Lough Neagh Scenic Road Trip

Enjoy one of Northern Ireland’s epic road trips around the largest lake in the UK & Ireland; Lough Neagh. Our self-drive itinerary will take you off the beaten track to see some of Lough Neagh’s most beautiful locations. We’ve designed the itinerary to be complete in one day, but you can change it to suit your schedule. OXFORD ISLAND & KINNEGO MARINA Oxford Island is an excellent location to aquatint yourself with Lough Neagh, it is situated on the south eastern shore and is a designated National Nature Reserve due to the diversity and local importance of habitats such as reed beds, open water, wildlife ponds, forests and wildflower meadows. The island is known for its scenic walking trails where you will find bird watching hides along the way. The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is a hub of information and a great place for a coffee to kick start the road trip. Also on Oxford Island is the picturesque Kinnego Marina, the largest marina on Lough Neagh. Kinnego has a magnificent rural setting of beauty and tranquility, giving striking views over the Lough and the distant hills of Tyrone and Antrim. A selfie beside the sailing boats is a must before you leave the island. YELLOW DOOR DELI Bring your own picnic basket and fill it with a range of goodies to be enjoyed later on the road trip. The Yellow door is owned and run by renowned chef, Simon Dougan, who takes great pride in producing high quality patisserie items, home baked breads, soup, pastries, super salads, afternoon teas and much more. Simon’s wife grows many of the ingredients in the yellow door kitchen garden – you just can’t get fresher than that! The Yellow door stock a fabulous range of local artisan products. You will be spoilt for choice as you pick out a selection of goods for your very own picnic. Maghery Country Park is a great place to stretch your legs and enjoy the views across to Coney Island, which lies 1km offshore and is the only remaining inhabited island on Lough Neagh. The park covers thirty acres and includes five kilometres of woodland walks and picnic areas and is used for birdwatching, fishing, and walking. Washing Bay is another viewpoint along the shores of Lough Neagh. There’s an interesting tradition that explains where the name comes from. A tradition of bathing in the Holy River at Washing Bay was practiced into the 20th century, people would come from as far away as Galway and Mayo. Stop the car at Ardboe Cross, a high cross and national monument dating from the tenth century located in Ardboe, Lough Neagh. The cross stands at the entrance to a cemetery and a monastery & church from the seventeenth century which was founded in 590 by Saint Colman. At around 18.5 feet (5.6 m), Ardboe High Cross is Northern Ireland’s tallest cross. Although the head of the cross is damaged, it seems to be the only such cross in Northern Ireland to remain largely complete and original. The next stop is very Instagram worthy! Coyle’s Cottage has been standing strong for approximately 300 years. The cottage is believed to be the last authentic fisherman’s cottage in the area and was inhabited until quite recently. The cottage comprises just one room, with an open fire to warm your toes. Coyle’s Cottage is only open by prior arrangement, tea/coffee and home-bakes can be arranged, but even when it’s not open, it is still worth stopping for that photograph! Next stop on the itinerary is Ballyronan Marina where you can relax and enjoy the wonderful wooded walks as well as a blue flag beach, you can stroll along the breakwater to give you a sense of just how large Lough Neagh is, on a clear day you can see Divis mountain in the distance and watch the fishing boats as they bring in their catch of Lough Neagh Eels, it really is the perfect setting for an afternoon stroll. ARDTARA COUNTRY HOUSE Our stop for dinner is really special; this stunning Victorian Country House was built by Harry Clark, a linen baron, around 1896. The property has been lovingly restored to its former glory and operates as a luxury country house hotel. Ardtara has two AA Rosettes and is a Michelin recommended restaurant serving the finest local and seasonal dishes, with many of the ingredients grown in the gardens of the estate. Ardtara is a member of Ireland’s Blue Book, having won countless prestigious awards, it is frequently listed as one of the best places to eat in Northern Ireland. Walsh’s Hotel offer guests a warm and friendly experience, the rooms are very well appointed with everything you need for a great nights sleep. Steeped in history with lots of stories to tell, Walsh’s is a great place to recharge your batteries before heading off on another Lough Neagh Adventure. view the full itinerary details here: https://www.loughneaghtours.com/sceni...