The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...

Page created by Robert Lawrence
 
CONTINUE READING
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
The Ultimate ‘Hole in One’
        Travel Guide to Ireland

Fairways and FunDays – Named Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

    Index
    Map of Ireland ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 3
    About Ireland ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 4
    Flags of Ireland ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
    Language ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 5
    Time in Ireland ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
    Electricity in Ireland �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
    Currency ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5
    Banks, ATM’s, Credit/Debit Cards and Travelers Cheques in Ireland ��������������������������������������������� 6
    Telephones in Ireland ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 7
    Purchasing an Irish SIM Card and/or Irish Mobile/Cell Phone ������������������������������������������������������ 7
    Pre-Departure Checklist �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8
    Medical Issues ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8
    Vacation/Travel Insurance ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9
    What to do in case of Emergency during your Tour �������������������������������������������������������������������� 10
    The Police in Ireland ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11
    Driving in Ireland ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 11
    Renting a Car in Ireland ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 12
    Taxis in Ireland �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13
    Useful Apps to Download before your Tour �������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 14
    Pubs and Alcohol in Ireland ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 15
    Smoking in Ireland �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16
    Weather in Ireland �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16
    Visa and Passport Requirements ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16
    Tipping & Gratuities in Ireland ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17
    Questions before or during your Tour ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17
    Should I bring my Golf Clubs or Hire Clubs in Ireland? ��������������������������������������������������������������� 17
    Golf in Ireland ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 18
    Peters Lucky 13 Ireland Travel Tips���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������19

2
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
Ireland’s                              www.fairwaysandfundays.com

                 Great Golf                                                                                         Ballyliffin Glashedy

        Courses
         Map of                                                                                                                            76
                                                                                                                                                71
                                                                                                                                                               7

                                                                                                                                                                   50              14 18
                                                                                                                                                                              17 72 82 34
                                                                                                                                                                                          5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    0                 25Km

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        25Mi
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 50Km

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    50Mi

         Ireland
                                                                                                                                                       66
      with Ireland’s Best Golf Tour Operator                                                                        28                20                       44

                                                                                                                           Letterkenny                   Derry
                                                                                                                 64
                                                                                                                                                                                          60        41
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1
                                                                                                         38
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1                                      Royal Portrush Dunluce
                                                                                                                           29                             48
                       Carne                                                                                                                                                                                   43 78
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            20
                                                                                                                     50
                                                                                                                                                                                        Belfast
                                                                                                                                                                                                               57 9
                                                                         6                                27                               54       Enniskillen                                                                  51
                                                    13
                                                                                           36            87
                                                                                                                 Sligo                                                                                                      2
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Portstewart Strand
                                                                                                                                                                                                               79
                                                                                                4                                            85
        Lahinch Old                                                                                                                                                             21
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Irish
                                                    50
                                                                                                                                             39
                                                                   99
                                           Westport
                                                   49                                      30
                                                                                                                                            Cavan                                         33
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Sea
                                                                                                                                                                                                  Drogheda
                                                                                  5                                                                                                              83                                    Royal County Down
                                                    31
                                                                                                                                                                         46             33 26
                                                    9                                                                                                                                     3      53
    The Golf Course                      22                                                                                      44
    at Adare Manor                                                                                                                                  62                    45 50                     90
                                                                                                                           4                                                              10
                                                                                                                                                                    61                  Dublin 24
                                                                                                                                                                                             12
                                                                              16      Galway                           Athlone                  65
                                                                                                                                                                            47 75        69
                                                                             42                                          8                                               14 55          3 70 25
                                                                                       43                                                  37
                                                         2                                                                                   96                          91               86 29                                                          Portmarnock
                                                                                                                                                                               15 45
                                                                                                                                                                        68               81 40
                                                                                                              73                                                    24               35
                                                                                                                                                                                            46
    Atlantic                                                                                                                               47             89              63 95 35
Ballybunion Old                                                    7           41                                                                                    80           74  32 21
                                                                        52                                                                                              75
     Ocean                                                         Ennis              31
                                                                                           5                                                                                19
                                                              94                                                                                                                   23 56                  10
                                                                                  84 4          Limerick                                          Carlow
                                                                                                                                                                    12
                                                                                                                                                                          59
                                                                                                                                                                                                    88
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The K Club Ryder Cup Course
                                                               50
                                                                                                    18                                                                                    100 3
                                                                                  1 1                                 34
                                                                                                                                                27
                                                     6                                                                          Kilkenny                       44             11
            Tralee                                                                                                         37                        58
                                             92                                                                                                                13
                        19 11                         Tralee                                                                                                                    Wexford
                                                                                                                                Waterford 26                                              4                                                      The European Club
                                       30 50             Killarney                                                                              23 38                              77
                                                    49
                                                         28                                                                                          93 97
                                                                                                                                                               22                                     Contact Fairways and FunDays
                        42 98
                                                                                                3                                                                                                     – Ireland’s Best Golf Tour Operator
                               48     36                                                   2         25 40 16                                                                                         d International: +353 45 871110
                                                                                                                                       Celtic
                                                                                                          2
                                                                                                    15                                                                                                d Toll Free from US & Canada: 1800-7799810
                                                          8                                            39                                                                                             e info@fairwaysandfundays.com
                                                    17                                Cork                                                                                                            d
                                32
                                                                                      50
                                                                                               67                                       Sea                                                           w www.fairwaysandfundays.com
                                                                                                                                                                                                      d
                                                                                                                                                                                                      d @fairwaysfundays
                                                                                                                                                                                                      c facebook.com/fairwaysandfundays
      Waterville                                                                                                                                      Old Head                                        f fairwaysandfundays

