ティールガーンのおすすめツーリングルート

ティロン県のなだらかな田園地帯をサイクリングする際には、ウェルブルック・ビー tulang・ミルに立ち寄ることを強くお勧めします。バリンデリー川沿いの牧歌的な、木々に囲まれた小川の谷に位置するこの19世紀の水車は、周囲の静けさとは対照的です。 ここは、英国で唯一稼働している「ビー tulang・ミル」です。「ビー tulang」とは、伝統的なアイルランドのリネン製造における最終工程でした。巨大な木槌（ビー tulang）が、高さ約5メートルの水車によって動かされ、リネンに独特の光沢が出るまで何時間も加工されていました。工場が稼働しているときは、遠くからでもリズミカルな轟音が聞こえてきます。北アイルランドの産業の最盛期へとあなたを直接連れ戻す、印象的な音です。

クックズタウンの遥か上空、印象的なスペリン山脈の麓に、ビアグモアの石造円環群があります。ここはアイルランドで最も魅力的な史跡の一つです。1940年代に泥炭採掘中に再発見されたこの湿地からは、青銅器時代の7つの石造円環群、10の石列、そして数多くの墳丘墓からなる複合遺跡が姿を現しました。 サイクリストにとって、ビアグモアへの道はそれ自体が体験です。このルートは、人が住む場所から離れ、風が自由に吹き抜ける広大で静かな風景へとあなたを誘います。この遺跡群自体が計り知れないほどの静けさを放っており、自転車を降りて先史時代の雰囲気を味わうのに最適な場所です。

On this stretch of the Solar Walk in Davagh Forest near the OM Observatory a pretty stone bridge spans over the Davagh water creating a picturesque scene. It's also fascinating to note that this area is a Dark Sky Park, meaning it boasts exceptional dark night skies.

It’s disappointing that the dirt trails through the forest are for mountain bikers only. As a walker, you have to stick to the tarmac roads - also used by the mountain bikes. It felt like there is an assumption that walking is more about an afternoon stroll with the kids and the dog. The forest is for the mountain bikers.

Beaghmore (Bheitheach Mhór), meaning ‘big place of birch trees’. The stones speak of ancient rituals and to a people who understood astronomy. When you visit this ancient site look up in wonder at the sky and reflect, that the people that built these monuments observed the same sky, sun, moon and stars.

Contained within the ruins is a sculpture of the crucifixion, which is thought to date from the 10th Century, making it one of the oldest in Ireland. St Lurach founded an important church here in the 6th century. It was plundered by Vikings in 832 and burned in 1135. Following the 12th-century ecclesiastical reforms this was the seat of a bishop from the mid 12th to the mid 13th century, then served as parish church until the new church across the road was built in the early 19th century. This long history is reflected in the much patched and altered fabric, and the big uneven graveyard.

Near the banks of Lough Neagh stands Ardboe High Cross. Take a close look at the carvings on the cross which represent both the Old and New Testament. A monastery was founded here in the 6th century by St Colman and legend has it that it was created by the milk of a magic cow. Ardboe means hill of the cow, so who knows!

A little waterside detour will take you to visit The Battery, a marina on Lough Neagh. You can grab at drink at the Battery Bar or take a seat on one of the many picnic benches and breathe in the peace and calm.