Rhyme & Reason: Northwest Ireland

The Northwest Coast of Ireland not only has some stunning links courses but a wealth of history and culture. But one of the many joys I experienced here, was the quiet sanctuary among the dunes of Sligo and Donegal

Golf, Golf in Ireland, Golf on the Westcoast of Ireland, County Sligo

A golfing trip to the Emerald Eye can make even the stoutest of hearts go misty-eyed.

We start our sojourn through this special place with Sligo's warm welcome and lyrical asides, then head for the peninsula-straddling Donegal and some tough but fair sand dunes.

Next, it's the baby of the bunch, Sandy Hills, which more than lives up to its reputation, followed by something of a transcendental experience at Ballyliffin's two courses, the Old Links and Glashedy.

Ireland has never been so popular as a golfing destination, and it's easy to see why.

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James Mason is a senior contributor for Golf Monthly magazine and editor of planetgolfreview.com and has producing destination and equipment reviews for Golf Monthly, Greenside, and Middle East Golfer magazines. He has also produced destination features for Golf World and Going for Golf magazines and interviews for Middle East Golfer and Qatar Airlines. James was captain of Coventry university golf team and now plays off a 5 handicap.