Grey Abbey

 Located near the shore of Strangford Lough, Grey Abbey is one of the finest examples of early gothic architecture founded in 1193 by an Anglo-Norman knight and it holds deep historical and spiritual connection to Ireland.

The beginning of my visit was at the Abbey itself.  The ruins consist of weathered walls and magnificent marble arches, that as someone with a keen interest in local history helps bring the past back into life. The Abbey’s architecture consists of beautifully crafted stone works with pointed gothic windows which can be seen as a symbol of the Abbey’s former grand stature, which also gives the perfect background for anyone that is a keen photographer.  Although the Abbey is old the surrounding grounds are still very well maintained and are also able to be explored as well. These grounds mainly show the remains of an old church and monastery where you are still able to see how these people went about their daily lives which I thought was very intriguing and a reminder of how far we have come today as a society.

Near to Grey Abbey you can also visit the newly refurbished walled garden which has been around since the early 18^th century and is often open to the public. This garden also represents another element of the local history and heritage as it grows and displays many flowers such as the bluebells and foxglove that can only be grown in Ireland.  The ideal time to visit the walled garden is during the springtime as in recent years they have started to hold a flower exhibition where local floral enthusiasts grow their own patch of flowers and then judges vote on which flower patch is the best. This helps drive people to the often-overlooked Abbey and it’s a fun day out for people of all ages.

The highlight of my visit came after we had finished exploring the ruins and the surrounding grounds but rather when we decided to visit the local village which is also called Greyabbey. It is widely known in local areas for its craft and antique shops making it the perfect place to stop in at and buy some gifts for your family and friends.  As it is close to the Strangford Lough shoreline, birdwatching is a very popular activity for the local residents as I was told that on Saturdays and Sundays the locals may spend 2-3 hours with their binoculars watching the birds while enjoying the tranquil scenic view especially during migration season. The village also provides tourists with top of the range hospitality if you are wanting to stay overnight with everything you would want such as pubs, cafes, restaurants and even a small bed and breakfast hotel.

Grey Abbey is more than just an old monument stuck in the middle of the rural countryside but a portal into old medieval Ireland. It has such a deep connection to history so whether you are a keen historian looking to discover the past or someone who wants to slow down for a while and absorb the peace and quiet of the countryside Grey Abbey is the perfect hidden gem spot for you. I would rate my experience there an 8/10

Castlewellen Peace Maze

 

Created in 2001 on the grounds of Castlewellan forest park located in County Down it was designed not just as a tourist attraction but rather as a symbol of peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland.

The maze covers a large 2.7 acres, and it roughly took 6,000 yew trees to be planted for it to become the size that it is today, many of which were planted by school children and prominent members of the local community as a gesture in reconciliation and looking ahead to the future. It is because of all the hard work undertaken by the community that in 2004 it was recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records as being the largest and longest maze hedges in the world.

When I entered the maze, I found it very challenging and disorientating like you would expect most mazes to be, but that did not stop it from being any less fun.  I can only describe it as a mental rollercoaster.  When you feel like you are about to complete the maze you are almost always hit with another dead end bringing you back down to earth again and making you regroup and retrace your steps to find the correct route. I would also recommend doing the maze as a group or with some of your friends as it may require multiple minds to be able to figure it out and you will definitely share some confused looks and laughter along the way.  If you are concerned that once you enter the maze that you will not be able to get out, you shouldn’t worry as there are a number of emergency exits and staff on hand to help reduce your possible panic. If you are like me and can complete the maze, then you are given the bonus of being able to ring the Peace Bell which echoes across the grounds symbolising an epic victory and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Once you complete the maze you are free to explore the grounds even further with the main attraction being Castlewellan castle which is often open to the public for free. The 17^th century castle is still in good condition and provides the perfect landscape for photos or to sit at the top of the balcony and just relax.

At the nearby lake you can add to your enjoyment by taking part in the many water-based activities that the local council provide. Potential activities include canoeing, waterboarding and water skiing but these are all weather permitting but are perfect to take part in on a warm summers’ day.

In my opinion Castlewellan Peace maze and the surrounding grounds should be in the conversation for one of the best tourist attractions in all of Northern Ireland, but for whatever reason it seems to be that it is not that widely known. The story and history behind it make it more of a local curiosity but I believe that if more people knew about it then it may go from being a local hidden gem to a tourism hotspot. Therefore, based on my experience I would currently rate it a solid 7/10 with room to improve massively in the future if advertised in the correct manner.

