Things to do in County Tyrone
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Wellbrook Beetling Mill
Beetling, the final stage of linen making, involves pounding the cloth with wooden hammers, or beetles, to give it a smooth sheen. Restored to working order by the National Trust, the 18th-century Wellbrook Beetling Mill still has its original machinery, and stages demonstrations of the linen-making process led by guides in period costume. The mill is on a pretty stretch of the River Ballinderry, 7km west of Cookstown, just off the A505 Omagh road.
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Tyrone Crystal
Today, Tyrone Crystal continues to produce high-quality lead crystal. The factory offers guided tours (11am, noon and 2pm weekdays only) of the manufacturing process, from the furnace where molten glass is prepared, through hand-blowing and moulding, to cutting and polishing. Admission to the showroom is free, and the tour price is reimbursed if you buy something.
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Linen Green
Housed in the former Moygashel Linen Mills, the Linen Green complex includes a range of designer shops and factory outlets, plus a visitor centre with an exhibition covering the history of the local linen industry. It's a good place to shop for bargain men's and women's fashion, shoes, accessories and linen goods or to stop for lunch at the Deli on the Green.
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Sperrin Heritage Centre
This heritage centre offers an insight into the culture, natural history and geology of the region. Gold has been found in the Sperrins, and for a bit extra (adult/child 85/45p) you can try your luck at panning for gold in a nearby stream. (At the time of research there was some doubt over the centre’s future – call ahead to make sure it’s open.)
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Deli on the Green
Take a break from browsing the designer goodies in the Linen Green shops to relax over a meal in this stylish little bistro. As well as the sandwiches and salads on offer at the deli counter, there are succulent homemade steakburgers and chicken caesar salad, while the breakfast menu includes pancakes with bacon and maple syrup. The evening menu ranges from beer-battered fish and chips to baked hake with chorizo and white bean stew.
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Grant Ancestral Homestead
Ulysses Simpson Grant (1822–85) led Union forces to victory in the American Civil War and later served as the USA's 18th president for two terms, from 1869 to 1877. His maternal grandfather, John Simpson, emigrated from County Tyrone to Pennsylvania in 1760, but the farm he left behind at Dergina has now been restored in the style of a typical Ulster smallholding, as it would have been during the time of Grant's presidency.
The furnishings in the Grant Ancestral Homestead are not authentic, but the original field plan of the farm survives together with various old farming implements. There's also an exhibition on the American Civil War, a picnic area and children's playg…
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Grant's Of Omagh
Grant's – as in US president Ulysses S Grant – bathes in a golden glow of Irish emigrant nostalgia, from the fiddle and bodhrán (hand-held goatskin drum) on the wall above the smoke-blackened fireplace in the front bar to the American-themed restaurant in the back, with a menu that ranges from steak, burgers and lasagne to rack of ribs and Cajun chicken.
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Ulster American Folk Park
In the 18th and 19th centuries thousands of Ulster people left their homes to forge a new life across the Atlantic; 200,000 emigrated in the 18th century alone. Their story is told here at one of Ireland's best museums. Last admission is 1½ hours before closing.
The Exhibition Hall explains the close connections between Ulster and the USA – the American Declaration of Independence was signed by several Ulstermen – and includes a genuine Calistoga wagon. But the real appeal of the folk park is the outdoor museum, where the 'living history' exhibits are split into Old World and New World areas, cleverly linked by passing through a mock-up of an emigrant ship. Original b…
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Viscounts Restaurant
Set in a converted church, child-friendly Viscounts offers carvery lunches, snacks and á la carte dinners. You can feast on steaks, pasta, stir-fries and vegetarian dishes in a mock medieval setting of knights’ armour, swords and jousting banners. Booking is advisable at weekends.
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Riverfront Coffee Shop
This lively little eatery serves up excellent coffee, cakes, quiche, homemade soup, and choose-your-own sandwiches on baguettes, panini or ciabatta rolls, and also provides vegetarian, coeliac-friendly and low-carb options.
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Heritage Centre
This heritage centre is based in a converted 19th-century school.
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