The Best Gift….What Our Clients Say!!

“If playing a links course in Ireland is on your bucket list, you must contact Irish Golf Vacations. Our group of ten women had the most fabulous time time playing golf and attending the Solheim Cup thanks to the custom itinerary arranged by Rick and Michael. The personal service and attention shown each of us made our trip so very special. Thanks for a most wonderful and unforgettable experience.”

Penny Eppy

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Michael and Rick, We were completely thrilled with what was surely the trip of a lifetime.  And to experience it with son Mike was extraordinary indeed.  Our first real links experience in your beautiful country was incredible, to say the least, and your coordination of all the various elements: golf, rental car, hotel accomodations, etc were wonderful.  I hoped that our research (using James W. Finegan’s book Where Golf is Great) would yield us the best initial foray into the world of links golf, including three old courses (Lahinch, Waterville, and Ballybunion) and three newer courses (Tralee, Doonbeg, and Old Head).  We were not disappointed.  The courses were stunning, the views spectacular, and the weather Irish coastal.  The caddies were phenomenal at every venue, knowledgeable and personable, and funny — and the managers and starters were spot-on their jobs as well. We had a terrific time for our last two days, exploring Dublin from our centrally located hotel.  Mike and I traveled to N. Ireland to my grandfather’s birthplace (born in Bessbrook, 1888 – landed in the U.S. at Ellis Island in 1906).  I took a lot of pictures and got a real feel for my Irish roots – incomparable.  By the way, bravo to Northern Ireland’s Darren Clarke as the Open Champion!! I know that when we decide to come again, we’ll bring other novices along, so that we can be their shepherds.  And, of course, we’ll book with you!!!  We both hope to meet you  sometime in the future, and share a pint or two of the “black stuff”. Am attaching some pictures for your use.  Thank you both.

Best regards, Chip

 Guy C. Lamson July 2011

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  Michael,

Everything was terrific. We had a great time. The housing was fine. Ballybunion housing was a bit nicer than at Dingle but both were good. Regarding the golf. Here is how I ranked the courses. 1. Dooks – Simply one of the best links courses I have ever played and the service at the course was outstanding. Course conditions were excellent. 2. Bally Bunion Old – This also was a terrific track. The clubhouse staff was very good. Course conditions were excellent 3. Ceann Sibeal (Dingle) – Nice muni course. Easy to walk and enjoyable to play. Scenery around the course was also really nice and made the day even better. 4. Bally Bunion Cashen – Wow what do I say. This course is goofy. Regarding your team. Everything went without a hitch. You and your team were all first rate and I would recommend you to anyone.

Reid Ribble (April 2011)

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Michael The trip was, in a word, spectacular.  The accommodations were excellent, in fact, everyone is a seasoned business traveler and raved at the quality of the hotels.  The courses were all we had hoped for.  Doonbeg was our first and we loved it, but by the end it was the least favorite of the bunch.  We still think it a fine course, but it became clear that it had been manufactured to be a links course, not born one like the others.  While there was some disagreement in our group, Ballybunion came out the favorite, with Waterville a close second.  At all of the courses we found friendly staff and engaging and helpful forecaddies.  The weather was above par, with rain only on our first day, as the three brief showers on Thursday hardly count.  The last two days, we even had little wind,  which may explain the high marks Tralee and Waterville received.  All in all, it was a trip of a lifetime, and one we hope to repeat next year, or in 2012 at the latest.  The only thing we would like you to work on is widening some of those roads in Kerry and Clare!

Mike Flinn September 2010

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Michael,

Had a grand remaining two days.  Portmarnock Old Course was great…played red/blue in a.m. and yellow nine in afternoon with Golf Pro Joey Purcell’s son.  Enjoyed lunch in the wonderful club house with Condeleeza Rice (of former US SECSTATE fame who was golfing the Old Course) and the Captain and Manager, John & John, (great gentlemen), James Fox (golf pro host to Ms Rice) and friend of Ms Rice. My overall take on each course? Old Head: Most spectacular Waterville: Toughest Ballybunion: Most character Cashien: A great warm-up for Bally Lahinch: Challenging Portmarnock: Classic Royal County Down: Everything in golf County Louth: Great local course Loved them all!  Friendliness at each course and comfort/helpfulness at the golf accommodations were unsurpassed. Mike — I thank you for coordinating a trip that met and exceeded my every desire.  I was able to play an excellent cross-section of some of the top courses in Ireland with an opportunity for some great sight-seeing.  I will remember this trip with Irish Golf vacations for years to come! Best to you and Rick.

HOOAH, 

Rick Martin August 2010

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Michael & Rick,

Though you become a little apprehensive about setting up a golf vacation over the Internet. You had everything arranged and in place that we were able to just enjoy the whole experience. The golf courses that you set up for us were incredible and the accommodations were first rate! It could not have gone any better!

Tim (June 2010)

PS- I know you didn’t have anything to do with it- but “thanks” for ordering up some nice weather to enjoy!

Michael,

Mike Hennessy (June 2010)

Our trip back was fine.  We had a great time and the weather was better than we expected.  The cottage was a great place for us to stay and Seamus took good care of us.  We enjoyed all of the courses and it was nice that everything was taken care of.  We just arrived and played.

Barry Beers (May/June 2010)

Thanks for a fantastic golf adventure. You helped my son and I make memories that will last a lifetime. You made it very easy to play two of the most popular courses in Ireland; Ballybunion & Old Head. Not just booking the tee times, but also the transportation from the train to the courses. All we had to do was show up!! We hope to take another trip in the future, to play some of those “off the radar” courses that you were talking about. There is nothing quite like golf in the “old country”.

Tim Rupp (July 2009)

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