The True Links Experience

DAY 1: Arrival

• Arrive in Dublin Airport
• Transfer to Portrush
• Check into the Bayview Hotel
• Non Golf Day- Relax or enjoy some sight seeing
• Giants Causeway

Giants Causeway – For centuries countless visitors have marvelled at the majesty and mystery of the Giants Causeway. At the heart of one of Europe’s most magnificent coastlines its unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of Atlantic storms. The rugged symmetry of the columns never fails to intrigue and inspire our visitors. To stroll on the Giants Causeway is to voyage back in time.

Your imagination will travel along stepping stones that lead to either the creative turbulence of a bygone volcanic age or into the  legends of the past.

In 1986 the Giants Causeway Visitors center opened, coinciding with the World Heritage Conventions addition of the Causeway to its coveted list of sites, which are of exceptional interest and universal value.

The facilities at the Causeway Center now include Tourist Information offices, Bureau De Change, Accommodation Booking Service, an Interpretive Audio-Visual Presentation and a Souvenir Shop. The National Trust are the custodians of the Causeway and provide the National Trust Shop and Tea Rooms (for opening times please contact directly). The Causeway Coaster bus service from the center to the Causeway is now running in conjunction with the opening hours of the center. The range of amenities on offer is geared to accommodate your individual needs and ensure that all our guests can benefit from and enjoy their visit.

The center caters for the interest and enjoyment of the half a million tourists that visit the Giants Causeway each year. The management, the staff and our

DAY 2: Portstewart Golf Club

• Enjoy a Full Irish or Continental Breakfast
• Golf at Portstewart
• Visit Bushmills Distillery
• Dine Out in Portrush

Portstewart Golf Club – “Home to The Irish Open 2017”

It will host the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open next year, setting up a three-week spell of links golf culminating in the Open Championship.
The Irish Open was held at the K Club in May this year and won by tournament host Rory McIlroy, and will be played in 2017 at Portstewart Golf Club. This will immediately precede the Scottish Open at Dundonald and the Open at Royal Birkdale.

It is the third time the tournament will be played north of the border in six years after previous outings at Royal County Down and Royal Portrush.
McIlroy said: “Portstewart is an excellent links course and one of Northern Ireland’s hidden gems, so it’s great news that we are taking the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open there next year.
“Winning at the K Club earlier this year was without doubt one of the highlights of my career, and I’m already looking forward to defending my title at Portstewart next July.

Bushmills Distillery – In the small village of Bushmills, settled on the banks of the river you’ll find the oldest working distillery in Ireland. A place where family and friends have worked for generations, in a small Northern Irish village that for over 400 years has kept to the philosophy that hand crafting small batches is the way to produce beautifully smooth tasting Irish whiskey.

Portrush – Choose between The Ramore, Neptune and Prawn, or The Harbour Bar for sumptuous

Day 3: Royal Portrush

• Enjoy a Full Irish or Continental Breakfast
• Golf at Royal Portrush
• Visit Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge
• Dunluce Castle
• Dine Out in Portrush

Royal Portrush – “Host to The Open Championship 2019”

Royal Portrush Golf Club is home to one of the best and most challenging links golf courses in the world, the Dunluce Links, and the hidden gem, the Valley Links. The only club in Ireland to have hosted The Open Championship, Royal Portrush is a members club which welcomes visitors all year round to face the challenges of its courses and to brave the testing conditions.

Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge – A short coastal footpath leads to Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. On the way, there are wonderful vantage points to stop and take in the natural beauty. The geology, flora and fauna have won Carrick-a-Rede recognition as an area of special scientific interest. Fulmars, kittywakes, guillemots and razorbills breed on the islands close to the rope bridge.
Of course, Carrick-a-Rede also boasts an exhilarating rope bridge experience. Traditionally fishermen erected the bridge to Carrick-a-Rede island over a 23m-deep and 20m-wide chasm to check their salmon nets. Today visitors are drawn here simply to take the rope bridge challenge!

Dunluce Castle – The iconic ruin of Dunluce Castle bears witness to a long and tumultuous history. First built on the dramatic coastal cliffs of north County Antrim by the MacQuillan family around 1500, the earliest written record of the castle was in 1513.

It was seized by the ambitious MacDonnell clan in the 1550’s, who set about stamping their mark on the castle under the leadership of the famous warrior chieftain Sorely Boy MacDonnell during an era of violence, intrigue and rebellion.

In the 17th century Dunluce was the seat of the earls of County Antrim and saw the establishment of a small town in 1608. Visitors can explore the findings of archaeological digs within the cobbled streets and stone merchants’ houses of the long-abandoned Dunluce Town.

The dramatic history of Dunluce is matched by tales of a banshee and how the castle kitchens fell into the sea one stormy night in 1639.

Day 4: Old Course Ballyliffin

Ballyliffin Golf Club, consists of two outstanding, contrasting links courses and 36 wonderful holes make up one of the finest golf resorts to be found anywhere in the world. The expansive panoramic views of countryside, coastline and ocean savoured by these magnificent links course will not easily be forgotten.

The Old Links undulates in the glory of its natural terrain, presenting an immensely enjoyable challenge to every golfer. Work recently undertaken by Nick Faldo has strenghtened The Old Links and brought much acclaim from members and visitors

Ballyliffin Lodge Hotel and Spa – The award winning Ballyliffin lodge and spa is one of the best known family run hotels in Inishowen. This stunning Donegal hotel caters for all occasions including weddings, golf breaks, walking breaks, family breaks in Donegal, concerts, conferences and much more.

Day 5: Ballyliffin Golf Club

Day 6: Golf at Rosapenna

Day 7: Portmarnock Hotel and Golf Links

Day 8: Departure