For an intimate and luxury Irish resort with a golf course that has graced many a Top 100 list since it opened in 2009, you need look no further than Lough Erne.
This prettiest of hotels and golf courses is located just outside Enniskillen in County Fermanagh. It is a drive of two hours or so from Belfast, heading west, and if you venture a few miles further in the same direction then you will cross the border from Northern Ireland into the Republic of Ireland.
The merest glance at a map of Ireland will show you that Lough Erne works really well within the itineraries of many golfing trips. Heading from either Dublin or Belfast, it is the perfect staging post if you are heading for the west coast. It is also en route to the golfing paradise of Donegal. It is within an hour of Sligo city. And it is not much more than an hour from here before the Antrim coast can be encountered.
That is several golf trips that Lough Erne can enhance, both in terms of the variety of the golf and the splendour of the setting and accommodation.
The golf here could hardly offer more of a contrast to the wild, rugged dunescapes of the north and west coasts in the likes of Counties Sligo, Donegal and Antrim.
The Faldo Course at Lough Erne
The Faldo Course opened in 2009 and was very much built around the water. The huge and eponymous Lough Erne can be seen, even if it is not directly in play, from just about every hole.
It was designed with tournament play in mind and Sir Nick made full use of the surroundings. Lots of holes begin with some elevation and play towards the water. On encountering the occasional interior hole, rest assured that it is merely the prelude for another glorious run back towards the water. It is serene, distinctive and full of variety.
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The most obvious comparison, in the British Isles at least, is Loch Lomond, although that is a much less undulating site.
Most golfers at Lough Erne choose to ride rather than walk, and that makes sense as there are some significant walks from one hole to the next.
There are several showstopping holes, the first of which comes at the par-3 5th, played over a decent portion of Lower Lough Erne to reach the green on the other side.
Then there is the 7th, downhill towards the water this time and a fun hole to take on if you do not have a scorecard in your hand.
You will doubtless have seen pictures of the 10th, a short par 4 where the fairway doglegs, tilting towards the water and a promontory green that looks as though it could sail out into the middle of the lough at any moment, such is its tenuous attachment to the mainland.
Then there is the dramatic 17th, a short par 4 that will have you reaching for your driver – even though you probably shouldn’t – with the green set adjacent to the lough.
While all of the above are striking at first sight, I have come to realise on subsequent visits that certain other holes are more rewarding strategically. The opening hole comes into that category, as does the par-5 4th, where the green is angled in such a way that it is far better attacked from the left with a short iron than from further back with the second shot.
This is so much more than a golf course with rooms, though. Lough Erne really is quite the spot to spend a couple of days.
Aches and stresses melt away following a visit to the Thai Spa, complete with its indoor pool, steam room and sauna.
As you might expect, dining here is a real treat, whether in the more traditional surroundings of the flagship Catalina Restaurant highlight with two options offering varying levels of formality.
In truth, we could not have been happier in the Loughside Bar and Grill. With juicy slabs of flame-grilled Irish beef, attentive service and a wood-panelled bar next door, it is hard to see how hungry and thirsty golfers could ask for more.
Even the corridors here, lined with pictures of the modern greats of Irish golf enjoying themselves at Lough Erne both on and off the course, get you in the mood. Is it really close to 20 years ago since Rory McIlroy first emerged on tour with his shock of dark curly hair and Lough Erne logos on his bag and clothing?
Nevertheless, the following evening, as we enjoyed an aperitif – can a pint of Guinness be classed as an aperitif? – in the Blaney Bar, the award-winning Catalina, Northern Ireland’s first triple-AA Rosette hotel restaurant, looked highly tempting.
Instead, we retreated to the main lounge, where guests can relax throughout the day while enjoying views of the golf course and the water.
A final culinary word must go to the Lough Erne breakfasts, which range from the light and fluffy to the truly sustaining and everything in between. It is worth going for the eggs alone. While it is hard to resist the cooked produce, the fruit and yoghurts are excellent, as is the Irish porridge.
The accommodation options at Lough Erne are also exceptional. In the main hotel, you can enjoy traditionally decorated rooms that are as comfortable as they are luxurious.
We stayed in a lodge that was ideal for our needs as a family with lots of space and communal areas. The view from the bay window was out across Lough Erne while the hotel is just a short walk away.
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The border town of Enniskillen may be just a few miles away but when you are at Lough Erne you quickly start to feel like you are a long way from anywhere.
To learn more about Lough Erne’s golf services, contact golf operations manager Barry McCauley bmccauley@lougherneresort.com , call on 02866 328 051 or visit there website here.
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