So, you’ve done it.
You’ve booked the flights, sorted the Ryder Cup tickets, told everyone back home that you’re heading to Ireland for the biggest golf event we’ve had here in years…
And now you’re wondering “What else can we do while we’re there?”
Well, this is where I come in.
Because as good as the Ryder Cup is going to be, and believe me, Adare Manor is going to be some place when Europe and the USA tee it up in September 2027, it would be a terrible shame to fly all the way to Ireland and spend the entire trip looking at golf courses.
Fortunately, you’ve landed in one of the best parts of Ireland for doing a bit of both.
Adare is a brilliant base. The 2027 Ryder Cup will be held at Adare Manor in County Limerick from 13–19 September 2027, with the main competition running from Friday to Sunday. It will be the centenary Ryder Cup and only the second time the event has been held in Ireland.
And here’s the really good bit. Adare puts you within easy reach of County Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way. So you can spend one day watching the world’s best golfers battling it out at Adare Manor and the next day be standing on the edge of the Atlantic looking at some of the most spectacular scenery in Ireland. That, in my opinion, is a much better holiday.
The Cliffs of Moher: Yes, you really should go
Let’s start with the obvious one. The Cliffs of Moher.
If you’ve never been, they’re one of those places that photographs simply don’t do justice. The cliffs rise dramatically above the Atlantic and stretch for around 14 kilometres along the Clare coastline. On a clear day you can see across to the Aran Islands and Galway Bay.
And from the Adare area, they’re absolutely doable as part of a day out. You can head west through County Clare, take in the scenery along the way, visit the Cliffs, and then continue on to Doolin for lunch, a pint and some traditional Irish music. And that’s where things get even better.
Doolin: The perfect post-cliffs stop
If the Cliffs of Moher are the big attraction, Doolin is where you go afterwards to have the craic. It’s a small village on the west coast of Clare, famous for traditional Irish music, pubs, seafood and its location right on the edge of the Burren and Wild Atlantic Way.
It’s also incredibly close to the Cliffs, making it very easy to combine the two. You can walk part of the spectacular coastal trail, visit the cliffs, head into Doolin and settle yourself into a pub with a pint of something cold.
And if there’s traditional music playing? Well, you may as well cancel whatever plans you had for the next few hours. That’s Ireland. You came in for the golf. You stayed because someone started playing a fiddle in a pub.
And then there’s the golf…
Now, if you’re coming to Ireland for the Ryder Cup, there’s a fairly good chance you’re not completely indifferent to golf. Thankfully, County Clare has you covered. The area around the Wild Atlantic Way is home to some seriously good courses, and several are within reasonable driving distance of Adare.
Lahinch Golf Club
About an hour or so from Adare, depending on traffic and your route, you’ll find Lahinch Golf Club. This is one of Ireland’s classic links courses and is sometimes referred to as the “St Andrews of Ireland.”
It’s right on the Atlantic coast, with the kind of scenery that makes you stop concentrating on your golf ball. And then lose your golf ball. Lahinch is also only around 20 minutes from the Cliffs of Moher, so it’s a brilliant option if you want to combine a round of golf with some sightseeing.
Trump International Golf Links, Doonbeg
Further down the Clare coast is Trump International Golf Links & Hotel Doonbeg.
Formerly Doonbeg Golf Club, this Greg Norman-designed links course sits among the dunes beside Doughmore Bay. It’s a proper Atlantic links experience. Big skies, big views, big dunes and, quite possibly, some big numbers on your scorecard. From Adare, you’re looking at roughly an hour and a half or so depending on traffic and route.
Dromoland Castle Golf Club
Fancy something a little different? Then there’s Dromoland Castle Golf Club. This is parkland golf rather than links, set on the magnificent Dromoland Castle estate. And it’s one of the really convenient options from Adare. Roughly 45 minutes or so by car.
So if you’re looking to squeeze in a round without spending your entire day driving around Clare, this is well worth considering.
And there’s more…Clare has plenty of other options too, including Spanish Point, Woodstock, Ennis, Kilrush and Kilkee.
Spanish Point is particularly interesting if you’re after something a little more relaxed. It’s a nine-hole coastal course beside the beach — ideal if you fancy getting a bit of golf in without committing to a full championship-day experience.
So, whether you’re after world-class links golf or a casual knock around with your mates, there’s plenty to choose from.
But here’s my advice…
Don’t try to cram everything into one day.
Ireland is not somewhere you should spend your holiday sitting in a hire car watching the scenery disappear through the window. Give yourself time. Spend your Ryder Cup days at Adare.
Then take a day to explore Clare. Go to the Cliffs of Moher. Have lunch in Doolin. See the Burren. Walk along the Atlantic. Have a pint. Listen to some music. And if you’re a golfer, play Lahinch or Doonbeg.
That’s the Ireland I want visitors to experience.
And that’s where Ollies Tours comes in…
If you’re staying around Adare for the Ryder Cup, why not make a day of it and let us show you some of the best of what County Clare has to offer?
Join us on a walking tour of the Cliffs of Moher and experience one of Ireland’s most spectacular stretches of coastline on foot. Forget just getting off the bus, taking a photo and getting back on again, we’ll get you out into the landscape and show you the cliffs properly.
Take a day trip to the Aran Islands and experience a very different side of Ireland. Explore the island, take in the incredible scenery, meet the locals and get a taste of island life, all without having to worry about organising the logistics yourself.
The 2027 Ryder Cup is going to be an incredible event.
But if you’ve travelled thousands of miles to Ireland, don’t make the mistake of only seeing the golf course.
Find out more about all of my tours on my website here.
