Cavan Meath
Westmeath Offaly
Laois Kildare Wicklow
DUBLIN’S DOORSTEP & LAKELANDS
The Dublin’s Doorstep and Lakelands regions of Ireland are home to a number of the big name golf courses, as well as many affordable hidden gems.
W
of experiences. there are more than 100 courses, and each club has something special or unique; be it the views of the lakes, the mountains, the coastal sand dunes or simply the beautiful parkland design. And this year Killeen Castle in Co Meath will host the 2011 Solheim Cup, on the Jack Nicklaus designed course. Played over three days in September, this will be a top class international event where 12 of the best American women golfers compete against the top 12 European women over 28 matches. And like its predessor event – the 2006 Ryder Cup held at The K Club in Co Kildare – it too will create some amazing memories of great play both on and off the course. Meanwhile away from the big name courses there are some hidden gems offering great value for money like Esker Hills, Glasson and Mount Temple. But it’s not just for the golf that the area is renown. It is rich in history: from the neolithic tombs at Newgrange to the early christian monastry at Glendalough. At the market town of trim visit Ireland’s biggest Norman castle, while down the road at Oldcastle see the site of one of the most important battles in Irish history – the Battle of the Boyne.
There’s plenty to do here as well. There’s great
outdoor pursuits with mountaineering and cycling in the Wicklow Mountains through to the more leisurely strolls through great stately Irish houses and gardens. For those with a taste for excitement there’s also great horseracing with a number of courses - and most notably Punchestown and the Curragh. The towns here are full of lively restaurants and bars, as well as outlet shopping villages to keep shopaholics happy. A selection of sumptuous and enjoyable spa resorts are there to be enjoyed by those who like to take a break away from it all. The Lakelands offer a glimpse of rural Ireland
and an opportunity to explore this great natural environment. Here too are also ancient abbeys and castles to visit and great houses steeped in history to stay in. Busy towns, sleepy villages and large urban centres, such as Athlone and Mullingar, mean there is plenty of choice for food and entertainment options. And being full of lakes there’s always the opportunity to take a boat and a fi shing rod and spend the afternoon fi shing for that evening’s meal.
Grand ambition: Carton House boasts marvellous challenges in a regal setting
ithin easy reach of Dublin, these two regions provide visitors with a huge variety
Monaghan
Louth
Longford
Roscommon
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