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.