Loanen Cottage

We are situated in a picturesque rural location with spectacular views of Binevenagh Mountain which is the focal point within the Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Binevenagh is a prime location for hill walking and fishing; the lake on the summit is stocked with rainbow and brown trout. The views from the top are exceptional and you will often see gliders soaring overhead from the nearby Ulster Gliding Club. A 10 minute drive from the cottage will bring you to the beautiful Benone Strand, one of Ireland's longest beaches with golden sand, backed by majestic cliffs and offering panoramic views to Inishowen and the North Coast. Also at Benone you will find Benone Tourist Complex, holiday facilities include 9 hole par three golf course, putting green, golf practice range, tennis courts, outdoor heated splash pools and activities area with cafe and souvenir retail area. A five minute drive will take you down to Magilligan Point where you will find The Point Bar which has proved to be very popular with our guests. They offer great food with a varied menu and daily specials all at a reasonable price. A few hundred metres from the Point Bar stands Magilligan Martello Tower built in 1812, it marks the entrance to Lough Foyle. It is one of the most northerly towers built around the coast of Ireland.

The Roe Valley Country Park, on the outskirts of Limavady, is a must see when staying in the area. It contains 3 miles of beautiful and tranquil scenery and offers the visitor a variety of riverside and woodland walks and scenery. The River Roe runs through the park and fishing for salmon and trout proves popular for angling enthusiasts visiting the area. The Borough of Limavady lies along the Causeway Coastal Route which leads from Belfast Lough to Lough Foyle. On the Limavady section of this route towards Londonderry it leads you past the beaches of Downhill, Benone and Magilligan whilst looking towards the spectacular view of Binevenagh. A great way to appreciate the beauty of this wonderful route is the train trip from Londonderry to Coleraine. One of the stations along this route, Bellarena, can be found only a couple of miles from the cottage. Michael Palin referred to this stretch of rail as one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world.

The area also provides plenty of opportunity to try many different activities. The newly built Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in the centre of Limavady town can provide the visitor with all this information - angling, birdwatching, canoeing, cycling, gliding, golfing, horse riding, kite sports, orienteering, pottery and walking. Carrowmena Activity Centre which offers canoeing, kayaking and raft building, abseiling in the Roe Valley Country Park, climbing wall, zip line, archery and low level ropes courses on site and Foyle Hovercraft and Leisure which is home to Ireland's first purpose built hovercraft circuit and also powerturn buggying, laser clay pigeon shooting and a state of the art Laser Skirmish System - MAX COMBAT are both situated approximately 5 miles from the cottage and will provide you with fun and action packed enertainment.

The cottage is also a great base for touring the north coast of Ireland. Visitor attractions include Mussenden Temple, Hazlett House, Castlerock, shopping in Coleraine, Portrush and Portstewart. Of course no visit to the North Coast is complete without a visit to some of Ireland's most popular and stunning attractions - Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant's Causeway, Bushmills Steam Railway, and The Old Bushmills Distillery which is Ireland's oldest licensed whiskey distillery licensed in 1608 and offers conducted tours and of course tasting.

All in all there should be something to suit everyone whatever the weather!