There are good reasons why this has been the selected site for more professional tournaments than any other course in Ireland. It has hosted The Irish Professional Championship more than half a dozen times; The Irish Amateur on 11 occasions; the Walker Cup and the World Cup. In 2003, Ireland's premiere golfing event, The Irish Open, returned to Portmarnock for the 13th occasion. No course in Ireland holds more impressive credentials.

Situated a short 20 minutes drive north of Dublin, Portmarnock occupies a narrow, flat peninsula, jutting into Dublin Bay. Surrounded by water on three sides, it is very much subject to the temperamental moods of the winds coming in from the Irish Sea. From a soft sea breeze to a stiff 20 mph wind, the changes you are likely to encounter in a single round can confuse and bewilder the inexperienced links golfer, but for those more accustomed to this kind of golf, the challenge is taken to new heights.

From the relatively gentle opening three holes, the fourth presents a change of direction and the beginning of the real test. It gets no easier from here on in and it will be essential to avoid the rough, which at times is waist high and totally unforgiving.

On the front nine, the par-5 sixth and par-4 eighth are truly outstanding. On the back, the 14th was described by Henry Cotton as one of the greatest par 4s in golf, and the 15th received similar accolades from Ben Crenshaw, who considered it to be the best short hole on earth.

Hopefully by the time you reach this point in your round you are prepared for the closing trio, one of the strongest combinations of finishing holes you will ever be faced with.

No links aficionado should miss the opportunity to play Portmarnock; it just might be the ultimate links test. But plan well ahead, the close proximity to Dublin and number of visiting golfers that want to play one of the best in the world, can make visitor times a scarce commodity.

Being an island course, Waterford Castle is certainly unique and the course is laid out on gently undulating land and offers stunning views from all parts of the course. Over 200 acres of the former Fitzgerald estate were set aside for the course development, which began in 1990, while many of the old plantations were retained and thousands of new trees were planted. Upon first observing the site in 1988, course designer Des Smyth commented: "The Island has a natural undulating landscape with mature forestation and beautiful views of the river. To develop a golf course on the Island would have been a natural decision for anyone with a keen love of the game".

The quality of the finished product was immediately evident and the course has received favourable reviews from all quarters. The layout is excellent and requires a wide variety of shots over the course of eighteen holes. Each hole offers a different challenge, while club selection is an important issue at all times. Like most golf courses, straight hitters with reasonable length have little to fear but be assured that an abundance of hazards wait to punish any wayward strokes.

Some of the outstanding holes on the front nine include the 3rd and 9th holes. The 3rd is a par four of 409 yards, which requires an accurately struck shot from the tee carrying 170 yards over a lake. Your approach is to a sloping green with a second lake to the right and a bunker on each side. The doglegging par four 9th, rated the most difficult at Waterford Castle, requires a well placed tee shot in order to tackle the green in two, while an uphill approach requires a long iron to a well protected green. The homeward journey is equally challenging with the par five 13th, offering beautiful river views and par three 16th being particularly interesting. The 16th at 205 yards is not a hole for the fainthearted and apart from the lake, which runs along the right side of the hole, the green is surrounded left and right by strategic bunkering.

The golf course is a fair challenge, which rewards good play but punishes errors. Water is in play in a serious way on seven holes, while the bunkers throughout the course are positioned to ensure that the golfer thinks their way around. Best of the outward nine holes are probably the short 3rd over water and the long par four 4th hole, which requires a straight drive through a tree lined fairway and an accurate approach to a green guarded by water on the right. The journey home will certainly be enjoyed, with the 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th holes a real pleasure to play. Mount Juliet offers a very strong finishing two holes. The 17th is a long par 5, where the drive must be threaded along a huge lake on the left and through large trees on either side of the fairway, while the 18th is long par 4, skirted by the lake on the left and is a fitting finish to a great golf course.

In addition to golf Mount Juliet Estate offers a variety of exhilarating sporting opportunities. Guests can explore the estate on bicycles or on foot. A visit to Ballylinch Stud farm, an integral part of estate life, will help to understand and perhaps share the age-old Irish love of horses. The Mount Juliet Equestrian Centre offers basic tuition, trail riding, cross country jumping and show jumping and will tailor make instruction programmes to the rider’s specific needs. The Clay Target and Archery Academy provides a challenge to marksmen and would-be Robin Hoods.

Salmon and trout fishing is available on the two fine rivers which run through the estate - The River Nore and the Kings River. Tuition and equipment is provided for all sports.

Dublin is a city brimming with culture. The 8th century illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, must be viewed. It is on display at the impressive Trinity College, Ireland's first university (founded 1592) in the heart of Dublin. For the rest of the day, it is up to you how much you want to pack in. Phoenix Park, twice the size of New York City's Central Park, Georgian Dublin around Steven's Green, the Nation Botanical Gardens, and the Hugh Lane Municipal Art Gallery are all highly recommended stops on your tour. Be sure to pay a visit to Dublin's Temple Bar area to experience the lively Dublin pub culture.

Day 2: Golf - Royal Dublin

Known as the Garden of Ireland, Wicklow has wonderful scenery, with mountains, wooded valleys and lakes. It is fringed on the east by golden sandy beaches. Major routes to the east and west go through two of the highest passes in the country - Sally Gap and Wicklow Gap. Among its spectacular valleys are Glenmalure, Glencree, Glenmacnass, the Glen of Immal, and the most famous of all - Glendalough, the home of one of the country's most famous early Christian sites. The county is very popular with outdoor enthusiasts for the range of activities it offers - walking, cycling, shore, coarse and game angling, golf, riding, watersports. There are also a number of historic gardens and houses to visit, Powerscourt House being the most famous and impressive. Because of its wonderful scenery, the county has been used as a location for many films over the years, including Excalibur, Braveheart, Far and Away and Michael Collins. The very successful Irish television series Ballykissangel was made in the pretty village of Avoca.

Day 3: Golf - Portmarnock in the morning. That afternoon travel south to Wicklow, possibly taking in Glendalough on the way (1 hour).

Day 4: Golf - The European Club

Waterford is a city steeped in history. Its ancient city walls are still standing as well as an impressive round tower that stands proudly in the town center. Around Waterford you will find much to do such as visiting the famous Waterford Crystal Factory and traveling around the county in search of one of many ancient megalithic monuments.

Day 5. Travel along the east coast from Wicklow to Waterford City (2 hours). No golf scheduled.

Kilkenny, or the Marble City as it is known, is one of Ireland's oldest cities, and proud of it. Its array of ancient buildings is unrivalled. It is renowned for being a vibrant cultural center, devoted to the musical and visual arts. Its two most impressive landmarks are Kilkenny Castle, founded in 1172 and privately owned until 1967, and St. Canice's Cathedral. The current structure of the cathedral dates from the 13th century, though this is nowhere near the beginning of its story, which is rich in folklore and legend. There is no shortage of pubs to explore and enjoy in Kilkenny and during the summer the city is always full of life. The summer also sees the city host an Arts Festival and a very highly regarded Comedy Festival called the Cat Laughs.

Day 6: Golf - Waterford Castle in the morning. In the afternoon travel north to the medieval city of Kilkenny (1 hour).

Day 7: Explore Kilkenny and the surrounding countryside. No golf scheduled.