Luxury always is good, but most golf buddy trips rely more on comfort and convenience when choosing destinations and accommodations. So, with those two things in mind, I give you White Sands Hotel in Portmarnock, Ireland. The 58-room hotel, across from the beach and landmark Martello tower, is 15-minute drive from the Dublin Airport. It’s an ideal headquarters for golf buddy trips in the Dublin/Portmarnock area.
The hotel’s twin, triple and double rooms – each recently renovated – are clean and quiet. The front desk personnel at White Sands are well-informed about all of the courses in the area and can help make tee-time arrangements.
Don’t want to drive Ireland’s narrow, winding roads? Taxi and Uber services are plentiful around the hotel and Portmarnock, along with bus and train services.
White Sands is less than a 10-minute drive to Jameson Golf Links and Portmarnock Golf Club, and only a 30-minute drive to Corballis Links Golf Club. Royal Dublin is a 15-minute drive, while Killeen Castle and its outstanding Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course – one of only two Nicklaus layouts in Ireland -is about an hour away. The other Nicklaus course – Mount Juliet – is two hours from White Sands.
The Island Golf Club, founded in 1890 and one of Ireland’s truly great courses, is about 30 minutes in the village of Malahide. Like Royal Dublin, the Island is a private club, but if a group calls ahead (usually at least two days) each of the properties have proven to be accommodating if there are tee times available.
The hotel is an easy walk to area restaurants, but there’s no need to leave the property thanks to its Oasis Bar. A traditional Irish bar, the Oasis serves a great breakfast, as well a classic pub menu that includes chicken, steak and an outstanding burger.
At night, the Oasis is one of the more popular eating and drinking establishments in Portmarnock.
Historic Martello tower – built in 1805 – across the road from White Sands Hotel
White Sands is also a popular location for conferences. The Lambay Suite, the main boardroom at the White Sands, can cater for up to 20 people, while providing spectacular sea views. The Martello Room features a private bar and conference facilities for up to 200 people.
Whether you’re in Pomerock for a conference or a few rounds of links golf, White Sands Hotel has you covered in Irish hospitality.
