Lough Erne is the only venue based in Northern Ireland to make the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list and it is perhaps one of the most picturesque thanks to its location. The resort plays host to two 18-hole golf courses – the Faldo Course and the Castle Hume Course – along with an academy, an authentic Thai spa and a wide array of accommodation and dining options. 

 

Six-time major champions Sir Nick Faldo was the man to design the signature course at Lough Erne, with most of it placed on a thin strip of land between Castlehume Lough and Lough Erne itself. The venue is also the home to the Castle Hume Course, which sits in the southwest corner of the property and has hosted the Ulster PGA Championship ten times. The golf continues at The Academy, with sublime practice facilities, and the ability to use both TopTracer and TrackMan technology.  

 

Away from the golf course, there are plenty of activities for guests to enjoy during their stay in Northern Ireland. Boat tours and paddle boarding on Lough Erne, along with archery, yoga and walking tours back on dry land. There is also an authentic Thai Spa where ‘Ireland meets Thailand’. A range of facilities and treatments are on offer at the Thai Spa at Lough Erne.  

 

When it comes to accommodation, there is a wide range to select from. From Traditional Hotel Rooms to Lakeview Hotel Suites and Lakeview Lodge Suites, there is something for everyone. There are also Accessible Rooms for those guests that require a room with adaptations. Lough Erne also supplies self-catering options in the form of two- and three-bedroom lodges for bigger groups, and those that want that bit more seclusion during their break in Northern Ireland.  

 

 

Book your trip to Lough Erne with Golfbreaks now.  

  

Visit the Lough Erne website here.  

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage. 

Like a lot of venues on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list, Lough Erne can proudly say that it is the home to two sublime 18-hole golf courses.  

 

The Faldo Course 

Only opened in 2009, the golf course at Lough Erne – designed by Sir Nick Faldo – has quickly become a highly-ranked 18-hole layout. Much of the track is placed on a strip of land between the River Erne and Lough Erne to the northeast, and Castlehume Lough to the west, meaning that there are incredible views throughout the round.  

 

Measuring more than 7,000 yards from the tips, it is not a short course. Add the fact that water is in play on 11 of the 18 holes on the Faldo Course at Lough Erne, and you have one hell of a prospect lying ahead of you. It all starts on the opening hole, which has Castlehume Lough on its right. The first five holes are in the woodlands to the south of the water, with Lough Erne coming into play from the 6th hole onwards. 

 

The signature hole on the Faldo Course is the 10th. Both 10 and 17 could be seen as drivable par 4s depending on which tees are being played from. Both greens are surrounded by water on three sides, with the only bail out on 17 being the bunker to the left of the green. The tee shot on the penultimate is also played over the water. The closing hole on the Faldo Course is a par 3 measuring 225 yards from the back tees. Like 17, it plays over water and the only miss is left. Anything right, and you will be reaching into your bag for another ball. 

 

The Castle Hume Course 

Almost 1,000 yards shorter, the Castle Hume Course has been around at Lough Erne for more than three decades. It also plays as a par 72 and gives players a much more scorable offering at the resort. The course has played host to the Ulster PGA Championship on ten occasions.  

 

Both signature holes on the Castle Hume Course come in the first section of your round. The 3rd is a short par 3, measuring only 160 yards from the back tees. However, it is all carry to the green. The 6th is the longest hole on the course, measuring around 520 yards. It is a true three-shotter for all apart from the longest hitters, with anything right of the green dicing with the out of bounds line. 

There is a variety of accommodation at Lough Erne, from traditional hotel suites to self-catering options. Starting with the hotel, there is a wide array of choices, from Traditional Rooms and Lakeview Rooms, along with Accessible Rooms for those that require a room with adaptations. The hotel also features a three-way choice of suites – Traditional, Lakeview and Presidential – with the latter being the best of the best on the property. 

 

A short walk from the hotel are the lodges at Lough Erne, with another range of suites available for guests to enjoy. Like the hotel, there are Traditional and Lakeview Suites at the lodges, all of which are luxurious and comfortable. Lough Erne also has a range of two- and three-bedroom lodges for larger groups, all of which are self-catering.  

