Great Golfing = Ireland

Golfing fans tend to plan their vacations around their golfing, and look for the best courses around the world. There is a growing trend in packing their clubs and heading off to golf in Ireland.

You may be wondering right about now why so many are flocking to Ireland, well, they have some of the best golfing facilities in the world. There are both links and golf courses to satisfy even the most discerning of golfers.

Travel from Sligo for 8km in a north westerly direction and you will come across one of the oldest and most famous courses in the world. This is a testing course even for the most serious golfers, and lowering your score on this course is one of today's big golfing challenges.

A lot of 'golf widows' bemoan the fact that that their husbands go off playing golf while they are left at home with the kids. This isn't as issue with Sligo, the whole family can go and there is plenty of other stuff to do apart from playing golf.

A sanctuary for birds of prey is in the area, and proudly boasts that it is the biggest in Ireland. Watching these amazing birds soar and swoop is fascinating. There is also Woodville farm where the can see rare breeds of animals.

Another big attraction here is horse riding. This is a lot of fun for the whole family. A gentle trot through the countryside will show you the best that this area has to offer. If you are a more experienced rider, a gallop along the sands is truly exhilarating.

Eating out and trying new food is always a highlight of vacations in Ireland, where you are literally spoiled for choice. Fine restaurants offer both famous local cuisine as well as famous dishes from around the world. It really is a gastronomes delight.

Play Golf in Ireland!

It's the ultimate golf holiday — a luxurious three-bedroom villa at a five-star resort in Ireland, a mini-van to get around in, and four rounds of golf at four of Ireland's top courses — all at a savings of over 50% if golfers were to book the same components individually on their own.

The Ireland Golf Resort Vacation from Sceptre Tours lets golfers tee off at the Adare Manor Golf Club (home of the Irish Open and the upcoming JP McManus Pro-Am Invitational), the Dingle Golf Links in Co. Kerry, the Killarney Golf & Fishing Club (Lackabane Course), and the Doonbeg Golf Club in Co. Clare.

The Ireland Golf Resort Vacation package includes:
•Round-trip economy class airfare to Shannon;

•6 nights in a private 3-bedroom Villa at the five-star Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort;

•4 rounds of Championship Golf (one at each of the courses noted above);
•Weekly manual shift minivan (upgrade to an automatic minivan or chauffeur driven car also available)

This package is priced from $999 from New York, from $1,019 from Boston, and $1,049 from Chicago for travel November 2010 through March 2011. Rates are also available for May through October 2010 starting from $1,519 from New York. Rates are per person, based on quad occupancy and are exclusive of airline taxes estimated to be $180 per person.

Please Note: June & July travel in the Villas are sold out but Adare Townhouses (2-bedroom) are available. Contact 800-221-0924 for prices and to book. Travel around the holidays (Christmas & New Year's) are at slightly higher rates. Travel in March 2011 is currently available for the first week and additional days will be offered.


This is the perfect golf holiday for a group of golf lovers — men and women — who want to play golf on some of the most scenic and historic courses in the world.

St. Andrews Cathedral

By far the largest cathedral in the land, St Andrews was the headquarters of the church in mediaeval Scotland. A religious site from at least the 8th century, the earliest surviving building is St Rule's Tower. This formed part of a church or cathedral built by Augustinian canons in the early 12th century.

The new cathedral was set out in 1160. After many delays it was finally dedicated in the presence of Robert the Bruce in 1318.

On June 11th 1559, following a sermon by John Knox, the cathedral was later abandoned in favour of the parish kirk. This great complex of mediaeval buildings fell into ruin.


The cathedral grounds, surrounded by the old precinct wall, with their well preserved ruins, are most impressive. The cathedral museum houses an outstanding collection of carved stones found on the site. There are splendid views from the top of St Rule's Tower. The adjoining graveyard has many interesting tombstones, including one for ‘Tommy' Morris the renowned 19th century golfer.

