St. Patrick's Day Celebrations!

When we talk about Ireland as a golfing destination the links of the South West and North jump out, but Ireland has much more to offer. The lesser known Lakelands are conveniently located on transit between the gems in the North and South West. This region extends from the Shannon Estuary in the Southwest to Belleek in Fermanagh and is known for lapping liquid highways which frame these courses. These inland courses with their lush green fairways and flowing lakes and rivers provide an alternative to the rugged coastland links.


Concra Wood Golf and Country Club

Concra Wood Golf is the latest stage in the evolution of Castleblayney Golf Club. The spectacular views stretching across the Monaghan Drumlins to the Cooley and Mourne Mountains and surrounded by the lake and its scattering of islands. The site of the course holds a rich history with the ruins of an old folly Castle. The course is perfectly complemented by the drumlins that roll across the countryside.

Designed by two of Ireland’s golfing legends: Christy O’Connor Junior and Senior. Their names are already embedded in Irish golfing folklore with Christy Junior’s famous Ryder Cup victory and Christy Senior is regarded as one of Ireland’s most influential golfers of all time, with 24 Tour victories and 10 Ryder Cup appearances.


Esker Hills Golf Club

Another Christie O’Connor Jnr design that’s regarded as one of Ireland's leading inland golf courses. This “inland links” was designed with minimum soil disturbance and uses natures own sandhills and sweeping valleys to create dramatic undulations. Along with the natural lakes and woodlands, Esker Hills is a course with splendid design features.

More than 10,000 years ago the unique landscape of Offaly was powerfully sculpted by the awesome natural forces of the dying Ice Age. As the great glaciers retreated, they left in their wake narrow ridges of sand and gravel which were deposited by the streams of water that had once flowed in tunnels beneath the melting ice. These ridges now comprise the magical Esker Riada, from which the course gets its name.


Slieve Russell Hotel and Country Club

The natural drumlin valley landscape provided Paddy Merrigan with a blank canvas to express himself and he created a risk reward masterpiece encouraging attacking shots. The championship course wraps around the lakes and the drumlins of this 300 acre estate, including 50 acres of lakes and picturesque County Cavan landscape.

Christy O'Connor Sr wrote "One of my criteria in judging a golf course is that you get pleasure from it each time you play it. I played the Slieve Russell many times and each time; I can't wait to get back. I can honestly say that there are no weak holes on it, off the back stakes, there are many that will test the best, while all the greens are a tribute to the green keeper."

The Slieve Russell has hosted some major Irish PGA Tournaments. These include The Irish PGA Championship in 1996 and the Quinn Insurance PGA Charity Pro-Am and has now become an annual event. The Slieve Russell has also played host to European Tour events - North West of Ireland Open in 2001 & 2002.