Golf Courses                                                                                                                                    Tourist Attractions
1   Adare                       26 County Louth                    51 Kirkistown Castle              76 Rosapenna (X3)                          1    Adare Heritage Village                   19 Glendalough                            35 Powerscourt House, Gardens
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           and Waterfall
2   Ardglass                    27 County Sligo                    52 Lahinch (X2)                   77 Rosslare                                2    Aran Islands                             20 Glenveagh National Park
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        36 Ring of Kerry
3   Arklow                      28 Cruit Island                    53 Laytown & Bettystown           78 Royal Belfast                           3    Blarney Castle & Gardens                 21 Guinness Storehouse
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        37 Rock of Cashel
4   Athlone                     29 Donegal                         54 Lough Erne                     79 Royal County Down (X2)                  4    Bunratty Castle                          22 Hook Lighthouse
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        38 Sliabh Liag Cliffs
5   Ballinrobe                  30 Dooks                           55 Luttrellstown                  80 Royal Curragh                           5    Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge               23 House of Waterford Crystal
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        39 Spike Island
6   Ballybunion (X2)            31 Dromoland Castle                56 Macreddin                      81 Royal Dublin                            6    Céide Fields                             24 Irish National Stud & Japanese
                                                                                                                                                                                                 Gardens                                40 St Patrick’s Cathedral
7   Ballyliffin (X2)            32 Druids Glen (X2)                57 Malone                         82 Royal Portrush (X2)                     7    Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience
                                                                                                                                                                                              25 Jameson Distillery                     41 The Burren
8   Bantry Bay                  33 Dundalk                         58 Mount Juliet                   83 Seapoint                                8    Clonmacnoise
                                                                                                                                                                                              26 JFK Arboretum                          42 The Skellig Experience
9   Belvoir Park                34 Dundrum                         59 Mount Wolseley                 84 Shannon                                 9    Connemara National Park
                                                                                                                                                                                              27 Kilkenny Castle                        43 Titanic Belfast
10 Blainroe                     35 Dun Laoghaire                   60 Moyola Park                    85 Slieve Russell                          10 Croke Park Museum
                                                                                                                                                                                              28 Killarney National Park &              44 Tower Museum Derry
11 Bunclody                     36 Enniscrone                      61 Moyvalley                      86 St. Anne’s                              11 Dingle Dolphin                                Muckross House
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        45 Trim Castle
12 Carlow                       37 Esker Hills                     62 Mullingar                      87 Strandhill                              12 Dublin Zoo                                 29 Kilmainham Gaol (Jail)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        46 Trinity College & The Book of
13 Carne                        38 Faithlegg                       63 Naas                           88 The European Club                       13 Dunbrody Famine Ship                       30 Knock Basilica                            Kells
14 Carton House (X2)            39 Farnham Estate                  64 Narin & Portnoo                89 The Heritage                            14 Dunluce Castle                             31 Kylemore Abbey & Garden                47 Tullamore DEW Distillery
15 Castlerock (X2)              40 Fota Island (X2)                65 New Forest                     90 The Island                              15 Fota Wildlife Park                         32 Mizen Head Signal Station              48 Ulster American Folk Park
16 Castlemartyr                 41 Galgorm Castle                  66 North West                     91 The K Club (X2)                         16 Galway City Museum                         33 Newgrange (aka Brú na Bóinne)          49 Westport House & Gardens
17 Castlerock                   42 Galway                          67 Old Head                       92 Tralee                                  17 Garnish Island                             34 Old Bushmills Distillery               50 Wild Atlantic Way
18 Castletroy                   43 Galway Bay                      68 Palmerstown Estate             93 Tramore                                 18 Giants Causeway
19 Ceann Sibeal (Dingle)        44 Glasson                         69 Portmarnock Links              94 Trump Ireland Doonbeg
20 Clandeboye                   45 Grange                          70 Portmarnock                    95 Tulfarris
                                                                                                                                                Ports                                          Airports
21 Concra Wood                  46 Headfort (X2)                   71 Portsalon                      96 Tullamore                               1    Belfast                                    1   Belfast International
22 Connemara                    47 Hermitage                       72 Portstewart (X3)               97 Waterford Castle                        2    Cork                                       2   Cork
23 Coollattin                   48 Hogs Head                       73 Portumna                       98 Waterville                              3    Dublin                                     3   Dublin
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Scan
24 Corballis                    49 Killarney (X3)                  74 Powerscourt (X2)               99 Westport                                4    Rosslare Harbour                           4   Ireland West
25 Cork                         50 Killeen Castle                  75 Rathsallagh                    100 Woodenbridge                                                                           5   Shannon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Me
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

About Ireland
The island of Ireland is located in the north-western tip of Europe.
Ireland is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, with the Celtic Sea
to the south, Saint George’s Channel to the south-east and the
Irish Sea to the east. The island of Ireland is over 32,000 sq.
miles/84,000 sq. km in size. The island is 301 miles/486 km from
north to south and 170 miles/275 km from east to west.

