Things to do

Cookstown District Council occupies an area of outstanding natural beauty, which embraces a unique multitude of attractions and sites of archaeological and global interest. Cookstown District Council operate in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Lough Neagh Tourism and the Sperrins Tourism Partnership in their attempt to promote and market the area.

Cookstown Tourist Information Centre situated at the scenic old Railway Station is part of the Northern Ireland Tourist Board Network and is open from Easter to October. The centre is highly successful in terms of customer care and a wealth of information exists within. During the off-peak season information may be obtained from the Development department of Cookstown District Council.

Within Cookstown District Council’s Local Economic Development Action Plan, the expansion of the District’s tourism performance is a predominant consideration. The general aspiration is to heighten Cookstown’s ability to attract greater numbers of tourists and to upgrade the marketing of tourism within and across the District.

Cookstown District Council aim to maximise potential revenue from increased tourism activity. With the introduction of a purpose built £1.5m ‘Arts Centre’, strategic advertising campaigns and various proposed tourism developments and archaeological initiatives, the future for tourism within the District is very promising.

The Cookstown District Council area already boast a multitude of historical, leisure and recreational facilities;

SPRINGHILL HOUSE

A 17^th century plantation house, built by the Lenox Conynham family until it was given to the National Trust in 1957. The house also boasts a gunroom, an extensive costume collection both dating from the 18^th Century. Springhill is surrounded by fine gardens and lawns.

WELLBROOK BEETLING MILL

Set in a picturesque wooded glen, on the banks of the Ballinderry River, 4 miles west of Cookstown. Linen Beetling started at Wellbrook around 1764 and ceased in 1961. It was then given to the National Trust in 1969 in good working order. It is the best working Beetling Mill in Northern Ireland. Working demonstrations are held regularly during normal opening hours.

Tourist Attractions

ARDBOE OLD CROSS & ABBEY

A national monument on the shores of Lough Neagh dating from the 10^th century and is believed to be the first high cross in Ulster. Standing 18.5ft high with arms of 3.5ft wide. Its 22 panels depict various biblical scenes. It was a place of pilgrimage in the 18^th century. There are also the remains of a church and an Abbey here. The Abbey was founded by St Colman in 590 and the Church is believed to have been built in the 16^th Century. These now stand in a graveyard.

BEAGHMORE STONE CIRCLES

The famous stone circles are situated to the west of Lough Fea in the picturesque OwenKillen valley, 7.5 miles north of Pomeroy, on a 1.5 acre site which was recovered from the peat less than half a century ago. There are seven of these stone circles along with several cairns which date from the early bronze age. It is thought by many leading archaeologists that Beaghmore was one of the first sites of human settlement in Ireland.

COYLES COTTAGE

A 300 year old fisherman’s cottage situated on the Western shores of Lough Neagh in the townland of Aneeterbeg in Ardboe. It was built primarily of mud walls, supported by far corners built of stone which were whitewashed to help withstand the weathering. The thatch is a local lough-shore reed which was used because of its durability.

Overlooking the Ballinderry river, the present Killymoon Castle is situated about one mile south east of Cookstown and is the second castle to have been built on the Killymoon Demense. Built in 1671 by James Stewart the castle was destroyed by fire in 1801. In 1802 Colonel William Stewart decided to rebuild but in a much grander fashion. He employed John Nash - one of London’s leading architects to design the castle. At present the castle is splendidly preserved by the owner, a local farmer.

TULLYHOGUE FORT

This was an area of regal importance in Ulster before the 16^th century because it was here that the Kings of Ulster were inaugurated as "O’Neills". Tullyhogue fort was the O’Neill’s ceremonial site. The inauguration took place on a large stone chair, which stood on a hillside nearby but this was destroyed in 1602 by Lord Deputy Mountjoy, in accordance with the Elizabethan policy of destroying all Irish symbols of clan allegiance. Hugh O’Neill’s inauguration in 1595 was the last to take place at Tullyhogue fort.

KINTURK CULTURAL CENTRE

Ardboe situated on the western shores of Lough Neagh. The centre houses a bar, catering facilities and traditional evenings. The main event in the centre is an interpretative display on the Lough Neagh fisherman. Guided walks, boat trips and special tours are available on request. The centre is an excellent touring base for Ardboe cross and Lough Neagh.

An attractive forest park situated on the west of Cookstown. The park is developed within 92 hectares and has a wealth of interesting features. The Manor House no longer exists but its outside walls and tower remain and the inside has been laid out as an attractive stone garden. There is also a demonstration shrub garden, a forest garden, arboretum and a unique butterfly garden and two ornamental ponds, guided tours are available as are camping and caravanning facilities.

SPERRIN MOUNTAINS

A range of mountains, glens, rivers and loughs. The Sperrins take their name for ‘Sky’ and five of the summits rise over 2,000ft. The area is rich in flora and fauna and deer can be seen in woodland areas. Game shooting, golfing, angling, cycling, hillwalking are all possible as is panning for Gold. The Sperrins are steeped in History and well worth visiting.

The Sperrins is an area designated for its outstanding beauty. The secluded waters spiral and sport with salmon, brown trout and sea trout and the rare species dollaghan can be found in the Ballinderry river, which flows through the heart of Cookstown.

The Sperrin region also offers some of the finest coarse fishing in Western Europe, the lower Bann being recognised as one of the top coarse fishing rivers often visited by top anglers such as ex world champions Bob Nudd and Kevin Anhurst.

The Foyle system is recognised as one of the most prolific salmon fisheries in Europe. The main tributaries running through the Sperrin region from the foyle are the Mourne, Derg and Strule, all fast flowing rocky rivers abundant from April to October.

LOUGH NEAGH

The largest lake in the British Isles, covers 153 square miles. Its uncanny similarity in size and shape to the Isle of Man gave rise to the legend that the mythical giant Finn Mc Cool scooped out a huge lump of earth and threw it into the Irish Sea - the lump of earth formed the Isle of Man, and the hole filled with water became Lough Neagh.

Lough Neagh’s 75 miles of shore are sedgy and wooded, with tiny hidden harbours and sandy beaches. But the winding roads seldom follow the water’s edge, making it possible to drive for miles without catching sight of this huge inland sea, 20 miles long and 10 miles across.

Scattered around Lough Neagh from the lowlands of the rugged Sperrin Mountains in the west to secluded forests in the east there is a bewildering variety of places to visit and things to do.