Things to Do in Tyrone | Sperrin Mountains, History & Hidden Gems | Two for the Row'd
โ† Back to Ireland Two for the Row'd ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช
๐Ÿ“ County TyroneResearched guideSperrins ยท Omagh ยท Dungannon

County Tyrone โ€”
Ancient Stones, Starry Skies & Spectacular Sperrins

Where beautiful mountains, remarkable history and some of Ireland's darkest skies create unforgettable adventures.

๐Ÿก Folk Parkโ€ขโ›ฐ๏ธ Sperrinsโ€ขโญ• Beaghmoreโ€ขโœจ Dark skiesโ€ข๐Ÿ‘‘ O'Neill country
7stone circles at Beaghmore
Dark SkyPark at Davagh
ยฃpounds sterling
4day trips to try

If you fancy escaping the busy tourist routes for a county full of history, mountains and outdoor adventures, Tyrone is a brilliant choice.

In the heart of Ulster, it's known for the Sperrin Mountains, peaceful forests and remarkable ancient monuments, and it's home to one of Ireland's most engaging heritage attractions, the Ulster American Folk Park.

And if you've ever fancied an evening under a sky full of stars, Tyrone has some of the darkest skies on the island.

๐Ÿงญ A quick note from Nicola and Podge: this is a researched guide rather than a diary of our own visits. When we explore and film in Tyrone, our own videos and first-hand tips will be added here, just like on our other county guides.

๐Ÿ›‚ Crossing from the Republic?

There are no border checks, but prices are in pounds sterling (ยฃ), speed limits are in miles per hour, and it's worth checking your phone plan and car insurance cover before you go.

๐Ÿ“
WhereThe heart of Ulster, west of Lough Neagh
๐Ÿก
UnmissableThe Ulster American Folk Park
โญ•
AncientBeaghmore Stone Circles
โœจ
StargazingOM Dark Sky Park at Davagh Forest
๐Ÿ’ท
CurrencyPounds sterling
๐Ÿš—
Our adviceA car is essential for the Sperrins
01
Plan your route
Tyrone highlights on the map

Places in this guide

Tap a marker for the place name and a quick summary. Omagh and the west, the Sperrins, and Dungannon each make a good day.

History & heritageOutdoors & natureTowns & hidden gems
02
Start here
Folk park, Sperrins & ancient stones
Open-air museum

๐Ÿก Ulster American Folk Park

Near Omagh, this open-air museum follows emigrants from Ulster to North America, through cottages, a ship and the streets of an American town. Costumed guides bring it all to life.

Why visit? Emigration history, families and education.

Mountains

โ›ฐ๏ธ The Sperrin Mountains

Remote, rolling uplands stretching across Tyrone into County Derry, with quiet roads, walking routes and huge skies.

Why visit? Nature, hiking and photography.

โ›ฐ๏ธ The uplands are exposed and the weather changes fast. Go prepared.
Prehistory ยท Free

โญ• Beaghmore Stone Circles

Seven Bronze Age stone circles, stone rows and cairns in a remote, atmospheric bogland setting.

Why visit? Archaeology and ancient mysteries.

Stargazing

โœจ OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory

In Davagh Forest, an observatory and dark sky park where you can learn about astronomy and, on a clear night, see the Milky Way.

Why visit? Stargazing, science and families.

โ˜๏ธ Clear skies are never guaranteed. Cloud and moonlight affect what you'll see.
Forest park

๐ŸŒฒ Gortin Glen Forest Park

Woodland walks, a forest drive and mountain views near Omagh.

Why visit? Walking, families and photography.

Visitor centre

๐ŸŒฟ An Creagรกn

A visitor and cultural centre near Creggan, with bog trails and exhibitions about the landscape and heritage of the area.

Why visit? Culture, countryside and families.

03
Around the county
O'Neill country & the east
Heritage ยท Views

๐Ÿ‘‘ Hill of The O'Neill & Ranfurly House

In Dungannon, the hill where the O'Neills, the most powerful Gaelic dynasty in Ulster, had their stronghold. Ranfurly House tells their story, and the views are excellent.

Why visit? Gaelic history and views.

Inauguration site

๐Ÿชจ Tullaghoge Fort

The hilltop enclosure near Cookstown where the O'Neill chiefs were inaugurated for centuries.

Why visit? Gaelic history and atmosphere.

National Trust ยท Linen

โš™๏ธ Wellbrook Beetling Mill

A water-powered mill where linen was hammered to a sheen, a reminder of Ulster's great linen industry.

Why visit? Industrial heritage.

๐Ÿ“… Check current visitor arrangements.
Park

๐Ÿฆ† Dungannon Park

A lake, walking paths and green space.

Why visit? Families and relaxation.

Estate ยท Cycling

๐Ÿšฒ Blessingbourne Estate

A country estate near Fivemiletown with walking and mountain-bike trails.

Why visit? Cycling, nature and countryside.

Ancestral home

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Grant Ancestral Homestead

Near Ballygawley, the restored farmstead of the ancestors of US President Ulysses S. Grant.

Why visit? Emigration history and family roots.

04
Worth the detour
Hidden gems
Forest park

๐ŸŒณ Drum Manor

Woodland walks and old estate gardens near Cookstown.

