Welcome to this special Irish Golf Tour that takes in some of Ireland’s finest, including Royal County Down and two days exclusive hospitality at The 153rd Open Royal Portrush.
The team at PaR nz Golfing Holidays are ‘Open fans’ having been to seven Opens including the 150th at St Andrews. We are New Zealand’s only R&A Authorised Provider of Hospitality at the Open, a position we are proud to hold.
When the Irish host a party they do it in style and like no other. In 2019, when for the second time in history, The Open crossed the Irish Sea to the Emerald Isle, PaR nz was thrilled to be a part of the wonderful fanfare that was the 148th Open. We expect to do the same in 2025 for the 153rd Open.
On our way to Royal Portrush in 2025 we play golf at Dublin’s Portmarnock, Killeen Castle and, an option to play The European, then north to Belfast to play Royal County Down, #1 in Great Britain and Ireland (#3 in the world!) before heading to Rosapenna, to play St Patricks Links and Old Tom Morris.
In County Donegal, in the Bay of Sheephaven, the Casey family offer some delightful resort accommodation and three Rosapenna links challenges. We have booked to play Old Thomas Morris, designed by the man himself, and newly opened and world acclaimed St Patrick’s Links. St Patrick’s Links was designed by Tom Doak who has also designed Cape Kidnappers, Tara iti and Te Arai North in New Zealand, along with the Australian masterpiece, Barnbougle Dunes in collaboration with Mike Clayton.
For the PaR nz Group, our planned two days at The 153rd Open will be special with full, all-day hospitality in the Engravers Pavillion. The R&A promote their Engravers Packages with precision and in the finest detail. Having now experienced this level of hospitality several times, we agree!
We will be located on the fairway of Royal Portrush’s 1st hole, enjoying on-course views of the action from the private balcony as the world’s best start their round. Our Engravers Pavillion location allows excellent access to get out amongst the crowd and walk the course or nip across to the Merchandise Pavillion.
The PaR nz hospitality in the Engravers Pavilion includes Q&A session with past or present players, priority access and admission, souvenir programme and order of play sheets, full TV coverage throughout the venue, and private restrooms within the pavilion. The reserved all-day PaR nz table seating allows you to enjoy a selection of plated breakfasts served with warm pastries, seasonal fruits and freshly squeezed juices, four-course à la carte lunch featuring local produce, full complimentary bar throughout the day, including fine wines, beer, Champagne, house spirits and soft drinks, and to top it all off, afternoon tea served as you are returning from the course.
A picture says a thousand words – have a look for yourself over the coming pages – and then ask us to save you a place! Ireland and The 153rd Open Royal Portrush is limited to 24 places – be one of them! Come join us and enjoy the ‘Irish Craic’.
Thanks so much
The PaR nz Golfing Holidays Team
Denise Langdon denise@parnz.co.nz
Kim Buckley kim@parnz.co.nz
Kristin Rewha-Langdon golf@parnz.co.nz
Dublin is where it all begins!
We start our tour at The Shelbourne, 5-Star Marriott property in the centre of Dublin, staying four nights.
Portmarnock Golf Club
Portmarnock Golf Club was founded in 1894 and is consistently ranked amongst the top golf courses in the world, a true Irish Links experience. Portmarnock has hosted many major professional and amateur events including multiple Irish Open Championships, The Walker Cup, the Irish Amateur Close Championship and the British Amateur Championships.
From Sam Snead to Seve Ballesteros, some of golf’s best known names have tested their skills here on the Old Course on the north Dublin peninsula. Considered by many as one of the fairest links courses in the world it delivers an incredible challenge and true test of golf.
Portmarnock Golf Club was ranked as the best golf course in Ireland, Golf Digest Magazine, 2004-05. Tom Watson (Open Champion on five occasions) summed up the links during his visits by saying, “There are no tricks or nasty surprises, only an honest, albeit searching test of shot-making skills”. A second quote from Seve Ballesteros, “I always enjoy my time in Ireland but in particular playing links golf at fantastic courses like Portmarnock”. We believe you will as well!
Killeen Castle, a Jack Nicklaus Signature Course is a magnificent test of golf, showcasing modern golfing excellence in terms of design and presentation, suitable to golfers of all abilities. The course, just 35 minutes north of Dublin, is located in the grounds of Killeen Castle, a wonderfully restored 12th century castle and abbey and once the seat of Irish high kings.
Killeen is a captivating parkland course and is our second golf challenge. Crafted by golfing royalty – the Golden Bear, who has taken full advantage with views of the castle from
many holes. Killeen Castle has been host venues of the 2011 Solheim Cup, Irish Opens and PGA Events.
