On the southern side , and to the east , Slieve Russell and Farnham Estate are found in Co . Cavan . A mere 55 kilometres separate the three resorts which means the three golf courses are easily within your grasp should you choose a long weekend away or a golf mini-break . We took an easy detour on our drive from Lough Erne to Slieve Russell , calling in to see the Marble Arch Caves ( part of the UNESCO Global Geopark ), just south of Enniskillen . Spending time underground very much helps you appreciate the joys of being overground . Slieve Russell is cut from a different cloth than Lough Erne . Yes , it boasts another impressive parkland course – designed by Paddy Merrigan – and its stock is rising every year but there is a bustling family vibe to the hotel . There are 222 large rooms here and extensive facilities so you won ’ t be surprised by the number of families drawn here . I found myself competing against 10 year olds on the crazy golf course and then again on the 9-hole par three academy course where the Maguire twins crafted their game . Merrigan ’ s masterpiece , however , is the adult golfer ’ s domain , even if the Canadian Geese and swans around Lough Rud might disagree . The swell of the Co . Cavan drumlins gives Slieve Russell its hypnotic rhythm and the course has so much colour running through it . The routing is particularly strong and while the stretch of holes from 11 to 13 is regarded as the club ’ s signature – it helps that the ‘ SR ’ topiary design stands out so proudly on the lake ’ s edge – it is a strong course from start to finish . That 13th is a monster par five with a fairway ever-curving around Lough Rud , tempting you to bit off |
more than you can chew . The hotel ’ s Ciuin Spa offers a deep and comforting way to relax with treatments for all . After your golf you could also try the resort ’ s special Hydrotherapy Suite where you can sink into a quiet , calm space with Jacuzzi , sauna , steam room and … a salt grotto . Which is exactly what we did after a chilly winter round on the course . Slieve Russell has been implementing major improvements in recent years , with the opening of the state-of-the-art Cranaghan Suite – which can accommodate up to 1,000 guests for weddings or conferences – and the golf club was rebranded as PGA National Ireland in 2019 , making it one of only a handful of global golf venues to be endorsed by The PGA . This is important recognition for a course that is among my favourite parklands … and it has been further cemented by the arrival of the Raflewski Performance Academy . Worldrenowned short-game coach Gareth Raflewski has returned to his roots after opening his first performance golf academy in Europe . It features a stateof-the-art performance studio and is being led by Gordon Smyth , PGA National Ireland ’ s head professional .
Raflewski – who is based in Canada but grew up in Omagh , Northern Ireland – has worked with dozens of the game ’ s best players across the LPGA and PGA Tours , including three women ’ s number ones over the past three years .
You can try out both Slieve Russell and Lough Erne golf courses by entering the Lakeland Golf Challenge . It is hoped that a 2021 event will take place in the summer but like so many events it remains at the mercy of Covid 19 . It is open
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Farnham Estate
to men and ladies and costs € 99 for the two days of golf ( special accommodation rates are also available ). It is a wonderful opportunity to play two of Ireland ’ s best parklands … one on either side of the Border . And , apart from the different currency , you won ’ t even notice you ’ ve moved countries . We left Slieve Russell as the snow began to fall . It was a light shower that promised another chilly round at Farnham Estate Spa and Golf Resort , that afternoon . For those who love their golf – and you ’ re reading this , aren ’ t you – it is worth noting that a very special course lies an hour east of both Slieve Russell and Farnham Estate . Concra Wood is a masterpiece of lakeland artistry , with holes tight to the edge of Lough Muckno and a rollercoaster landscape rising and falling as it seeks out the water ’ s edge . Designed by Christy O ’ Connor Jnr and Snr , it is worth a detour … and bring your camera .
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Farnham Estate
Farnham Estate
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