Slieve Russell

When we arrived at Slieve Russell the Lady Captain, Anne Mone, was there with a couple of guests (they were the only people in the bar) so we made ourselves known to her and told our yarn. They all seemed impressed and were keen to mention that the course was one of the best in Ireland. Well, they all say that really but looking out the window of the clubhouse these guys could have a point and it just looked picture perfect.

We had a pint of Guinness (which wasn’t very good) then took a quick walk down to the first tee. Everything looking immaculate and, weather permitting, it looked like we were going to enjoy this course.

Slieve Russell is an 18 hole parkland course just over the border in Co. Cavan near Ballyconnell. It’s part of a ‘hotel and country club’ set up and whilst that normally puts us off there is very little to fault here. The course was simply in pristine condition - everything from tee to green was next to perfect. The fairways were neat, the greens were fast and every single tree, flower and shrub looked like it had been well cared for. And the course design has plenty to offer as well with lots of water coming into play at 7 of the holes - the 12th and 13th hug around Lough Rud are a couple of tough holes. Plus it has one of the nicest par 3s were have seen - check out the photo from the 7th tee box.

Thomas says:
The claims from the ladies last night about this being the best course in Ireland are almost true for a change. I can’t find anything negative to say about this course and I enjoyed playing it from start to finish. It’s just a shame that I played such incredibly bad golf - my game was all over the place but unlike Tiger Woods at the Open I managed not to throw my clubs about! The 11th, par 3 over water, followed by the 12th and 13th around the lough are three of the best holes on the course. But the water was doing its job very well - Clive put his in the water at the 11th, I lost one off the 12th tee and both of put 2 balls each into the water at the 13th - neither of us set foot on the 13th green.

There is a lot to recommend here. Even if you pay bad golf you will still enjoy this course. I wouldn’t call it the best course in Ireland but it does come close and it’s high up on my list.

Clive says:
I am finding more and more fun in introducing ourselves at golf courses. If we play it right then the people we meet seem really interested in all the courses we have played - and so it was at Slieve Russell. The welcome, as Thomas has said, was first class.

When we arrived on the first tee, the fourball members were very happy for us to tee off. The 1st was a lovely hole but I thought the 2nd top class with a short drive needed and then a big hit over some water up to the green. As you will understand I played these two holes well - after that, like poor Ross Fisher at the Open, things went downhill. However it was a great day with some super holes. The par three near the end - the 16th - I think was lovely - helped by the fact that we both got on to the green and over the menacing water. I would recommend the course but make sure you get an ‘open’ price for I’m sure it’s a bit costly - marks out of ten - I’d say 8. Thanks to all our new found friends down there in Ballyconnell.

Photos coming shortly.

Visit the Slieve Russell web site.

Google Map:

View Larger Map