A Town Guide to Ballybunion in Ireland
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Ballybunion is a charming seaside resort town in the south west of Ireland which has been drawing in tourists to its sandy beaches and to its golf clubs for many decades.
Part of the appeal of this small town is that it is one of the few villages in the area that has not fully succumbed to being a tourist trap and therefore thankfully retained a good deal of its old country charm. As a result, it tends to have a more laid-back atmosphere and is a favorite for the Irish people from nearby cities seeking a secluded weekend break or day trip.
Many visitors arrive to seek out two main activities: enjoying the beaches in the area and golfing at Ballybunion Golf Club.
In the high season, many families take day trips to Ballybunion to enjoy its family friendly sandy beach. For older children, and the adventurous, there is a flourishing surfing scene centered on the beach. It’s a good choice for beginners or improvers to try out their surf skills since waves are not particularly high.
The cliffs overlooking the beach offer good panoramic views of the sea and surrounding countryside and are well worth the walk. The ruins of Ballybunion Castle are situated on the cliff, but several sieges over the centuries have reduced the castle to being a shadow of what it must have once been. The scenic cliff walk winds its way to some of the other beaches in the area, notably, the ‘Nuns’ beach (named for its proximity to a local nunnery).
Ballybunion Golf Club, which consists of the Old Course and The Cashen course, is renowned as one of the most prestigious golf courses in Ireland, regularly making the top 25 courses in the world according to most golf magazines (and certainly in the top 5 of the world links-style courses). This links-style course was founded in 1893 and has panoramic views on all holes out across the Atlantic Ocean. Prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year and booking ahead is certainly recommended during summer. As is bringing good protective waterproof clothing!
One notable golfing visitor to the town in 1998 was former President of the United States Bill Clinton when he visited, principally, to play at Ballybunion golf club. To honor the visit the local civic leaders have a statue on the Ballybunion’s main street of Bill Clinton teeing off.
The town’s remote location does however result in a lack of hotels and accommodation. This has been touted as a principal reason why the Irish Open Golf Championship has not been played there. As a result, many visitors base themselves in hotels in the nearby towns around Kerry, Clare and the Dingle Peninsula.
Ballybunion town has a small tourist office on its main street providing details of local amenities, information and attractions, such as details of the local bus service to Listowel town. Note however that the tourist office is only open in the summer season.
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Source by Roderick Dunne