A. very enjoyable visit to the pottery factory…read more We took the tour and leaned about the craft and people. Everyone who works here is a resident of the town of Belleek. The skill is taught parent to child and each stage of the process requires a specialized skill. A throwback to olden days. The workers are paid by piece and any that do not measure up are summarily destroyed. We bought some items for gifts and for ourselves and had them shipped home. All very easy. No need to carry expensive porcelain on the jet. Highly recommend a visit. Mark & Nancy.

It's very much personal taste but I find Parian china beautiful - some of the pieces on display…read morehere are stunning to see. The generation before mine really cared for this delicate, almost translucent, almost weightless, fine porcelain (as they did for Waterford Crystal lead glassware) that is characterised by its thinness, slightly iridescent surface and body formulated with a significant proportion of frit. When made the delicate ware goes through 16 pairs of hands before it's ready to sell. I'm pleased to be the owner of some beautifully designed pieces and it saddens me that it's popularity has waned - things of beauty are a joy forever. The company which began in 1857 has had to to diversify just to survive as the current generation won't thank you for true craftwork that often is of itself an art form. Now they also sell cutlery, kitchenware, glassware, table lamps and so on. The village is right on the border between Northern and Southern Ireland - literally you can cross the border from the pottery by just a few steps. If you are close by it's worth a visit as it's not just free to go in, it's a living museum.

The front section of St Patrick's Trian has reopened and is being put to good use as a home to…read morecraft shop Craftswirl and the Amagh Visitor Information Centre. I called into Craftswirl yesterday for a browse and loved it. This emporium of arts, crafts, design and inspiration by local Makers is fabulous. I would highly recommend Craftswirl if you're looking a beautiful, unique gift for someone such as ceramics, jewellery, sculptures, tweed hats, scarves, hip flasks, teddy bears and toys. There's something here for everyone (male, female, adult or child), whether a treat for yourself or a gift for someone else.

5 Stars - Worth your time if you enjoy nature and history…read more The beauty of the park...far-reaching. Put on your best walking or hiking shoes to get fully immersed, if you're able. The park boasts trails from moderate to challenging, beautiful visits, and a historical castle. To start, my family and I traversed the 2.2 mile Lakeside Walk trail from the Visitors Center to Glenveagh Castle to start. A shuttle can drive you there and back for a few Euros. On the way, the seemingly endless valley, lake, and mountain range, quickly eased my memory of the (tense) drive to the park on very narrow roads. The Castle itself costs money to walk through, but walking through the grounds of the Castle is free. The gardens are actively maintained and contain a beauty of their own. The history is fascinating and can be read at the park or beforehand online. After the gardens, we chose to continue along the trail by the lake (Glen/Bridle Path Walk) to view the approximately 120 foot tall Atelleen Burn waterfall on the opposite side, which we enjoyed. The shortest way back to the Visitors Center is same trail. A longer, higher, and more challenging trail (Viewpoint Trail) can also be taken. Walking back through the Castle grounds, we stopped in the restrooms and ordered a gelato and espresso from the truck. Nellie's Restaurant, located within the Visitors Center, offered some good food and beverages options when we returned, thankfully before the 5 pm close time. All told, we spent about 5 refreshing and energy-expending hours at the park, with much of the park left unexplored.

It's a big beautiful pl place with plenty of parking and plenty of walking. Good news is there's a…read moreshuttle bus to and from the castle the walk along the lock isn't too bad and it's a beautiful site to be seen. The shuttle buses go every three minutes and there's plenty of room for everyone when you get to the castle there's a formal Gardens. There's a place to have high tea. It's lovely grounds themselves are absolutely gorgeous. What work you want from a castle?

It's a delightful place to stroll/hike/jog and there's enough to keep kids enthralled…read more It has a great play area and there's a cafe hired to a private sector company that also has a cafe in the Kilbroney Park. We get in free at least for this year as we are residents who can choose one of our parks to have free entry. The decision to charge and hike our household rates was made by incompetent folks on a hundred k a year plus who always have free parking where they work enabled by councillors who enjoy generous expenses. We are always the suckers. No doubt we'll be hit for forest park payment next time round.

The Slieve Gullion Park was a wonderful experience. This was a very active stop on our tour. It…read moreincluded a 2 mile hike up a very rocky and unstable hill. The climb was not easy but very fun. There were two level a to the hike. The first part was a bit easier than the second. At the half way point there is an area to stop and rest, beyond that, the path gets much steeper and rockier. At the top we're two stone Stone Age monuments at the top of a rocky hill. There was a small entrance to what I think was a burial chamber which I did not enter. This is an invigorating, medium difficulty hike. It was well worth the climb.