Armagh Planetarium

Armagh Planetarium is one of the best space adventure facilities in the entire island of Ireland that I can assure will leave you mesmerized by the many wonders of our universe and will make you want to visit it again.

The state of the arts facilities which spans over 12 acres combines the historic heritage of Armagh with the modern beauty of a scientific planetarium.  This is the perfect hidden gem for anyone regardless of your interest in the world around us as there are also a range of picnic areas overlooking a picturesque landscape called the Astropark.  Before you enter the planetarium, you have the choice to spend time exploring the small gift shop which you can buy gifts such as keychains and a range of fridge magnets which I think are the perfect gifts to give to all your family and friends to commemorate your experience.

The highlight of my experience was the digital full dome theatre which immerses you in a full 3D tour of all the planets and moons in our solar system which really was a sight to behold and although I usually do not have that much of an interest in space and the planets after it was over it left me wanting to do it again and carry out my own personal research when I got home. Other activities include a Cosmo trail, and you are even able to touch and get a photo with the largest meteorite in Ireland.

As it was the first time I had been to a planetarium, I was very impressed with the amount of knowledge that the staff had. They were very friendly and were able to answer any questions I had with a keen level of enthusiasm. Sometimes the standard of customer service at places like these can be quite low and can end up spoiling what would be an otherwise pleasant experience. During my time there though the level of customer service only added to an unforgettable day out.

Armagh Planetarium is also very educational, and it demonstrates this by doing lots of events and activity workshops for children of primary school ages hoping to get them interested in science and the world around us. These events are all done for free and really help the local community.  Their most popular event is their stargazing event where people of all ages watch in wonder at all the stars in the sky which has become a huge success and if you are willing to stay up late it is truly something you wouldn’t want to miss out on.

In October 2024 the planetarium had the pleasure of welcoming Dr Cady Coleman, a NASA astronaut who was given a special tour of the facilities.  She gave a very informative speech on the importance of looking after our planet and warned the listeners of the real threat of climate change and also took the time to answer any questions the young people in the audience had.

To conclude, before visiting I was very sceptical that I would enjoy my visit to the  planetarium because I thought it would not be interesting and lack excitement, but I was proved wrong, and I really enjoyed my day there. In my opinion I would rate Armagh planetarium a 7/10. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to have an enjoyable day out while learning about the planets in the process.

 

Ballyronan Marina

Ballyronan is a small rural village located 3 miles from the hub of Mid Ulster.  For such a tiny area it has so much to offer for people of all ages. Go for a walk around the marina in one of the many woodland natures walks that are available where you can even spend time feeding the ducks.  If a hot cup of coffee and some wonderful freshly made breakfast or lunch and dinner is more up your style, then the Marina has a plethora of local coffee shops which all have a close community feel with expert customer service. There are also other shops and amenities all sourced by local businessmen and farmers and although they may seem quite small in stature they provide everything you would need that the bigger stores would provide ensuring that your stay there will be enjoyable but with the extra bonus that you are helping local people. 

If you are much younger, then don’t worry there are still lots of fun things to do in the newly refurbished playpark. You are also able to stay the night and use the state of the arts glamping facilities which assures you to have a comfy rest and a good night’s sleep while also being close to nature. Each pod sleeps 2- 4 people and offers a luxury experience. They are beautifully designed blending comfort with nature and has all the charm you would expect from a small hotel.

One aspect that makes Ballyronan Marina totally unique to anything else is their annual Lumarina event that takes place in the summer months. To quickly summarise it, the Lumarina is a free and fantastic evening full of brilliant entertainment which ends with an amazing spectacular firework and lights display. There is fun for the whole family with enchanting magic shows, live performers and onsite hot food snacks and refreshments all within walking distance. This has been widely praised for its fun, family and festival-like atmosphere and is totally worth a visit.

Furthermore, facilities such as the caravan park have encouraged increased tourism during the last few years. This can be attributed to the brand-new boat club set up in 2021. Recently the marina has celebrated achieving the prestigious Blue Flag status which highlights scenic areas with high environmental and quality standards which have all contributed to new members and has increased public enjoyment and community spirit as it signifies a clean well-kept safe area for everyone. The wide range of boats that are always nearby range from small yachts to the classic Maid of Antrim which is back on the high seas after a recent accident to the pleasure of the residents. 

In my opinion this is a true hidden gem with lots of unique things to do that perfectly blends aspects of local nature and leisure. Whether you are going for a day trip or a weekend getaway I assure you that it will not disappoint. To conclude the well-preserved marina and local village is the sustainable tourism model that I believe is the future for all getaway spots in Northern Ireland. I would rate Ballyronan Marina 9/10.