Bellaghy Village was one of the first planned towns in Ireland, built on land owned by a London company, Vintners. It is off the usual tourist trail, but worth making the journey to see. The countryside is beautiful, the museum is free and there are picnic tables to use on a good day.
Bellaghy Bawn is a fortified house and bawn (the defensive wall surrounding an Irish tower house, and one of the more famous of the Historic Houses in Northern Ireland.
This 17th Century Bawn is the best restored example to be found anywhere in Northern Ireland. The Original Bawn was virtually destroyed in the 1641 rebellion when the greater part of Bellaghy was burnt to the ground.
The Vintners Company fortified house and bawn was occupied until 1987. It was opened to the public in 1996. Inside there are exhibitions on local history, and on poetry by local Nobel Laureate Seamus Heaney, described as “the most important Irish poet since Yeats” who grew up in Bellaghy and much of his work reflects life there.
I am chairperson of a past pupils association which likes to meet for social events. I came upon the Bellaghy Bawn while surfing the net and I was wondering what facilities are there or nearby for tea/coffee or light lunches. Also, what are your opening times throughout the year and is there a entrance fee? Would this be a suitable place to visit for group of people of mixed ages?
Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in anticipation
Thanks for your comment. We’re not affiliated with Bellaghy Bawn. We are photobloggers who travel across Ireland with 360° cameras recording where we go on this website.
You would need to contact the NIEA directly. Their contact details will be at the top of this page.
Thanks
Thomas
Antrim is the county town of County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Antrim is a small town not frequently visited by tourists, yet it is one of the more historic towns in Northern Ireland with many interesting sights and buildings of historic note.
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Can you give me opening times of Bellaghy bawn during September
Hi Gretta
Found this on the main tourist board website.
http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Bellaghy-Bawn-Bellaghy-Magherafelt-P2924
Opening times from 5th September:
Sundays – 12 noon – 16:00pm
Wednesday – 10:00 – 16:00
Hope that helps.
Thomas
I am chairperson of a past pupils association which likes to meet for social events. I came upon the Bellaghy Bawn while surfing the net and I was wondering what facilities are there or nearby for tea/coffee or light lunches. Also, what are your opening times throughout the year and is there a entrance fee? Would this be a suitable place to visit for group of people of mixed ages?
Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in anticipation
Carolyn Pauley
Hi Carolyn
Thanks for your comment. We’re not affiliated with Bellaghy Bawn. We are photobloggers who travel across Ireland with 360° cameras recording where we go on this website.
You would need to contact the NIEA directly. Their contact details will be at the top of this page.
Thanks
Thomas