Our passion is golf and in particular traveling to play the game. We have been fortunate to play some of the world's best courses in places like Arizona, Palm Springs, Florida and Hawaii. In our opinion the highlight of all golf trips is the southwest of Ireland and the many courses available to play there. We have organized many tours to the area over the years and have brought groups of various sizes, culminating in a large trip of 32 players in September 2014. The partnerships we have built up over the years have allowed us to give the true golf experience to many friends and fellow golfers and we would love to use our experience to provide a complete package trip for your party.

Send us an inquiry and we will create a package just for you.

What courses should we play?

Most people want to play links courses as that is what they think of with Ireland golf. I like to alternate between links and parkland not only for a change of scenery but also if the weather is inclement the links can take a lot out of you so playing a parkland next day can be a bit of a break before you return to links. We have a world-class parkland course beside our property that has hosted 4 Irish Open tournaments and that’s a must play. Dooks is a links course about a half hour away and its known as the hidden gem.

What are the big three?

These are the three big links courses close to our house. They are Tralee, Waterville and Ballybunion. These are outstanding world-class courses and are a must play for any golf enthusiast. All have outstanding ocean side scenery and a lot of history. Check out their websites for further information. I believe that Ballybunion is the best course I have ever played anywhere in the world.

Are there great Parkland courses we should play besides Killarney?

Yes. The two others that I would suggest are Adare Manor which has also hosted an Irish Open and the popular Old Head in Kinsale.

Why would we stay in Killarney?

This is what I feel most strongly about. I think the biggest mistake most golf groups make is that they travel too much each day, bouncing around different parts of the country checking in and out of hotels after and before their golf rounds. In all of the trips that I have organized we arrive at our destination, drop our bags and let the fun begin. When you arrive at the Sanctuary first day we have golf bag storage and you can unpack in the room that will become your home for the week. From that point until you are ready to return home you can easily commute to the nearby courses.

How do we get to the golf courses and get priority tee times?

We provide a driver and luxury bus for your group for the week. We have partnered with Kerry Coaches and SWING to arrange transportation and golf times to suit your needs. Both companies are experts in their field and we have a longstanding history together. Each trip is customized to suit the group's needs.

1) WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE AREA?

2) WHAT IS THE BEST GOLF HOLE IN THE AREA?

3) DO YOU HAVE A MOST MEMORABLE GOLF HOLE?

4) WHAT COURSE HAVE YOU SCORED BEST ON?

5) WHATS YOUR FAVORITE CLUBHOUSE?

6) WHAT IS THE BEST BAR TO VISIT AFTER A ROUND OF GOLF?

7) WHAT IS THE BIGGEST DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PLAYING GOLF IN IRELAND VERSUS PLAYING IN USA?

8) WHAT WOULD YOUR DREAM FOURBALL BE (3 OTHERS TO PLAY WITH YOU)?

9) NAME THE TOP 3 COURSES YOU HAVE PLAYED OUTSIDE OF IRELAND?

10) WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE GOING GOLFING IN IRELAND FOR THE FIRST TIME?

SWING - South West Ireland Golf

Sandhill Road, Ballybunion, County Kerry

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www.ballybuniongolfclub.ie

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email

Located by the Atlantic Ocean, Ballybunion Golf Club has two traditional links golf courses. They are both unique in character, testing all aspects of shot making.

011 353 68 27146

068 27146

Map

“If sheer pleasure is the yardstick, then Ballybunion’s Old Course gets my vote as the No. 1 in the world.” So said Peter Dobereiner, the famous English golf writer.

Dobereiner was doing no more than reflecting the views of the locals who somehow knew through all of their struggles for survival since the day the club was founded way back in 1893 that Ballybunion Links Golf in Ireland was an unknown treasure waiting for the outside world to come and discover it.

Although, it did not happen internationally until the late 1960s, there were hints. Notably in 1936 when the English architect, Tom Simpson, was hired to prepare the course for the Irish Amateur Close Championship one year later.

See more at Ballybunion Old Course.

Course Map

It’s simple really, if the Cashen Course at Ballybunion Golf Club was anywhere else it would attract far more attention and plaudits than it does. It’s hard on a girl if her older sister is Sophia Loren!

Although built on similar, stirring terrain to The Old Course in the 1980s, in many ways ‘The Cashen’ is more irascible, more spectacular, more flirtatious, more brutal and more unforgiving and more difficult to tame than her older, more famous sibling.

In a strong wind, ‘Miss Cashen’ verges on being impossible – her dunes are higher, her valleys are deeper, her greens more undulating. The links changes mood unrecognizably from one day to the next.

See more at Ballybunion Cashen Course.

Course Map

End of Mahony's Point

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www.killarney-golf.com

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email

In 1893 when the Club was founded, forty members formed the Club paying an annual subscription of 10 shillings each. The Earl of Kenmare, the local landlord, gave use of some of his land in an area of land in Killarney called Deerpark and became President of the Club. (Deerpark, the location of the original Club is situated on the current Killarney town bypass).

Earl of Kenmare

The fourth Earl of Kenmare, Valentine Browne, had a keen interest in the development of the Killarney area. Patron of the Golf Club, he became it's first president in 1893 and held that position until his death in 1905. After the 4th Earl's death the Presidency was held afterwards by succeeding members of the Kenmare Family.

New Location - Mahony's Point

A shock decision in 1936 by the land agent for the Earl of Kenmare to increase the rent for the course from a nominal 1 / (5p) to £75 a year jolted the members into looking for an alternative location for the Club. It proved to be a fortuitous move for the Club, when the Club's President, the Viscount Castlerosse led the campaign to provide Killarney with "the best and most beautiful course in the World". With this is mind Killarney Golf Club Ltd was formed in 1937 to build a course at its present location.

