This is a remote part of Ireland – yet thousands trek here each year as part of a pilgrimage to pay respects to a very wild piece of land. Located on the Shannon estuary, The Old Course is a true seaside links, virtually treeless and a course of sharp contours throughout. There appears to be no man-made influence and a complete natural feel of returning to nature.

The coast is a major attraction even without golf, but standing on the tee with the Atlantic waves pounding on the beach below and faced with trying to propel an errant golf ball to a small landing area some 200 yards away, seems to encapsulate everything that is good about life!

Our only disappointment was the speed of play – six hours is too long to play good golf - even though the compensatory views made it less painful. There are conflicting reviews about this course and certainly the first half dozen holes don't have a backdrop worth noting – although the holes are good. It is probably the back nine that summarizes the spirit of Ballybunion with the long par 4 11^th hole epitomising Western Ireland links golf.