News  |  December 31st, 2022

A Fun Family Holiday Idea in Northern Ireland 2024

Northern Ireland is a fantastic place for families to visit on their holidays as it is jam-packed with wonderful attractions, thrilling adventures, great food, drink and friendly people.

We’ve all heard of famous holiday destinations & attractions in NI such as Portrush, the Giant’s Causeway and Belfast. Here, we are going to indulge you with our lesser-known, but equally as memorable and fun family holiday idea in Northern Ireland in 2024.

We are going to bring you further west of the country, to County Tyrone and Fermanagh where you and your family can enjoy a holiday with plenty of exciting activities, stunning walks, lakes galore, delicious dining and so much more. Enjoy!

Family Holiday Recommendations 2024 in Tyrone and Fermanagh, Northern Ireland

Family Break Accommodation

Starting with one of the most important aspects of a vacation with your family – the accommodation. For your 2024 holiday in NI, you won’t go wrong by making Blessingbourne Country Estate your base throughout your stay.

Located in the peaceful village of Fivemiletown, Co. Tyrone, Blessingbourne can accommodate up to 27 people in our luxury, 3-5* self-catering apartments. From the unique and charming 5* Gate Lodge to the new Oak Tree Cabin, there is a fantastic variety of options to choose from.

Blessingbourne Estate is nestled in 550 acres of private countryside, offering stunning walking trails around ancient woodland and lakes, making it the ideal location for anyone looking to chill out and embrace nature. All of our accommodation is pet-friendly so you can bring the entire family along!

Tourist Attractions in Tyrone and Fermanagh

By staying at Blessingbourne you will enjoy the peaceful countryside, whilst also only being a short drive away from many of Tyrone and Fermanagh’s top tourist attractions. Below, we list some of our must-visit places – take note:

• National Trust Estates:

Bordering county, Fermanagh, is home to 3 tranquil, historic National Trust Estates – Crom, Florencecourt and Castle Coole.

Each boasts its own unique and fascinating features. Crom, the nearest estate to Blessingbourne, is a must-visit for families as you will get to enjoy the incredible walks, wildlife including fallow deer, otters and herons, Crighton Tower and Gad Island, and a fun play park for the kids. It’s definitely a must-visit for any outdoor-loving family holidayers.

• Cuilcagh Legnabrocky Trail:

Also known as the Stairway to Heaven, the famous boardwalk is one of the top tourist destinations in Northern Ireland. The hike itself is uphill 11km on a mixture of gravel and boardwalk trail but the reward is worth it in the end – an unbroken view of the jaw-dropping Fermanagh countryside. This trek is a great family day out for any adventurous family but may be difficult for very young kids.

• Ulster American Folk Park:

Take a journey back in time and learn about Ulster people’s emigrations to America throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Located in Omagh, Co. Tyrone, the Ulster American Folk Park is a great place for young families to visit and follow in the footsteps of Irish Immigrants and the hardships they went through at the time. This is one of the most popular school trips in Northern Ireland so definitely a great palace to bring the kids.

• Enniskillen:

The nearby island town of Enniskillen is a must-visit for any family holiday in the west of Northern Ireland.

Being an island town, there are many extraordinary lakeside walks and views around the town and nearby areas making it a great destination for outdoor lovers. Watersports and tours on Lough Erne are also in abundance as you can hop on a Hydrobike or SUP Board at Erne Water Adventures, or tour the lough on the Erne Water Taxi or the 48 seater Waterbus, the Kestrel.

People who prefer to stay on land can visit the historic Enniskillen Castle, go shopping in Erneside Shopping Centre or chill out at IMC Cinema to watch the latest blockbuster movies.

• Omagh:

Omagh is the county town of Tyrone and is a short 30 min drive from Blessingbourne. Much like Enniskillen, you will find a wide variety of tasty eateries and plenty of great shops to pass the day.

The place we recommend most for family holidayers to visit is the Omniplex Cinema and Rexy Jacks BBQ Diner. The modern cinema has a huge variety of fun games for kids in the amusements sections as well as top-of-the-range screens. Rexy Jacks is in the same complex as the cinema and here you can dine on delicious burgers, ribs, wings and so much more American-style BBQ food.

Local Family Activities

• Mountain Biking

You don’t even have to leave Blessignbourne Estate to take on our premier Mountain Bike Trails. The 13km trails located in the heart of our woodlands cater for people of all abilities.

From the beautiful blue trails where you can take in some wonderful scenic views to the adrenaline-fueled, technically challenging red/black trails, there is something for everyone on this fun activity. You can bring along your own bikes or rent some from us.

• Watersports at Share Discovery Village

Share Discovery Village in Lisnaskea is the ultimate venue for watersports lovers on a family holiday in Northern Ireland in 2023. You’re really going to be spoilt for choice here as you can choose between water park sessions, canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, stand-up paddleboarding, banana boating and other thrilling towable activities. Whatever you choose, a day full of laughter is guaranteed.

• Land Activities at Todd’s Leap

If you prefer to get your thrills on land then Todd’s Leap activity centre in Ballygawley, Co. Tyrone, is ideal for you and your family. Choose from ziplining, blindfold driving, archery, clay pigeon shooting, climbing, paintballing and so much more! This really is as action-packed as it can get on a family vacation!

• Golf Trips

Any golf-loving families don’t have to travel far to enjoy a round when they stay at Blessignbourne because Clogher Valley Golf Club is located only 5-minutes from our estate. The beautiful par 67 parkland course is a really enjoyable day out for golfers, with some testing challenges throughout.

The Best Local Dining Options for Families

Nearby towns such as Omagh, Enniskillen and Lisnaskea have an unbelievable amount of fine restaurants, fast food and cafes to choose from, but here we are going to give you the best local options that are sure to satisfy your tastebuds.

• The Valley Hotel

Situated in the heart of Fivemiletown village is the boutique, Valley Hotel. As hearty feeds go, the Valley Hotel is hard to beat! Well known for its extensive menu with tantalising chicken and steak dishes, and a wide range of vegetarian options, you can be sure you will not leave this place hungry. We recommend our favourite, the Beef ‘n’ Bird.

• Rusks

Rusks Bar and Restaurant is part of the Clogher Valley Golf Club so only a short 5-minute spin from your accommodation. Here you can enjoy their mouth-watering roast dinners, steaks and a wide variety of other options to satisfy everyone’s tastes.

• Edfield Restaurant and Take Away

Looking for something quick and easy on your family holiday? You won’t go wrong with a takeaway from Edfield. Also located in Fivemiletown village, pop in for some of your classic chippy meals such as burgers, fish and chips and curry chips, and you won’t be disappointed!

• Jack’s Coffee Shop

If you’re looking to pop out at lunch with your family for a bite to eat, then you can’t go wrong with Jack’s Coffee Shop in Fintona, a short 15-minute drive away. This hidden gem of a family-run cafe offers you all the tasty homemade sandwiches, wraps and tray bakes that you could ask for.

Conclusion – An Alternative Family Holiday in Northern Ireland

2024 can now be the year where you take on a new adventure on an alternative, fun family holiday in Northern Ireland. Whether you be an outdoor thrill-seeking family or a family looking for a week of relaxation, you can find it all when you stay at Blessingbourne. Start making plans guys – we can guarantee a fun year ahead!

Do you still have questions? Contact our team today and we will tell you everything you need to know bout your visit in 2024.