Battling the Elements on Ireland’s Wild West Coast
“That’s not a golf course, it’s a bloody battlefield,” remarked by husband Bill as we stepped up to the first tee on the Old Course at Lahinch.
Indeed, with pot bunkers the depth of graves, tall marram grass and fescue waiting to snag your Titleist and a savage wind, we were about to embark on a glorious battle against …
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him onGoogle+
We always like to keep up to date with new restaurants that our clients would enjoy, and so far this year the new Vanillarestaurant in Newcastle, County Down has been getting some very good reviews from our clients.
Opened in October last year the restaurant specialises in preparing dishes from the finest local ingredients. You can see full details of the menus if you click here. Yum!
By Alastair Niven. Alastair has been with PerryGolf for over 9 years and is one of your Golf Travel Specialists.
For golfers, one of the more compelling golf video’s to watch…like a reverse car crash in NASCAR….it will bring a smile to your face! http://bit.ly/dfwVW9
About the Author: Gordon Dalgleish is the Co-Founding Director of PerryGolf, the leading provider of international golf vacations. You can find him onGoogle+
Ever wondered what the difference is in the full breakfast as you travel around the countries that make up the UK? Eggs and bacon will be included everywhere, but what accompanies them may differ.
In England you can expect to find sausages, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms and may be offered black pudding, baked beans and fried bread. Breakfast tea is usually stronger than most other varieties and toast and marmalade will be on the table.
In Scotland, porridge made from oatmeal is considered a must and can be eaten with cream and either salt or something sweet such as honey. The bacon and eggs may be accompanied by a flat sausage (know as lorne) rather than links sausages. There will be grilled tomatoes and mushrooms and probably black pudding, fruit pudding and haggis. Oatcakes are often offered and are a savoury, slightly salty biscuit.
Ireland is famous for its delicious soda bread and this will be on the table at breakfast too. Irish breakfast can also include a white pudding. In Northern Ireland, the Ulster breakfast is usually a full English plus soda bread. Wales has it’s own variety of bread made from seaweed – laver or lava bread – give it a try!
By Yvonne Shaw. Yvonne has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is a member of our admin team
Old Head Golf Links has gone througha massive refurbishment over the past few years; transforming into a beautiful five star resort. With 15 brand new suites, all overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the golf course, or both, it’s proving to be one of the most charming golf resorts in Ireland. I was privileged to be invited to stayovernight shortly after the suites opened…and what a visit it proved to be. The rooms are as good as any you’re likely to find in Ireland; tastefully decorated, and extremely spacious with everything (and more) that you’d expect from a five star hotel. The highlight for me was the relaxing in the bath while enjoying watching golf on the bathroom’s flat screen TV…the perfect way to finish the evening after a mouth watering seafood platter in the main restaurant.
Old Head Golf Links
Having never played the course before, it made the trip even more special as it’s a fantastic links, and possibly the most spectacular I’ve ever played. It stands at the top of the cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. 9 holes play directly along the cliff tops and all 18 have views out to sea. Add that to the beautiful lighthouse at the far end of the course, and you have an awe-inspiring view no matter which way you’re facing. Don’t be fooled though, as the Old Head Golf Links is much more than just an exceptionally scenic course – it’s a great test of golf, with some mind blowing holes. It’s also an immaculately looked after course and so tends to be in absolutely perfect condition all season. Even the weather was exceptional and my golf was up to the test for once, having carded a gross 75…so it was a great trip all round. If you’ve never been to Old Head before, be sure to add it to the list of ‘must plays’. With the fantastic new suites, it’s got to be considered a ‘must stay’ as well.
By Keith Baird. Keith has been with PerryGolf for over 10 years and is one of our Golf Travel Specialists.
