A separate tour around Kildare can be arranged for anyone not playing the golf. St Brigid’s Cathedral and a visit to Solas Brid is recommended. Equally, some may prefer an afternoon in Kildare Village Shopping Outlet. Gala Dinner that evening in Cliff at Lyons.

Within a picturesque curve of coastline, 10 miles to the north of Dublin City and only a 30-minute drive from Cliff at Lyons, Portmarnock Golf Club sits majestically on a narrow tongue of shallow duneland. And as a measure of its enduring quality, it remains one of the most respected venues in world golf.

No other Irish course has been graced by so many distinguished players in a rich history encompasing a broad sweep of significant events. It is where Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead successfully followed its serpentine route through classsic linkland on their way to victory in the 1960 Canada Cup.

And it is where another generation of Americans, including Phil Mickelson and David Duval, secured a memorable Walker Cup triumph in 1991. These events, along with 19 stagings of the European Tour’s Irish Open Championship, reflect the quality of a searching examination across the link’s 27 holes.

This is a golf course that will stay with you long after your last shot has been played. If Padraig Harrington gets his way, it will play host to the first ever British Open in Southern Ireland. Watch this space 🙂

“One of the most enjoyable links courses I have had the opportunity to play” Tiger Woods

We leave Cliff at Lyons for our 140km transfer to Ardmore. En route we take a few diversions just to make the day all the more interesting. You’ll love Kilkenny. Trust us!

We’ll arrive at The Cliff House & Residences in Ardmore in lots of time to check in before dinner that evening. 

It’s worth it to spend some time in Kilkenny. It has a little bit of everything; its majestic castle on the banks of the River Nore, lovely cafes and bars, a boat trip… even a brewery. What could possible go wrong! 

Kilkenny Castle is ideally situated in the heart of Kilkenny City, which allow visitors to explore this vibrant and compact city. The castle itself, stand on a height and was built by William Marshal, 4th Earl of Pembroke in the 12th century to command the crossing of the River Nore.

In the 14th century, Kilkenny Castle became the principal Irish residence of the powerful Butler Family, Earl, Marquess & Dukes of Ormonde, for almost 600 years. Today, visitors can experience the exuberant spirit of the Victorian age, faithfully brought back to life in the restored Period Rooms of Kilkenny Castle.

The Castle Park includes a 21 hectares walled demesne parkland to the south and a formal terraced Rose Garden to the north. The estate overlooks the Nore River and features mature trees and shrubs with an ornamental lake and a children’s playground.

Step back in time and enjoy the wonder and history of this prestigious stately home. You will be warmly greeted and accompanied throughout your bespoke tour with one of the Castle’s most experienced guides, who will enthral you with wonderful stories of the very powerful and influential Butler Family. 

This magnificent Castle has many hidden gems with some very special pieces from the Ormonde Collection available to us for viewing in the Duchess Closet of the west wing. We can arrange for our visitors to get privileged access to this collection affording you the opportunity to handle some of these pieces, which may include weaponry, family photographs and special family pieces.

Malzardes Pub – Ceol, hurling & craic – Kilkenny

We’ll time this day to make sure you have time to enjoy your stunning breakfast in The Cliff House Hotel. The transfer to the Old Head Golf Course in Kinsale takes under 2 hours. So we will try for a midday tee-time. Again, this needs to be booked months in advance to secure our slot. The demand is great at the Old Head!

We pass Jameson Distillery en route. If we’ve time, we can call in on our way back.

For non-golfers, there is so much to enjoy about Ardmore. We highly recommend a visit to Ardmore Pottery & Gallery.

Occupying a stunning and unique headland reaching out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean, the Old Head of Kinsale is home to the most spectacular world-class golf course.

Located in County Cork on the South West Coast of Ireland, as the incredible brainchild of the late John O’Connor together with his brother Patrick, the Club has developed into one of the most recognised and sought after golf experiences anywhere on earth. It is a sanctuary for those seeking the finest in personalized service.

Old Head Golf Links is built on a 220-acre diamond of land jutting out over two miles into the Atlantic Ocean. The promontory is almost an island with numerous caves running beneath your feet as you play the course. The links and practice area occupy 180 acres and the remaining 40 acres of unspoilt cliff frame the course. It is a piece of golf real estate like no other, that causes many a golfer and visitor to pinch themselves as they drive through the ancient gateway with the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean some 300 feet below.

The sensory overload does not stop there with the journey along the fragrant Hydrangea and Rosa Rugosa lining the Old Head driveway providing stunning vistas across the superbly manicured golf course, with the powerful ocean on both sides and beyond the famous lighthouse that lies in front.

Old Head, par 72, comprises five Par 5s, five Par 3s and eight Par 4s – stretches from the ladies’ tees at 5,413 yards to over 7,100 yards from the tips, with a minimum of six tees per hole making it suitable for golfers of all handicap abilities. Nine holes play along the cliff tops with all eighteen holes providing unsurpassed ocean views. With the ever-changing sea breezes, the course provides a stern but fair test to the touring pro and the high handicapper alike.

Jameson Distillery – Midleton

As your time in Ireland draws to a close, we’ve saved something very special ’til last. Helvic Head is just a short 30 minute transfer from your The Cliff House. Your experience on this Gaelic peninsula draws you deeper into the Celtic story, its landscape and its people.

Over these few hours, you’ll get to see stunning seascapes, visit age-old seaweed baths, walk the headland, carve your very own Waterford Crystal and enjoy a drink and a few tunes in a traditional Irish folk pub. This day will echo deep.

We’ll return to the Cliff House Hotel in plenty of time for your farewell Gala Dinner in their Michelin-starred House Restaurant.

Sólás Na Mara is nestled in the main fishing harbour of An Rinn and overlooks the bay with the Comeragh mountains as a backdrop. Before you even arrive at Sólás, the beautiful views over Dungarvan Bay will set your mind at ease and put you in the spirit of relaxation. An Rinn is the perfect location for a Seaweed Bathhouse – close to the sea in a beautiful location: a small gaeltacht village, with a big heart.

Criostal na Rinne – hand cut crystal studio on Helvic Head