A Diamond of a Golf Offer in Enniscrone

Let’s start with the obvious: Enniscrone Golf Club is heaven when it comes to links golf. It is punishing, it is playful, it is incredible… it easily makes my top ten Irish links. Streaking through a strip of muscular dunes on the edge of Killala Bay, you must endure the expected wind, some intimidating blind shots and tough golf. But the reward (and the friendly atmosphere in the quaint clubhouse) is worth the struggle. What’s more, being a links, it is playable all year round…

[Photo: Enniscrone's par three 3rd, green to tee]

… which brings me to a golf offer I discovered in the Irish Golf Review Magazine.

The 4* Diamond Coast Hotel is on the outskirts of Enniscrone and overlooks the golf course. It’s that close. It’s a modern hotel, so what it lacks in glamour on the outside, it makes up for with style and comfort on the inside. I have not been (and have no affiliations), so please take what I say with a pinch of salt and check out their site for yourself.

Then again, if you’re here for golf, your requirements are straightforward: clean, comfortable and accessible. And a well stocked bar.

The Offer

For €159 per person sharing you get:

· 2 nights B&B (full Irish)

· 1 four course dinner

· 2 rounds of golf at Enniscrone

[Photo: the par five 16th, shot from the 17th tee]

That is amazing value for one of the top links golf courses in the world. Consider that for that same money you wouldn’t even get out on some other links courses (at peak season, granted) for a single round of golf.

What Else Is On

Of course golf is not the only thing here: Enniscrone is famous for its seaweed baths (I tried it once, and while I wouldn’t want one every week it was an entertaining if slippery experience). There are glorious beaches, lots of hill walking opportunities and surfing is growing in popularity.

There’s also the ‘Eagles Flying’ Research Centre (between Enniscrone and Sligo) where you can watch eagles in full flight and in all their glory. The centre is only open between April and November.

Views of Bartra Island and the Nephin and Ox Mountains form an enchanting backdrop, and the town of Ballina is only 15 km away. Sligo town is 55 km east, but has the added attraction of Strandhill Golf Club and Rosses Point Golf Club – another two links beauties – as well as Castle Dargan’s parkland course nearby.

Other Offers

The Diamond Hotel, with its 92 rooms, has several offers on: a Winter Warmer, €139 total, for two people for two nights B&B; a Golden Years package, €169 pps for 3 nights DBB; and Family packages are also on offer. As you can imagine, the town is quiet at the moment so it’s a great opportunity to take advantage of our mild winter weather and play some unhurried, heavenly golf.

The golf offer above is valid all week and weekend (subject to availability obviously). And expect prices to go up as the golf club’s green fees acclimatise to the season.