Maghera is a smaller but beautiful upcoming tourist destination that is worth a visit. You will be surprised by some of the unique things to do and places you can explore at this hidden destination.
The first stop in the town for any visitors is the recently renovated Maghera Heritage & Cultural Centre (originally Bradleys bottling plant). Here you will find very helpful and friendly staff who will answer any of your queries about Maghera and the surrounding areas. The historical sites in the vicinity of the town which attract tourists from all over the world these being Tamneyrankin Court Tomb , Knockaneill Court Tomb, Tirnony Dolman, St Lurach’s old Church and graveyard, Famine plot in Glen Graveyard, old Mullagh Graveyard, Emigrants Cairn, William Clarke Linen Mills Upperlands established 1737, the old Ulster Bank building, Dunglady Fort and other smaller sites of historical interest. To assist tourists and visitors in understanding these sites we have developed scaled models of three of them with a further development of four more to be carried out in the near future.
We also have within our centre at 11 Main Street numerous artefacts and memorabilia from the past these include farming through the years, the linen industry, St Lurach’s Old Church and graveyard established in and around 10th century and is well worth a visit, the Old Rectory building on St Lurach’s grounds is still inhabited and is in a very good state of repair this building was constructed in the early 1700s.
In the following list, we have put together some of the things to do in and around Maghera.
Maghera’s finest tourist attractions.
Walshes Hotel & Helena’s Coffee Shop
Walsh’s Hotel is ideally located in Mid-Ulster central to Derry City, Belfast and the North Coast. Elegant and comfortable accommodation, cosy bar, new bright and stylish coffee shop, friendly staff and a warm and welcoming atmosphere awaits you.
St Lurach’s Church
The remains of a 10th century church on the site of a 6th century church. Beautiful carved lintel inside the tower of the last supper, baptismal font and many, many old graves inside a stone walled church yard. A soothing walk with the trees and history. St. Lurach/Luraigh/Lowry is buried in this church yard.
Maghera Walled Garden
Maghera Walled Garden, a restored Victorian Garden on the grounds of a medieval 4th Century royal dwelling and ancient Monastery.
The garden lies within an impressive stone wall, and contains many varied herbaceous borders, fruit trees, a herb garden, vegetable beds and a wild flower meadow.
Drumnaph Forest
Visitors to Drumnaph Wood will be greeted by a remarkable wooden sculpture, which contains carvings of some well-loved wildlife figures. The red squirrel, hare and badger are just some of the crafty creatures who will keep a watchful eye on you as you embark upon your journey.
Rosie’s Cottage
This traditional thatched cottage, recently restored, nests in a quiet countryside location which is ideal for getting away from it all, yet a central base; only 45 minutes to the cities of Belfast and Derry, touring the Glens of Antrim and Donegal. It’s only a 5 minute drive to the local town with a hotel, leisure centre, driving range, cinema, churches and shops.
Mid Ulster Garden Centre
Coffee Shop – Cooking up delicious food, lovingly prepared with locally sourced produce and fresh quality ingredients.
Garden – Find beautiful garden furniture and quality hand-picked plants and trees imported from Italy amongst other produce and flowers. Garden care is catered for with compost, feeding, chemical treatments and so much more.
An Carn
An Carn offers a wide range of facilities and activities within the rural setting of Carntogher.
Situated at the foot of Carntogher Mountain in the Sperrins, An Carn can provide a unique cultural experience for the visitor and local community alike.
Maghera Leisure Centre
Have superb state-of-the-art health, fitness, sports and leisure activities catering for people of all ages and abilities, and what’s more they are at an affordable price!
What’s more, the centre also boasts a soft play kingdom, children’s circuit gym, unique interactive fitness suite, and lots, lots more! Friendly, fully trained staff are available to meet your individual needs from organised activities, to personal training or simply to offer help and guidance around your new centre.