Affordable and fun guiding throughout Northern Ireland

barbara20

WALK & TALK GROUP TOUR  IDEAS

I have planned a wide range of  new local interesting “easy”
Walk & Talk Tours 
within Armagh City and Rural Trails
around County Armagh.

WALKING HOLIDAYS 

 As an experienced local Tour Guide I am here to share my local knowledge, stories, history and of course humour when it comes to arranging your visits to County Armagh, Northern Ireland..

Suggested themes for groups/family tours –

Nature Lovers ….. of the beaten track seasonal rural beauty trails.

History Buffs …..dip into centuries of stories of people/buildings/lifestyle of our past

Foodies ………….enjoy the stories and flavours of local produce on and off the farm.

For Families …..organised group activity; exploring and discovering.

Apple Blossom (early May) …..walking road trail in the heart of the orchards.

•  Tours can be half day, full day or several days and all are classed as “easy” walking professionally guided tours.

•  I can recommended suitable accommodation and restaurants.

•  The use of audio systems also available.

If you would like to discuss further do not hesitate to contact me (Barbara)

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Mobile 07740 511442

 

020421

Information

News and Blog

Apple Blossom

COUNTY ARMAGH IN BLOSSOM 

Spring is here, buds are out and the full blossom is on its way.

Get your groups together and tour the unique beauty of the Apple Blossom of County Armagh.

Stop off in the nearby villages and enjoy good food in the pubs and cafes around.

Take in the history around the orchard farms, villages and stately homes in the area.

ALL IN THE COMPANY OF MYSELF BARBARA  A LOCAL TOURIST GUIDE BORN AND BRED IN THE AREA.

I can plan your very own bespoke group tour complete with transport.

Hurry don't be late - the blossom won't wait!

Call 07740 51142 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss.

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Richhill

 

Once upon a time deep in the heart of the beautiful Ulster countryside in the Parish of Tullylish lived a beautiful happy young girl called Dorothea (Dolly) Monroe. Dolly was the daughter of Henry Monroe, regarded as a minor country gentry who lived in the family home of Roes Hall, County Down.
Molly as she was known had six sisters, Frances, Mary, Ann, Isabella and Louise. She also had an Aunt Frances (sister of her father) who was quite a social climber. Aunt Frances Monroe had married the Earl of Luftus and lived in Rathfarnam Castle, South Side, Dublin. She was seen as the political influencer to Luftus who became High Sheriff of Wexford and held a seat in Irish House of Commons. Unfortunately Aunt Frances had a childless marriage.
Did Dolly’s dad give Aunt Frances the pick of his girls to rear and did she choose Dolly for her beauty and charm?
Dolly was whisked away off to Rathfarnam Castle, South side, Dublin to live and become part of her Aunt’s influential social and political circles. She soon had numerous admirers. Artists loved to paint her; young romantics adored her; noble widowed men pampered to her and newspapers followed her every move. This simple beautiful teenage maiden.
As Dolly grew she became more and more unhappy with this high society lifestyle of Dublin. Used as a political pawn to advance Lord Luftus’s political career was the last straw so she left Dublin and returned to Ulster.
True romance soon blossomed in the rolling hills of County Armagh and Dolly was to meet the love of her life William Richardson of Richhill Castle & Estate, County Armagh. They married in 1775 and settled in the Richardson Castle in the small rural village of Richhill. The people of Richhill were in awe of this beauty and while they admired her every turn Dolly was free to live a romantic gentry lifestyle as the lady of Richhill Castle and wife of the High Sherriff of County Armagh.
The highlight of the week for the villagers was to peek at the beauty of the young Dolly as she and her husband William left the Castle on the hill in a fine horse drawn carriage for Saint Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral in Armagh City just 6 miles away for church service.
Sadly Dolly’s life in the “Castle on the Hill” was short lived and Dolly took ill and died in the year 1775 aged 39 childless.
Today we can visit the grave of sweet Dolly Monroe in the nearby Kilmore Anglican Church hilltop overlooking the rolling drumlins to the ancient City of Armagh.
Richhill Castle still stands as “the castle on the hill” in the pretty orchard village of Richhill, County Armagh.

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 Hope you enjoy this bite size piece on life in rural 18th century County Armagh in Ulster.  To learn a lot more about the landed gentry and their castles I am planning to run a selection of Armagh Village Walking Tours in 2021 when the time is right - so keep an eye on my website.
Barbara
Your Local Tour Guide

 

O'Connor Coaches
"With Barbara as our regular Coach Guide for the past 4 years our business has grown extensively with her input. Thanks Barbara."

Dungannon Probus Club
"Great day out."

Excursions Ireland Cruise Ship
"Reliable and friendly."

Trudy, Roscrea Travel
"Farmers enjoyed your knowledge."

Judy Hewitt, Ulster Architecture Assoc
"Great help with planning a tour with a difference."

Travel Department Dublin
"Reliable with good communication skills."

Jim & Judy, Minneapolis, USA
"Thanks so much for your wonderful genealogy
site tour.  You met all our needs."

 June 2021
Elizabeth, NIFHS Lisburn "Thanks Barbara for your enjoyable group tour around the pretty Conservation Village of Loughgall yesterday"  All enjoyed the opportunity to meet and chat from a distance.

 

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Contact Us

Barbara Ferguson
Accredited Blue Badge Tourist Guide
Northern Ireland Guided Tours
41 Coolmillish Road
Markethill
Co. Armagh
BT60 1SH
Northern Ireland

For your answer to an experienced & fun guided tour of Northern Ireland - Barbara is here to help

+44 (0) 28 3755 1119

+44 (0) 7740 511 442

Email: info@guidedtoursireland.com

The Professional Association for Blue Badge Tourist Guides Throughout Britain

Approved Tourist Guides of Ireland

Institute of Tourist Guiding

About Us
Ruairi, Barbara, Dee, and David are established
and much experienced, professional guides.
We work with various aspects of guiding ie Coach Tours,
Easy Walking Tours and Personal Car Tours.
Testimonials
Find out what our customers think of us!
Stunning Guided Tours
Are you planning on booking a guided tour
but want to know your tour guide has the experience to make the day a success?
We are currently organising tours of Northern Ireland
for over 12 years and your satisfaction is our main priority.
Walking Tours
Our "easy going" walks can take you into the heart of
your chosen place and when combined with a coach tour
create a wider insight into the area.
City Walking Tours are very popular as they allow closer access
to historical buildings while rural pathways bring you
closer to the wildlife.
Genealogy Tours
Have you sometimes had a hankering to "walk the land"
that your family ancestors came from? Would you like to
share that experience with your family circle - especially the younger members?
The family circle is very important to us all and the
understanding of our family ancestors' origins can only
be maintained when shared with all; young and old.
Customised Tours
If you have a trip you would like to organise
then our customised tours are perfect for you.
Are you thinking of booking a corporate tour to some of the
wonders Northern Ireland has to offer?
Personal Tours
With a personal tour you can focus on your interests,
ask questions and get the best out of your trip.
Having the services of a personal guide for
even a short time will introduce you to the
areas geography and free up your time to enjoy
without the pressure of map reading.