For their full history, please visit Killarney Golf.

011 353 68 27146

068 27146

Map

The Killeen course is very much the flagship course at the club. The Killarney lakes and high mountain range provide an imposing backdrop to this Championship course. Re-opened in June 2006 the course is slightly longer with faster greens that have been brought closer to the water hazards around the course. At 6593 metres it will challenge long hitters with accuracy being vital as there is water on virtually every hole.

Killeen was the host venue of the 2010 and 2011 Irish Open with England's Ross Fisher and Simon Dyson emerging the respective winners.

Nick Faldo on winning The Irish Open in 1991 was one of only three players to finish under par. The challenging golf is matched by the spectacular views with the 10th being a firm favourite where you are playing virtually onto the lake.

See more at Killeen.

Course Map

The shortest of our three courses has spectacular views of the famous Killarney lakes overlooked by the McGillicuddy Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland. The final three holes are breathtaking as you play towards the lake with the 18th described as “one of the most memorable holes in Golf”, a par three of nearly 200 yards that requires a huge carry across the corner of the lake. Discover for yourself why the 18th is the most photographed in the world.

See more at Mahony's Point Course.

Course Map

066 947 4102

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Waterville, County Kerry

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www.watervillegolfclub.ie

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wvgolf@iol.ie

Golf at Waterville is a mystical experience – the beauty of classic links land, surrounded by the sea, yet forever challenged and shaped by the elements. Over 100 years old, Waterville is rated among the top 5 courses in Ireland and the top 20 links courses in the world.

Links golf combines sand dunes gorse and native grasses, firm fairways, sod faced bunkers and subtle putting surfaces all intertwined by the ever changing weather.

Forget the lob wedge. Think bump and run and creative shot making. Are you ready to walk in the footsteps of Irelands earliest golfers?

011 353 66 947 4102

066 947 4102

Map

Waterville and Ballinskelligs Bay play an important part in the mythology of ancient Ireland. According to the “Book of Invasions” written about 1000 AD, Cessair, the granddaughter of Noah, landed in Ballinskelligs Bay and became Ireland’s first invader. Here too, the last of the mythical invaders, the Milesians, settled in 700 BC and reportedly left behind many of the archaeological sites found in the area. These rich legends, along with the earliest memories of Kerry history, combine to form a mystical aura that visitors to Waterville can sense even today. No area captures this feeling more than the sand hills and strand that border Ballinskelligs Bay and form the present day Waterville Golf Links.

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066 713 6379

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West Barrow, Ardfert, Tralee, County Kerry

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www.traleegolfclub.com

Situated on the rugged Atlantic coast of Ireland’s south west lies the sensational Arnold Palmer designed Tralee Golf Course, a unique combination of traditional seaside golf links and world famous scenery. The links features towering dunes, undulating fairways, punishing rough and cliff top tees and greens.

View the white sandy beaches and the ocean waves breaking across the rocks against a backdrop of the majestic Slieve Mish mountain range running along the Dingle peninsula to the West. After your round of golf, retire to the clubhouse and savour some fine Irish hospitality in our bar and restaurant while taking in the panoramic views.

We invite you to come and join us and share in this unique experience.

011 353 66 713 6379

066 713 6379

Map

Instituted October 1, 1896, Tralee Golf Club opened its present Arnold Palmer-designed course for play at Barrow in October, 1984, after moving from its nine-hole course at Mounthawk near Tralee. It was a great achievement for the Club. Having decided to buy land at Barrow back in 1980, the members dream of seeing the Club attain world-wide status has been realized.

Back in 1896 the Club had its first nine-hole course in Tralee, believed to be where the Sports field is now located. A year later, in 1897, it opened a nine-hole course in Fenit on the south-western side of Barrow Harbour. There were 120 members then (compared to today's 1,300) who paid a subscription of 10 shillings a year, with visitors having one week free play as introduction.

During the 'Troubles', in the 1920's, a Captain Lionel Hewson was hired to design a new course in Oakpark, Tralee. He was suspicious of the men who sat around on the demesne walls watching him while he measured and made notes. He wrote later that 'bullets used to fly in those days on little provocation. He had reason to cast a wary eye – a Major McKinnon in the Auxiliary Division of the Royal Irish Constabulary was shot dead on the course in March, 1921, while playing golf.

The above is an excerpt from a book on the local area entitled Links: Barrow & Hinterland by Mary O’Connor.

Individual holes on the course have also played their own unique roles in history:

1st & 2nd

The spectacular view of beach, which runs at the back of the 1st hole and to the right of 2nd hole was the location of the beach scenes of the 1970 epic movie Ryan’s Daughter, which won the Academy Award for Best Cinematography.

3rd, 4th, 5th & 7th

The tower at the back of the 3rd green dates back to the 1190s, while legend has it that the big sandstone rock at the end of the wall running diagonally between the fourth and fifth fairways was hurled by the mythical Cuchullain from the top of the Sliabh Mish, the mountain that can be seen to the south. If one looks closely, what were supposed to be the imprint of his giant fingers can be seen on the boulder? The back of the 7th tee box overlooks the Randy, a small harbour that was a haven for smugglers in earlier centuries.

15th

The stretch of beach just north of the 15th tee box is the lonely part of Banna Strand on which Roger Casement was landed from a U-boat on Good Friday 1916. He was arrested a short distance away, tried for treason in London, and executed.

16th & 17th

The beach behind the 16th green and off the right of the 17th hole was where many ships ran aground, including one vessel from the Spanish Armada in 1588.