Things to Do in the Local Magherafelt Area

The Magherafelt area is a great place for sightseeing, lying as it does in a picturesque plain between Lough Neagh and the Sperrin Mountains, both of which are well worth visiting. The Antrim Coast, Belfast, Derry and the Mountains of Mourne are all within an hour's drive away. For information on tours go to the Seamus Heaney page.

For the more sporty types, Magherafelt has an excellent reputation for sports and leisure. Magherafelt's leisure facilities are the envy of many other council areas, with Meadowbank Sports Arena and the newly renovated Magherafelt Leisure Centre (estimated 2012) the most popular.

                  'So many places to go today ... so many things to do'

Golfers can enjoy the superb greens and surroundings at Moyola Park Castledawson, one of the finest parkland courses in the country and just three miles away. Another option is Ronan Valley, a 10 hole course in Magherafelt.

For the very active-minded, The Jungle NI is an award-winning outdoor entertainment facility just six miles away, offering paintball, clay pigeon shooting, archery, zorbing and high Wire adventure. There are lots of other opportunities in the area for horse-riding, fishing, walking, cycling etc. Contact Magherafelt District Council for a comprehensive list of things to do.

To make the most of these activities and events fill out our Reservation Enquiry Form and we will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you would rather spectate, there are high-profile events throughout the year such as Moto Cross at Desertmartin and dfferent codes of football at the many football clubs in the area. 

Rainey Endowed School is well-known for rugby and has hosted visiting teams from Australia, S. Africa and Argentina. The Rainey Old Boys Rugby Club is one of the best known in Ireland and its home ground is on the Ballyronan Road near Meadowbank.

Moyola Football Club from Castledawson were the first winners of soccer’s Irish Cup. Magherafelt Reds and Magherafelt Sky Blues are based in the town. One of the great legends of Irish football was Peter Doherty. He was born on Church Street Magherafelt, just a couple of hundred yards from Laurel Villa. He won the the F. A. Cup with Derby County and brought the cup over to Magherafelt. Look out for the Blue Plaque which has been erected to mark his birthplace.

The local Gaelic football club is O' Donovan Rossa GAC and its clubhouse and playing pitches are on the Castledawson Road. Visitors are welcome.

There are a host of other activities and events happening all through the year in the Magherafelt area. For information on the full list of Magherafelt activities and events contact Magherafelt District Council or Sperrins Tourism.