 

Dining is a real highlight with two options offering varying levels of formality. The Loughside Bar & Grill provides great food and a relaxed environment, especially in the bar area, where they have live sport on the televisions and a vast range of drinks, perfect for golfers after a round. Catalina is the resort’s star when it comes to gastronomy as Northern Ireland’s first triple-AA Rosette hotel restaurant. 

‘Ireland meets Thailand’. That is the strapline for the Thai Spa at Lough Erne. The Thai Spa is the perfect place for guests of the resort to relax an unwind during their stay in Northern Ireland. The inside of the building is decked out with Far Eastern influences, while the scent of Asian herbs fills the air. There is an infinity pool, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi and a fitness suite for those that want to work out. A wide range of treatments and massages, including some authentic Thai massages, are on offer at the spa, and all carried out by qualified therapists.  

 

There are also a range of outdoor activities for guests to enjoy, including a water taxi to see Lough Erne from a different angle. There is also paddle boarding on the water, while on dry land, walking tours, yoga and archery are all available. Away from the resort, the Marble Arch Caves, Cuilcagh Boardwalk, Enniskillen Castle, and a lot more are within a short distance.  

 

The Enchantment activity, along the Woodland Trail at Lough Erne, allows kids to take on a mystical quest. Princess Erin needs freeing from the Turret, and there are twelve clues on the trail to be found, to help lead to Erin’s location. Fun for the children, and the big kids as well! 

Where is Lough Erne?  
Lough Erne is the only Northern Ireland-based venue on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list. It is on the banks of Lower Lough Erne, and just five miles from the town of Enniskillen. 

What is the nearest airport and station to Lough Erne?  
Both Belfast Airport and the City of Derry Airport are within two hours from Lough Erne. Belfast is by far the bigger and busier of the two, as the busiest airport in Northern Ireland. Jet2.com, easyJet, Ryanair and TUI Airways all have bases at Belfast Airport, with flights from those and other airlines to most European countries and to North America.  

 

The nearest train station to Lough Erne is actually in Ireland, due to Northern Ireland’s lack of rail service. Sligo is the nearest station, but over 40 miles southwest of the resort.  

What golf facilities does Lough Erne offer?  
Along with two 18-hole golf courses, Lough Erne also has The Academy. The driving range facility, which is all under cover and played from mats, uses TrackMan 4 technology. Advanced tech combines cameras and radars to provide full data on shots, including trajectory, carry, spin rates and much more. Lough Erne also has a great short game area as part of its practice facilities.  

 

There are two shops at Lough Erne, each housing a range of branded clothing which can be bought as a souvenir of your time at the venue. Glenmuir, Peter Millar and Galvin Green apparel is also available to purchase from both shops.  

 

Does Lough Erne offer golf lessons?  

Three-time Ulster PGA Championship winner Damian Mooney is the head PGA professional at Lough Erne, and under his guidance, lessons and coaching are available at Lough Erne. Tuition comes in many forms at The Academy, with both individual and group lessons on offer. There are also junior and beginner golf camps to get people of all ages into the sport. 

What are the green fees at Lough Erne?  
The price of a green fee at Lough Erne changes throughout the year, depending on the season. It is also different depending on whether it is a weekday or weekend. There are also stay & play packages available at the resort.  

 

For more information on current green fees at Lough Erne, visit their website here. 

What accommodation is on offer at Lough Erne?  
There is a good range of accommodation at the Lough Erne Resort, with hotel rooms, suites, lodge suites and self-catering lodges available. Some of the rooms are accessible for those that need adaptations to a hotel room, while the Suites are luxurious in both the hotel and the lodges. For a self-catering stay there is a choice of two- and three-bedroom lodges, that suit larger groups and those that want a bit more privacy than you would get in a hotel room.  

What other resorts are nearby?  
Lough Erne is the only venue on the NCG Top 100s: GB&I Golf Resorts list that is in Northern Ireland. Slieve Russell sits just across the border into Ireland and is less than an hour away from Lough Erne. To the north, Rosapenna is approximately two hours away. 

  

 

Book your trip to Lough Erne with Golfbreaks now.  

  

Visit the Lough Erne website here.  

Go Back To NCG's Top 100s Homepage.