The best road cycling routes around Ardean

As you step through the magnificent gate, you will be enveloped by the timelessness of this historic place. The old walls, which shine in the sun, tell stories from times long past and invite you to discover them. The municipality has enriched this treasure trove of history with a library and a museum that attract knowledge seekers and history lovers. In the quiet rooms of the library you can leaf through old writings and be transported back to times gone by, while the museum brings the history of the place and its people to life. After a journey of discovery through history and culture, the Priorat's café beckons with its seductive scent of freshly brewed coffee. Here, in an ambience that wonderfully combines modernity and history, you can take a little time out. Choose from comfortable seating inside or settle on one of the terraces to soak up the rays while munching on delicious pastries. But the Priory has even more to offer. A dreamy little walkway winds from the building down to the river. A path lined with blooming flowers and old trees that acts as an invitation to explore this wonderful terrain in all its splendor.

A well-designed information board welcomes you directly on the shore and will introduce you to the lake and the surrounding forest like an experienced guide. Using carefully chosen words and images, she traces the fishing history of Brantry Lough - from the first people who fished here with simple nets to the modern anglers who live out their passion for the sport here today. The board takes you into a world rich in biodiversity. You will be amazed at the variety of fish that swim in these waters and the stories each of them has to tell. From the iridescent brown trout that deftly meander through the aquatic plants to the smaller species that reside in the deeper areas of the lake.

Brantry Lough is a fantastic fishing lake situated just north of Creevelough in County Tyrone. The waters provide a great supply of brown trout that's stocked all year around bringing keen fishermen and their boats to the shores

Take in the fabulous views of Lough Neagh from this stretch of road.

Take in the beautiful views of Lough Shore whilst cycling along this stretch of road.

Nice little cafe at Benburb Priory. Well worth a stop if you are in the area.

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!

An information board as you arrive at Brantry Lough describes the nature of the lough and wood. The board goes into detail on the fishing history here and the species you may come across.