club. This was Arnold Palmer's first European design. The front nine is a gentle warm-up; the back nine is considered one of the most scenic and dramatic stretches of links golf in the world.
Travel: After the round, drive ~50 minutes to Killarney.
Hotel (Hub 2): Check-in for 4 nights at The Killarney Park Hotel. This is the strategic choice for Killarney: it is the town's premier 5-star hotel and is located in the town center. This allows the group to walk to all pubs and restaurants, a perfect contrast to the previous resort-based stay.

Day 6: The Gem of the Ring

Golf (Round 5): Waterville Golf Links. This is the longest excursion from the Killarney hub (~1 hour 15-minute drive). The drive itself is the sightseeing, tracing a large portion of the iconic Ring of Kerry. The course is a remote, majestic, and rhythmic links on a headland.
Evening: Return to Killarney. Dinner at the hotel's The Peregrine or The Tan Yard for excellent steaks. Afterwards, visit O'Connors Pub or Courtney's Bar for authentic traditional music.

Day 7: A Well-Earned Rest (The Dingle Peninsula)

Activity: Full Day Sightseeing (No Golf). This mid-trip break is critical for pacing and recovery.
Excursion: The Slea Head Drive. Drive to Dingle town and embark on the 30-mile coastal loop. The route is narrow and must be driven clockwise to accommodate tour buses. Key stops include the dramatic Dunquin Pier , the stunning Coumeenoole Beach , and the ancient Gallarus Oratory.

Day 8: The Hidden Gem & The National Park

Golf (Round 6): Dooks Golf Club. A "hidden gem" and one of Ireland's oldest links, founded in 1889. Less punishing than its championship neighbors, Dooks offers breathtaking views of Dingle Bay and a thoroughly enjoyable round.
Sightseeing (Integrated): Requires an early tee time. After the round, explore Killarney National Park. Take a guided tour of the Victorian-era Muckross House & Gardens. Note that last admission for house tours can be as early as 4:40 PM, so scheduling is key

Day 9: The Final Transfer & The Doonbeg Links

Activity: Hotel transfer day. This is a heavy travel day, underscoring the need for a private driver.
Travel: Check out of Killarney Park. Drive north back into County Clare (~2 hours).
Golf (Round 7): Trump International Golf Links Doonbeg. A modern links masterpiece designed by Greg Norman and redesigned by Martin Hawtree , known for its massive dunes and spectacular 1st and 18th holes.
Travel: After the round, drive south to Kinsale (~3 hours).
Hotel (Hub 3): Check-in for 2 nights at the Suites at Old Head Golf Links. This is the ultimate "bucket list" accommodation, allowing for an unparalleled on-property experience

Day 10: The Most Spectacular Setting in Golf

Golf (Round 8): Old Head Golf Links. The grand finale. A 220-acre diamond of land jutting two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. This is less a traditional links and more a pure, sensory-overload spectacle. Nine holes play along 300-foot cliffs, with the lighthouse as a constant backdrop.
Sightseeing: The course is the sightseeing.
Evening: Celebratory dinner at the on-site de Courcey Restaurant or in the Lusitania Bar.