Golfers have been enjoying the course at Esker Hills Golf Club since 1885, yet it still remains one of the best kept golfing secrets in Ireland. Christy O’Connor Jr extended it to an 18-hole course in the nineties and its many undulations and elevation changes will delight and surprise you in equal measure.
With views of Lough Ree from every hole and it’s hard not to be impressed by the surroundings of this striking course. In between the sightseeing, you’ll have to contend with Glasson Golf Club’s tricky par fives, varied terrain and challenging tournament layout.
Cavan’s trademark drumlins and an inspired parkland course design makes Slieve Russell Golf Club an ideal place for a memorable round. Don’t let its gently rolling landscape fool you. It’s a testing course layout, with 50 acres of water ready to punish any wayward shots.
The mature trees and roaming deer give Portumna Golf Club a magical, idyllic look but don’t be fooled by its beauty. The challenging course features blind shots, elevated tees and some awkward hazards that ensure this parkland course is more than just a pretty face.
A parkland course on the banks of Lough Ree, Athlone Golf Club provides great golfing throughout the year. It sets out its stall on the first hole, with an elevated tee looking down a tree-lined fairway with a tricky approach shot to a raised green to come. It’s the first of many daunting holes on a course that is all about risk and reward.
With a first nine played on a wide open landscape and a back nine cutting through dense woodland, Farnham Estate will test every aspect of your game. This is one of Ireland’s newest courses and its clean, contemporary design is complemented by natural features that include a meandering stream, mature trees and seven glistening lakes.
This long established golf club is over 100 years old and was extended from nine to 18 holes in 1991. It has continuously found new ways to challenge golfers ever since it first opened. Four holes at Roscommon Golf Club have water features and new trees have been strategically placed alongside its mature trees to provide some scenic touches and additional hazards as you make your way around the course.
The ancient ring forts and abbey ruins at Mount Temple Golf Club are reminders of its long history. Discover the ancient past as you battle this tough course. The tricky par threes, challenging par fours and long par fives will test your skill and strategy but it’s terrific fun to play.
Championship quality courses in friendly towns and villages make Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands an excellent choice for your next golfing break. See our Things to Do page for great ideas for things to do after your round of golf in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