There are two parts of the island of Ireland:

  1. T
      he Republic of Ireland occupies approximately 80%               2. N
                                                                           orthern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom
     of the island of Ireland. The capital and largest city               and is located in the northeast of the island of Ireland.
     is Dublin, which is located on the eastern part of the               The population of Northern Ireland is over 1.8 million.
     island. The population of the Republic of Ireland is                 Belfast is the capital and largest city in Northern
     approximately 5 million, 1 million of whom reside                    Ireland and has a population of over 300,000.
     in the Dublin area. The head of government is the                    Established by the Northern Ireland Act 1998 as part
     Taoiseach (Prime Minister). There is also an elected                 of the Good Friday Agreement, the Northern Ireland
     President who serves as the largely ceremonial head                  Assembly holds responsibility for a range of devolved
     of state, but with some important powers and duties.                 policy matters, while other areas are reserved for the
     The Irish Free State (later to become the Republic of                British government. Northern Ireland co-operates
     Ireland) was formed in 1922 following independence                   with the Republic of Ireland in several areas, and
     from British rule. The Republic of Ireland became a                  the Agreement granted the Republic the ability to
     member of the United Nations in December 1955.                       “put forward views and proposals” with “determined
     It joined the European Economic Community (EEC),                     efforts to resolve disagreements between the two
     the predecessor of the European Union, in 1973. The                  governments.”
     Republic of Ireland ranks among the top twenty-five
     wealthiest countries in the world in terms of GDP per
     capita, and as the twelfth most prosperous country in
     the world according to The Legatum Prosperity Index
     2019. The Irish government has followed a policy
     of military neutrality through non-alignment since
     immediately prior to World War II and the country is
     consequently not a member of NATO, although it is a
     member in Partnership for Peace.

The geography of the island of Ireland comprises
relatively low-lying mountains surrounding
a central plain, with several navigable rivers
extending inland. The earliest evidence of
human presence in Ireland is dated at
10,500 BC. Irish culture has had a
significant influence on other cultures,
especially in the field of literature.
Alongside mainstream Western culture,
a strong indigenous culture exists, as
expressed through Gaelic games, Irish
music and the Irish language.

 4
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

Flags of Ireland                                             Language
   Republic of Ireland               Northern Ireland        They say that the Irish have the “gift of the gab”
                                                             (eloquence) – so what language do we speak? English and
                                                             Irish (Gaeilge) are the two official languages in the Republic
                                                             of Ireland while English is the language of Northern Ireland�

                                                             Everyone on the island of Ireland speaks English� The
                                                             Gaelic language in Ireland is spoken by locals in rural
                                                             parts of the west, northwest and south of Ireland� However,
                                                             residents of these regions also speak English�

                                                             All road signage in the Republic of Ireland appears in
Time in Ireland                                              English and Gaeilge�

The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are both in
the GMT Time Zone�                                           Electricity in Ireland
Daylight Time Saving occurs the last Sunday of every March   he power plugs and sockets
(the clocks move forward 1 hour) and the last Sunday of      in the Republic of Ireland and
every October (the clocks move back 1 hour)                  Northern Ireland are type G� The
                                                             standard voltage is 230 V and
                                                             the standard frequency is 50 Hz�
Currency
Republic of Ireland:
v The € (Euro) is the currency of the Republic of Ireland�
  One euro consists of 100 cent�
v Notes are €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200 and €500�
v Coins are 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1 and €2�
v Higher denomination notes such as €100, €200 and
  €500 will not normally be accepted in retail outlets,
  so bring cash in lower denominations when you’re
  travelling to Ireland�

Northern Ireland:
v The GB£ (Pound) is the currency of Northern Ireland�
  One-pound sterling consists of 100 pence�
v Notes are £5, £10, £20, £50 and £100�
v Coins are 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p, 50p, £1 and £2�

                          A fun filled, exhilarating and memorable
                          experience is guaranteed on all our tours
                                                                                                                              5
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

Banks, ATM’s, Credit/Debit Cards and Travellers Cheques in Ireland
Banking Services:                                              Credit/Debit Cards:
v Banks in Ireland generally open from 9�30am - 4�30pm         v Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted throughout the
  Monday through Friday with a 5pm closing on Thursday�          island of Ireland�
v Some banks may open on Saturday mornings�                    v American Express is accepted in some places but not all�
v ATM (cash) machines are located at most banks and in         v Credit cards can be used for purchases and also to
  cities, towns and villages, and accept most credit and         withdraw cash from ATMs (although this usually is
  debit cards� Each ATM has a list of card symbols that can      accompanied by a fee)� You can also withdraw cash from
  be used�                                                       ATMs with your Mastercard or Visa debit card� Fees will
                                                                 still be charged but at a lower rate to credit cards�
Traveller’s Cheques                                            v Ireland uses a “chip and pin” system for debit and credit
                                                                 card transactions� Most retailers will accept swipe cards
v Traveller’s Cheques are no longer widely accepted on           but please note this is not always guaranteed�
  the island of Ireland� Most banks won’t accept travellers’
                                                               v It is strongly recommended that you notify your bank of
  cheques, so our advice is to bring cash or cards instead�
                                                                 your travel plans prior to your departure�

                           Ireland - a magical destination to explore
6                            with Ireland’s Best Golf Tour Operator
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

