09 MAY 2018: Canadians have a fascination with castles, probably because we don’t have any. Ireland has hundreds. We also have a love affair with Irish golf. Put the two together and you’ve got a golf getaway that befits any lord or lady of the links.

The K Club, County Kildare

When renowned winemaker Hugh Barton (Barton & Guestier) escaped the French Revolution and guillotine, he decided to reconnect with his Irish roots. By 1831 he had settled his family into a magnificent home, modelled after a French chateau, in Country Kildare (hence the K Club) alongside the River Liffey. The Barton home is now the K Club, Irelands’ first AA5Red Star Hotel.

Guests enjoy myriad activities, including tours of the extensive wine cellar, clay shooting, horseback riding and fishing. Avid swingers will want to tackle the Ryder Cup Course, Ireland’s first Ryder Cup venue in 2006. Designed by the “King” himself, the late Arnold Palmer, the tract is widely acknowledged as the country’s most challenging inland layout. When Palmer was commissioned to design the companion 18-hole Smurfit Course (named for the current owner), his mandate was to give golfers an entirely different experience. A watery grave awaits players from numbers 13 to 18. If you can avoid sending your Titleist into the River Liffey throughout your rounds you deserve an Irish coffee or two.
www.kclub.ie

Dromoland Castle, County Clare

One of the grandest baronial castles in Ireland, Dromoland was the ancestral home of the O’Brien clan. The guest list at Dromoland is impressive. Bob Hope, Cary Grant, Jack Nicholson, The Beatles, Bruce Willis, Nick Faldo, Bill Clinton and George Bush have stayed and played here.

Besides the exquisite service, regal surroundings and precious art and antiques, there’s a magnificent 18-hole parkland golf course. The Ron Kirby/J.B. Carr-design sweeps around 375 acres of unspoiled lush wooded parkland through which the River Rine meanders and wildlife such as deer, foxes, pheasants and quail abound.

The fairy-tale castle looms over the specacular18th hole that borders Dromoland Lough. So impeccable are the greens and fairways, you’d swear leprechauns had trimmed them with manicure scissors.
www.dromolandgolf.com

Ashford Castle, County Mayo

Some would argue that Ashford Castle, on the border of County Mayo, is the fairest of all Ireland’s palatial estates. Indeed, Ashford has a list of awards and accolades almost as long as its history.

Dating from the 13th century, the castle spread along the shores of Lough Corrib with imposing baronial fireplaces, suits of armour and whimsical turrets, was the private residence of the Guinness family for almost 100 years. In 1939 it opened as a grand hotel. Actors John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara who starred as feisty lovers in the 1952 silver-screen classic, The Quiet Man, stayed at Ashford during filming. Many of the scenes were shot on the grounds and in the charming adjoining village of Cong.

Ashford’s 2,996-yard, par-35 parkland course is perfect for golfers of all abilities. The course, the original deer park of the estate, was designed by the renowned Irish golf architect Eddie Hackett and imaginatively integrates a wide variety of natural features and hazards.

Ashford’s other claim to fame is its Falconry School of Ireland where you can actually fly the birds with the help of a guide. Each raptor has its own distinct personality. I met the bossy Harris hawk called Milly, and Dingle the wise owl to name a few.
www.ashfordcastle.com

Adare Manor, County Limerick

With its multiple chimneys, turrets and stained glass windows, Adare Manor Hotel and Golf Resort is a gothic sight to behold. For a grand entrance, step inside to a reception area with glittering chandeliers, massive stone pillars, elaborate wood paneling and a roaring fireplace.

The Golf Course at Adare Manor reopened in April 2018 with a total renovation by architect Tom Fazio. Taking full advantage of the gently sloping terrain, mature trees and sweeping banks of the River Maigue, Fazio has created a meticulously maintained masterpiece. For the grand finale, the 18th fairway runs alongside the river with the five-star 18th century Adare Manor as the backdrop.

Guests can stroll through forested parkland to Adare, often called Ireland’s prettiest village, where the main street is lined with thatched cottages, lively pubs and antique stores.
www.adaremanor.com