enjoylisburn @visitlisburn visitlisburncastlereagh www. visitlisburncastlereagh.com CONTENTS Welcome to Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council 2 Shopping 4 Eating Out 6 Historical Villages 8 Heritage Sites 12 Natural Splendour 18 Visitor Attractions 26 Leisure Pursuits 40 Accommodation 76 Information & Services 92 Area Map 102 City Centre Map 104 1 www.visitlisburncastlereagh.com WELCOME TO LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH CITY COUNCIL Under Local Government Reform in Northern Ireland, the new Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council came into power Welcome to on 1 April 2015. The new Council covers an area of nearly 200 square miles and Lisburn & represents seven District Electoral Areas namely: Lisburn South, Lisburn North, Downshire West, Downshire East, Castlereagh South, Castlereagh Castlereagh East and Killultagh. The new Council formation brings together two areas with long and proud historical traditions. Lisburn was founded in the early 17th century and its name in Irish is Lios na gCearbhach or Lisnagarvey, which means the ‘fort of the gamesters’ and today many local City Council sports clubs pay tribute by still carrying the title Lisnagarvey in their name. The name Castlereagh comes from ‘Caislen Riabhach’ or ‘Grey Castle’ of the O’Neill’s, which once perched splendidly in the heart of the Castlereagh Hills. The powerful O’Neill Clan inhabited ‘Grey Castle’ known as the ‘The Eagle’s Nest’ due to its position in the hills from the mid-1300s but was lost to the family in the early 17th century. An excursion across the new council area can bring you up close and personal with the Normans, Ulster-Scots, World War II, dolmens, historic churches, forts, the Industrial Revolution and into the present day. It can count amongst its very famous sons Harry Ferguson, John Ballance and Sir Richard Wallace. The Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council area is a mixture of city, urban, village and rural communities. It is ideal for those wishing to enjoy a combination of rolling countryside and urban life within easy commuting distance of Belfast and the surrounding areas. 2 3 www.visitlisburncastlereagh.com SHOPPING IN LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH Shoppingoffers a Shopping in memorable experiencewith ample Lisburn & Castlereagh , car parkingeasy access and brand names that you expect Shopping in the area couldn’t be more fun or easier to access with some of Northern Ireland’s fi nest shopping centres waiting to be explored. The spectacular Forestside Shopping Centre boasts major names like Marks & Spencer, Oasis, Monsoon and Molton Brown. Just outside Lisburn, Sprucefi eld Shopping Centre features the largest Marks & Spencer store in Northern Ireland and much more, while nearby Sprucefi eld Park hosts many of the big names of retail, such as Sainsbury’s, Argos and Next Home. Lisburn’s Bow Street Mall off ers the best of high street shopping under one roof with over 60 leading stores across two levels. Bow Street also off ers a wide range of major shopping stores, while you can enjoy a real traditional market in Smithfi eld Square Car Park every Tuesday in the heart of the City. Fashionistas will love the many stylish boutiques to be found in the surrounding villages and there’s an abundance of welcoming independent retailers wherever you go. Please see Area Map (page 102) and the City Centre Map (page 104) for shopping locations. 4 4 5 5 www.visitlisburncastlereagh.com EATING OUT IN LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH Eating Out in Lisburn & Castlereagh From acclaimed gastro pubs and With something to suit fi ne dining restaurants to the best in all ethnic cuisine, take your taste buds tastes on an exhilarating gastronomic tour and budgets of discovery around Lisburn and the Castlereagh. Enjoy great value family ‘Eating Out meals and takeaways, superb delis and Guide’ the best of café society. To view an up- illustrates those to-date list of places to eat check out visitlisburncastlereagh.com or call into establishments offering one of our Visitor Information Centres traditional Irish fare located in Hillsborough Courthouse or and also Lisburn Square and pick up your free Indian, Eating Out Guide. Asian and Italian to name but a few 6 7 www.visitlisburncastlereagh.com HISTORICAL VILLAGES IN LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH Aghalee Aghalee, or Aghanalee (from the Irish Achadlh Li meaning ‘field of calves’), lies off the Historical Villages in steep wooded slopes of Friary Glen and is beside the former Lagan Canal. In the village stands an old church in a ruined condition, probably the first stone building which is of great antiquity. With the coming of the Lagan Navigation Canal and the age of Lisburn & Castlereagh mechanisation, the village sprang to life as Belfast was now a thriving port and Aghalee had access to it. Upper and Lower Ballinderry These charming villages are at the heart of an area known