Aspiring travelers, golfers, and luxury vacationers will love an overnight stay at Askernish Golf Club in Northern Ireland. It’s like a modern-day gentlemen’s club, with a difference: the members are all female. This isn’t a brothel—at least not by traditional standards—but rather a collection of luxury hotels owned by the Davison group. Each of the nine unique and individually designed golf courses is beautifully and thoughtfully maintained. On any given day, you’ll likely see professional golfers practicing their craft or members relaxing at the end of a long day. In the morning, you’ll wake up to the sound of trickling fountains, rustling trees, and birdsong. It’s quite the scene: the perfect combination of green, water, and woodlands.
How to get to Askernish? First, you must fly to Belfast International Airport, though you can choose to go by car if you’re driving. From the airport, it’s a 30-minute drive to the town of Ballygawley. Once there, make a right onto the Ballygawley Road and take the first exit, following it for about 3 kilometers until you reach a T-intersection. Turn right and follow this road for about 1.5 kilometers until you see a gate on your right. This is the entrance to Askernish Golf Club.
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Indulge In A Luxury Stay
The gated driveway gives way to a grandiose entrance, with portico, pillars, and a statue of a crouching panther. The atmosphere is certainly one of elegance and relaxation. After paying the attendant at the reception and showing your badge, you’ll be asked to choose one of the two facing reception desks. One of them will be Kelly, the affable reservations manager, who can help you make your reservation. Request a visit to the Georgian Room, where you can enjoy a cup of Earl Grey tea or a glass of champagne. The hotel’s renowned Italian restaurant, Olio, is just up the stairs. In the meantime, walk through the hotel’s magnificently well-maintained gardens to the bar. Here you can have a refreshing beverage or lunch, depending on the time of day. If you have a late night arrival, perhaps you’ll opt for a bottle of champagne or a glass of prosecco to toast your arrival.
Abutting the bar is the magnificent library, which houses a range of popular fiction and non-fiction books as well as newspapers from around the world. If you visit before 5:00 p.m., you might even get the chance to speak with Lillian, the head librarian, who can give you more information about the books and newspapers available for you to indulge in. At nightfall, when the gardens are locked, you can make your way to the outdoor pool, where you can lounge with a drink by the fire. This is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of indulgence.
The Range Of Amenities
The outdoor heated pool with waterfall and Jacuzzi is open throughout the year. Indulge in a swim and massage therapy session, or settle in for a romantic dinner and stay overnight in one of the hotel’s four-poster or grand four-post bedrooms. As mentioned, nine different golf courses, all unique and designed by some of the greatest golf course designers in the world, can be played at Askernish. The entire golf experience is accompanied by top-notch golf caddies who can organize golf trolley, cart rental, and arrange for golf lessons at the nearby Gleneagles–Ballygawley Golf Club. In the event that you have a group of four or more booking, you’ll be entitled to make use of the hotel’s executive pool (for a fee), complete with underwater speakers for those who want to listen to music while swimming.
Where Can I Eat In Town?
There are a number of restaurants and eateries in Ballygawley, including PUB, a traditional Irish pub that serves local food, and the award-winning Restaurant Mirabelle, which serves French cuisine and is a member of the three-star Michelin Guide.
At the time of writing, the only nearby hotel offering dining options was the Radisson Blu with restaurants The Brasserie and Bar Delico. If you book your accommodation and meal package at Askernish, you’ll have the option of eating in either of those restaurants or at Chateau Beauséjour, a vineyard and restaurant that is attached to the hotel. If you book the Chateau Beauséjour package, you’ll be provided with an evening meal and a full golf breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner at the hotel’s restaurants. The hotel also offers a butler service for those who want to indulge in extra convenience.
What About Entertainment?
If you visit during the week, you’ll have the opportunity to attend some of the town’s numerous entertainment venues, such as the Capitol Cinema, the Alhambra Plaza, and the Pavilion Theatre. If you’re looking for something a little more high-brow, you can check out the town’s numerous art galleries and museums, including the Bogarts Arts Centre and the Temple Street Gallery.
Aside from the arts, the town offers visitors the opportunity to take a ride on a Giant’s Causeway Tour, visit the Ulster Folk Museum, or attend a live music performance at one of the many bars and venues around town.
Is There Anything Else To Do?
If you have time after indulging in a spot of golf, you can visit the town’s marina, where you can rent a kayak or canoe and paddle around the picturesque lakes and rivers that course through the town. Alternatively, it is only a short drive to Portrush, where you can have a go at the famous Irish surfing experience. This is best enjoyed with the local community, who will surely welcome you with open arms.
To sum it up, a trip to Askernish is a real pleasure, whether you’re a seasoned traveler looking for a new destination or an adventure-seeking golf lover. The town abounds with luxury hotels, some of which allow for online booking, making it easy and convenient to arrange a visit. Make sure you include this unique hotel in your travel plans. You won’t regret it.