I would include Enniscrone on any trip to Ireland. It's just superb. Much buisier these days, though. Nor would I pass a chance to play Lahinch. It's got everything.
Tralee, Royal County Down and Waterville have one thing in common - each has an outstanding nine. If you could combine the good nine from any of these, you would have the best course in the world, in my opinoin. Even combined with its "bad" nine, however, Royal County Down is the best course in the world.
If you are visiting the K Club, I would play the new South Course, which is supposed to be very good, although I hvae not played it.
Re Carne, well, I became a member there after playing it once, even though I have to drive across the country to get out. It's not the best course in Ireland, but probably my favourate. You have to remember that it's young, and did not have the money Doonbeg, Tralee etc had when being developed. With all due respect to Ran, he could not possibly know as much about golf as Eddie Hackett, who believed this course will eventually stand up to any comparisons. If he thinks it's awful, fair enough, but don't be put off - there are enough people that think it's superb to make it worth the risk.
On the new nine, nothing has been decided yet, although the plan was to start something at the end of this summer.
Other courses worth looking at are Little Island (Cork), Adare Manor, Carlow, Baltray, Murvagh, Portsalon, Cruit Island, Headfort (New and Old), Mullingar, Esker Hills, Connemara, Mt Wolselely, Coolattin, Carton House, Druids Glenn, Malone, Ballyliffin, European Club, Arklow, Hermitage, the Castle, Tulfarris, Rathsallagh....