Killeen has been voted Top Three Parkland Course in Ireland, and is regularly voted Best Parkland Course in the Greater Dublin Area. Known for open and undulating terrain, and sometimes ‘wickedly’ sloping greens. Look out for the par-5 12th that offers a rock-wall lined green, small waterfall and Swilken-styled bridge.
A day off in Dublin is planned for those unfamiliar with this dynamic and multi-cultured city – or opt to play a 3rd round at The European Club.
Founded in 1987 The European Club is another true ‘Great Golf Links Challenge’ – frequently ranked in the World’s Top-100 Golf Courses, and No 1 Golf Course in the Republic of Ireland.
The links of The European Club was designed by Pat Ruddy who has a design history of more than thirty years. Year after year the work goes on with Ruddy directing design improvements. Golf design has been a part of Pat Ruddy’s life since childhood. He has been working professionally in design since his first commission at Castlecomer in the Irish midlands in 1969. Along the way he has come to be regarded as the world’s leading links designer.
Amongst the links he has designed from concept to completion are The European Club, Ballyliffin Glashedy and Rosapenna Sandy Hills. He has impacted substantially at County Sligo (13-holes), Ballyliffin Old (9-holes), The Pollan Links at Ballyliffin (9-hole short course), Rosapenna Old Tom Morris/Pat Ruddy Links (12 holes), Portsalon (13-holes) and Donegal (11 holes).
It is written that few golf courses have had such prolonged attention from their designers with Donald Ross at Pinehurst being an obvious equivalent. An option to play here is available with transfers to and from included.
The tour then travels on to Belfast for three nights. We check into the Titanic Hotel – a unique experience where we settle in the heart of Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. This is where the legendary Harland & Wolff Headquarters and Drawing Offices were located –memorabilia-a-plenty on display.
While in Belfast, we will of course have time at the Titanic Museum, the very place where the infamous Titanic was designed, built, and launched. We take in a city tour and play the highly-rated Royal County Down Golf Links.
Royal County Down (RCD) is located in one of the world’s most naturally beautiful links settings in the Murlough Nature Reserve. Against the magnificent backdrop of the Mountains of Mourne, the links stretches along the shores of Dundrum Bay, zigzagging back and forth to provide a different vista from virtually every hole.
When playing Royal County Down this is what you have to look forward to: Holes lined by purple heather and golden gorse (beautiful to look at but punishing for any who may stray); ‘bearded’ bunkers that are world famous and feature overhanging lips of marram, red fescue and heather; fast greens many of which are domed; and the infamous ninth hole, said to be one of the most photographed holes in world golf. The ninth is a 486-yard par-4 played from one side of a huge mound down to a fairway some 60 ft below and 260 yards from the tee. From the bottom of the slope the second shot is played over two bunkers to a raised green. Good luck!
Established in 1889, with the original nine holes designed and extended to 18 holes by Old Tom Morris, RCD, as it is known, is an exciting challenge –tough but fair. Enjoy this links challenge that needs to be ticked off every golfer’s bucket list of must-plays!
Rosapenna is next!
Originally owned by the Clements clan who developed the land and first introduced golfers to Rosapenna, the wonderful and inviting golf resort in County Donegal is now run by the Casey family. Over 40 years ago, Frank and Hilary Casey bought the resort and today, continue to run it with their two sons, Frank Jnr and John. Frank Jr. has been the director of golf since Rosapenna opened its golf pavilion in 2005, and second son, John manages hotel operations.
The Casey’s association with the property, however, dates back to the 1940s, when Frank’s father worked at Rosapenna. Frank then began working as a caddie at age 13, getting five shillings (about 30 cents) a loop. It wasn’t long before he was working in the hotel, where he found his calling.
The Rosapenna Golf Resort acquired its 3rd course, the St Patrick’s Links in late 2012, which was a former 36-hole facility developed by the Walsh Family of Carrigart. Discussions ensued with Tom Doak of Renaissance Golf Design, who finalised his layout for the new course with lead associate Eric Iverson in March 2013.
The St Patrick’s Links is routed in the adjoining dune system just south of the existing two courses at Rosapenna. Originally encompassing 36 holes, Tom fashioned 18 totally new and 18 truly unforgettable holes over the same tract of land. The result – a sprawling links that is destined to become a modern great. It sits on the most magnificent piece of links land – huge scale, west coast of Ireland scenery, with enough variety in dimension to present a real diversity of golf holes. The routing takes golfers on a journey through huge dunes, to high above Sheephaven Bay, along the coast, then back over some more gentle dunes... and that’s just the front nine! With plenty of width and an eclectic mix of naturalised bunkers, the course is unlike anything in the UK & Ireland... or anywhere else for that matter.
