Family-friendly Rainy-day options Walking
Dark skies and the Sperrins
Tyrone is the biggest county in Northern Ireland and one of the least explored. Its heart is the Sperrin Mountains, a long, empty range of heather and bog with forest parks, stone circles and some of the darkest skies on the island. Add a brilliant open-air museum of emigration and a few quiet villages with welcoming pubs, and Tyrone is a great choice for walkers, stargazers and anyone who wants to get away from it all. It’s about two hours from Dublin and an hour from Derry or Belfast, so it fits neatly into a long weekend. Bring boots, a warm hat and a sense of adventure.
Remember it’s Northern Ireland, so it’s pounds sterling.
OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory
In Davagh Forest, near Cookstown, the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory opened in 2020 as Northern Ireland’s first International Dark Sky Park. The observatory and visitor centre run stargazing sessions and digital shows, and on a clear, moonless night the skies are spectacular. Plan your visit around the new moon if you can, and bring warm layers. By day, Davagh has mountain bike trails and forest walks.
A few tips for stargazing: give your eyes at least 20 minutes to adjust to the dark, use a red torch rather than a white one, and download a free star map app before you go, as signal is weak in the forest. Autumn and winter bring the longest, darkest nights, and if solar activity is high, you may even catch the Northern Lights on the northern horizon.
Beaghmore Stone Circles
Close by, the Beaghmore Stone Circles are a remarkable Bronze Age complex of seven stone circles, stone rows and cairns, uncovered from the bog in the 20th century. Nobody knows exactly what they were for, but some of the alignments seem to point to the sun and moon. They’re free, open at all times and wonderfully atmospheric.
The Ulster American Folk Park
Just outside Omagh, the Ulster American Folk Park is an open-air museum that tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries. You walk from thatched Irish cottages, through a full-size emigrant ship, to the log cabins of the American frontier, with costumed guides along the way. It’s one of the best museums in Ireland, and kids love it. Allow at least half a day, and check the events calendar: the park hosts an Appalachian and bluegrass music festival, Halloween events and Christmas markets.
Walking and the Sperrins
- Gortin Glen Forest Park: a scenic forest drive, walking trails and viewpoints over the Sperrins, close to Omagh.
- An Creagán: a visitor centre near Creggan with walks, a bog trail and information on the area’s heritage.
- The Sperrin Mountains: open hill walking on Sawel, the highest peak, and the many quiet glens around Gortin and Plumbridge.
- Wellbrook Beetling Mill: a National Trust water-powered linen mill near Cookstown, open seasonally.
When it rains
The Ulster American Folk Park has plenty of indoor buildings, and the OM observatory runs shows under its dome when the sky is cloudy. Omagh and Cookstown have shops, cafés and pubs. Strule Arts Centre in Omagh has a busy programme of theatre, music and film.
Where to eat and drink
Omagh and Cookstown have the best choice of restaurants, and the Sperrin villages have friendly pubs where you’ll often find traditional music at the weekend. Look out for local beef and lamb, and for Tyrone’s cafés and bakeries in the market towns.
Good to know before you go
- Northern Ireland uses pounds sterling, though cards are accepted almost everywhere.
- The OM observatory’s sessions must be booked, and they depend on the weather and the moon.
- The Sperrins are remote, so fill up with fuel and bring food and water for long walks.
- Phone signal is patchy in the hills, so download maps before you set off.
Which area to stay in
Omagh is the biggest town and the base for the Folk Park and Gortin Glen. Cookstown is closer to Davagh, Beaghmore and Wellbrook, and self-catering cottages in the Sperrins are perfect for a quiet, dark-sky break.
A two-night plan
Friday: arrive in Omagh and have dinner in town.
Saturday: the Ulster American Folk Park in the morning, Gortin Glen in the afternoon and a stargazing session at the OM observatory after dark.
Sunday: Beaghmore Stone Circles and Wellbrook Beetling Mill on the way home.
If you have an extra night, add a slow drive through the Sperrin glens around Plumbridge and Cranagh, or a longer walk on the hills.
Tyrone is best for stargazing on the autumn and winter long weekends, like the October bank holiday and St Brigid’s Day. Combine it with Derry or Fermanagh.
Frequently asked questions
What is the OM Dark Sky Park?
A dark sky park and observatory in Davagh Forest, Co. Tyrone, opened in 2020. It was Northern Ireland’s first International Dark Sky Park, and it runs stargazing sessions and shows.
Are the Beaghmore Stone Circles free?
Yes. They’re free and open at all times, with a small car park beside the site.
How long do you need at the Ulster American Folk Park?
Allow at least three to four hours to see the cottages, the emigrant ship and the American frontier village.
How far is Tyrone from Dublin?
About two hours to Omagh by car via the M1, N2 and A5. Coaches run from Dublin to Omagh on the way to Derry.
Where we’d stay
A long-established, family-friendly hotel in Omagh, close to the Folk Park.
A historic country house hotel in the Clogher Valley.
Search guesthouses and cottages around Gortin, in the heart of the Sperrins.
We may earn a small commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Getting there
About two hours from Dublin by car or coach. There’s no railway in Tyrone.
- By car: about two hours from Dublin to Omagh via the M1, N2 and A5.
- By coach: express services run from Dublin to Omagh on the way to Derry.
- Getting around: you’ll need a car for the Sperrins, Davagh and Beaghmore.
Timetables change, especially on bank holidays, so check with the operator before you travel.
