“May your journey be guided by a gentle breeze. May your road be smooth beneath your feet. May the sunshine brightly upon your path. And may you find joy in each person you meet.”
This article writer and MG Lady Editor Mandy, along with her husband Jean-Louis took a trip to Ireland in time for Masters weekend, April 2025.
Club Choice Ireland have long been friends of Midlands Golfer magazine with the family team of Tiernan, Aoife & Larry Byrne running successful golf trips for 13 years. Starting with 52 players they now host 1,800 guests per annum with many testimonials of the wonderful experience golfers have enjoyed under the wing of their hosts. We were not disappointed either and true to form, the hotels, golf and transportation were on point.
Starting with the Stena Line ferry crossing from Holyhead (or Fishguard if you wish) We made our way to County Carlow to play nine holes at Mount Wolseley Hotel and Golf Resort. Met by Golf Director, Terry Martin, we enjoyed the parkland course, a rich variety of holes with water features. The skyline was changing and impressive allowing some great photo opportunities with a backdrop of the Wicklow and East Carlow mountains.
Playing our nine holes from the 10th tee, already the undulating fairways and challenging approach shots gave us a taster of the rest of the course. The 11th hole has water to the right and so beware the errant ball with the greens sloping from left to right. The 18th brought us back to the hotel, an impressive long par four with a drive over the water or play safe and head left. An elevated green with numerous undulations made this ultimate hole a potential card wrecker.
Always a good sign for me visiting golf courses are the locker rooms. Mount Wolseley golf club ticked all the boxes.
From there we headed to the Hotel Kilkenny where we met up with Tiernan and his guests, all regular clients of his. This overnighter was a gift from Club Choice Ireland to say thank you for the business but to also showcase a region of Ireland that some of his clients may not have experienced before. I like that.
Hotel Kilkenny itself was a great stop over and base to play many of the beautiful courses within a short journey. The rooms were well presented and spotless whilst the food, delicious. A fitting place to watch the last day of the Masters and clearly from there on in, the Irish population were extremely happy as their hero Rory did it. Spirits remained high for the rest of our stay.
The following day we headed to Mount Juliet Estate for the ‘crème de la crème’ experience. A resort steeped in history on 500 acres of ground with Equestrian sport, the Ballylinch Stud, fishing, archery and clay pigeon shooting.
The beautiful 18th century Manor house with its own hotel accommodation furnished in keeping with its history. Guests can bike around the estate, enjoy the country sports or simply relax in their sumptuous Spa. For us it was the golf, home to the 1993 to 1995 and 2022,2023 Irish Opens as well as two WGC events.
Jean Louis and I were paired with a lovely couple from Denbigh GC in North Wales, by coincidence twinned with our club Newcastle under Lyme for their respective centenary events in 2008, the year of my captaincy. It was great to talk about North Wales and my childhood on Anglesey.
And so to the course, well simply superb. A Jack Nicklaus design, it was opened in 1991, a layout with many water features and bunkers (80 in all) and the 3rd hole with its meandering brooks and bridges is stunning and great to view as you leave the 2nd green. The elevated tee calls on a well hit shot to clear the lake and land on its island green. I loved the Pheasant features of some of the banks, the logo for Mount Juliet.
The 16th had an unusual huge bunker protecting the wall around the green. An extra observation was that you were not viewed by other holes, making the sensation of playing your own bespoke course. In short, Mount Juliet GC is truly wonderful and a ‘must play’ on anyone’s golf list if visiting this region.
The accommodation is superb and breakfast a treat, (I opted for the porridge but also had to partake of the Guinness infused Soda Bread.)
Having said goodbye to our host Tiernan, we headed to Kilkenny GC where we met club manager Graham Rolfe and played the course. Well signposted to tees, a parkland course with established trees and the iconic 1st hole, a dog leg right with a beautiful approach shot to the green from an elevated fairway and lovely vista.
The 13th had a nice feature with its sunken green. The par three 10th had an enormous bunker on the left as JL found out. Another feature included on the same hole is an unusual ring of stones dating back to the Bronze Age, apparently in folklore an old medieval kitchen. Meeting with the ladies section was lovely as they explained the story behind the stones.
The par three 17th was a challenging hole with an elevated green and great view from the green, underclub and you will find yourself in a bit of a chasm, rendering an up and down from there as a major feat.
We learnt of the focus on conservation with the club’s beehives and wildflower beds. Again, I could imagine the flowers in bloom as being spectacular.
Having said goodbye we travelled north to Dublin for our final night, staying at The Grand Hotel in the seaside resort of Malahide. An impressive building with superb sea views and its iconic staircase taking you back in time allowing the imagination to wander. The Grand Hotel is an ideal location for both Dublin Airport and Port, offering a warm welcome and great hospitality. We partook of the Chillied King Prawns which were totally delicious and relaxed in the Matt Ryan Bar.
What can I say but to recommend you having a trip with Club Choice Ireland. JL and I have already enjoyed the Taste of Wexford Golf Experience taking place in Wexford each year combining golf with scrumptious local cuisine. Nothing is too much effort and the attention to detail from the itinerary to goodie bags at the hotel made us feel very welcome. The Irish are so hospitable with fantastic senses of humour, and their music is renowned.
Whatever you need for your trip, Tiernan and Aoife are super hosts and ensure your itinerary runs seamlessly. All I can say from myself and Jean-Louis, you will have a trip of a lifetime, and we are definitely coming back.
To organise your next golf break to Ireland, visit clubchoiceireland.com or email info@clubchoiceireland.com
