The weathered wonders of an ancient land, the cultural sophistication ofEurope and the adventure-inspiring landscape make Ireland the one place inthe world that really has it all. Visitors are met with the welcoming faces of

Ireland’s most charming attribute: its people. Locals are always ready to exposethe Emerald Isle’s hidden gems, share a pint and point all of its visitors in the

direction of the craic – Ireland’s favorite word for fun and good times!

Ireland

A Special Supplement to Irish America magazine in cooperation with Tourism Ireland • Written by Tara Dougherty

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• TO THE WEST. County Mayo is the picturesque home of some of Ireland’squaintest and most delightful towns. In Westport, traditional music is alwaysbursting from doors of Matt Molloy’s pub, while visits to the Foxford WoolenMills and the Museum of Country Life provide a taste of rural days in the idyl-lic west of Ireland. Then, of course, for another perspective on the old world ofIreland: a stay at the Ashford Castle, the perfect spot to bask in the warmth of thefamous Irish hospitality with a most royal backdrop.

• DUBLIN CONTEMPORARY 2011. Dublin has for many years beenregarded as one of Europe’s most exciting cities. Exploring its modern influenceand a century of the city’s development and identity is Dublin Contemporary2011—a cannot-miss art exhibition titled “Terrible Beauty: Art, Crisis, Change& The Office of Non-Compliance.” The series, to run from September 3-October31, 2011 at several galleries throughout the bustling city, narrates through art allthat Dublin was and has become since Easter 1916.

• THE BELFAST FESTIVAL AT QUEEN’S. As summer fades and the cool airbreezes in, Belfast warms up with a three-week-long festival in October, whichfeatures some of the best live music acts, theater, dance, film and family activi-ties from around the world. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2012, the BelfastFestival at Queen’s encompasses everything visitors to Belfast rave about: theseasoned history of an ancient city met with the vibrant energy of a modernatmosphere. Next year’s 50th Anniversary Queen’s is one of Northern Ireland2012 events. The festival, dreamed up by Queen’s University student MichaelEmerson, boasts the most refined opera and visual arts as well as the most heart-pumping rock acts and engaging films. Queen’s has welcomed the likes of JimiHendrix and Laurence Olivier to its stages, and in 2012, the festival promises totop itself once again.

• LONDONDERRY CELEBRATES. As 2012 winds down, Londonderry willjust be awakening to its title of UK City of Culture 2013. Londonderry will befilled to brim with activities and art and a newfound excitement to show theworld just what lies within the historic walled city of the North. The commercialcenter of the North West, the city has been decorated for centuries by ornate art-

work, narrated by the best Irish poets and is now being reshapedby a youthful population. After a stroll around the famed walls, avisit to the Tower Museum and “The Story of Derry” is a must!

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Anytime is the right time to visit Ireland. There is never an off-season nor a dull moment. Ireland’s shores are lined with invitations toexplore, experience and celebrate all that its people and land have to offer.

• THE TITANIC QUARTER IN BELFAST. Forthose gripped by the stories of our ancestors, thisspring, Belfast will launch an unparalleled lookinto the history, the tales and the life of the HMSTitanic. In April 2012, the Titanic Belfast willopen inside a six-floor architectural masterpiece,fit for the wonders it houses. Nine gal-leries will lead visitors through the his-tory of the Titanic, from its construc-tion in Industrial Era Belfast to the1985 discovery of its final restingplace on the ocean floor. Visitors to theTitanic Quarter will find themselves inthe largest modern urban developmentin Northern Ireland, while still feelingan enduring connection to the Titanic and itspassengers.

Cover Photo: The spectacular Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary

All photographs courtesy of Tourism Ireland unless otherwise noted.Design by Marian Fairweather

1. Center of town atWestport, CountyMayo 2. TitanicQuarter complex,photo by DavidMcCann 3. The famedwalled city ofLondonderry

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With courses that cut through the mountains, dangle by the edges of thesea and nestle between stone-walled valleys, the landscape of Ireland is agolfer’s paradise. Don’t believe us? Collectively, the fruit of these spectac-ular courses – Padraig Harrington, Darren Clarke, Rory McIlroy andGraeme McDowell – have six major titles claimed for Ireland in the pastfive years. What is it about Irish golf that sets it apart? The compact size ofthe country makes it ideal for a golf tour, with both minimal travel timebetween courses and a varied terrain for a diverse experience. Visit someof the golf courses where these Irish golf champions honed their skills!

• Located in County Kerry, the Ballybunion Golf Club is largely regardedas one of the best in the world, and it doesn’t take long to see why. A favoriteof President Bill Clinton, Ballybunion consists of two courses which providespectacular views through the rolling hills of County Kerry. With the soundsof the sea crashing just beside the Old Course, it is a wonder to see and adelightful challenge to play.

• Venture up the country to the Ardglass Golf Club in Northern Ireland,where the panoramic views are unrivaled.The first six holes of this gargantu-an course are fitted on cliffs above the Irish Sea. It is the perfect backdrop butalso an unparalleled natural water hazard! The nearby fabled natural wonder,the Giant’s Causeway, only adds to the mystical challenge of this course.Witha clubhouse fit for a king in Ardglass Old Castle, it is the quintessential Irishcourse.

• Another gem of the North, situated on the North Antrim Causeway coast, isthe Royal Portrush Golf Club. If it’s a challenge you want, then look nofurther than the valleys and sandhills of Royal Portrush. Above the 36 holesthis club claims as its own are the ruins of the 13th-century Dunluce Castle.

• Nestled at the foot of the breathtaking Mourne Mountains, The RoyalCounty Down showcases even more of the exceptional natural wondersthat make the island of Ireland so memorable.The mountain ranges tower inthe distance of this course, which winds from the greenest hills down to thecoast of the sea. Just thirty miles from the thrills of Belfast, the Royal CountyDown is the perfect stop for any business traveler or adventure seeker.

The Championshipsand the 19th HoleA tour of these spectacular courseswill no doubt demonstrate whyIreland was chosen to hold theRyder Cup in 2006 at the K Club inCounty Kildare and why the upcom-ing Solheim Cup will be claimedon the Killeen Castle GolfResort in County Meath.Whilewalking the footsteps of these cham-pions across Ireland’s hills and val-leys, there is one stop that absolutelyno golfer should forget: the 19th

Hole! No visit to an Irish golf courseis complete without a tale at the pubafter. Share your best, worst or evenimagined stories of luck on the fairways and greens of Ireland overan authentic pint with the locals! It’stime to play!

GOLF IN IRELAND

For information on visiting Ireland and great value vacation offers visit discoverireland.com

1. Ballybunion Golf Course in County Kerry2. Killeen Castle in County Meath, host ofthe upcoming Solheim Cup 3. RoyalPortrush Golf Club in County Antrim. 4.The 10th hole at The Faldo Championshipcourse at Lough Erne Golf Club, photo byDavid Cannon courtesy of Lough Erne.

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Home of Champions

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