The West Coast of Ireland as you might expect provides some wonderfully dramatic courses many situated on The Atlantic Ocean itself. As a golfing destination it has never had the same profile as the south west but does offer some excellent golf. Galway itself has the Christy O'Connor designed Galway Bay and new courses such as Bearna add to the experience.

The links at Connemara is also worth the drive. Further north at Carn you'll be enchanted by the exciting relatively new Belmullet Golf Course designed by Eddie Hackett around some splendid sand dunes; Mayo also has Westport with some superb views.

As a stand alone destination you can select some great short break pacakges - if you're visiting the south west why not add a couple fo days in the area. There are flights directly into Knock or Shannon.