The Old Course at Ballybunion is one of the most popular courses in the whole of Ireland. American visitors in particular just love the course and five-times Open champion Tom Watson is a self-confessed fan of Ballybunion. Established in 1893, the course was extended to 18 holes in 1926. Due to the threat of coastal erosion - it is set in sandhills alongside the Atlantic Ocean - the order of the holes was changed in the early 1970s and you now actually start at the old 14th. Visitors to Ballybunion will undergo a stiff test from start to finish, with the 11th hole in particular being a potential card-wrecker. Visitors are welcome on weekdays, while a state-of-the-art clubhouse offers first-class facilities.