County Louth (Baltray)

Course

County Louth Golf Club, Baltray, County Louth

Founded 1892. Links Course

Situated 45 minutes from Dublin Airport, County Louth Golf Club or Baltray as it’s known locally, is one of Ireland’s finest links courses and an ideal venue to play when travelling from Dublin to Northern Ireland. Founded in 1892, the present course was laid out by Tom Simpson in 1938. Still regarded as somewhat of a golfing secret, County Louth has hosted the Irish Open on two occasions in 2004 and 2009, with the latter event remarkably won by future Open Champion Shane Lowry when he was still an amateur. The golf course sits on a 190 acre site of seaside links terrain and has built a reputation of being one of the finest courses in Ireland. The course has two nine hole loops and a remarkable feature of the layout is that no two holes play in exactly the same direction. The present layout remains largely unchanged from the design laid out by renowned course architect Tom Simpson in 1938 and it makes for an enjoyable day.

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Sightseeing

Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions in Dublin, East & South East Ireland

The main attraction of Ireland as a golf destination may indeed be its great golf courses but the overall experience is influenced by many other factors including great accommodation options, restaurants, pubs, people, and not least it’s stunning scenery and superb visitor attractions. Each region offers something very different and with all locations being quite close together, it’s very easy to mix the stunning countryside and coastline with more urban attractions.

Kilkenny Castle We work with each of our clients to recommend what suits their trip best. You may have a full day to spend sightseeing or you may squeeze in a quick stop on the way to or from the golf course but we will make sure that you maximise your experience at all times. The below is intended as a very general guide to sightseeing in Ireland.

A few nights in Dublin is a logical inclusion in many trips. Sometimes flights dictate that you arrive and depart Dublin and it can be easily combined with time spent in other locations. Apart from the great courses in the area, it offers much in terms of sightseeing including the Guinness Storehouse, Old Jameson Distillery, Christ Church Cathedral, the National Museum of Ireland and Kilmainham Jail. A visit to Trinity College Library to view the Book of Kells is also recommended.

Christ Church Cathedral

Just north of Dublin, the Passage Tombs at Newgrange date back to 3,200 BC and provide a fascinating insight into prehistoric Ireland, while just south of Dublin in County Wicklow, you should include a visit to beautiful Glendalough and Powerscourt House & Gardens.

Glendalough

Further south of Wicklow, the likes of Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford are all well worth a visit with many impressive attractions. Kilkenny is a wonderful medieval city with the impressive Kilkenny Castle dominating the town. Waterford is synonymous with Waterford Crystal and you should include a visit to the House of Waterford Crystal, while in Wexford, some recommended options include the Irish National Heritage Park and Enniscorthy Castle.