Construction of the new St Patricks Links began in April 2018, with all of the greens completed in 2019 to ensure that they were matured and at their best from the opening day. Notwithstanding the Covid-19 pandemic, all of the finishing touches were carried-out in 2020. The course officially opened for play in June 2021.
Our other Rosapenna challenge is the course known as Old Tom Morris – from the original course architect, Old Tom Morris (1893), with more recent modifications by James Braid & Harry Vardon (1906), H.S. Colt (1912)
The story goes – that in 1891, while a guest of Lord Leitrim at his nearby estate, Old Tom Morris of St. Andrews, a winner of four Open Championships in the 1860s, took a drive to enjoy the Donegal scenery. Old Tom was quick to see the golfing potential of this fine stretch of coastline and before returning to the home of golf, he had staked out the first Rosapenna Links, incorporating wide, rolling fairways amidst the undulating terrain and of course those delightful greens.
Back at St. Andrews, Old Tom was quick to tell of his discovery and so it was that Rosapenna became a place of pilgrimage for golfers at the turn of the century. Amongst those to follow were two other great golfing champions Harry Vardon and James Braid (in 1906) who won 11 Open Championship titles between them. They added length and more detailed bunkering but were wise enough to leave those wonderful natural greens untouched. Further changes were made by the great Harry Colt of Sunningdale in 1912, building & renovating at least 11 holes.
Next on the programme is Derry and The 153rd Open Royal Portrush. We will stay for five nights at the well appointed Ebrington Hotel Derry, a landmark building in the city since 1842.
Did you know?
1951 Open at Royal Portrush: Between Henry Cotton in 1948 and Tony Jacklin in 1969, the only British winner of The Open was Max Faulkner in 1951 at Royal Portrush. The day after his victory, Faulkner was playing in a Father-Sons cricket match at his son’s school. He played in five Ryder Cups against the Americans.
2019 Open at Royal Portrush: The most recent Champion Golfer of The Year, and the second golfer from the Republic to claim that honour, Shane Lowry proved a fitting homecoming champion in 2019 when he won by six shots at Royal Portrush. After a 58-year-wait for The Open to return to Irish shores, Lowry produced a stunning third round of 63 to pull away from the field. Lowry never looked back after that and cruised to victory on home soil. Walking down the 18th, the 32-year-old received one of the greatest ovations in recent memory, as the entire island united to cheer.
While in Derry we immerse ourselves in two days at The Open 153rd Royal Portrush on the Friday and Sunday with the following included: Transfers to and from in the PaR nz coach, VIP access, located in the Engravers Pavilion against the stunning backdrop of Royal Portrush’s 1st hole, private balcony, Q&A with past or present players, Souvenir programme and order of play, Full TV coverage of play, Private restroom facilities within the pavilion, private PaR nz tables with meals and refreshments as follows:
• Choice of plated breakfast served alongside warm pastries, seasonal fruits and freshly squeezed juices and the morning’s papers
• Four-course à la carte lunch featuring local produce
• Full complimentary bar throughout the day, including fine wines, beer, Champagne, house spirits and soft drinks
• Afternoon tea served as you return from the course.
Back to our own golf – we play Portstewart and Portsalon Links.
Portstewart, like Rosapenna boasts three wonderful courses; the Old Course, The Riverside and the Strand – ‘Links Golf At Its Very Best’.
Founded in 1894 – the outstanding Championship Strand Course was the host for the 2017 Dubai Duty Free Irish Open. Jon Rahm, the 2017 Winner, was certainly impressed, “the golf course is amazing. It’s probably one of the most beautiful golf courses I have ever seen, if not the most”. We will play the Strand on tour.
So, what can be said of the mighty Strand Course? Dubbed as ‘the sleeping giant’, it is without doubt one of the very top true links golf courses in Ireland. It easily stands alongside the two Ulster Royals, Portrush and County Down. The brainchild of Willie Park Jr and Des Giffin (in whose honour the 6th hole has been renamed), ably assisted by undulating dunes, runoff bunkers, rolling fairways and tricky manicured greens.
A ‘true test of golf’ is a much-overused phrase, but in this case, it is a reflection of the variety and ingenuity of the shots required to get round this masterpiece of a golf course. The views from almost every hole are quite simply magical. The Atlantic is never far away and the beauty of the course must be seen to be believed. It is a treat that will take a very long time, if ever, to fade from a golfer’s memory. The jewel in the Portstewart crown.
Portsalon is where we will finish our 2025 Irish Golf Tour.
