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Welcome to the January 2025 issue of Talking Golf Travel.
As ever, you can look forward to plenty of exciting stories and helpful insights about golf tourism in Ireland and Scotland.
Because a lot has happened since our Festive Special.
Now, without further delay, let’s get the new year underway.
Here’s the incredible agenda for Talking Golf Travel #4.
Click a headline for the full story.
You’ll soon find the world’s next great golf course beside Ireland’s best beach.
At least that’s the billing for Curracloe Links.
Construction on the €20m course starts in February. Specifically, at the 4-star Ravenport Resort in County Wexford.
The award-winning designers couldn’t have picked a better location.
For climate, scenery or terrain.
They’ve promised a fun, modern golfing experience – unlike anything else in Ireland.
Think Friar’s Head in New York.
All going according to plan, from 2026, travelling golfers will flock to the sun-kissed Southeast to play the par-70 Curracloe Links.
Get the full story in the Irish Independent.
Thinking about a golf trip to Scotland?
You now require an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to enter or connect through the United Kingdom.
This includes another popular golf destination: Northern Ireland.
All travellers without a visa need to obtain an ETA – like the U.S. ESTA program.
You must apply for this digital entry permit at least 3 days before travelling.
The ETA willl allow you to stay in the UK for up to 6 months and is valid for 2 years.
You can apply online for £10.
Good news for American golfers planning an Irish golf tour.
Starting in March, United Airlines will expand its direct flights between Dublin Airport and the U.S.
For example, the airline will seasonally double daily flights between Washington D.C. and the Irish capital.
But your extra travel options don’t stop there.
United will also increase the capacity of its seasonal Dublin to Chicago O’Hare service.
Furthermore, you can catch year-round daily flights from New York/Newark.
Plus, seasonal daily non-stop service from Shannon Aiport to New York/Newark and Chicago O’Hare.
Which is very handy if you’re headed to the stunning Southwest.
Or golfing your way across the wild and wondrous West.
And by familiar, we mean potential winners at the 2025 Scottish Golf Tourism Awards you can experience with IGT/Scotland.
Importantly, this illustrious list covers categories on and off the links.
Keep an eye out for the venues with multiple nominations.
Usually, when you think of Royal Portrush, the glorious Dunluce Links immediately come to mind.
But that’s no surprise.
After all, in July, the classic seaside course hosts The Open Championship for a third time.
However, hidden among tumbling dunes along the Atlantic coast, you’ll find its lesser-known sister links.
The Valley is a pure gem.
In fact, Graeme McDowell honed his game on the course.
Like the Dunluce, its design belongs to Harry Colt. And like the Dunluce, its redesign belongs to Martin Ebert.
The new-look Valley Links reopens this Spring.
Top 100 Golf Courses has the inside scoop.
East Lothian – Scotland’s Golf Coast – is just a short drive from the capital city.
Expect a magical cultural adventure on the cobbled streets of Edinburgh.
And watering holes from the Middle Ages.
Recently, the Edinburgh Evening News profiled the city’s 12 oldest pubs.
Fittingly, The Golf Tavern (Est. 1456) is No.2.
Beautiful blue-flag beaches. Lunar limestone landscapes. Colossal coastal cliffs.
Awe-inspiring ancient monuments. Hidden hike trails. Stirring seaside villages.
Plus: legendary music, pubs and restaurants.
No wonder Condé Nast Traveler included County Clare in The Best Places to Go in Europe in 2025.
However, somehow, it left out Lahinch Golf Club.
Thankfully, the iconic links will definitely be on the itinerary for your trip to Clare.
Invariably, Royal Dornoch makes the shortlist for the world’s greatest golf course.
In short, the Championship Course is an otherworldly experience.
But that doesn’t mean you need special credentials to visit this age-old rugged links.
Maybe it’s a coincidence.
But Lonely Planet listed 3 ever-popular golf destinations in its 33 best places to visit in Europe.
First, those sublime Scottish Highlands. The epic region boasts a stunning collection of classic links golf courses. But also Loch Ness, whisky trails, moody islands, countryside pubs, and romantic retreats.
Second, to Dublin’s fair city. Your home base on this east coast golf tour. Between 6 championship courses, you can explore amazing attractions like Trinity College and the Guinness Storehouse.
Third, the Ring of Kerry. Perhaps the most beautiful driving route on the entire Emerald Isle. And the perfect gateway to top-notch links such as Waterville, Dooks, Ballybunion, and Tralee.
A few caveats about this star-studded list in Golfweek.
It’s exclusive to Ireland and Great Britain. Also, a course must have been built in or after 1960 to qualify as modern.
But forget about all 50.
Instead, just for you, we’ve handpicked 10 fledgling links that sometimes fly under the radar.
Have a look-see…
Lastly, some news from Irish Golf Tours. Today, we launch our new Course of the Month series for Talking Golf Travel.
And the illustrious Lahinch Golf Club seemed like the perfect place to start.
Designed by Old Tom Morris.
Refined by Alister MacKenzie.
Ranked No.27 in the world by Golf Digest.
Chosen to host the 2026 Walker Cup by The R&A and USGA.
You could wax lyrical about Lahinch all day.
But the majestic Old Course is even better to play.
See for yourself.
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