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Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Best golf courses in Co Clare: Bucket list courses and hidden gems from Lahinch to Dromoland Castle
Bucket Lists As an old Alister Mackenzie masterpiece, the Old Course at Lahinch has evolved magnificently over time. Here there are not just Mackenzie's influences, but also those of Old Tom Morris and, more recently, Martin Hawtree. And all of those designers owe a depth of gratitude to Mother Nature, for the utterly natural links with its rolling fairways and towering dunelands is a thing of beauty hard on the Atlantic coastline. Lahinch may have its quirks – with blind tee and approach shots – but the traditional out-and-back layout with its small, undulating greens provides one of golf's greatest pleasures. And, as we've seen in an Irish Open won by Jon Rahm, as well as its hosting of the annual South of Ireland Amateur Championship, this is a links that provides the ultimate test of players' shot-making. [ Fairways to Heaven - Ireland's Ultimate Golf Guide Opens in new window ] For many, an abiding memory of any visit to the Old Course will likely involve recounting the back-to-back holes on the front nine – the Par 5 known as The Klondyke and the Par 3 known as Dell – which involve hitting blind shots over sand hills. The advice is to aim over the V on Klondyke Hill and over the white stone on the mound protecting the Dell. There is a wonderful run of holes by the Atlantic and into the towering dunes, while the 14th and 15th holes, which run parallel and are separated by mounds which have blended in superbly, typify all that is great about the links. Just over 30 kilometres down the coast is the much newer links of Trump International Doonbeg which was originally designed in 1992 by the Great White Shark himself, Greg Norman, but which subsequently underwent a substantial renovation by Hawtree, the designer also responsible for Lahinch's more modern changes. Doonbeg: The rebuilt 138 yards par 3, 14th hole designed by Martin Hawtree. Photograph:Doonbeg is set on a special area of conservation and, like Lahinch, has battled coastal erosion, and has an unusual shaping which somehow works with a number of spectacular holes. The Par 5 1st hole wonderfully sets out the journey ahead, with dunes in play from the off and the green nestled into sandhills. There are a number of captivating holes, but none more so than the Par 3 14th which has a dramatic setting, played from an elevated tee to a green hard by the Atlantic. When Norman – who helicoptered in for his first site visit – initially set eyes on the landscape, he declared: 'If I spend the rest of my life building courses, I don't think I would find a comparable site anywhere ... this is spectacular land, made by God.' Lahinch Golf Club, Lahinch, Co Clare; 065 7081003; Trump International Doonbeg, Doonbeg Co Clare; 065 9055600 Hidden Gem Let's be honest from the start here. Dromoland Castle is not exactly hidden – given it is a five-star hotel resort and has hosted the KPMG Irish Women's Open – and, in truth, it is more of a diamond than a gem. Dromoland Castle: KPMG Women's Irish Open. Photograph: Laszlo Geczo/Inpho For all that, this is a course that is entitled to a greater appreciation. It is the design work of Ron Kirby and JB Carr which, in itself, should make it on any must-play list. There are some fine Par 3s, with the seventh – the elevated tee box set by mature trees and played to a green below that has the lake and castle as a backdrop – starts a tremendous stretch of holes that utilises the sylvan landscape. There are some tough holes, too. The Par 4 16th is fully deserving of its index one rating on the scorecard, a big hole that demands long and accurate tee shots and – for most – a fairway club in hand to get anywhere near the green in two. The 18th hole is a lovely Par 5 that has the lake in play down the right off the tee. Dromoland Castle Golf Club; Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus Co Clare; 061 368444; golf@ Honourable Mentions Shannon has the airport as a close neighbour so be prepared for aviation noise – you get used to it! – during your round on a tree-lined, mainly flat course that in variably is found in good condition. The starting holes with out-of-bounds on each of the 1st and 2nd immediately makes the case for strategic course management. There are a number of water hazards, including on the Par 5 eighth hole while the lovely Par 3 17th has the estuary in play. Shannon Golf Club, Shannon Co Clare; 061-471849 Ennis is a nicely conditioned parkland course that is relatively short but probably all the more enjoyable for that. The greens are relatively flat with some exceptions, among them the three-tier putting surface that awaits at the end of the Par 4 eighth hole. Ennis Golf Club, Drumbiggle, Ennis, Co Clare; 065-6824074; info@ East Clare – in Bodyke – is a treat. The course is set in rolling countryside and, designed by Dr Arthur Spring, offers a peaceful and tranquil setting at home with nature as well as a fine golfing examination. The use of water hazards, especially on the Par 3s, is clever. The index one is the Par 4 ninth hole (Par 5 for women), with a ditch short of the green and a lake to the right. East Clare Golf Club, Bodyke Co Clare; 061-921322; eastclaregolfcluboffice@
The National
09-05-2025
- Health
- The National
West Highland Way walkers warned not to drink river water
The National Trust for Scotland Ben Lomond Ranger Service issued the warning this week after nine walkers travelling through Rowardennan on the banks of Loch Lomond fell ill, suffering from vomiting and diarrhoea in the past month. Rangers said all nine hikers drank water from the rivers near Balmaha, adding that although all nine of them filtered the water, they still fell ill. Three of the hikers also told rangers they had drunk filtered water from The Burn of Mar, a river near Conic Hill. READ MORE: Scottish distiller wins first UK-wide supermarket deal with Old Course gin One of the rangers, Mick, has warned walkers not to drink water from the river, adding that it is always best to boil drinking water rather than relying on filtration systems. He said in a statement on social media: 'We have had a spate of hikers coming through here at Rowardennan over the past month that have been pretty ill, vomit and diarrhea, only lasts a day or two but it wrecks more than their guts.' The ranger added: 'Please be sure not to drink this river water as there is a lot of livestock upstream. 'And it's always better to boil your water as this is a safer method than relying on filters as it all depends on which filter you have and how clean it is.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Around 120,000 people use the West Highland Way each year, with around 36,000 visitors walking the whole trail. Spanning from Milngavie to Fort William, the 96-mile-long trail was Scotland's first designated long-distance route when it came into official operation in 1980.