The home of golf, where the game evolved, the spirit and traditions live on. Savor the experience of the Jubilee Course, the longest and most difficult. The New Course 1895, shares in the tradition of shared fairways and double greens. The Barry Burn weaves through Carnoustie's Championship Course, the most challenging in the world. St. Andrews - Dukes Course set amidst natural terrain. During the evenings relax and enjoy true Scottish hospitality at pre-booked Bed & Breakfasts around the area.

Legend's Saint Andrews Golf Package

The home of golf, where the game evolved, the spirit and traditions live on. Savor the experience of the Jubilee Course, the longest and most difficult. The New Course 1895, shares in the tradition of shared fairways and double greens. The Barry Burn weaves through Carnoustie's Championship Course, the most challenging in the world. St. Andrews - Dukes Course set amidst natural terrain. During the evenings relax and enjoy true Scottish hospitality at pre-booked Bed & Breakfasts around the area.

A brief history of the Legend's Saint Andrews Golf Course:

On May 14, 1754, twenty-two ‘Noblemen and Gentlemen’, listed below, contributed to a silver club to be played for annually over the Links of St Andrews. The first winner was Baillie William Landale, a St Andrews' merchant, who became Captain for the year. The competition was initially open to all golfers, as had been that of the Leith golfers in 1744, whose rules the St Andrews' golfers used almost without change. Thus began the foremost club in both Scottish golf history and world golf in general.

Package Includes

Accommodations:

6 nights accommodations: Choose from pre-booked B&Bs, First Class Hotels or Deluxe Hotels

Transportation:

Weekly standard shift car rental or upgrade to chauffeur

Other Inclusions:

-4 rounds of golf at Jubilee Course, The New Course, Carnoustie's Championship Course and St. Andrews - Dukes Course.
-Full Scottish breakfast daily

Sceptre Tours is the leader in golf vacation packages in Scotland and Ireland. Have the time of your life while meeting some of the most difficult golf challenges in the world! You'll never forget what you did here! Choose Sceptre Tours for your next golf vacation package in Scotland!

Greens & Gimmies Golf Tours with Sceptre Tours

If Golfing's your game, then Scepter Tours is your number source for the most climactic and beautiful golf tours you will ever experience in Ireland and Scotland. The first part of the trip will challenge you as you try to conquer the courses of Killarney Golf and Fishing Club, Tralee (Arnold Palmer's first course design in Europe), and Ballybunion Golf Club, considered one of the top courses in the world. After three nights in Killarney, head northeast to Dublin, and check into the Davenport Hotel. Enjoy a two-night stay in Dublin and 18 holes at the Portmarnock Golf Club, host of the 2003 Irish Open.

After Dublin, fly to Glasgow, making your way to the five-star Estin Turnberry, on the beautiful Atlantic coast for two nights. Enjoy a round of golf on the Ailsa Course at Turnbury where Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson engaged in an epic battle in the 1977 British Open. Next, play Prestwick Golf Club, which will always be remembered as the birthplace of the Open and has hosted 24 in all. Then head east to Edinburgh and check into the Balmoral Hotel. Enjoy your rounds at Gullane #1 and North Berwick. On to St. Andrews and the Fairmont Hotel, where you'll play Kingbarns and the New Course at St. Andrews. This challenging and spectacular combination of courses will fulfill your ultimate golf vacation fantasies.


Also included in the pacakage are:

Accommodations

3 nights, Killarney Plaza, Kerry
2 nights, Davenport Hotel, Dublin
2 nights, Westin Turnberry Hotel, Ayrshire
3 nights, Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
2 nights, Fairmont Hotel, St. Andrews

Transportation:

Weekly standard shift car rental or upgrade to chauffeur

Other Inclusions:

9 rounds of golf at Ballybunion Golf Club; Killarney Kileen; Portmarnock Golf Club; Turnberry Golf Club; Prestwick Golf Club; Gullane No 1 Course; North Berwick Golf Course; St. Andrews New Course; Duke Course or Kingsbarns Golf Club; St. Andrews (Old Course-Ballot)
Full Irish & Scottish breakfast daily.

Experience the game of golf like you never have before! Challenge yourself to some of the most difficult courses in the world while experiencing the majestic beauty Ireland has to offer! Make memories with friends and family that will last you a lifetime! Choose Sceptre Tours for your golfing vacations!