Dublin & The East Coast Golf Tour

An Unforgettable Trip with Links of Ireland

By Brian Weis

Every golfer has a bucket list, and for me and my four golf buddies, Ireland was at the top. We wanted a true Irish golf experience-legendary links courses, a few parkland classics, proper Guinness, and zero stress.

That's where Justin Farrell and Links of Ireland Golf & Travel came in. Justin took care of everything-tee times, accommodations, transportation, and even some off-course adventures. All we had to do was show up, swing, and soak in the experience.

It turned out to be the golf trip of a lifetime-five world-class courses, six nights in Dublin, and enough unforgettable moments to last us forever.

A First-Class Arrival in Dublin

We flew in from Chicago to Dublin, and thanks to Justin's planning, there was no rental car stress, no navigating the left side of the road, no wrong turns. Instead, a private luxury transfer was waiting for us at the airport, ready to whisk us away to our accommodations for the week-the Mespil Hotel.

Located along the Grand Canal, the Mespil Hotel was the perfect base. Comfortable, modern, and close to Dublin's best pubs and restaurants, it gave us a perfect mix of relaxation and nightlife after long days on the course.

That first night, we met up with Justin for a welcome dinner, where he walked us through our itinerary, shared some local knowledge, and made sure we were fully prepped for the adventure ahead.

Then, of course, we had our first round of Guinness-because when in Dublin, you start the trip the right way.

Day 1: County Louth (Baltray) - A Classic Irish Links Start

We kicked off the trip at County Louth Golf Club (Baltray), a pure, traditional links just north of Dublin. The winds off the Irish Sea were swirling, and it didn't take long for us to realize that links golf is a whole different game.

The firm fairways, deep bunkers, and fast greens kept us on our toes, but Baltray is fair-rewarding good shots and punishing mistakes just enough to make you want another go at it.

We wrapped up the round with pints in the clubhouse, laughing about bunker disasters and our first taste of Irish golf at its finest.

Day 2: The Island Golf Club - A Dune-Filled Masterpiece

If you love golf in the dunes, The Island Golf Club is paradise. Hidden among some of the tallest dunes in Ireland, this course is as scenic as it is challenging.

There were moments where we had to stop and just take it all in-the views, the wild landscapes, and the feeling of playing a course that still feels undiscovered.

One of the highlights was the par-3 13th, playing straight into the wind. My 3-iron came up short, and one of my buddies tried to muscle a driver (it didn't end well). But that's links golf-you adapt, laugh at your mistakes, and try again.

Day 3: Jameson Links - Whiskey & Golf, A Perfect Pairing

Formerly Portmarnock Links, the newly rebranded Jameson Links delivered everything we hoped for-fast-running fairways, stunning seaside views, and some of the best greens of the trip.

And the best part? A post-round Jameson whiskey tasting.

Justin had it all lined up-a guided tour where we learned the history of Jameson, tasted some of Ireland's finest whiskey, and debated which was smoother-a perfect single malt or our best 9-iron approach of the day.

Day 4: The Island Golf Club (Again!) - Because Once Wasn't Enough

Some courses deserve a second round, and The Island was one of them.

This time, we played smarter-taking safer lines, avoiding the worst of the bunkers, and actually hitting some fairways. But, as always, the Irish wind had a say in things, and just when we thought we had it figured out, a sudden gust would send a drive into the fescue.

Still, we felt like we belonged-at least until the scorecards said otherwise.

Day 5: The K Club (Ryder Cup Course) - A Different Kind of Test

After four rounds of links golf, The K Club's Ryder Cup Course was a completely different test. Lush fairways, massive greens, and plenty of water hazards-this was the course where Tiger, Sergio, and Darren Clarke battled it out in the 2006 Ryder Cup.

The fairways were generous, but the approach shots were demanding. We all tried to channel our inner Ryder Cup legends, but let's just say the pros made it look easier than it is.

The Links of Ireland Difference

Looking back, what made this trip truly unforgettable wasn't just the golf-it was the seamless, stress-free experience that Justin Farrell put together.

* Tee times? Locked in and ready.
* Luxury transfers? No rental car headaches, just a smooth ride.
* Accommodations? Perfectly located and comfortable.
* Local experiences? Whiskey tastings, Dublin nightlife, and the best post-round pints.

Justin made sure this was more than just a golf trip-it was a true Irish adventure.

The Lasting Memories

As our week wrapped up, we found ourselves in a cozy Dublin pub, pints in hand, reflecting on the trip.

We laughed about lost balls, impossible bunker shots, and wild wind gusts. We toasted to the courses that challenged us, the Guinness that refreshed us, and the memories that will last a lifetime.

If you're thinking about a golf trip to Ireland, do yourself a favor-book with Links of Ireland Golf & Travel.

Justin Farrell planned the trip of a lifetime, and we'll be talking about this one for years to come.

For more information on this incredible itinerary, visit:
Links of Ireland Golf & Travel
https://linksofireland.com/

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Revised: 03/02/2025 - Article Viewed 304 Times

About: Brian Weis

Brian Weis is the mastermind behind GolfTrips.com, a vast network of golf travel and directory sites covering everything from the rolling fairways of Wisconsin to the sunbaked desert layouts of Arizona. If there’s a golf destination worth visiting, chances are, Brian has written about it, played it, or at the very least, found a way to justify a "business trip" there.

As a card-carrying member of the Golf Writers Association of America (GWAA), International Network of Golf (ING), Golf Travel Writers of America (GTWA), International Golf Travel Writers Association (IGTWA), and The Society of Hickory Golfers (SoHG), Brian has the credentials to prove that talking about golf is his full-time job. In 2016, his peers even handed him The Shaheen Cup, a prestigious award in golf travel writing—essentially the Masters green jacket for guys who don’t hit the range but still know where the best 19th holes are.

Brian’s love for golf goes way back. As a kid, he competed in junior and high school golf, only to realize that his dreams of a college golf scholarship had about the same odds as a 30-handicap making a hole-in-one. Instead, he took the more practical route—working on the West Bend Country Club grounds crew to fund his University of Wisconsin education. Little did he know that mowing greens and fixing divots would one day lead to a career writing about the best courses on the planet.

In 2004, Brian turned his golf passion into a business, launching GolfWisconsin.com. Three years later, he expanded his vision, and GolfTrips.com was born—a one-stop shop for golf travel junkies looking for their next tee time. Today, his empire spans all 50 states, and 20+ international destinations.

On the course, Brian is a weekend warrior who oscillates between a 5 and 9 handicap, depending on how much he's been traveling (or how generous he’s feeling with his scorecard). His signature move" A high, soft fade that his playing partners affectionately (or not-so-affectionately) call "The Weis Slice." But when he catches one clean, his 300+ yard drives remind everyone that while he may write about golf for a living, he can still send a ball into the next zip code with the best of them.

Whether he’s hunting down the best public courses, digging up hidden gems, or simply outdriving his buddies, Brian Weis is living proof that golf is more than a game—it’s a way of life.