ACTIVITIES...
There is a wide range of activities available in the area, either as
an entire holiday or as part of a leisure break. If the list below excludes
the activity you want, try the various links below to local tourism
sites
GOLF
Ballyconnell, Slieve Russell Hotel
Forming part of a magnificent 300 acre estate, including 50 acres of
lakes, the highly acclaimed 18-hole championship course is sensitively
wrapped around the lakes and the drumlins of the County Cavan landscape.
The course presents a wonderful challenge and the devilishly tricky
greens present a searching examination of accurate approach play, which
adds to the enjoyment factor.
The Slieve Russell has hosted some major Irish PGA Tournaments:
The Irish PGA Championship in 1996, the Quinn Direct PGA Charity Pro-Am
and also some European Tour events - North West of Ireland Open in 2001
& 2002.
Practice Facilities
Practice Area
Putting Green
5-Bay Floodlit Driving Range & Tuition Packages available with PGA
professional
Holes 18 – 9 hole par 3 course Parkland, 7053 yards, SSS 74, visitors
always welcome, but pre-booking advisable.
www.quinnhotels.com/slieve_russell.html
Please note that any information given here relating to green fees
and the charges for other facilities is not guaranteed to be accurate.
You should always check with the club concerned for current prices.
Blacklion
Blacklion Golf Club is a beautiful 9 hole parkland course, with coppices
of woodland and mature trees. The lake comes into play on three holes
and there are some magnificent views of Lake MacNean, islands and surrounding
hills. It has been described as one of the best maintained nine-hole
courses in Ireland, and one of the most scenic.
Facilities include a clubhouse with trolley hire, chipping/putting practice
area, changing rooms, and a licensed bar/restaurant with an extensive
menu and daily specials. The club does not provide carts.
Tel: 072 53024
http://www.blackliongolf.netfirms.com/
Please note that any information given here relating to green fees and
the charges for other facilities is not guaranteed to be accurate. You
should always check with the club concerned for current prices.
Belturbet
9 hole parkland course. Length 6118m. SSS 65, Visitors unrestricted.
Most holes on the course are played to elevated greens, creating a good
test for players of differing abilities.
Good shots to small greens will be rewarded with holeable birdie putts.
The club has always enjoyed a reputation for being friendly and sociable,
and visitors are always assured of a warm welcome.
Green Fees €20 per day. Club hire available. Catering and bar in
clubhouse
Tel: 049 9522287
Please note that any information given here relating to green fees and
the charges for other facilities is not guaranteed to be accurate. You
should always check with the club concerned for current prices.
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WALKING/HIKING
“Walk Cuilcagh” is a series of 10 marked and mapped walks
designed by the Geological Surveys of Ireland and Northern Ireland,
around
the Cuilcagh Mountains beside us.
Prospect Bay keeps copies for guests’ use.
Most of the routes are circular, ranging from 1.5 – 17 kilometres
in length, and are designed to take in the landscape, rocks and fossils
of this unique UNESCO Geo Park and World Heritage site, which is also
the location of the impressive Marble Arch Caves.
The routes take you to the Cavan Burren limestone pavement and the Shannon
Pot, source of the River Shannon. In addition they bring you on an archaeological
journey of discovery; arriving at Neolithic portal tombs, or dolmens,
passage graves and wedge tombs, a sweat house, ring fort and lime kilns.
Mud or stone ring forts, known as raths and cashels, and island crannogs
also appear on the route maps.
The individual route maps indicate the distance, time to allow and type
of terrain, so minimising the chance of finding yourself half ways up
a mountain too tired to get home.
Of course, many people make the summit of Cuilcagh itself their goal,
which is topped by a cairn, or burial chamber, built in pre-Celtic Neolithic
times over 2000 years ago.
The nearby village of Swanlinbar has over the last ten years created
a mini ‘Cuilcagh Walk’ festival during the summer, when
natives and visitors alike climb to the top and enjoy a dance and barbeque
later to forget the blisters! Recently funding was made available for
developing this walk, so that access and signage will enable everyone
to make the climb more easily.
Of course there are also miles (sorry, kilometres) of narrow, country
lanes, or bureens, complete with a grass strip growing down the centre,
surrounding the lake here; old roads which used to be Ireland’s
highways to other communities and towns. The N87 is still known as the
New Road around here! These lanes all go somewhere, and offer delightful
walks for families with young children needing pushchairs. These routes
will allow you to meet folk along the way. We’ll be happy to suggest
some.
