Swinging Through Ireland: Golf, Gales & Guinness

The much-anticipated golf trip to Ireland is officially in the books — and what a whirlwind it was! Thirteen days aboard a ship, starting in Dublin, looping around the north, and ending at the jaw-dropping Old Head in County Cork. Along the way we tee’d it up at six iconic courses with Perry Golf: Jameson Links, Royal County Down, Royal Portrush (yes, the 2025 British Open host!), Donegal, Ballybunion, and finally, Old Head.

We quickly learned that golf in Ireland is not for the faint of heart. Practice ranges? Forget it. You get a patch of grass, maybe a putting green, and then it’s “Good luck out there!” Add in the famously unpredictable weather, and you’ve got yourself an adventure. (Pro tip: if you think you’ve overpacked, you haven’t.)

Jameson Links — A Gentle Hello

Our first round was at Jameson Links, and the golf gods welcomed us with sunshine and 72-degree skies. It was so gorgeous I even wore a skort — my first and last chance of the trip. We got 17 holes in before the Irish weather reminded us who’s boss, drenching us on the 18th.

Still, Jameson was the perfect warm-up: scenic, playable, and a great place to make friends. We were paired with a couple from Washington who I’m hoping we’ll see again — golf buddies turned travel buddies!

Royal County Down — Where Rory Roams

Two days later, we tackled the mighty Royal County Down, tucked in the Mountains of Mourne. Ranked among the best courses on the planet, it’s a cathedral of golf — lush fairways, emerald greens, ocean views, and mountains looming in the distance. My golf game? Let’s just say I was distracted… constantly. When your caddie casually mentions, “Oh yeah, Rory McIlroy plays here all the time,” who cares about bogeys? The caddies were a riot — full of sharp advice and hilarious stories that made the round fly by.

Royal Portrush — Hold Onto Your Hat (Literally)

And then came Portrush, where Mother Nature really showed off. Winds topping 40mph, sideways rain, bunkers big enough to host a wedding reception, and rough so thick it could hide a small child.

I actually parred the first hole — a glorious, fleeting high — before the course chewed me up and spit me out. Three-putts became routine, and I swear I spent half the day in sand traps. Still, even with the chaos, it was unforgettable. At Portrush, you don’t keep score — you just laugh, hang on, and soak in the views.

Giant’s Causeway & a Day Afloat

After all that wind, we switched gears and visited Giant’s Causeway.

The natural rock formations were incredible, though the weather was still howling, so we didn’t linger too long. The next day, things got even rougher — our ship couldn’t dock at Donegal, and Perry Golf had to cancel our round.

Disappointing, yes… but a day stuck on a ship with Guinness and new friends isn’t exactly torture.

And that, friends, was the first half of the trip. Stay tuned for the grand finale: Ballybunion and Old Head — the most jaw-dropping, heart-thumping golf I’ve ever played. Trust me, you’ll want to hear this one.