Emerald Fairways and Foam-Flecked Seas: A Golfer's Pilgrimage to the Courses of Ireland

From the opening drive at Lahinch, just thirty miles from your arrival point at Shannon International Airport, to the spectacular dune-framed holes at Ballybunion, Ireland boasts an extraordinary collection of seaside links. Royal Country Down, Royal Portrush, Portmarnock, Portstewart, Waterville and the Island, the European Club and Baltry -- any one of these would be reason to cross an ocean, and the concentration of all of them on a land mass smaller than the state of Maine makes for a golfer's paradise limited only by your budget and your time.

For the tourist or the dreamer, there can be no better guide than James W. Finegan. A passionate advocate and a charming storyteller, Finegan combines a writer's eye, a historian's knowledge, and a golfer's sense of wonder and apprehension to provide an impossibly ambitious grand tour of this beautiful land. In a loop that begins in the West at Lahinch and continues clockwise through both the Republic and Northern Ireland, Finegan covers more than fifty courses, visiting those that have become true shrines of the game, the courses that are well known and respected, and the little-known gems you might otherwise pass right by. He shares the history of the courses, and writes marvelously about the scenic and strategic charms to be found as you play them yourself. And he provides all the information you need to make your arrangements to do just that -- because unlike most championship courses in the United States, the great courses of Ireland are available to the public.

In addition to his delightful descriptions of the golf to be found there, Finegan gives us his recommendations for places to stay, ranging from the most modest bed and breakfast to the most magnificent palace -- some thirty accommodations in all. He describes the pleasures to be found off the beaten track: the spectacular views from a country road, or the ancient cathedral that's worth a stop on the way to the first tee. And because all the travel within the country is done by car, he spells out the actual route from town to town and course to course, as he lays out an itinerary that will surely encounter almost all of the fabled "40 shades of green."

Emerald Fairways and Foam-Flecked Seas is a book to be read, to be savored, and to be tucked away in your suitcase when you finally undertake the journey of your dreams.

My golfing buddy and I are in the planning stages of a trip to either Ireland or Scotland. If you appreciate humorous, passionate writing, then this is the book. You can feel the pace of play and exciting in his words. You can also feel his appreciation for the joy of the trip in his conversations with golf pro's, barkeeps, hotel owners.

After reading this joyful book, you'll be hooked on travelling just like he has, same courses, same restaurants and inns.

Makes a wonderful gift for golfers who fully appreciate the game of golf. Between this and the Scotland book, I think that I've given away seven copies.


a must have golfing guide of ireland   October 9, 1999
 20 out of 20 found this review helpful

this book is a must. I am a PGA professional who recently spent six weeks in ireland. thankfully i brought along my copy of emerald fairways. it was just as valuable to me as my golf clubs. his insight on the golf courses are extremely accurate, but the most valuable information is on food and accomodations. It was amazing to have read the book and then experience everything exactly how it read. even the people he comes across and writes about, really exist and are still around interacting in the same manner as he writes. simply a must have for anyone who has even dreamt of going to Ireland. Scotland may be the home of golf, but Ireland is golf heaven. there is a reason so many golf pros (woods, janzen, duval, stewart, etc.) take trips there. Finegan does an amazing job that could not be topped by anyone, not even Christy O'Conner. Enjoy it, I know you will.


How could I go to play golf in Ireland without it!   February 5, 1999
 7 out of 8 found this review helpful

As we plan our trip to Ireland Jim Finegan makes us realize that we need to spend more time there to enjoy more courses from the great ones to the unknown treasures . His epistle on Scotland does the same. My only real question is, Do I need a Michelin guide as well or shall we just enjoy the beauty and finesse of the Irish courses as he tells us to ?? A great manual for Irish Golf.