Telephones in Ireland
                                                           Purchasing an Irish SIM Card and/or Irish Mobile/Cell Phone
There are a number of tips in relation to using a          If you are staying in Ireland for a longer vacation or if you intend
telephone/mobile phone/cell phone in Ireland:              on making numerous calls during your stay in Ireland it may
v The international dialling code for the Republic of      be worth purchasing an Irish SIM Card and/or Irish Mobile/Cell
    Ireland is +353�                                       Phone� This is a brief guide on how to do this:
v The international dialling code for Northern Ireland     v Ensure that your device is “network unlocked” meaning that
    is +44                                                      the device can support a SIM card from any network (and not
v If you are dialling an international number from              just the network that you purchased the phone through)� Your
    either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland,         phone provider will provide you with this information
    dial “00” before your country code – for example        v If your mobile/cell phone is network locked, you will need
    dial 001 and then the relevant telephone number if          to purchase an Irish Mobile/Cell phone� Prices of phones in
    calling the United States�                                  Ireland start from €40/GB£40 for a basic mobile phone
v There are now very few public telephones in               v You will then purchase an Irish SIM card (approximately €10/
    Ireland�                                                     GB£10) which will provide you a contact number during your
v Hotels will offer in-room telephones that will allow           stay in Ireland
    you to make international calls� However, the rate      v You will need to purchase credit to make calls, send messages
    charged for this is normally very high�                      or use internet on this phone� €20/GB£20 of credit will provide
v We recommend contacting your mobile/cell phone                 you with unlimited data and limited number of calls and
    provider in advance of travelling to Ireland to              messages�
    ascertain if there are any add on packages available    v There is no fee for receiving calls on this telephone number
    when using your phone in Ireland�                        v There are several mobile/cell phone providers in the Republic
v Mobile/cell phone coverage is excellent throughout             of Ireland and Northern Ireland�
    the island of Ireland� 3G coverage is the norm in        v Calling a Northern Ireland telephone number from the
    many rural parts of Ireland and 4G/5G is readily             Republic of Ireland (or vice versa) is regarded as an
    available in all urban areas                                  international call

                                                                                                                                   7
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

Pre-Departure Checklist
There are a number of essential pre-departure tasks to perform and a number of
essential items to bring with you to Ireland.

Pre-departure Tasks:                           Essential items to bring with you:
  Check that your passport is in               Passport
    date                                        Driving Licence (if renting a car)
 Ensure that you have a visa to                Golf clubs (if golfing)
   enter Ireland (if required)                  Golf shoes with soft spikes/spikeless
 Notify your bank of your travel                 (if golfing)
   plans if you plan on using                   Power adapter (the power plugs and
   your Debit/Credit card while in                sockets are type G. The standard
   Ireland                                        voltage is 230 V and the standard
 Take out suitable Vacation/Travel               frequency is 50 Hz)
   Insurance                                    Comfortable footwear
 Check on the weather forecast                 Camera
   in Ireland (www.met.ie) and
                                                Sunblock
   pack accordingly
                                                Suitable clothing
 Contact your mobile/cell phone
   company to add an international              Medication and Prescription for
   travel package                                 replacement medication (if relevant)

Medical Issues
Ireland has great healthcare, but there are a few things to        v You should always obtain travel insurance to cover any
keep in mind before you go�                                            potential overseas medical costs including medical
                                                                       repatriation/evacuation and legal costs, before you
                                                                       travel� Be sure to check for any exclusions that might
v If you are bringing medicines with you into Ireland,
                                                                       affect your policy and that the policy covers all the
     carry them in their original, clearly labelled container,
                                                                       activities you plan on doing in Ireland� You should also
     along with your prescription or a letter from your doctor�
                                                                       make sure that your travel insurance has medical cover�
     As a rule of thumb anything over a three-month supply
     of medicine will be questioned and any syringes or            v   If you are a resident of an EU country or Iceland,
     needles, should be declared and explained in a letter             Lichtenstein, Norway or Switzerland you should bring a
     from your doctor�                                                 European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which covers
                                                                       you for most medical care�
                                                                   v   There are plenty of pharmacies in Ireland, and they’re
                                                                       a good first stop for travellers seeking medical advice or
                                                                       a local referral� Pharmacies generally operate from 9am
                                                                       to 6pm Monday to Saturday, but many pharmacies in
                                                                       urban areas open late and on weekends�
                                                                   v   Bring a spare pair of glasses or contact lenses with you
                                                                       and your optical prescription just in case�
                                                                   v   As with most of western Europe, there are no
                                                                       vaccinations required to visit Ireland�

 8
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

Vacation/Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend that anyone travelling to Ireland (or to any other country) takes out
Travel/Vacation Insurance� There are many firms to choose from and many levels of cover
available�

The main advantage of taking out Travel/Vacation Insurance is that it offers you (and your
family if relevant) protection as well as a sense of security while you are on a foreign land�

Most travel insurance policies include:

   Protective cover against trip cancellation due to                   Medical costs in the event of injury or illness
    illness/injury,                                                      suffered during the vacation,
   Loss of luggage,                                                    Repatriation if you suffer a serious injury/illness
   Delayed flights,                                                      during the vacation

Many Travel Insurance companies also offer cover against Trip Cancellation in the event that for any reason you decide to cancel
the vacation�

When obtaining a quotation for vacation/travel insurance, you will need to provide the following information:

   All actions you will engage in during your vacation                 The travel season that you will be touring
   Your travel locations (whether travelling to the                    Your physical health
    Republic of Ireland and/or Northern Ireland)                        Any specific prescription medications you are taking

It is essential to carefully read the terms and conditions of all Travel/Vacation Insurance policies to ensure that they offer a
suitable level of cover�

The Unique Fairways and FunDays Pandemic Money Back Guarantee
                                                                                                                              C MONEY BA
                                                                                                                         MI
Fairways and FunDays is offer a Money Back Guarantee if your visit to Ireland is affected by Covid-19

