T-Time Podcast // Ep. 77: Stories from the Girls Gone Golfing Ireland Retreat
Join Ashley and me as we share all the stories from our Ireland Retreat! From losing my golf clubs to closing down the pubs, to all the caddies banter, world-class resorts, and last but not least... the golf courses.
The Retreat and Ashley Adopting New Skills
Ireland presented us with an opportunity to try something we hadn't before on our retreats - video recording our experiences. We had shared tidbits on Instagram but felt it was time to do more. Even with a budget-friendly camera, we were prepared to share more of our golf retreat journey.
This retreat was a first in many ways. Ashley, initially out of her comfort zone with the technicalities of a camera, confessed to being unaware of many functionalities such as sound and video quality. Just like any new venture, it turned with its fair share of hiccups, including some clips skewed by poor sound or no sound at all.
Golf Rounds and Videos
Despite the wobbly start, Ashley managed to successfully film all our golf rounds. This was a great chance for those who love golf courses and vlogs to experience these incredible landscapes with us. The Royal Dublin Golf Club welcomed us for our first round. Ashley managed to withstand only five holes on her first day as a videographer before admitting boredom. But the love she found for it kept her on the golf course for every round after that.
The Impact of Filming and Engagement
Ashley's presence also provided a fresh perspective for us. Being more involved, she learned more about their golf games compared to previous retreats where she mostly interacted with the ladies during dinners. As she captured their golfing moments, their performances created an emotional connection for her, even leading her to make golf bets. This filming experience further amplified the communal feeling, with Everardo helping out by taking pictures. The result was a party-like atmosphere, filled with interaction, engagement and laughter.
The Air Tags Travel Experience: A Game Changer
On our trip, we were introduced to a game-changing travel companion - Apple Air Tags. We can't help but share how this affordable yet powerful technology eased our travel worries.
Even if it seems your luggage is safe with you, technology has managed to give us a new perspective on just how dependable our airlines are. With a quick glance at the phone, we could check the status of our luggage at any time. This became particularly addictive during the airport stay. Seeing your luggage in its rightful terminal or safely aboard the plane provides an unusual type of entertainment!
Our firm belief in Air Tags was cemented during our layover at Heathrow. Despite a substantial layover duration, a notification suggested that our golf clubs were left in the terminal. We saw the plane reverse, the gate closed, but the clubs seemed to be having fun in the terminal, away from us.
Fingers crossed, we hoped for a system glitch, but landing in Dublin confirmed our worst fears. Thanks to Air Tags and their real-time updates, we knew instantly that our golf clubs were still at Heathrow. It allowed us to file a claim immediately, skirting unnecessary waits at the counter or any extra fretting. The online procedure was quick and easy once we passed the one-hour mark after landing.
Our golf clubs reached us well in time for our game, ending our ordeal on a positive note. If not for Air Tags, the experience would've been more stressful and time-consuming. Hence, our journey made us true proponents of Air Tags.
Day 1 in Dublin
Accommodation Preferences and Local Exploration
On our retreats, we always try to stay at the nicest lodging available. We stayed at two different hotels during our trip to Dublin, the Marrion for the first half and Adare Manor for the second. The Marrion was a beautiful hotel situated right in the middle of Dublin. It was a convenient location from which we could walk out, go to bars, and restaurants, and see the sights. We walked all the castles and churches within a 10-minute walk on our second day.
Bonding with Nancy and Rules for Walks
Something that stood out for us was our lunch with Nancy. During the trip, we used WhatsApp to communicate and save cell data. The day everyone was arriving, Nancy asked the group if anyone wanted to go out to lunch. We were just waking up and getting ready to go. I surprisingly agreed and we ended up having a simple lunch right next door, setting the stage for a beautiful bond throughout the trip. It was also at this time that we explained our rule for walks - no talking allowed, just walking, enjoying the sights, and listening to podcasts or music in our earbuds.
Experiencing Local Nightlife
Our first night in Dublin was an adventurous one. We had dinner at Matt the Thrasher and then decided to go to a piano bar. However, the piano bar didn't open until 11:30 pm which was too late for some of us. We ended up going to a nearby bar and watching a rugby match. Once the game ended, we headed back towards our hotel and discovered a small, charming bar across the street with live music. We ended up spending hours there, meeting locals, and introducing them to our golf group's Instagram account.
