Attractions and Places To See around Keenaghan - Top 7

The Keenaghan area is rich in natural beauty. You can visit Moor Lough, a beautiful lake in the Sperrins Area of Natural Beauty, popular for fishing and picnicking. Another significant natural site is Clodagh Glen, a reserve featuring a steep-sided gorge with ancient ash trees, mystical caves, and waterfalls. Keenaghan Lough itself is also a notable natural feature, with historical ruins on its shore. For a challenging hike with panoramic views, consider the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail, also known as the 'Stairway to Heaven'.

Yes, the region offers several historical and cultural sites. The ruins of Keenaghan Abbey, or Tievealough Church and Graveyard, on the shore of Keenaghan Lough, hold significant historical value, with parts of its walls still standing. You can also see the Newtownstewart Stone Bridge, a historic bridge spanning the Strule River in a village known for its well-preserved architecture. Further afield, Florence Court House is a magnificent 18th-century country estate, and Boa Island's Caldragh Graveyard features ancient stone figures.

Families can enjoy several attractions. Moor Lough is a great spot with beaches and a segregated paddleboarding area, perfect for a picnic. The Let the Dance Begin Sculptures, affectionately known as 'The Tinnies', are an impressive sight for all ages. Exploring Clodagh Glen with its caves and waterfalls can also be an exciting adventure for children, especially during spring when the valley floor is covered in wildflowers.

Absolutely. For a rewarding challenge, the Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail (Stairway to Heaven) offers an 11 km round-trip hike through blanket bogs and a steep ascent to a viewing platform. Clodagh Glen also provides beautiful walks through its gorge. For more options, you can explore various running trails around Keenaghan, including routes around Moor Lough. Find detailed running routes at Running Trails around Keenaghan.

The Keenaghan area offers several cycling opportunities. Carrigans Road is a scenic lane that forms part of the North West Trail, a cycle route through multiple counties. You can find various cycling routes, including easy loops around the Let the Dance Begin Sculptures. For more information on routes, visit Cycling around Keenaghan or Road Cycling Routes around Keenaghan.

One of the most popular viewpoints is Moor Lough, situated in the Sperrins Area of Natural Beauty, offering great views all around its gravel track. The Cuilcagh Boardwalk Trail also culminates in a viewing platform atop Cuilcagh Mountain, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding lowlands on clear days.

Yes, for those interested in geology, there are roadside exposures approximately 3.5 km east of Belleek on the A47 road to Kesh. These exposures at Keenaghan illustrate hydrothermal alteration of limestone, featuring dolomitized and silicified limestone with crystals of quartz, dolomite, calcite, and rare copper sulphides. It's a site visited for educational purposes.

Moor Lough is a beautiful lake located in the Sperrins Area of Natural Beauty. It features several beaches and a segregated paddleboarding area, making it ideal for water activities. The fisheries are well stocked with trout, making it popular among anglers. It's a great spot to bring a picnic and spend an afternoon relaxing with friends or family, enjoying the scenic views.

The Let the Dance Begin Sculptures, often called 'The Tinnies' by locals, are an ensemble of five stainless steel and bronze figures, each approximately 10 meters tall. Commissioned to symbolize the transition to the new millennium, they stand on a site adjacent to the Strabane bypass and are a significant man-made monument in the area.

When exploring natural reserves like Clodagh Glen, keep an eye out for elusive pine martens and red squirrels. In spring, the valley floor is carpeted with bluebells, wood anemones, and wild garlic, while silver-washed fritillaries can be seen in the summer. The loughs and surrounding woodlands also support various bird species and other small mammals.

The spring and summer months (April to September) are generally ideal for visiting Keenaghan's natural attractions. During spring, areas like Clodagh Glen are vibrant with wildflowers. Summer offers warmer weather for outdoor activities like hiking and cycling, and better visibility for panoramic views from spots like Cuilcagh Mountain. However, the region's beauty can be appreciated year-round, with autumn bringing colorful foliage.

While some trails can be challenging, there are easier options. The gravel track around Moor Lough offers a pleasant and relatively flat walk with great views. Many of the running routes listed on komoot, such as the 'Running loop from Strabane', are rated as easy and could be suitable for a leisurely walk. You can find more details on these at Running Trails around Keenaghan.