                                                                                                                                       CK
                                                                                                                         E
                                                                                                                     PAND
or any other Pandemic*

Our Pandemic Money back guarantee covers:

   If your flight to Ireland is cancelled due to a Health              If golf courses in Ireland are closed due to
    Pandemic                                                             Government guidance
   If there is a Government ban in relation to travel to               If there is a mandatory quarantine period exceeding
    Ireland due to a Health Pandemic                                     24 hours on arrival in Ireland

Book your tour to Ireland with complete confidence with Ireland’s Best Golf Tour Operator

                                                                                                                                            9
The Ultimate 'Hole in One' Travel Guide to Ireland - Fairways and FunDays - Named Europe's Best Golf Tour Operator - Fairways and ...
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

What to do in case of Emergency during your Tour
In the unlikely event that you require emergency assistance during your time in Ireland
(Police, Medical, Fire, Coastal Services etc), call 999 immediately. The 999-emergency
number will work in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

When calling emergency services, you       In the unlikely event that you do
will be asked to provide the following:    experience an emergency situation
 The exact address of the incident        on your tour it is imperative to contact
     or emergency and/or any               the emergency services first before
     noticeable landmarks nearby�          contacting our office� Please feel free
 Directions to the scene of the           to contact your designated Fairways
     emergency                             and FunDays Tour Director if you
 The telephone number you are             require non-emergency assistance at
     calling from                          any time during your tour�
 Details on the incident itself, the
     number of persons involved, the
     description, any visible injuries
     and knowledge of any
     pre-existing medical
     conditions�

Try to stay calm and
listen to the call taker’s
instructions� It is also
important to keep your own
phone on as the emergency
services may need to contact
you for further information�

 10
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

The Police in Ireland
There are two police services on the island of Ireland:

 Republic of Ireland – An Garda Siochana (translated
   to English means “The Guardians of the Peace”)
 Northern Ireland – Police Service of Northern Ireland
   (P�S�N�I�)

Police officers are unarmed in the Republic of Ireland
while they are armed in Northern Ireland� Police officers
in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland
are always courteous and helpful to visitors� You should
immediately call “999” in the event of an emergency
that you require the services of the Police (whether in
the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland)�

Driving in Ireland
Driving in Ireland is relatively straight forward but there are a   Speeding in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland
few laws and rules of the road that you need to keep in mind�       will result in considerable on the spot fines and/or a court
                                                                    appearance�
 In Ireland, you drive on the left-hand side of the road�
                                                                     All vehicle occupants are required to wear seat belts at all
 You must yield to all vehicles coming from your right and            times�
   always turn left on entering a roundabout�
                                                                     Use of mobile/cell phones while driving is strictly
 You must be at least 17 years old to drive in Ireland�               prohibited�
 Always allow ample time for your journey�                          At all times, you are required to carry a valid driving
 If you are travelling a long distance on one day make                licence; your car must display both proof of insurance
   sure to plan a stop/stops on the route� There is always             and a motor tax disc and, if the car is over four years
   somewhere nice to stop in Ireland!                                  old, the National Car Test (NCT) disc must also be
 Speed limits in the Republic of Ireland are in kilometres�           displayed�
   The speed limits are as follows:                                  The minimum insurance that you must have before you
   v 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas,                                 drive a car in Ireland is Third Party cover�
   v 80km/h (50mph) on regional and local roads,                     If renting a car, it is recommended that you carry a copy
   v 100km/h (62mph) on national roads,                                of your vehicle rental agreement�
   v 120km/h (74mph) on motorways�
                                                                     In the Republic of Ireland, the traffic light sequence is
                                                                       different to most other European countries� Red is the
                                                                       same and means stop, but straight after the red light
                                                                       comes the green ‘for go’ light� The amber light only comes
                                                                       before a red light to warn us to stop unless it is unsafe to
                                                                       do so�
                                                                     Although Ireland produces some wonderful beers and
                                                                       spirits, drink driving limits are strictly enforced� Whether
                                                                       you are a local or a tourist you must adhere to these
                                                                       regulations� Our recommendation is, don’t drink
                                                                       if driving�
                                                                                                                                      11
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

                        Renting a Car in Ireland

In addition to our advice in relation     In Ireland, the majority of rental
to driving in Ireland, we have some        cars are standard shift (manual
specific tips in relation to renting a     transmission). Automatic cars are
car in Ireland                             available, but you should book well
                                           in advance of travelling to avoid
 Car Hire/Rental companies in             disappointment.
  Ireland are generally based in
  airports and cities.                    It is a legal requirement in both the
                                           Republic of Ireland and Northern
 You will need a valid driving            Ireland for all children to be seated
  licence and a credit card to rent a      in appropriate child car seats� If
  vehicle in Ireland.                      required, these seats should be
                                           reserved in advance from your car
 9-seater vehicles are the largest        rental company�
  vehicles that you can rent in
                                          Ensure that you carefully study the
  Ireland
                                           inclusions of your rental in terms
 Most rental companies will not           of:
  rent to drivers under 25 but             v insurance cover,
  there is no upper age limit.             v mileage allowance,
                                           v fuel policy,
  However, if you are over 75, you
                                           v breakdown assistance,
  will be asked to meet additional
                                           v return policy
  requirements. This information is
  generally included in the terms         Always carefully examine your
  and conditions on the company’s          rental vehicle at collection and
  website.                                 note any damage that is on the
                                           vehicle. Bring any damage to the
 Try to book in advance to get            attention of the staff at the Car
  better offers or deals and to ensure     Rental company BEFORE you
  availability during high season.         depart the rental facility.