Please remember that access isn’t yours by right – where
necessary permission should be sought from the landowner – and
any trails, marked, printed or suggested, are undertaken entirely at
your own risk. Prospect Bay, the trail designers, and the landowners
cannot and will not accept responsibility for any accident that may
occur.
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CYCLING
The Kingfisher Cycle Trail is a 300 mile (what’s that in kilometres?)
mapped and signposted loop around some of the most scenic countryside
in Ireland. Using the web of ancient narrow lanes, called ‘unapproved’
roads round here, the trail is as long or as short as you want, and
takes you on a tour of West Cavan, Leitrim, Fermanagh, and parts of
Monaghan, Donegal and Sligo.
 There
are dozens more of these lanes that don’t feature on the trail
map, so we can quickly show you a more local trail loop if you didn’t
plan on spending the night 30 miles away!
Nowadays most of these lanes are used only by those whose homes are
situated along their route, so it gives you an opportunity to meet and
converse with the locals.
The trail is designed to bring you to a point where a night’s
accommodation is ready and waiting, and where your luggage has been
sent on ahead. Prospect Bay is one of the homes listed, with safe storage
for bikes, and the option to use us as a start/finish point, with bikes
hired from neighbour James McManus just up the road at Wildflower Cycle
Tours.
If you’d like more info on bicycle hire contact James or Louise
at Wildflower Cycle Tours, Tel: 049 952 3923, or use the link below
to view the trail.
www.cycletoursireland.com
The Kingfisher Cycle Trail of Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan, Fermanagh, Donegal
and Sligo.
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OUTDOORS & DIRTY (ODD)
 Out Doors & Dirty is a new (and the county’s first) extreme
activity Gamespark located beside Prospect Bay at Brackley Lake.
Offering a unique combination of games, odd caters for groups of six
upwards, with packages to suit age or group make-up. Primarily for over
16’s, odd offers:
• ‘Rage’ Mud Buggy grand prix
• ‘Conflict’ woodland laser combat (better than paintball)
• Hovercrafting experience
• Powerturn duo-drive dragsters
• ‘Laser clay’ Clay Pigeon shooting
Groups can book single events, half or full day combinations, or even
a ‘Dirty Weekend’!
While larger groups are booked in advance and catered for individually,
it is often possible for smaller groups to play, and at short notice,
so even if your stay with us is short we can still book you in for some
great craic! Overalls are supplied, but it is advised to be wearing
old clothes and sensible footwear. Prices from €25 per person.
For up to date info check www.odd.ie
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EQUESTRIAN
There is plenty of choice of ‘horsey’ activities
locally.
Enola Equestrian Centre in nearby Swanlinbar has 11 ponies, and offers
trekking, classes in riding, dressage and jumping, hacking, and have
an all weather and arena and full course of show jumps. A wall of the
tack room which is smothered in rosettes greets you on arrival –
all won by Daniella Pettigrew. Hard hats are supplied. Check with Enola
for insurance.
The treks are across Doon Mountain and are just spectacular!
Redhills Equestrian Centre is approx 15 minutes drive east – see
their page on: www.aire.ie
Equestrian info Ireland
Drumcoura City in Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim is approx 15 minutes drive
south, and offers wild west horseback riding. Check with them for insurance.
www.homepage.tinet.ie/~drumcity/index.htm Drumcoura City wild west riding.
Cavan Equestrian Centre hosts international performance sales. More
info on: www.cavanequestrian.com
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GENERAL LINKS
www.cavantourism.com
local info on all activities (including Wildflower Cycling) and sports
events, inc. fixtures and festivals
www.breifne.ie everything
you could want to know about the ancient kingdom of Breifne including
activities in the area.
www.greenbox.ie local eco tourism site includes alternative therapies, green and organic
produce and services and outdoor activities
www.irelandnorthwest.ie Activities available in Counties Cavan, Leitrim, Sligo, Donegal and
Monaghan. Details on sailing, diving, surfing, windsurfing and kiteboarding
in Donegal (an hour’s drive from Prospect Bay).
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Prospect Bay, Brackley Lake, Ballyconnell, County Cavan, Ireland
Tel: 049-9523930 | Email: info@prospectbay.ie |
