We’ve been blessed with some lovely weather recently and so it was this morning when we decided to walk around Lurgan Park.

The park was originally part of the Brownlow Estate when the “big” house was built in 1833.  During WW1 the house was the headquarters of the 16th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment and during WW2 it was the headquarters for all the American Troops based in Ireland.  There is a small museum in the house as well as a tea room which serves lunches.

It is a wonderful place to walk with many paths around the park and lake and so many beautiful trees!  A quiet and peaceful place today!

However, on Saturday (1st Saturday in June) the Park will stage the Lurgan Show.  It has been organised in the park annually since 1912 and showcases rural life including agricultural and equestrian events.  It’s amazing to learn that it is organised by volunteers supported by the local Council.  If we make it there I will try to remember to take my camera and take some pictures!  Let’s hope this lovely weather remains over the weekend.

On the way home from Cookstown having done a short walk there in Cabin Wood, I returned via the “scenic” route, past Tullaghoge Rath.  It is probably prehistoric, but better known for its connection to some of the ancient chieftains of Ulster, including the O’Neills, the last ceremonial inauguration being of Hugh O’Neill in 1593.  I only had my phone with me and a short time to wander about this lovely place, but the pictures it takes are reasonable.

The views of the surrounding countryside are amazing!

It was such a lovely morning, we decided to head for the nearest coast, the Irish Sea at Murlough Bay, County Down.

We followed the boardwalk through the dunes.

That’s Slieve Donard in the middle, Northern Ireland’s highest mountain at 850m (2790ft).  We couldn’t believe how good the views were today.

Continuing on the boardwalk the sea eventually came into view.

Then out onto the beach.  Wow!

The pictures say it all: wonderful.

 

We ended up in Newcastle for our picnic lunch, then a stroll along the front with an ice cream.  What more can I say?

The last picture is looking north from Newcastle, back to our starting point.  What a wonderful day!