Write a commentKilleavy Castle, Camlough's Dancing at the Crossroads event as well as Down's game in Newry got a mention in the House of Parliament last week during a Select Committee meeting into tourism in the north.
Asking had a new proposed tourism strategy been announced Conor McGinn, MP for St Helens North said "We tend to focus when we talk about tourism in Northern Ireland about cities, and landmarks (and Jim alluded to this earlier) but as part of that strategy there was ten millon pounds allocated for development of rural tourism. So I look at my own home area, south Armagh and see the incredible things that have been done over the last decade. Just in the last year the refurbishment and re-opening of Killeavy Castle which is absolutely magnificent. The Ring of Gullion is an area of outstanding natural beauty. In my own home village of Camlough this weekend, the Céilí at the Crossroads will take place which is attracting people into the village. I also looked at for example this weekend Mayo play Down in an All Ireland Qualifier so I'd be hoping that giving it 's a seven o'clock throw in, people will stay in Newry that evening and enjoy what it has to offer."
The historic Killeavy castle was recently restored along with a new hotel addition, providing 45 rooms for guests, a spa area overlooking the hills of south Armagh, a walled garden complete with cafe and most of all a magical fairy tale castle venue for weddings and events.
The restaurant and bar serve up food daily, sourcing ingredients from their farm a part of the estate, as well as vegetables and herbs from the walled garden and produce from local suppliers.
The Grade A listed building was designed in 1836 by Dublin architect George Papworth and was the home of the Foxall family before being occupied by the Bell family in the 1880's. The Boyle family took ownership of the Estate in 2013 and began restoring the castle and surrounds. Mick Boyle emigrated to Australia in the late 1960’s with his parents, Michael and Pauline Boyle, who both come from South Armagh.
Camlough's Dancing at the Crossroads is now established as a regular feature of the village and this past weekend attracted many visitors to the village for the outdoor dancing and music with trad sessions galore in local pubs.
