SCOTLAND is the Home of Golf — but is it time to admit Ireland does it better?
I’ve been seriously questioning my loyalties since a trip to Northern Ireland, where I played some of the best courses on the Emerald Isle — and found plenty to do off the greens too.
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Belfast is just an hour from Portrush – it’s well worth a visitCredit: Getty
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Drop into the famous Duke of York for a pint of Guinness (or two)Credit: Alamy
I spent a fabulous few days in the bustling capital of Belfast, and then on to the picturesque town of Portrush on the Causeway Coast, which will host The Open in July.
Belfast is one of the most exciting destinations in Europe right now and has a melting pot of attractions from the world famous Titanic Museum to the Game of Thrones studio, Belfast Zoo and the Crumlin Gaol museum.
Speaking of melting pots, I’d recommend swapping the golf clubs for kitchen utensils at some point and giving yourself a taste of the experience at Waterman’s Cookery School, run by local chef Niall McKenna.
Themed classes run regularly, allowing you to create anything from curries to roasts or seafood.
A round on the championship course at the Hilton Templepatrick whetted the appetite for the week, as we ventured north to Portrush via a stop-off in Coleraine for a boat ride up the River Bann thanks to Causeway Coast Foodie Tours.
We hopped aboard a beautifully restored vintage boat built by the renowned Harland & Wolff — the same shipbuilders who made Titanic — for the Spirit of the Bann tour.
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Ryan made his own traditional seafood chowder at Waterman’s Cook SchoolCredit: RYAN ROWE
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The Spirit of the Bann boat tour is a must-do for any foodie – heck, anyone at all!Credit: RYAN ROWE
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An array of local produce worth shouting aboutCredit: RYAN ROWE
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Take to the greens with a view of the sea at Portrush
Treated to an array of local produce, this trip follows the route of the first settlers to the island and is rounded off with a toast to all things Ireland with a spirit of your choice or a liqueur from Dunluce Distillery.
A round at bucket-list Royal Portrush was on the following day’s agenda so we warmed up for that at Castlerock’s Mussenden Links.
Set among rolling dunes, it’s one of the toughest courses in the country — you’ll do well to shoot close to your handicap here but you’ll appreciate the views either way.
Our first meal in charming Portrush was one to remember.
The Shanty restaurant is housed within an old lifeboat shelter so needless to say it packs a lot into a small space — not least the portion sizes!
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My fish and chips were superb and the wine and beer list is as good as anywhere twice the size.
Packing a lot into a small space is what the Causeway Coast, indeed Northern Ireland as a whole, does with aplomb.
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The world famous Giant’s Causeway is a stone’s throw away from PortrushCredit: RYAN ROWE
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The views are magnificentCredit: RYAN ROWE
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Dunluce Castle is another great photo opportunityCredit: Alamy
In Portrush you have six different themed restaurants down by the harbour under the Ramore brand, offering everything from beef and pasta to Asian fusion and seafood.
The pick of the pubs is the Harbour Bar, a jaunt frequented by golfers and other familiar faces during The Open.
The fabled Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle are within 20 minutes and both are worth your time — your camera will thank you, as will your soul.
A biting wind and rain tried its best to spoil Royal Portrush.
The weather cleared up eventually but nothing about the conditions took away from the appreciation of the truly outstanding Dunluce course (maybe they added to it).
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Royal Portrush bore its teeth – but any golfer won’t help smilingCredit: RYAN ROWE
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The Elephant Rock Hotel comes highly recommendedCredit: RYAN ROWE
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The rooms are spacious and boast stunning coastal viewsCredit: RYAN ROWE
The stunning landscape of holes five through seven reminded me of the Ailsa at Turnberry but the sight from the tee at 16 — the aptly named Calamity Corner — is terrifying.
Two hundred-plus yards over a steep ravine? You need balls for that shot.
Read more on the Scottish Sun
In terms of where to rest your head in between hitting the fairways and exploring the rest of the Causeway Coast, look no further than the Elephant Rock, a stylish boutique hotel full of charisma with vistas of the Antrim shore.
And if we do have to hold our hands up and surrender our claim as the world’s best golfing destination to the Irish, at least they can’t take the whisky crown from us… right?
GO:NORTHERN IRELAND
GO: NORTHERN IRELAND
GETTING THERE: For best prices on flights to Belfast see skyscanner.net.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at the 4H Hilton Templepatrick from £128 a night, see hilton.com. Rooms at 4H Elephant Rock Hotel in Portrush from £210 per night at elephantrockhotel.co.uk.
MORE INFO: Green fees at Hilton Templepatrick from £80pp; Castlerock from £160pp and Royal Portrush is £385pp. Visit discovernorthernireland.com.
