Castlederg

For many, a visit to Ulster’s ancient heartland would not be complete without a tour of the Strabane’s scenic Derg Valley and the immediate surrounding towns and villages.

Here historic monuments and mysterious sentinels dot the local landscape. At Newtownstewart you’ll find the majestic ruins of one of the Gaelic strongholds of the O’Neill, while Castlederg provides the strategic setting for the Davies Bawn - a defended stone house dating from the plantation. Further west, from the mists of time, lies an ancient pilgrimage trail along which St.Patrick travelled on his way to Station Island and Lough Derg to observe a period of Lenten sacrifice.

Peaceful picnic sites, designated cycling and walking routes, interpretation in the form of information panels and the innovative Castlederg Visitor Centre all combine to provide an opportunity to access these and other elements of our rich heritage and culture. However, for those who want to sample even more of our people and place, a wide variety of events and activities are also on offer. Visitors can try angling in the River Mourne, one of Europe’s premier salmon rivers, in the company of an expert ghillie; go walking with local enthusiasts; join in the craic on a customary night out; or enjoy a day out at a traditional fair such as the Apple Fair in Castlederg or the Sion Mills Strawberry Fair.