Ballybunion Golf Club (Cashen Course): Also known as the New or Trent Jones course, the Cashen is much the younger of the two courses at Ballybunion. Laid out in an area of "himalayan" sandhills south of the clubhouse, the Cashen is not as revered as the world-renowned Old course, which occupies the duneland north of the clubhouse. However, many see the Cashen as the more daunting challenge, and like its older sibling, not a course to be missed.

Although not overly long, the Cashen is certainly no pushover, especially if the wind is blowing. Threading your way between huge sand dunes (some 150 feet high), and hitting small slivers of fairway is the biggest challenge. Trent Jones has been sparing in his deployment of bunkers, but on some holes equally sparing with the width of the fairways. Don't expect to play to your handicap on a first outing. Be thankful when you do on subsequent visits.

As on the Old course, the closing holes hug the Atlantic shoreline giving fabulous sea views, which complement views onto the River Cashen estuary enjoyed on the front-nine. Housing development and busy roads might feature alongside many golf courses, but not here. The wonderful naturalness of the course and sheer size of the dunes is what's most breathtaking. The sea, the wind, swishing fescues and a few twittering skylarks are the sounds that will accompany you around the Cashen. Allowing for some "intentionally" rustic maintenance, the Cashen really should feature on your itinerary if you come to tee it up at one of the best known golf clubs in Ireland.