 12                                Ireland - Truly a Golfers paradise!
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

                        Taxis in Ireland

It is likely that you will at some stage    All hotels, restaurants, tourist
require the services of a taxi driver        attractions, golf courses and
during your time in Ireland. There are       activity centres have contact
several important points:                    details for local taxi companies
                                             and will be more than willing           It is not compulsory to tip taxi
 Taxis are readily available                to order a taxi on your behalf if        drivers in Ireland but you may wish
  throughout the island of Ireland.          required.                                to “round--up” a fare if you are
 Taxis in Ireland will always be                                                     happy with the service received.
                                            Taxis are metered in Ireland and
  clearly marked with a Taxi roof            the fare is calculated from this.
  sign. The registered number of                                                     If you anticipate frequently using
                                             The meter will be visible at all         a taxi during your time in Ireland
  this taxi will also appear on this         stages during your journey.
  roof sign.                                                                          you may wish to register for “Free
                                            Taxi drivers in Ireland are required     Now.” This service allows you to
 Most taxis in Ireland only accept                                                   order taxis from the Free Now App
                                             to clearly display their photograph
  cash.                                                                               on your smartphone and allows you
                                             and credentials in the taxi
 Taxi drivers are required to issue         (normally on the dashboard to the        to make payments by Credit/Debit
  receipts for payment. If after             left of steering wheel).                 Card.
  payment the taxi driver does not
  offer you a receipt you may request
  one.

 Taxi Ranks are easily identifiable
  and are normally the best place to
  get a taxi from.

 You can “flag down” a taxi that is
  available. Taxis that are available
  illuminate their roof sign.

                     Fairways and FunDays offer Free, No Obligation
                   Ireland Vacation Consultations - Contact us Today
                                                                                                                     13
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

                        Useful Apps to Download before your Tour

There are a number of really useful free Apps to download to enhance
your experience in Ireland. Most of these Apps are available on
iOS and Android:

v Fairways and FunDays App –                v Free Now – a superb App that            v WhatsApp – a superb free Call/
   the App of Ireland’s Best Golf              allows you to quickly order a taxi        Messaging App that will allow
   Tour Operator filled with helpful           and if required pay for this taxi by      you to call or message loved
   information and your complete               credit/debit card                         ones for free using Mobile Data
   Tour Itinerary!                                                                       or Wi-Fi
                                            v Met Eireann App – a great
v Wi-Fi Map App – provides an                  weather App from Ireland’s             v RTE News Now – the news
   interactive map of the locations of         National weather forecast                 App of the national Irish
   all free Wi-Fi hotspots                     service                                   broadcaster allows you to keep
                                                                                         up to date with all national
v TripAdvisor – an excellent                v xe�com – an excellent currency             and international news stories,
   resource to offer advice on places          converter App                             weather and sports
   to eat, visit, shop etc�

 14
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

Pubs and Alcohol in Ireland
Ireland is famous for its great pubs where you will get to meet
locals, enjoy live music, watch sporting events on TV, and in
many pubs enjoy delicious traditional cuisine� But there are
some points to be aware of:
 It is an offence to sell alcohol to anyone under the
   age of 18 and to give alcohol to anyone under the age
   of 18 unless in a domestic home and with parental
   consent�                                                        Young people under the age of 18 are not allowed in
 While there is no national legislation prohibiting drinking        licensed premises during extended hours (except in
   in public it is frowned upon�                                     certain circumstances)� It is the responsibility of the
                                                                     licence holder to make sure this does not happen� See the
 Bars and pubs in the Republic of Ireland are permitted to
                                                                     section below on ‘Children’ for more information�
   open the following hours:
                                                                   Children (anyone under the age of 18) are only allowed
    v Monday to Thursday – 10�30 a�m� to 11�30 p�m�                  in pubs and bars if they are with a parent or guardian for
    v Friday and Saturday – 10�30 a�m� to 12�30 a�m�                 restricted hours�
    v Sunday – 12�30 p�m� to 11�00 p�m�
                                                                      v 10:30am – 9�00pm from October to April
   Christmas Day is the only day of the year that pubs close          v 10�30am – 10�00pm from May to September
   in the Republic of Ireland
 Bars and pubs in Northern Ireland are permitted to open
                                                                     18 is the standard age for persons to remain in a bar/pub
   the following hours:
                                                                     after these hours� However, some premises extend this to
                                                                     21 years of age�
    v Monday to Saturday - 11:30am to 11:00pm                      Bar staff are entitled to request age verification if they
    v Sundays and Christmas Day – 12�30pm to 10�00pm                 believe a person is under the age of 18/21� Passport,
    v Good Friday – 5�00pm to 11�00pm                                Driving Licence or National Identity cards are the only
                                                                     documents acceptable for this�
   Pubs and Bars in Northern Ireland are open every day of         Off-licence sales of alcohol is only permitted between the
   the year�                                                         hours of:
 Certain Pubs and Bars in the Republic of Ireland
   and Northern Ireland who sell food or who have live                v 10�30am - 10�00 pm Monday to Saturday
   entertainment have extended opening hours�                         v 12�30pm to 10�00pm Sundays�

                    Whatever your preferences, we’ve got it covered!                                                              15
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