That night set the stage for the rest of the week. The group became comfortable with one another and we established a fun vibe. We are planning to share some pictures from that night because it was so great. These types of moments and experiences just happen, like it did at the dive bar next door to our hotel. Both of the locations we ended up frequenting were located close to our hotels which made us realize, we're not walking far the next time.
Golf Trip Experience in Royal County and Dukes
Royal County
On our second day, we toured and played at Royal County Down, a highly acclaimed golf course recognized as among the top three golf courses in the UK and Europe, and one of the top ten in the world. Entering the course, we had a rough idea of its prestige but not much more regarding its layout or specifics. However, the course quickly took our breath away and topped our list as an all-time favorite.
The landscape featured green hills, a beach, a castle, and even mountains in the backdrop. Our anticipation was built on the persistent recommendations that we do not miss the chance to walk down the front of this course. It did not disappoint – a beautiful blend of various hues from the sand, greenery, and the blue ocean painted a stunning picture.
Our time at Royal County Down was further enhanced by our friendly caddies. Our match between team members – Shelley, a senior female golfer, Ilam, and others – was fun-filled, accompanied by flawless weather.
Duke's Experience
On day four, we played at Duke’s. Here we had a unique experience; though we had reserved caddies for all our players, we were given just four. A slight disappointment at first but it ended up turning into a distinctively memorable day. Carlos, a familiar participant, carried my bag, and Patrick, an exuberant local, accompanied us as well. Duke’s course was the most laid-back among the ones we played on, and the theme followed through to the caddies, who were particularly flexible and casual. Even with the shortage of caddies, the round provided everyone an unforgettable experience and an unexpected twist to our golf retreat.
Port Marnic
On our third day, we had an eventful golfing experience at Port Marnic. Though the persistent rain for almost fourteen holes was not ideal, the overwhelming beauty of the course kept all of us hooked to finishing the round. They're set to host the British Open in 2027, indicating they are indeed a world-class golf destination. While rain complicated the game, it didn’t dampen our spirits nor the joking and playful bets that emerged among players, enhancing the camaraderie among the group.
Each course brought along a unique flavor and style to our golfing experience. The journey to and from the courses, the in-bus games, the unpredictable weather, and the unreserved camaraderie among the group crafted a memorable golfing trip.
Hilarious Bus Rides
We had a handful of entertaining bus rides. Things that can only happen during these journeys made them remarkable. You couldn't help but laugh in the midst of it all. You see, we had a group that kept passing around something on the bus, adding some fun energy to the experience. There were moments of loud laughter and yelling, making a three-hour bus ride feel like it only lasted an hour.
Stay at Adare
As we continued our journey, we made our way to Adare. So breathtaking was its beauty that we felt almost embarrassed to be there. As nice as it was, it was hard to believe we were staying at such a place. Key features that stood out for us were the trees all over and the noticeable absence of leaves on the ground. We discovered that they have lawn Roombas that keep the place well-manicured. As much as we were exhausted from the day's activities, we couldn’t help but appreciate the exquisite hotel rooms – they were 20 times better than any we'd ever seen.
Golf at Adare Manor
At Adare Manor, we got the chance to play some golf. The experience was unforgettable considering the caddies’ level of professionalism and the manicured rolling hills of grass, trees, and streams. The whole experience had a fairy-tale-like feel to it, probably influenced by the picturesque castle. Like every other big golf course, there was well-regulated pacing that ensured tea times every 15 minutes. This schedule enabled us to play our game without bumping into the group ahead or the one behind us.
Course Wrap Up and Send Off
Wrapping up our trip, we had time to rest, pack, and enjoy a late dinner in the town of Adare. We made our final stop at a local pub, where we ordered off the menu in the company of friendly local patrons – it was the perfect send-off. Looking back, we not only bonded as a holiday group but also formed alliances that we believe will last a lifetime. Despite the exhaustion, we can't wait for the next adventurous trip.
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