as ‘Ulster’s Garden of Eden’. Within easy access of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the British Isles, they feature several listed buildings, including the 18th century Moravian Church in Lower Ballinderry. The village is also near the RSPB sanctuary of Portmore Lough. Carryduff About six miles from Belfast, Carryduff takes its name from the Irish Ceathrú Aodha Dhuibh, meaning ‘Black Hugh’s Quarter’. A settlement was first recorded here in the 1600s. It has twice been awarded Best Kept Small Town. Surrounded Dromara by some of In the foothills of Slieve Croob, this delightful village is home to a 19th century Market Northern Ireland’s House, atmospheric traditional pubs and three old stone bridges that cross the Lagan most River not far from its source. It’s the perfect base to explore the beautiful countryside of County Down. Not far from here are the Ferguson Homestead and Harry Ferguson beautiful Memorial Garden, which commemorate the inventor of the modern tractor. countrysideour Drumbo welcoming This small village once boasted an ancient monastery. You can see its ruined round towns tower in the graveyard of the medieval parish church, the foundations of which are still and villages visible. Adjacent to this site is the Presbyterian Church, which is a listed building. are renowned for their Glenavy fascinating The village stands on two hills and is divided by the Glenavy River and dates back to history St Patrick himself, Ireland’s patron saint, who spent much of his time in the county of 8 9 www.visitlisburncastlereagh.com HISTORICAL VILLAGES IN LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH Antrim. He founded a church as part of his 5th century crusade to convert the Irish to Christianity. The site is believed to have been near where the present Pigeontown Road meets the road leaving the village, close to the banks of the Glenavy River. Hillsborough The jewel in the crown of Northern Ireland’s historic towns, Hillsborough is an irresistible mixture of exquisite Georgian architecture, atmospheric gastro pubs, fascinating shops and charming cafés. The village is an explosion of colour during the spring and summer months, regularly having success in the ‘Ulster in Bloom’ and ‘Britain in Bloom’ Awards. There are Farmers’ Markets during the summer months and a Christmas Market in December. Maghaberry Located about five miles from Lisburn, this pleasant village takes its name from Maigh gCabraí, the Irish for ‘plain of poor land’. Situated among rolling green fields, it is a short drive to the shores of Lough Neagh from here. Moira Famed for its elegant Georgian architecture, enticing restaurants and atmospheric pubs, historic Moira is one of Northern Ireland’s most attractive villages. A regular winner of ‘Britain in Bloom’, it is festooned in colourful plants and flowers each spring and summer. Originally laid out in the 17th century by Sir Arthur Rawdon, when it was renowned as one of Europe’s finest botanical gardens, Moira Demesne offers 40 acres of parkland, beautiful walks, picnic sites and a children’s play area. Moneyreagh Set in beautiful countryside and approx 8 miles from Belfast, this little village is well known to top golfer Rory McIlroy, who lived nearby. Among its most important historic buildings is the 18th century Non-Subscribing Presbyterian Church. Newtownbreda The original name of the ancient village of Bredagh (Breda) came from the Kinel- Bredagh tribe, which migrated to Ulster from Leinster in the 5th century. In 1657 the parishes of Breda and Knock were united by Oliver Cromwell to form Knockbreda. In 1737 Knockbreda Church, funded by Arthur Hill-Trevor’s mother, Lady Middleton, became its sole parish church, part of the new village of Newtownbreda. Stoneyford At the foot of the Belfast Hills, the village, which boasts a listed 19th century church, is situated next to a reservoir popular with anglers fishing for rainbow and brown trout. 10 11 www.visitlisburncastlereagh.com HERITAGE SITES IN LISBURN & CASTLEREAGH Lisburn & Castlereagh Heritage Sites in have many interesting Heritage Sites Lisburn & Castlereagh to offer that are well worth a visit Crewe Hill A few miles from Glenavy is one of the most significant historic sites in the north of Ireland. Here, 600 feet above sea level, a coronation stone marks where the Kings of Ulster were crowned. On the south side is a rath which may have been a royal residence. The great Irish high king, Brian Boru, once camped here. The site is on private land, therefore access is restricted. Downshire Monument This striking fluted Doric column of dressed stone, standing 130 feet high, is located in a field between Monument Road and Old Coach Road and can be seen when travelling from Hillsborough to Dromara. It is a testimonial to Arthur Hill, the 3rd Marquis of Downshire, a statue of whom stands atop. When he died in 1845, his funeral procession was said to have been the longest ever seen in Ireland. This site is on private land, therefore access is restricted.