Smoking in Ireland                                                     Weather in Ireland
     There is a smoking ban in both the Republic of Ireland and        The climate of Ireland is mild, moist and changeable with
     Northern Ireland meaning it is illegal to smoke in an enclosed    abundant rainfall and a lack of temperature extremes�
     place of work� So everywhere from pubs and restaurants, to        Ireland’s climate is defined as a temperate oceanic climate�
     shops, offices and public transport, are smoke-free� There
     are exceptions, including some hotels and guesthouses that        January and February are the coldest months of the year
     provide smoking rooms at their discretion�                        and mean daily air temperatures fall between 4-7 °C (39
                                                                       - 45 °F) during these months� July and August are the
     Pubs, nightclubs and hotels generally have a designated           warmest, with mean daily temperatures of 17 to 18 °C
     outdoor smoking area� Make sure to always put your cigarette      (63 to 65 °F) near the coast, to 19 to 20 °C (66 to 68 °F)
     butt in the ashtrays provided or you could face a fine for        inland� The sunniest months are May and June, with an
     littering�                                                        average of five to seven hours sunshine per day� Extreme
                                                                       weather events in Ireland are comparatively rare when
                                                                       compared with other countries in the European continent�

                                                                       December has the least number of daylight hours (7 hours
                                                                       30 minutes per day) while June has the most (17 hours per
                                                                       day)�

                                                                       Met Eireann is the national weather service of Ireland and
                                                                       up to date weather reports can be found on thier website
                                                                       www�met�ie�

Visa and Passport Requirements
Most people need a valid passport to enter the Republic of              Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland� South African
Ireland or Northern Ireland but there are some exceptions:              visitors can visit the Republic of Ireland without a visa but
                                                                        require a UK visa in order to enter Northern Ireland�
v If you are a UK citizen, you can also use official photo
                                                                      v Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has a
  identification�
                                                                        full list of countries whose citizens do NOT require a visa
v If you are an EU citizen, you can also use a national                 to visit Ireland� If your country is not on this list, contact
  identity card�                                                        your local Irish embassy/consulate before you travel to find
                                                                        out your visa requirements� If you’re planning on travelling
Air and sea carriers require some form of photo identification
                                                                        to Northern Ireland, contact your local British embassy/
(usually either a passport or driving licence), so ALWAYS
                                                                        high commission or consular office�
check what form of ID is required with your individual airline
or ferry company before travelling�                                   v The Short-Stay Visa Waiver Scheme allows visitors from
                                                                        certain countries who have a valid UK visit visa to also visit
Visa requirements to enter Ireland depend on your                       Ireland without the need for an Irish visa� The scheme is
citizenship�                                                            valid until 31st October 2021�
v If you are a citizen of a European Economic Area (EEA)              v Please contact INIS (Irish Naturalisation
    member state (27 countries of the European Union,                   and Immigration Service)
    together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and                www�inis�gov�ie if you are unsure
    many other countries including USA, Australia, Canada               of any issues in relation to
    and New Zealand, you do not need a visa to visit the                Visa Requirements

16
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

Tipping & Gratuities in Ireland
First and foremost, tipping is NOT compulsory in the Republic
of Ireland or Northern Ireland� A tip/gratuity should only be given
when you are happy with the service received�

If you are happy with the service that you received, this is a guide
to an appropriate tip/gratuity:

 v Hotel Porters - €/£1-2 per bag for              v Spa Treatments – 10% of final bill
  bringing luggage to your room�                   v Taxi drivers – optional but if you are
 v Hotel housekeeping – optional but                 happy with their service you may opt
   you can leave €/£1-2 per day for                  to round up your fare to the nearest
   exceptional service�                              even amount�
 v Hotel concierge - €/£1 plus for a               v Caddies - €/£10 plus provided
   concierge who offers great advice                 that you are happy with their service
   and service�                                    v Private Tour Driver – if you are
 v Restaurants where a service charge                happy with the service of your driver
   is not included on your bill – 10-15%             €/£10 per person per day is a rough
   of bill� You can also round up to the             estimate of what is regarded as a
   nearest even amount�                              reasonable tip/gratuity
 v Fast Food Restaurant – no tipping               v Tour Operator – no tipping required�
   required                                          Recommending Fairways and
 v Bartenders – no tipping required                  FunDays to family and friends is a
                                                     perfect alternative!
 v Hair Salon – 10% of final bill

Questions before or during your Tour
There is no such thing as a silly question. Please contact a member of the Fairways
and FunDays team at any time before or during your tour. As Ireland’s Best Golf
Tour Operator and given the fact that Ireland is the only destination that we sell, our
experienced and passionate team members are best placed to deal with any questions
or concerns that you have.

Should I bring my Golf Clubs or Hire Clubs
in Ireland?
If you find that bringing your clubs through airports is too inconvenient and too
expensive, there are several options:
1. Clubs 4 Hire:                              3. Ship Sticks:
   www.clubs4hire.com                            www.shipsticks.com
  With this company, they deliver the             This company will collect your
  clubs from your home to the first               clubs and courier them to Ireland
  course you will play and collect                (and return) – cost is approximately
  them from the final course you play             €350 return
  – cost is approximately €70 - €90
                                              4. Rent Clubs at each course that
  per week
                                                 you play
2. Clubs to Hire:                                 Cost is approximately €/£60 per
   www.clubstohire.com                            round�
   With this company you collect the              Pre-booking is essential for any
   clubs in Dublin or Shannon Airport             of the above options� Please
   on arrival and return them to their            note, Fairways and FunDays
   Airport shop before you depart                 has no affiliation to any of the
   Ireland – cost is approximately €70            companies listed above and take
   - €90 per week                                 no responsibility for the service that
                                                  they provide�
                                                                                              17
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