High cross

โœ๏ธ Arboe High Cross

A tall, richly carved high cross on the shore of Lough Neagh.

Town

๐Ÿ˜๏ธ Castlederg

A historic town beside the River Derg.

Forest

๐ŸŒฒ Pomeroy Forest

Quiet woodland and trails.

Village

๐Ÿ˜๏ธ Stewartstown

Traditional village streets.

Canal heritage

โš“ Coalisland

Canal and industrial history.

Lake

๐ŸŒŠ Loughmacrory

A peaceful lake and village in the Sperrins foothills.

Research centre

๐Ÿ“œ Mellon Centre for Migration Studies

A library and family-history resource at the Folk Park.

๐Ÿ’Ž Love this kind of find?

Our Hidden Ireland collection is where we keep the places most visitors drive straight past.

05
History, myth & mystery
Myths, legends & history

History and legend, clearly labelled.

History

๐Ÿ‘‘ The O'Neills

The O'Neills ruled Tรญr Eoghain, which gave Tyrone its name, for centuries. Their chiefs were inaugurated at Tullaghoge, and Hugh O'Neill led the Nine Years' War before the Flight of the Earls in 1607.

Archaeology

โญ• The mystery of Beaghmore

The circles were uncovered from the peat in the 1940s. Nobody is sure what they were for, though theories range from astronomy to ritual.

History

๐Ÿšข Leaving Ulster

Hundreds of thousands left Ulster for America in the 1700s and 1800s. Their stories, from the cottages they left to the towns they built, are at the heart of the Folk Park.

Folklore

โ›ฐ๏ธ Sperrin stories

The mountains are rich in local lore, from fairy forts to stories of gold in the hills. Gold really has been found in the Sperrins!

๐Ÿ‘ป Fancy more Irish legends?

Our Friday Night Frights series explores ghost stories, myths and folklore from all over Ireland.

06
Ready-made plans
Suggested days out

Realistic days, each focused on one part of the county.

๐Ÿก Historic Tyrone

Ideal for: families
  1. Route: Ulster American Folk Park โ†’ Omagh โ†’ Gortin Glen.

โœจ Ancient Tyrone and dark skies

Ideal for: an evening out
  1. Route: Beaghmore Stone Circles โ†’ Davagh Forest โ†’ OM Dark Sky Observatory.

๐Ÿ‘‘ Gaelic heritage

Ideal for: history fans
  1. Route: Dungannon โ†’ Hill of The O'Neill โ†’ Tullaghoge Fort.

โ›ฐ๏ธ Outdoor escape

Ideal for: walkers
  1. Route: Gortin Glen โ†’ Sperrin viewpoints โ†’ Loughmacrory.
07
Eat, drink, repeat
Food & pubs

Places with a strong local reputation. We haven't eaten at these ourselves yet, so treat this as a starting point rather than our personal picks, and check opening hours before you set off.

๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Food & pubs

  • The Brewer's House, Donaghmore โ€“ pub and restaurant in a traditional setting.
  • Sally's of Omagh โ€“ pub and restaurant in the town.
  • Tomney's, Moy โ€“ a traditional pub known for music.

Prices are in pounds sterling (ยฃ). Please check opening hours before you travel.

08
If you'd like a hand
Make more of your visit

Prefer a guide, a ready-made tour or someone else to do the driving? These are good places to start:

โœจ Tyrone experiences
Search current tours and activities in and around County Tyrone.
๐ŸšŒ Multi-day Ireland tours
Organised trips around the island, so you can leave the planning to someone else.

Disclosure: GetYourGuide, Klook and TourRadar links are affiliate links. If you book through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Tours on TourRadar are our picks, not trips we've taken ourselves. Availability and prices change, so always check the provider's page before booking.

09
Before you go
Practical travel tips
๐Ÿš— Getting around
A car is strongly recommended.
๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Best time
Spring to autumn, with clear, moonless nights for stargazing.
โณ How long
Two or three days.
๐Ÿ’ท Currency
Pounds sterling. Speed limits are in miles per hour.
โ›ฐ๏ธ Mountain safety
The uplands are exposed, so prepare for changeable weather.
โœจ Stargazing
Check the forecast and the moon phase before planning an evening at Davagh.

Opening times, tours and access arrangements change, so please check official websites before you travel. Useful links: Discover Northern Ireland and National Trust.

10
Common questions
County Tyrone FAQ
Where's the best place to stargaze in Tyrone?
Davagh Forest, home to the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. Go on a clear, moonless night.
Can you visit Beaghmore Stone Circles for free?
Yes, it's an open site. Wear sturdy shoes, as it's a remote bogland setting.
How long do you need at the Ulster American Folk Park?
Allow at least half a day. There's a lot to see, inside and out.
What currency is used in Tyrone?
Pounds sterling (ยฃ). There are no border checks if you're coming from Donegal or Monaghan.
Have Two for the Row'd visited these places?
Not for this guide yet, and we'd rather be upfront. It's researched rather than first-hand. When we visit and film, our own videos and tips will be added here.
11
Keep exploring
Explore more counties

Tyrone's neighbours:

Slรกn go fรณill, and safe travels! โ€” Nicola & Podge