To the manor borne by ferry – beats the budget airline blues
OF the two splendidly plumed peacocks on the Blessingbourne estate in Fivemiletown, Co Tyrone, Percy is the most persistent. his hooting begins directly under our bedroom window at first light.
To unashamed adult townies from urban Scotland, this may sound like a mixed blessing. To children, it’s nothing short of a joy and an early taste of the country pleasures Blessingbourne has to offer.
There is a play park and a tennis court. A menagerie of horses, ponies, bearded goats, chickens, cockerels and cattle, meanwhile, populate the working farm attached to this 550-acre country estate.
There are various ways to see it all. The more adventurous take the challenging, bracing eight mile mountain bike trail through the estate woodlands. The less energetic can savour a more leisurely stroll around the fishing lake while the kids negotiate the pathways on a pedal go-kart of their choice.
A club class journey with P&o Ferries from Troon to larne is effortless and relaxing in contrast to the nightmare of airport queues and the budget flight experience.
After a 95-minute drive from larne, the gables of the grand old Blessingbourne Victorian manor- house loom. In the shadow of the old home, courtyard apartments have been sympathetically converted from old outbuildings by hospitable owners Colleen
and Nick Lowry. A welcome pack of freshly laid eggs, delicious Irish wheaten bread, a selection of jams, milk and hot drinks is laid on.
Nothing is too much trouble here. A short walk away, a carriage and costume museum reveals a unique array of old horse-drawn vehicles, bikes, buggies, a bona fide Romany caravan, and even a former UN helicopter. There are military uniforms and costumes preserved from the family manor house for display.
A short walk into Fivemiletown ends in the bustling Valley hotel where we enjoyed a fabulous dinner.
We ventured west to County Fermanagh via enniskillen to the amazing Marble Arch Caves at the foot of the Cuilcagh Mountain.
A remarkable natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, passages and chambers, the caves were discovered in 1895 and these days you can take a 75 minute floodlit tour via winding, secure, wooden footpaths.
The McGowan twins are already badgering for another Blessingbourne stay next year.
P&O Ferries (www.poferries.com) sails between Troon and Larne until September 30 (2hrs 15 mins) with up to seven sailings daily between Cairnryan and Larne.
Weekend breaks at Blessingbourne Estate (www.blessingbourne.com) for two nights, selfcatering start from £250 for a family of 4-5.