Golf in Ireland

With over 400 golf courses on our small Island, Ireland is         A guide price to a caddie fee is Ireland is approximately:
truly a golfer’s paradise! Not only has Ireland a considerable
number of golf courses which feature amongst the best and             v Senior Caddie €/£70 plus tip
most famous courses in the world, no other country offers             v Double Bag Caddie €/£100 plus tip
a uniquely special environment to play golf like Ireland�             v Forecaddie €/£100 plus tip
Perhaps the biggest appeal of golf in Ireland is the abundance
of world class links and parkland courses in such close            v Handicap certificates are not required at most courses�
proximity� No other destination in the world offers the golfer       However, it is essential that all players are aware of proper
the opportunity to play the best of both links and parkland          golf course etiquette and have adequate golfing skills that
courses�                                                             don’t impede with other players on the course�

We have several key tips in relation to playing golf in Ireland:   v It is essential to wear suitable attire on all golf courses�
                                                                     Denim, collarless shirts, sports jerseys and sports shorts
v Tee times should be reserved in advance of travelling to           are strictly prohibited at all golf courses in Ireland�
  Ireland� At more famous courses, it is often necessary to
  reserve tee times up to 12 months in advance of your visit�      v Buggies/Carts are available to rent at most golf courses
                                                                     in Ireland� These should be pre-reserved as golf courses
v Golf shoes are compulsory on all courses� If your shoes            have a limited supply of buggies/carts� An increasing
  have spikes, only soft spikes are permitted�                       number of links courses in Ireland do not permit buggies/
                                                                     carts due to damage caused to the courses and dangers
v Caddies are available at most golf courses but must be
                                                                     from high dunes� Some links courses only permit buggies/
  booked in advance� With the exception of a small number
                                                                     carts with a medical certificate outlining the players
  of golf courses caddies are not compulsory� A good
                                                                     requirement for a buggy/cart�
  caddie will greatly enhance your experience especially
  when playing links courses where local course knowledge
  is essential�

                         Fairways and FunDays offer dream Ireland
18                       Tours regardless of your group size or budget
www.fairwaysandfundays.com

                  Peter’s ‘Lucky 13’ Ireland Travel Tips
                As a former Tour Professional who has represented Ireland for many years, it is a great honour
              for me to again represent Ireland as Director of Golf for Fairways and FunDays. There are few
           places in the world that offer a selection of world-famous Links and Parkland courses - Ireland is
one of these places. However, Ireland offers so much more for the golf traveller.

In addition to playing some of the world’s best golf courses, our team always encourage
our clients to enjoy the luxurious accommodation, delicious food, spectacular
sightseeing and exhilarating evening entertainment that Ireland offers - we
call this the “Ireland 24/7 Experience.”

These are my “Lucky 13” tips for golf and leisure visitors to Ireland:

1. Make the most of every second of         8. Swing easy when its windy on the
   your time in Ireland                        golf course!
2. Plan well in advance to get              9. For links golf leave your lob wedge
   availability at the iconic courses and      at home and love your putter!
   the best hotels
                                            10. Choose hotels that are in prime
3. Enjoy the unique experience that             locations
   links golf offers
                                            11. Consider taking “The Road Less
4. Play some of Ireland’s Hidden Gems           Travelled” in Ireland - don’t be
                                                afraid to get lost!
5. Visit a pub where the locals go
                                            12. Don’t try to see all of Ireland in one
6. Don’t be afraid to bring non-
                                                visit
   golfers on your tour - Ireland has
   something for everyone                   13. Get advice from an expert - Ireland
                                                is the only destination that we sell.    About Peter:
7. Take a Caddie for at least one of
                                                Our team are always glad to help
   your games!                                                                           Peter Lawrie is one of Ireland’s most
                                                whether you are a client or not.
                                                                                         successful Tour Professionals of all time�
                                                                                         Peter was named Rookie of the Year in 2003
On behalf of Fairways and FunDays, we look forward to welcoming you to Ireland.          and joined the likes of Arnold Palmer, Seve
We can promise you an unforgettable experience – magical memories are                    Ballesteros and Bernhard Langer when he
guaranteed.                                                                              won the Spanish Open in 2008� Peter has
                                                                                         enjoyed a plethora of Top 10 Tour finishes
Mr. Peter Lawrie,                                                                        and remains one of Irish golf’s most influential
Director of Golf,                                                                        figures� Peter was appointed Director of Golf
Fairways and FunDays                                                                     at Fairways and FunDays in 2019�

                                 Contact a member of the experienced
                                  Fairways and FunDays team Today                                                                 19
Contact Information
Fairways and FunDays – Ireland’s Best Golf Tour Operator

  Telephone: International: +353 45 871110
  Toll Free from US & Canada: 1800-7799810
  Website: www.fairwaysandfundays.com
  Email: info@fairwaysandfundays.com

  Twitter: @fairwaysfundays
  Facebook: facebook.com/fairwaysandfundays
  Instagram: instragram.com/fairwaysandfundays

  Make sure to Tag “Fairways and FunDays” on any of your
  Social Media posts. We offer a monthly prize for the best
  photograph in which Fairways and FunDays is tagged.
  Also, please remember to review Fairways and FunDays on
  TripAdvisor at the end of your Tour!

Fairways and FunDays – Named Europe’s Best Golf Tour Operator
You can also read