デリーラフ周辺のアトラクション＆必見スポット - トップ2

歴史的なニューリー運河沿いには、静かなラフ・シャークの岸辺に美しく位置するアクトン湖ビジターセンターがあります。氷河期の名残であるこの湖は、サイクリングツアー中の短い休憩に理想的な景色を提供します。ビジターセンターでは、地元の動植物（数多くの水鳥や珍しいトンボなど）を垣間見ることができるだけでなく、この地域の内陸水運の歴史についても学ぶことができます。

このほとんど平坦で完全に自動車が通行できない道は、かつてアイルランド海への石炭輸送の生命線であった静かな水路沿いに、アーマーとダウンのカウンティの中心部を蛇行しています。手入れの行き届いたアスファルトや細かい砂利の上をペダルを漕ぎながら進むと、緑豊かな土手、歴史的な石橋、そして景色の高低差を克服する18の閘門の記念碑的な遺構に囲まれます。滑らかなアスファルトと走りやすい細かい砂利のミックスで、ほぼすべてのタイプの自転車に適しています。

ニューリー運河旧閘門複合施設、スカーヴァのすぐ南にあります。石造りの閘門壁、狭い運河の断面、そして静かで緑豊かな環境が、ここを水路沿いの特徴的な場所としています。水はしばしば静止し、岸辺の木々を映し出し、古い閘門構造はまだはっきりと認識できます。さらにリラックスした運河経路における、雰囲気のある歴史的な瞬間です。

Hollie Berrie is a good place for refreshments on the route at Scarva

The small town of Scarva, nestled between green meadows and the quiet canal, offers a welcome break on my bike tour through Northern Ireland. Here you cycle on well-maintained paths past historic bridges and small villages that give you the feeling that time has stood still. The British flags fluttering along the side of the road remind you that you are in a culturally special area - a detail that reflects the identity of the region. The route is easy to cycle, the surrounding landscape is gently rolling, which makes for pleasant cycling. The view of wide fields and rolling hills invites you to slow down now and then and take in the peace and quiet. A special feature of Scarva is the annual Orange Order March, which transforms the village into a kind of open-air stage once a year and keeps the traditions of this region alive.

The crannóg is a man made island dating from around the Late Bronze Age period (from approx. 2000 to 500 BC). The Island was inhabited by the Magennis family in the 17th century, who had vacated a castle that is thought to have stood on the lake shore. It was also used as a hiding place for the Irish Rebellion around 1642.

Scarva (from Irish: Scarbhach meaning "shallow place, rough ford" is a small village in the parish of Aghaderg, County Down, Scarva is known as the location of the "Sham Fight" Pageant on 13 July every year. The Pageant attracts thousands of members of the Royal Black Preceptory, who come to act out a symbolic dramatised re-enactment of the Battle of the Boyne.

Village on the Newry cycle path. There is also a Scarva pilbox - one of many left over from the 2nd World War. Worth seeking out if you've got the time.