PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell

The PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell is one of the finest parkland courses in the Republic of Ireland, and sits close to the border with Northern Ireland. 

Based in County Cavan, the PGA National Ireland is part of the Slieve Russell Resort, making it the perfect place to stay and play. 

Slieve Russell is one of 11 ‘PGA Nationals’ across Europe. These include The Belfry in England, Gleneagles in Scotland, Aphrodite Hills in Cyprus, Aroeira in Portugal and Argentario in Italy. 

You can check out our full piece on the Slieve Russell Resort here. 

Visit the PGA National Ireland’s website here. 

Go back to the NCG Top 100s Homepage. 

The golf course, now known as the PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell, was designed, constructed and opened in 1992. 

It was designed by the late Patrick Merrigan, who also designed Tullamore, and less than a decade on from its opening, the course earned its championship stripes. 

The PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell hosted the European Tour’s North West of Ireland Open in both 2000 and 2001, with Massimo Scarpa and Tobias Dier being the victors.

Forming part of a magnificent 300-acre estate in a natural drumlin valley landscape of richly varied woodland and lakes, the 7,000-yard PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell is a visual treat and, despite the generous fairways, a real challenge, requiring accurate approach shots, often over large greenside bunkers. Thankfully, you don’t have to play it from 7,000 yards, with the Whites at 6,530 yards, and the Greens at 6,070! 

The first two holes are both 400-yard par 4s at the PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell, so make sure you’re warmed up and ready to go from the off here. The first is a slight dog-leg right around the trees, with a bunker on the outside corner which can be used as an aim point off the tee. A trio of bunkers protect the green. Water comes into play on the 2nd hole - ‘Aghahover Leap’. The hole plays around Aghahover Lough, and it is the hardest hole on the scorecard. It plays as a dog-leg left, and the water also dissects the fairway, making it a tough driving hole. The 3rd similar to the opener, but it is shorter – at 370 yards. Again, though, it moves left to right along a tree-lined fairway. 

The 4th is the first of the par 3s at Slieve Russell, and at 150 yards off the Whites, it is the shortest hole on the layout. A quartet of bunkers, two on either side of the green, guard the surface. Another tough par 4 follows, as the tee shot on the 5th is played to one of the tightest fairways on the course. At 410 yards, the distance makes hitting drive necessary as well. The 6th is the first of four par 5s on the property, and the easiest hole on the scorecard. Anything worse than a par here really does feel like you’ve lost ground to your playing partners! Those issues might then be compounded at the 7th – a 200-yard par 3. Like the first of the short hols, the green is narrow, and there are four large traps surrounding the short grass. 

The 8th is a birdie chance at just 330 yards. The tee shot is played over water, but it should not really come into play. Find the fairway here and you can really take on the flag. The 9th brings you back to the clubhouse, allowing you to play Slieve Russell as both 9 and 18-hole challenges. It is another good scoring chance, a par 5 of just over 500 yards. It moves slightly from left to right, and if you avoid the two fairway bunkers and you’re feeling confident, why not go for it with your second shot? 

The back nine begins with a testing par 4. Just shy of 400 yards, the 10th moves from right to left, with the aiming point being the outside corner bunker on the right side. Two more traps protect the green. 11 is where the water features once more. The par 3 is 175 yards from the White tees, and that is pretty much all carry to the green, with the water that runs between Lough Rud and Aghahover Lough in play. Lough Rud is then down the left side of both the 12th and 13th, with the former being a long par 4 of 415 yards. A bunker on the right side makes the tee shot feel even narrower, while there is no room for error by the green. 13 is very similar to the iconic 6th hole at Bay Hill, playing around the lake. It is carded at 495 yards, but this is very much a three-shotter if you’re staying safe and avoiding your ball going in the drink. 

14 is another chance at just under 350 yards. It moves slightly left around trees, and there are no bunkers on the fairway. A good drive here will give you confidence for the closing stretch. 15 is another long par 4, at 410 yards. Get your tee shot to the corner to give yourself a view of the green. The par 3 16th is the signature hole on the course Played over water to a green that also has bunkers on the other three sides, there is no room for error on this 155-yard challenge. 17 is a medium-length par 4, which takes you to the tee for the final hole. The PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell ends with a 515-yard par 5, and one final scoring opportunity. Avoid the trees on either side and it is relatively plain sailing to the green. Make a birdie 4 and walk off with a smile on your face.

Where is the PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell located?

The PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell sits just off the N87 in Ireland, and just a few miles from the border with Northern Ireland. Ballyconnell is the nearest town, while Cavan is 20 miles to the southeast. Ireland’s capital, Dublin, is 90 miles southeast of the venue.

Dublin Airport is slightly closer to Slieve Russell than the centre of the city itself. It is around 85 miles from the venue, and it is the busiest in the country. Belfast International Airport, across the border in Northern Ireland, is only a few miles further away. Carrick-on-Shannon and Dromod are both on the train line between Connolly Station in Dublin and Sligo. However, both stations are more than 25 miles away from the PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell.

Are there any other NCG Top 100s: Ireland venues nearby?

The closest venue that occupies a spot on the NCG Top 100s: Ireland list is across the border in Northern Ireland. Lough Erne is 25 miles to the north of the PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell. The likes of Headfort’s Championship Course, Donegal, County Sligo and Strandhill are all within 60 miles of the venue.

What golf facilities does the PGA National Ireland offer?

As well as the championship golf course, Slieve Russell is also home to a 9-hole Academy Course which is perfect for beginners to learn the nuances of the game, and for those golfers warming up prior to a round on the championship golf course. There is also a floodlit driving range, along with a short game area and putting green.

What are the green fees at the PGA National Ireland?

The price of a green fee at the PGA National Ireland Slieve Russell changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend.

For more information on current green fees at the PGA National Ireland, visit their website here.