The Slieve Russell Golf & Country Club, which takes its name from the nearby Slieve Rushen, is set amidst 300 acres of magnificently landscaped gardens including 50 acres of lakes, which play a significant role in the challenge of the golf course. Designed by leading Irish course architect Patrick Merrigan and opened for play in August 1992, the championship standard golf course has quickly become recognised as one of Ireland's leading venues. Among the many major events hosted at the Slieve Russell, include the 1996 Smurfit Irish Professional Championship, the Northwest of Ireland Open and the annual Quinn Direct Pro Am event, one of the biggest such tournament in Ireland.
The Slieve Russell course was built to the very highest standards, while the rolling parkland layout is notable for the strategic use of water hazards and the undulating nature of the manicured sand based greens. Slieve Russell is fast gaining an excellent worldwide reputation and Christy O'Connor Sr., who has been lavish in his praise of the facility, recently commented: "I would pay no better tribute to the course at the Slieve Russell than to say the more often I play it, the more it reminds me of Gleneagles". Forming a generous portion of the 300 acre estate, the unique style of the course at Slieve Russell is sensitively wrapped around the lakes and drumlins of the beautiful County Cavan landscape, while the facility also comprises a putting green, practice area and nine hole par 3 golf course.
Superb holes abound at the Slieve Russell and however impressed you are with the outward journey; the experience will be surpassed on the closing nine. One of the most memorable holes on the front include the long par four 2nd, which with water playing an important role, requires great accuracy off the tee. Your approach to a sloping and well protected green must be made over a channel, which runs across the fairway. The winding par five 9th, which with bunkers left and right of the fairway is another fantastic hole, requiring an approach to an elusive two tiered green. The best of homeward journey include the long doglegging par five 13th, with water along the left side all the way to the green, which is wickedly sloped and almost entirely surrounded by water; and the short 16th, which must be played over a pond to a green surrounded by bunkers to the rear.
ONLINE GOLF TRAVEL RATING
Though it may be located quite a distance from other quality courses, make no mistake that this is one of Ireland's top parkland layouts and provides a real challenge to even the most accomplished golfer.
Situated approximately one mile from Ballyconnell and five miles from Belturbet. From Dublin, follow the N3 through Navan, Cavan and Belturbet, from where you follow the signs to Ballyconnell and the Slieve Russell.
NEARBY RESTAURANTS:
Conall Cearnach Restaurant, Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan. Tel: (353) 49 9526444. Email: slieverussell@quinn-hotels.com. Superb cuisine in a relaxed and sophisticated atmosphere.
Brackley Restaurant, Slieve Russell Hotel, Ballyconnell, Co. Cavan. Tel: (353) 49 9526444. Email: slieverussell@quinn-hotels.com. With it varied and interesting menu, the convivial atmosphere here is a less formal alternative.
Postmark Restaurant at the Olde Post Inn, Cloverhill, Co. Cavan. Tel: (353) 47 55555. Nestling in a sylvan setting and offering great cuisine, this 200 year old country house served as a post office until 1974.
The Slieve Russell Golf & Country Club, which takes its name from the nearby Slieve Rushen, is set amidst 300 acres of magnificently landscaped gardens including 50 acres of lakes, which play a significant role in the challenge of the golf course. Designed by leading Irish course architect Patrick Merrigan and opened for play in August 1992, the championship standard golf course has quickly become recognised as one of Ireland's leading venues. Among the many major events hosted at the Slieve Russell, include the 1996 Smurfit Irish Professional Championship, the Northwest of Ireland Open and the annual Quinn Direct Pro Am event, one of the biggest such tournament in Ireland.