Scotsman
26-04-2025
- Scotsman
I tried £2m "destination" spa in historic Scottish hotel - and there's a surprising whisky link
A new Scottish spa, located in a historic hotel, has won multiple awards recently. Rosalind Erskine visited for a surprising whisky-related treatment. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... There's nothing better than a spa day. Time to relax and unwind, usually with friends or sometimes family and, thankfully, Scotland has an array of luxury spas - usually attached to the best hotels - in which to do so. Well established names such as the Old Course, Cameron House and Gleneagles are all home to top spas, but there's a new addition to the health and wellness scene in Scottish hospitality, the Cairndale Hotel and Spa in Dumfries. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I visited over a weekend in April to try the spa and spend a couple of nights in this family-owned hotel and was surprised (and delighted) to find a whisky-themed treatment was available. Cairndale Hotel & Spa Budget or boutique? This 86-bedroom hotel, which has been owned by the Wallace family for 40 years, has a boutique feel, with prices starting at £120 per night for bed and breakfast. Dogs are allowed in some rooms, and the charge is £15 per dog per night. Room service The hotel has had some serious money spent on it in recent times, including the £2m spa development. The reception area and lobby bar and restaurant are all very modern with colourful feature wallpaper, a striking mural on the stairs and on-trend colour palettes of greens with metallic accessories. Upstairs is a more muted affair and our four poster bedroom was spacious and light, with neutral decor and - as the name suggested - a four poster bed, seating area and en suite with bath. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Wining and dining The hotel's lounge bar and restaurant is currently all that's open for food and drinks at this time, as work is still being done on The Oak restaurant, located downstairs by the spa. The stylish lounge is comfortable and has an eclectic menu of small plates that double as starters and include tempura cod fillet and grilled hispi cabbage and mains that range from pub classics such as a beef or chicken burger, fish and chips and a club sandwich to far flung dishes such as chicken or prawn pad Thai. There's a good selection of drinks and cocktails - the negroni and non alcoholic summery strawberry smash mocktail were both delicious - as well as a decent wine list. The champagne, by the glass, was a lovely way to end a day in the spa. Cairndale Hotel Worth getting out of bed for The main attraction in the hotel is the new spa, which has recently won multiple awards including a five Bubble Luxury accreditation from The Good Spa Guide and winning Scotland's Best New Spa. The facilities include a thermal pool with jets, water blades and airbeds, Mud Rasul, herbal steam room, Himalayan salt and infrared saunas, ice bath, Double Hammam, private bathing suite, herbal lounge with wooden swings, six treatment rooms and a dedicated café and juice bar. It's worth noting that even as a hotel guest there's a £50 per person charge to use the facilities (you also need to pay this if you're going for a treatment unless you book a package). Treatments include facials, massages, holistic spa therapies using crystals and foot rituals. I opted for an exclusive Angels Share massage, which has been created for the hotel in partnership with local distillery Annandale . This full body signature massage uses the whisky and vanilla scented Cairndale x Annandale Collection Angels' Share Balm to relax muscles and relieve tension. After a welcome drink, the treatment started with a foot massage before a back, neck, shoulders, legs, arms and hands massage. A bit like a classic aromatherapy massage, this treatment consisted of low, rhythmic, and long strokes,with a mix of pressures and all with the lovely scented balm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cairndale Hotel It'd be easy to spend all day in the spa but Dumfries has some great walks and attractions including the Solway Coast, Mostly Ghostly Tours and Robert Burns House. Whisky fans can visit Annadale distillery, which is a 25 minute drive away or head to the historic Globe Inn for a delicious lunch or dinner and tour. Little extras The room had a Nespresso machine, Borders biscuits and Noble Isle toiletries as well as robes and slippers. Spa guests get a branded tote with a super soft green robe and matching slippers to use during their time in the spa. The staff were excellent, so friendly and helpful and Archie, my dog , was treated like a minor celebrity. Our room also had treats, dog beer and a bowl for Archie as well as a book or local dog walks and info. I also appreciated a delivery of a Saturday Scotsman to my room during the stay. Guestbook comments Cairndale's new spa really is a luxury destination - a bright, spacious and modern addition to this historic Dumfries Hotel. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An ideal escape for a girls spa day or celebration, it's up there with some of the best, established spas in Scotland. The hotel staff are wonderful, and with a new restaurant set to open, I am sure more and more people will be visiting Cairndale. The Cairndale Hotel & Spa 132-136 English St, Dumfries DG1 2DF
