Ireland has long been associated with "battles" but the Battle of the Diamond at Loughgall is one which has had a big impact on the culture of the North to this present day.

Pick up your local guide and travel through Loughgall , the pretty award winning " Village in Bloom " to the site of the famous Battle of the Diamond in 1795. View the maginifcent gate lodge entrance and the original 18th century Manor House, with its tranquil lake, once home of the Cope family - all in the pretty conservation village of Loughgall. Listen to the history of this plantation village and find out why there NEVER will be a pub in it!  Stop off in the village and visit the Art Gallery in Dispensary House or take the short stroll to the nearby Antique Shop run by the Huey family .

Stop off at Dan Winter's 18th century thatched cottage with its half door, jab wall and open turf fire and view the historical collection of memorabilia from the time of the nearby  1795 Battle of the Diamond .  Hilda the guide at the Cottage will give you a guided tour of this historical fully furnished old rural cottage.

Travelling further into the heart of County Armagh the tour will take you to Richhill once the home of the Richardson Family . Time to stop off and explore the old 17th century castle within the village and discover its links with the famous beauty Dolly Monroe .  No tour to this part of County Armagh would be complete without a sample of the local apple cider - step inside Lynas's Bar & Restaurant nearby the castle and enjoy a cool glass of cider or afternoon tea!

Time to move on through the quiet hamlet of Hamiltonsbawn; not so quiet once when once  many rural villages in Ireland were bustling on a the monthly Fair Day .  Close to the estate once owned by Lord Gosford we follow the stone wall into Markethill ( maybe fit in a spot of shopping in Alexanders Giftware Shop) on our way back to Armagh City.

NOTE:  Other beautiful period houses to stop in at to tour or drink tea are The Argory & Ardress House.  ALSO excellent restaurants nearby are The Stonebridge and Armagh City Hotel.

For further information on this tour contact Barbara:

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