Golf has been played on the Portsalon links since the 1880s and has been improved with some recent developments by 2014 Ryder Cup Captain, Paul McGinley. The club was one of the founding members of the Golfing Union of Ireland, the oldest golf union in the world. It was originally laid out by Charles Thompson of Portrush but with more recent changes by Pat Ruddy from The European Club in Dublin.
Ranked in the Top 25 courses of Ireland – this course offers a stunning vista from many holes over the Ballymastocker Beach with the Knockalla mountains to the south.
We share our final dinner in Derry on the 21 July with breakfast and transfers to Belfast on the 22 July 2025. Thanks so much for joining us!
What’s the craic, lads?
Craic is the Irish word that most confuses outsiders, yet it is a relatively simple concept. It is the atmosphere, fun, and carry-on surrounding a particular night out.
”How was the craic?” is the first question uppermost in most young Irish minds after a weekend.
“Craic” is a word that you may have heard before if you’ve ever been to Ireland or spoken to someone from there. It’s a term that’s often used to describe a good time, a fun experience, or a friendly conversation. However, the origins of this word are not widely known, and many people outside of Ireland may not be familiar with it. In this article, we’ll explore the etymology of “craic” and its use in Irish slang.
The word “craic” (pronounced “crack”) is derived from the Old English word “cracian,” which means to make a loud noise or to brag or boast. The word entered the Irish language through the English language and was initially used to describe the sound of thunder or the cracking of a whip.
Today, “craic” is a commonly used term in Irish slang, and it’s often used to describe a lively, social atmosphere. For example, you might hear someone say, “The craic was mighty last night,” meaning that they had a great time.
The word can also be used in a more general sense to refer to any kind of enjoyable activity or experience. For example, someone might say, “I had great craic at the concert last night,” meaning that they had a good time.
Guinness is an Irish dry stout that originated in the brewery of Arthur Guinness at St. James’s Gate, Dublin, Ireland, in 1759. It is now owned by the British-based multinational alcoholic beverage maker Diageo. It is one of the most successful alcohol brands worldwide, brewed in almost 50 countries, and available in over 120. It is the best-selling alcoholic drink in Ireland.
The Guinness Storehouse is a tourist attraction and since opening in 2000, it has received over 20 million visitors.
Guinness’s flavour derives from malted barley and roasted un-malted barley, a relatively modern development, not becoming part of the grist until the mid20th century. For many years, a portion of aged brew was blended with freshly brewed beer to give a sharp lactic acid flavour. Although Guinness’s palate still features a characteristic “tang”, the company has refused to confirm whether this type of blending still occurs. The draught beer’s thick, creamy head comes from mixing the beer with nitrogen and carbon dioxide – enjoy!
15 nights luxury, well-appointed accommodation including:
• 4 nights Dublin – The Shelbourne, a Marriot Bonvoy 5-star hotel; deluxe king rooms
• 3 nights Belfast – The Titanic Hotel, 4-star hotel; executive rooms
• 3 nights Co. Donegal – The Rosapenna Hotel, 4-star golf resort: bay view junior suites
• 5 nights Derry – The Ebrington Hotel, 4-star; executive king rooms
Meals and Refreshments
• Full Irish breakfast daily on tour
• Welcome dinner, Guinness and the ‘Craic’ in Dublin
• ‘PaR nz Drinks Hour’ Belfast
• Dinner with refreshments in Rosapenna
• 2 days full hospitality in the Engravers Pavillion at The Open 153rd including:
~ Breakfast
~ Lunch – 4 courses
~ Afternoon tea
~ Open bar all day
• ‘PaR nz Drinks Hour’ Derry
• Farewell dinner with refreshments in Derry
1. Portmarnock with pull trundlers
2. Killeen Castle with carts
3.Royal County Down with pull trundlers
4. Rosapenna St Patricks Links with pull trundlers
5. Rosapenna Old Tom Morris with carts
6. Portstewart Golf with pull trundlers
7. Portsalon with pull trundlers
8. The European Club (optional Dublin extra) with pull trundlers
• Luxury air conditioned with the best Irish driver –Paddy, and a long-time friend of PaR nz
• Transport from Dublin, tour start through to Belfast on the 22 July
• City tour of Belfast, the infamous area of The Troubles
• PaR nz special players welcome pack and Open memorabilia – valued over €350 per person
• PaR nz special tour notes and Ireland 2025 Travel APP
• PaR nz guide services of Kim and Denise
• PaR nz fun golf competition on tour and ‘Craic’
• All international airfares – but which can be quoted on request.
• Caddy and any electric trundler hires
• Meals & drinks unless noted otherwise.
• Tour tips – to be paid in person in Dublin €300 person to cover driver, porterage and other tips handled by PaR nz on tour.
• Travel insurance – but highly recommended – just in case!
