Depending on the weather and which set of tees you are using, the Ballyliffin Glashedy can be a brutal test in beautiful surroundings.
Ballyliffin Old would be much diminished without its omnipresent weather, but as it is the holes change in character from day to day, and even hour to hour.
Rosapenna Sandy Hills is almost impossibly spectacular. Never mind poor holes, Sandy Hills only very rarely drops into the realms of average.
One of Ireland’s most under-rated links, the front nine at Portsalon might be more consistently excellent but there are also superb holes coming home.
The Old Tom Morris at Rosapenna is a perfect compliment to the rigours of sister course the Sandy Hills.
When it seems time for something completely different, a journey to the quirky yet beautiful Cruit Island would fit the bill more aptly than most.
All you need to know about this brilliant Irish course
All you need to know about this brilliant Irish course