Rula's Retreat

About

Rula's Retreat is a 140 year old cottage restored in the 1990s in a traditional style, just a 5 minute drive from both Royal Hillsborough and Dromore , it has fast road links to Belfast and Newry, making it an ideal base from which to explore Northern Ireland, whilst remaining an oasis of peace and quiet.

 A cosy cottage decorated in a traditional style, it has two bedrooms sleeping 4 with double beds, a travel cot is available. The bathroom has a double ended bath with shower over.

The well equipped kitchen leads on to a cozy living room with an open fire and a large conservatory with further comfortable seating and a dining table that seats eight.

All the house is available for guests use except for one room. The garden is for the exclusive use of the guests.

The cottage is secluded though close to nearby villages. A car is essential or a willingness to use taxis.

Arrival and leaving times can be flexible, by arrangement with the host, via Airbnb, providing this does not clash with other guests.

Things to Do and See

Food & Eating Out

Royal Hillsborough has several good restaurants, bars and cafés. A favourite is the Hillside but the Plough and Parson’s Nose and Mill Farm are also very good.

The village of Moira ten minutes down the Listullycurran Road, is an attractive village with more bars and cafes and if you are a meat eater, two of the best butchers around. McCartneys is famous for its sausages and Hannan Meats supplies beef and lamb to some of the best restaurants in NI.

Dromore has two to three good grocery stores and at Sprucefield park , less than 10 minutes’ drive down the A1, are Sainsbury’s and M&S as well as several other familiar retail outlets.  

Entertainment

For fans of Game of Thrones, the highly rated Game of Thrones Studio Tour is 15 minutes away in Banbridge and there are numerous sites in County Down that feature in the series.'Winterfell'  at Castle Ward, Strangford, is a fascinating destination to visit whether you are a fan or not.

Lisburn has a great swimming pool and Multiplex cinema with further shopping opportunities if you do not want to go into Belfast. If you do, it is only a 20-minute drive from the cottage to the City Hall and all that Belfast has to offer. I would recommend St. George's Market, The Titanic Centre and the Cathedral Quarter for starters and it’s the best place to find a ‘session’.  A bar where traditional Irish music is played.

Outdoor Pursuits

The beautiful Mourne Mountains are a 40-minute drive south, offering many walks to suit all levels of fitness and stunning panoramic views of County Down and across the Irish sea.

On a clear day it’s possible to see Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man as well as the Republic of Ireland  and of course Northern Ireland, from the top of Slieve Donard.

At the foot of the Mournes on the coast, lies Newcastle. A good place for a day out with its promenade and many places to eat. It is home to the Royal County Down golf club, one of the finest links courses in Ireland. Next to it is Murlough National Nature reserve, a great place for a walk or just to enjoy the unspoilt beach, before retiring to nearby Dundrum village for a delicious meal in the Mourne Seafood Bar.   

If the Mountains seem a bit energetic, there are forest parks at Castlewellan and Tollymore that offer hours of walking in equally beautiful scenery. Closer to home in Hillsborough, (5 minute's drive) is another forest park with an excellent adventure playground, interactive sculpture trail and pleasant lake walks.  

Equestrian/Watersports

There are riding centers at Ballyknock Riding School nearby, Mossvale Equestrian Centre in Dromore and at Lime Park Craigavon.  Further afield is Mount Pleasant Trekking Centre in Castlewellan, 30-minutes’ drive, which offers riding for beginners and the experienced, in the spectacular setting of the Mourne Mountains.

Historic Interest

A tour of Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is highly recommended with its rich history, not least in the last 50 years, of VIP visitors and significant moments in Northern Ireland’s history. Other castles, cathedrals and ancient monuments are numerous in the locality with Dundrum, Downpatrick and the Legananny dolmen being examples of each of these.

Further Afeild

If you have time, a trip to the North Antrim Coast beyond Belfast will take you to one of the best kept secrets of the Island of Ireland. The scenery of the Glens of Antrim and the Causeway Coastal Route is spectacular and leads to the renowned attractions the Carrich-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant’s Causeway, Whitepark Bay and the village of Bushmills with its historic distillery.