1 Night, 2 Rounds
- 1 Night Bed and Breakfast at Slieve Russell Hotel, Golf & Country Club
- 2 Rounds at PGA National
1 Night, 2 Rounds
Set in 300 acres of County Cavan countryside, PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell is the sort of place you can book for a golf break and not need to leave the estate once. You've got a proper championship course on site, a big spa for recovery days and three restaurants when the group inevitably can't agree on where to eat.
The setting is a real selling point. The hotel sits beside 50 acres of lakes, with woodland framing a lot of the holes, so it feels peaceful even when the clubhouse is busy. It's also an easy run from both Dublin and Belfast airports, around 90 minutes by car, which makes it ideal for a quick two-night getaway or a longer stay with multiple rounds.
If you're travelling with non-golfers, you're not asking them to make do while you play. Between the Ciúin Spa & Wellness Centre, the pool and the terrace views back over the course, there's plenty to keep everyone happy. And if you're here purely for the golf, you can happily play 18, grab lunch and go again without worrying about transfers or logistics.
For anyone building an Ireland itinerary, Slieve Russell also works nicely as a comfortable base in the Border region, especially if you want a resort stay rather than a town-centre hotel.
Who is this for? Golfers or groups looking for a complete resort experience in the Irish midlands, combining a quality championship course with luxury accommodation, spa facilities and excellent food. It's ideal for couples, small groups and societies who want everything on site, without needing to travel between courses or hotels.
Who is it best for? Mid-to-low handicappers who want a proper parkland test in a peaceful, scenic setting, and anyone seeking a relaxing golf break with strong off-course amenities. The resort works particularly well for mixed groups where not everyone is playing golf every day.
1 Night, 2 Rounds
1 Night, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 2 Rounds
2 Nights, 3 Rounds
Forming part of a magnificent 300-acre estate, including 50 acres of lakes, the highly acclaimed 18-hole championship course at Slieve Russell incorporates the lakes and hills of the County Cavan landscape beautifully. The main features of the course are two large lakes which are connected by a stream. Water is, not surprisingly, a hazard on a number of holes. Slieve Russell has recently been voted as the best parkland course in Ireland for 2016 by 'The Irish Golfers Guide' & 4th Best parkland course in Ireland by 'Golfing Magazine'.
At over 7,000 yards from championship tees, it is a challenge for even the best players, but there are multiple teeing areas to allow players of all abilities to enjoy a round. The 13th is arguably the signature hole. It's a fantastic risk-reward par-5 that winds around Lough Rud. The danger with the tee shot is how much water you should take on in order to reduce the distance of the hole and potentially reach the green in two. The Lough is full of balls from players who were too greedy!
The Slieve Russell has hosted some major Irish PGA Tournaments. These include The Irish PGA Championship in 1996, won by Des Smyth, and also the Quinn Insurance PGA Charity Pro-Am. The Slieve Russell has also played host to European Tour events - North West of Ireland Open in 2001 & 2002.
| Par | 72 |
|---|---|
| Designed by | Paddy Merrigan |
| Opened for play | 1992 |
| Blue | 7,001 yards | SSS 74 |
|---|---|---|
| White | 6,530 yards | SSS 72 |
| Green | 6,071 yards | SSS 70 |
| Red | 5,533 yards | SSS 73 |
Slieve Russell offers a good spread of rooms for couples, groups and families, with many looking out over the fairways, lakes or the landscaped gardens. Options range from standard singles and doubles through to family rooms, plus 19 suites and two presidential suites for anyone making a special occasion of it.
Rooms are comfortable and well finished, with digital in-room entertainment, Wi-Fi and the sort of space you'll appreciate if you've got golf bags, wet-weather gear and a trolley to stash. If you can, it's worth requesting a golf-course-facing room. The views over the estate are a big part of the switch-off feel here. Some corner rooms also come with balconies, which are ideal for a quiet coffee before your tee time or a pre-dinner drink while you watch groups coming up 18.
If you're staying as a foursome or you're planning multiple rounds, the suites are a smart upgrade. You get extra room to spread out, relax after golf and keep everyone organised, particularly on longer stays. They're impeccably furnished, with separate living areas and upgraded amenities, making them a popular choice for anyone who wants a bit more comfort at the end of the day. The two presidential suites sit at the very top end, with the most space and some of the best views across the estate.
Practical point for groups: this is a resort that's set up for golfers, so it works well for society trips and mixed parties where some are playing every day and others are leaning into the spa and leisure facilities. The layout of the hotel means you're never far from the clubhouse, the spa or the restaurants, which makes it easy to coordinate when everyone's on different schedules.
All rooms are designed with comfort in mind, and attention to detail is clear throughout. You'll find quality furnishings, good lighting and enough desk space if you need to sort out the next day's tee times or check the forecast. It's the kind of place where you can settle in for three or four nights without feeling like you're living out of a suitcase.
Dining at Slieve Russell is a genuine strength of the resort. The signature restaurant, The Setanta, previously won Best Hotel Restaurant in County Cavan from the Irish Restaurant Awards in 2012, and it's easy to see why. The menu focuses on quality Irish produce, with dishes that balance creativity and familiarity. Service is polished without being stuffy, and the setting is elegant enough for a celebration dinner but relaxed enough for a post-golf meal.
For a more casual option, the Conall Cearnach and Summit restaurants both offer excellent cuisine with panoramic views over the golf course. It's the kind of setting where you can watch the final groups come in while enjoying a well-cooked meal and a pint. All three restaurants cater well to groups, with menus that offer enough variety to keep everyone happy over multiple nights.
The Ciúin Spa & Wellness Centre is a standout on-site spa for a golf resort, offering a full range of Elemis treatments for both men and women. Signature treatments include the Ciúin Signature Facial and Ciúin Signature Body Treatment, both designed to help guests properly unwind. Beyond the treatment rooms, the spa features a jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and swimming pool, all available to hotel guests. It's the ideal way to recover after 36 holes or a long day on your feet, and a real asset for anyone travelling with non-golfers.
The resort's location in Ballyconnell, close to the Northern Ireland border, makes it highly accessible from both Dublin and Belfast airports, each around 90 minutes away by car. The setting is peaceful and secluded, yet you're not cut off from civilisation, with the town of Ballyconnell a short drive away for anyone wanting to explore the local area.
Richard
✓6 Aug 2019
Lovely place to stay with excellent facilities
Richard
✓6 Aug 2019
Amazing course and each player enjoyed they're experience throughout the weekend.
Check-in from 4pm | Check-out from 12pm
7-10:30am
Casual
Setanta and Summit
Yes
Yes
No caddies available
None
There are 3 bars on site
There is complimentary car parking