The Guinness Storehouse in Dublin marks the start of our trip ahead of an evening in Dublin before beginning our golfing journey at Portmarnock Golf Club. We will then spend the rest of the week seeing Kerry and enjoying my favourite courses in my favourite part of Ireland.
Fly into Dublin, drop bags at the Grand Canal Hotel, and wander into town. We tour the Guinness Storehouse and pull our first proper pint up in the Gravity Bar with the city laid out below us. Dinner at the Elephant & Castle in Temple Bar, then whatever live music the night throws at us.
An early tee at Portmarnock — one of the great old links, a few miles up the coast from Dublin. Lunch at the club, then the bus points south-west for the long, scenic haul to Kerry. We will get to the village of Sneem late so we will stop along the way for dinner at Matt the Threshers, a nice country Irish restaurant. This was a popular spot where I would stop with my family when I was growing up.
A leisurely morning in the village of Sneem, then we head to Waterville Golf Links for a 2pm tee — Payne Stewart's favourite warm-up for The Open. A quick pint after the round, then dinner at Sacre Coeur, always a family favourite for us when we're home.
Weather depending, a boat will pick us up in Sneem and take us over to Helen's Bar. Helen's Bar was recently voted the 11th best bar in Ireland per the Irish Times and we'll have pints looking out over Kenmare Bay. My wife loves the fresh salmon sandwiches here and their fresh mussels are fantastic. The views are stunning. We can also stop in to my Mum and Dad to their corner of Ireland.
We head up the coast for the first of two rounds at the Ballybunion Old Course. After Tom Watson won the iconic US Open in 1982 at Pebble Beach (famous chip-in on 17 to beat Jack Nicklaus), he was asked about his favourite courses. While he praised Pebble Beach, Watson was effusive in his praise for Ballybunion, saying “after you play it, you think the game of golf was originated there. It is one of the best in the world.” Tom Watson used to often visit Ballybunion in a rental car and stay at the Cliff House. We will follow in his footsteps. I think it is a great course, a lot of fun, and my favourite in Ireland.
Midday tee — 12:00pm — for one last round at Ballybunion with the sun on the dunes. After golf, optional: stay overnight again at the Cliff House Hotel, or depart for further travels.
Founded 1894 on a wind-whipped peninsula north of Dublin. A pure, honest championship links that has hosted the Irish Open more times than anyone can count.
A wild, large-scale links tucked between the Atlantic and the Inny estuary. Payne Stewart warmed up here before winning his last Open. Quiet, remote, and superb.
The big one. Towering dunes, tight fairways and the Atlantic on your shoulder. We play it twice — because once is never enough.
Smart, well-placed for Temple Bar and the Storehouse. One night to find our feet before the drive west.
Our base for three nights in the heart of the Ring of Kerry — a village of painted houses, stone bridges, and the sound of the river.
On the dunes above the beach, ten minutes from the first tee at Ballybunion. Overnight after Thursday's round, with an optional extra night if you want to linger.
I have worked with you all since my time living in the US. I consider you all really good friends but also great supporters of me personally as I navigated my career in the US. You are all hand picked to come and join me because I want to show you Ireland the way I do it with the people that I love to see when I get home. I hope you can make it.
A few favourite corners of the island — from Dublin's pubs to the quiet hills above Kenmare Bay.
The trip is going to cost an estimated $6k per person. I am slightly over budgeting for day to day expenses and meals so any excess will be returned to you all.
The $6k covers four rounds of golf, accommodation, transport while in Ireland and meals. This does NOT include flights.
Please venmo Bobby (@donnellyb) $2.5k to secure your spot and the remaining $3.5k will be due 1/31/27.
9 – 14 May 2027 · Dublin to Kerry