From County Down to Portrush, The Royal Golf Giant's Causeway

The Northern Ireland Tourist Board publishes different brochures especially for golfers where courses are listed, county by county, with hotel recommendations. There is also a "blue" brochure for "Irish country houses and restaurants" which are the places to go to find the local touch of living and cuisine.

AROUND BELFAST

Tullyglass Hotel at Ballymena is well located at a few miles from Belfast airport and near the Lough Neagh and a lot of golf courses.

Galgorm Manor at Galgorm Golf Club is a converted gentlemen's residence set amidst his beautiful 85 acre estate. It is a perfect setting to relax with an excellent dining room. It is renowned for its excellence and captures an atmosphere that is a rare combination of luxury and relaxation. Out of golfing, angling is possible in the river and lakes in the estate.

Clandeboye Lodge is located in the Blackwood forest in between Belfast and the south coast near a few golf courses. Charming house in the forest with wood fire and large place to park. Easy to find.

Shanks Restaurant is located in the left ail of the Blackwood Golf Club House. Since 1994, it is one of the Irish restaurants stared by the famous red book Michelin. And Robbie and Shirley Millar deserve this distinction for the high quality of the table but also for the warmth of their welcome. Robbie blends perfectly local products with outside savours like truffles, garlic, basil, fennel… Robbie is also proud of being the first in Ireland presenting 18 different cheese, Stilton included. Great choice of wines from different countries.

The bare summit of the Mourne Mountains has given its name Slieve Donard to the brick red hotel**** which is near the Royal County Down at Newcastle. Build in 1897 by the Railway Company in between the links and the beach of Dundrum's bay, the bar wears the name of Charlie Chaplin who signed the golden book in 1921.
This hotel " had scaled the heights in extravagance and luxury and plumbed the depths in bombs and terrorist activities" said Dr William Hastings at the celebration of the hotel's century which is part of the Northern Ireland's heritage. The place is sought after by many American pros like Tiger Woods who come at County Down to recover from jet lag and get more familiar with links.

While staying comfortably there, it's an occasion to try Irish cuisine at one of the best fish and game restaurant in the country Buck's Head. It's located at a few miles from the hotel along the Dundrum's bay. Fresh seafood coming from the other side of the road but also venison. It is the speciality of the house and some dishes melt for the gourmet's pleasure fish and game like lobster and buck's sirloin. Large choice of international wines..

AROUND PORTRUSH

With a large overview on the links and the beaches of Portrush and the Giant's Causeway, the Royal Court Hotel is perfectly located for a few days stay to play the three links located in the surroundings: Portrush, Portsteward and Ballycastle.

And if you are looking for an Irish cuisine in an Irish house with traditional turf fire, try to get to Harmony Hill Country House near Ballymoney. Fresh vegetables and herbs, mostly grown in the garden around the kitchen enhance finest cuts of quality meats and fresh local seafood. Wonderful selection of international wines. It is worth of the detour. To get there, find instructions in our Information section.

Slieve Donard Hotel

Fireplace at Slieve Donard

Old Bushmills

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