Exclusively Irish Golf Vacations
Combining regions or completing circuits
Ireland's Best
Ireland probably has three golf playing regions (with an emerging fourth).
South West (Ballybunion & Lahinch)
Dublin Area (Portmarnock)
The North (RCD & Portrush)
The North West (the emerging fourth)
It’s possible to spend a week in any of them if you wanted a lower intensity experience, but most visiting golfers will look to merge two of them together over a 7-8 night duration, or combine them with Scotland (or even England).
Ireland’s golf courses are more dispersed than Scotland’s so we usually find we’re being asked to do a higher mileage
We haven’t built a dedicated north west package, but are increasingly becoming persuaded by the value it has to offer. We should perhaps treat this as a separate enquiry if anyone is interested
Click from the Menu below to explore in greater detail
The geography and pull of Irish golf is designed to tantalise us. The two strongest regions (the south-west, and the north) can both make claims for primacy and become quite difficult to separate. To link them together however, we have to go through Dublin (often our point of arrival anyway). It stands to reason perhaps then, that any itinerary claiming to represent the best that the island of Ireland can offer, needs to combine them all
Duration
Typically about 11 nights
Features
Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Rosapenna, Portmarnock, Waterville, European Club, Old Head, Porstewart and County Louth
The two seriously big beasts of Irish golf are in the north, Royal County Down and Royal Portrush. With the upgrade of Rosapenna however, they’ve now been joined by a third (technically it’s the political south, albeit the geographic north). With these three representing the class, and Portmarnock easily added by dint of Dublin being our point of arrival, we have a quality offer now which can more than stand on its own merit alongside anything Scotland has to offer
Duration
Typically about 8 nights
Features
Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Rosapenna, Portmarnock, Portstewart, Ballyliffin, Castlerock, and County Louth
The ‘classic’ Irish golf trip is probably the one which goes deep into the south west and threads together Ballybunion, Lahinch and Waterville, as well as modern masterpieces such as Tralee and cult classics like Old Head. We perhaps need to explain however that when we call this ‘all Ireland’ we’re adopting the phrase to mean the Republic
Duration
Typically about 8 nights
Features
Ballybunion, Lahinch, Portmarnock, Waterville, Old Head, Tralee, European Club, and ‘the Island’
For years the geometry of Irish golf operated at about 270 degrees, often forcing us back to Dublin as a hub to launch at both the north or the south west. The offer in north-west Ireland didn’t tend to draw the same level of visitor numbers (unfairly so if we were honest about it). The investment in Rosapenna however has helped close this circle, and if we were to use Enniscrone, Carne or Sligo to plug the remaining gap, then the long cherished full Irish circle is just starting to emerge to the point where it can be credibly offered. This is a fairly demanding road trip however
Duration
Typically about 8 nights
Features
Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Ballybunion, Lahinch, Rosapenna, Portmarnock & Enniscrone
You might point out that there is something of an English presence to this ‘exclusively Irish’ trip, and it would be difficult for us to pretend that maybe it lacks a bit of integrity to the description, but then the Open Championship trio of Lytham, Birkdale and Hoylake look like too good an opportunity not to combine with Portmarnock, RCD and Portrush. With Dublin, Liverpool, Blackpool and Belfast also featuring in this itinerary it has the capacity to become quite lively! This trip should be looked on favourably by any party who has non-golfers to accommodate
Duration
Typically about 10 nights
Features
Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Royal Birkdale, Royal Lytham, Royal Liverpool / Hoylake, Portmarnock, Rosapenna, The Island Club and Royal St Davids
Testimonial
From BB Canada
“I told Alun the courses I was interested in playing and he prepared a stay and play package with 14 days of outstanding golf, but also tremendous site seeing opportunities for my wife.”
From JC Illinois
“His attention to detail is amazing--I think our travel plan booklet ran to forty-eight pages, with gorgeous descriptions of cities and sights, plus maps showing where to go to catch trains, or walk from trains to hotels, sights and golf courses, etc.”
From DF Alabama
“I will cherish the memories for a long time- especially the wonderful times spent on and off the golf course with two of my brothers and brother-in-law. None of the memories and golf would have been possible or enjoyed without your tremendous planning and logistical support.”
AS from Colorado
“Alun and Faraway Fairways created possibly the most memorable golf trip we have ever experienced. EPIC is the only word that comes to mind.”
AC, From Florida/ New York, 2025
“We were hopeful to secure a 4 ball at St. Andrews while avoiding the massive expense other operators had quoted. He was very clear about the plan for achieving a tee time at the Old Course through the ballot, including detailed instruction on how it could be done, and what our odds were. He suggested mid- to late April as the best chance of success and advised that this is also the least rainy part of the year. We took his advice and trusted the process. Well, he was right on all counts!”
From SB, Minnesota
“We wholeheartedly recommend Alun and Faraway Fairways if you’re looking for a golf trip that is effortless, enjoyable, and truly unforgettable—even for a non-golfer in the mix! My husband and I will be daydreaming about this trip for years to come. 5.5 stars!”
From JB, California
“The best part was that the service was surprisingly affordable. They were thousands of dollars below other quotes that I received, in fact the prices were very similar to what I would have paid if I would have booked everything on my own.”
From JCA, Maryland
“I would and will highly recommend your company to anyone looking to plan an unforgettable golf trip. Thank You for putting together a fantastic trip for J.C. and me”
From WF Connecticut
“I think all eight of us would agree that Alun at Faraway Fairways did an absolutely wonderful job of putting this “golf vacation of a lifetime” together for us. His focus on the details was extraordinary from the choice of courses and the timing of the tee times, the amazingly beautiful accommodations along with some excellent meal selections, and the transportation options he provided to get us from place to place.”
From DR South Carolina
“You are about to tee it up in your Major. Seek wisdom, integrity and professionalism. Alun Davies and Faraway Fairways will not disappoint you. They cannot assure a calm sunny day with temperatures in the 70’s on the Old Course.”
From MM, California
“One fantastic trip you organized, and more importantly took ownership of in terms of daily communication and stewardship during our 2+ weeks in Scotland and Ireland. The logistics were spotless…100% of the transports were on time and excellent, the lodging choices spectacular and the golf was off the charts in terms of quality and arrangements made”
DH from California
“You cannot go wrong with the support Faraway Fairways offered. I did this trip solo and all last minute but I have already begun to plan the next trip which will include my best golfing buddies.”
Enquiry
We don't need to make this an ordeal by 101 filtering questions! In reality there are probably little more than half a dozen things we need to know to build out a proposal. The guidance below might help you frame answers
Duration - usually best expressed as a range up to a maximum
Time of year - can be anything from a specific date range to a named season
Travel class - Faraway Fairways uses 'Luxury', 'Premier' or 'Affordable' for generic purposes. You might choose to reference the international 'star' rating system. We're only looking for something to help steer us into the right sector
Self drive or hired driver - In broad terms, self driving is normally less expensive, and much more flexible, but some folk just don't want to do it
Must play courses/ must do places - a few name checks is all that's needed