News  |  May 3rd, 2024

The Perfect Centrally Located Irish Holiday

Being located in Fivemiletown, County Tyrone, right in the middle of Northern Ireland, has benefitted many Blessingbourne visitors over the years.

Our countryside estate, with 5* pet-friendly self-catering accommodation, is less than 2 hours away from multiple popular Irish tourist destinations, making it a fantastic base for travelling or a resting point on your way from one place to another.

The Fermanagh Lakelands (20 mins away), Derry, Belfast, the Wild Atlantic Way (Donegal, Sligo), the North Coast and Dublin are all less than a 2-hour drive from us.

Here, we break down some of the best Irish tourist destinations you can visit within driving distance from Blessingbourne Estate, and some of the top things to do while you’re there.

Central Location Irish Holiday

Irish Tourist Destinations Within 20 Minutes to 2-Hours from Blessingbourne

Wild Atlantic Way:

• Donegal

 

The wild, roaming county of Donegal, part of the world-famous Wild Atlantic Way, is only a short 1-hour drive from us at Blessingbourne.

Donegal is a hive of activity in the summertime with its many seaside towns and villages attracting tourists from all over the world.

2 of the most popular places to visit would be the seaside resort Bundoran and the village of Rossnowlagh.

Bundoran is famous nationwide for being a lively town with many bustling pubs and amusements, the magical Fairy Bridges and Rougey Cliff Walk. The town is a must-visit for anyone looking for a bit of craic and plenty of activities.

The seaside village of Rossnowlagh boasts one of the biggest beaches in Donegal and is a popular destination for keen surfers, wind-surfers and walkers alike.

After your day of activities on the beach be sure to stop off at the award-winning Smugglers Creek Inn for a pint of Guinness and try some fresh, locally caught fish dishes. The stunning views from their beer garden overlooking Rossnowlagh beach are sure to take your breath away.

• Sligo

 

The small, coastal County Sligo is also on the Wild Atlantic Way and just over 1 hour from us in Fivemiletown.

Sligo Town is a special place to visit and is a hive of activity year-round with music festivals, arts, a delightful food scene and plenty of surfing.

Outside the town is probably Sligo’s most famous attraction, Ben Bulben Mountain. This unique fascinating rock formation also provides a popular hike for tourists and locals with a beautiful waterfall and views of Sligo Bay.

Other seaside villages that are worth a visit are Strandhill and Rosses Point.

Belfast

 

Only an hour and a straight drive from Fivemiletown is Northern Ireland’s capital city, Belfast.

Belfast has become a booming city of a variety of cultures in recent times making it such a popular tourist destination. Its rich history, especially from recent troubling times from which it has recovered, has added to the draw of the city.

There’s so much going on in Belfast that we thought we would list some of the top attractions and activities that aren’t to be missed while you visit:

• Belfast City Sightseeing Tour: the big red open-top bus will take you to every corner of the city where you will get a history lesson and see famous landmarks like Stormont and the Titanic Quarter.
• St George’s Market: One of the oldest, and widely regarded as one of the best, markets in the UK and Ireland is St George’s Market. Open at the weekend, on your visit you can sample some of the best locally sourced produce, listen to fantastic local musicians and pick up some unique souvenirs.
• Cathedral Quarter: This vibrant part of Belfast is home to trendy bars and restaurants, making it a must-visit area of the city for anyone looking for a bit of craic and ceol.
• City Centre Shopping: Of course, the city is also home to a wide range of high-street shopping chains and 2 top-tier shopping centres – Victoria Square and Castle Court.

Derry/Londonderry

 

Roughly 1.5 hours from Blessingbourne is the historic city of Derry/Londonderry. The old, walled city lies on the banks of the River Foyle and offers an abundance of landmarks and tours worth visiting.

For those looking to take a walk through history, the Bogside History Tours are not to be missed.

Here you will learn about the civil rights era and Bloody Sunday which still leaves a mark on the city today. You can also visit the 400-year-old city walls which are the best preserved set of walls in Britain and Ireland.

Other popular things to do in Derry include visiting the Derry Girls mural, tasting the wonderful local cuisine and venturing into many lively bars for a well-deserved tipple.

Fermanagh Lakelands

On our doorstep, less than 20 minutes from Blessignbourne is the scenic Fermanagh Lakelands. The county of Fermanagh is a hidden gem for any holidaygoers in Ireland to visit.

Famous for its lakes, Lough Erne in particular, you’re spoilt for choice of water activities and lakeside attractions.

For the best tours and scenic views of Lough Erne, we recommend booking a trip on Erne Water Taxi where you can truly embrace the beauty of the island town of Enniskillen and stop off at famous landmarks such as Devenish Island Monastic Site.

Back on land, one of the region’s most famous attractions is the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail. We have put together an extensive guide for a road trip from Clogher Valley to Cuilcagh if any of our visitors wish to take on the remarkable hike.

North Coast

 

Just under 2 hours from our estate is the most popular area for holidaygoers in Northern Ireland to visit, the stunning North Coast.

The area boasts a variety of lovely seaside towns and villages such as Portrush, Portstewart, Ballycastle and Bushmills, and comes alive in the summertime. It’s no surprise due to its plentiful beaches, beautiful coastal walks and sublime food scene.

Must-see attractions include the world-famous Giants Causeway, Ballintoy Harbour, and various Game of Thrones filming locations including the Dark Hedges.

Lastly, a relaxing drive around the Causeway Coastal Route will bring many other stunning views.

Dublin

 

Ireland’s capital city is roughly 2 hours from Blessingbourne and we couldn’t leave it out. Plus, we reckon you could make it there in under 2 hours on the right day!

Unsurprisingly, Dublin is famous for its lively atmosphere and thriving nightlife. With 100’s of traditional Irish pubs and modern bars to choose from the problem is where do you go?

For those visiting for the first time, we recommend heading to the Temple Bar area as this is the most popular area for tourists to drink and the atmosphere will always be fantastic. Other areas that have pubs galore would be Grafton Street and O’Connell Street.

Dublin attractions most certainly not to be missed include the Guinness Storehouse, Dublin Zoo and Kilmainham Gaol, plus too many more to mention!

Plan an Irish Holiday in a Central Location

As you can see, there are a lot of places to visit and sights to see the length and breadth of Ireland.

If you’re looking to find a centrally located base to visit them all, or if you are simply passing through on your way from one to another, then we hope you choose to visit Blessingbourne.

Get in touch with Colleen today to book or for more information about places to visit during your stay.