Historical coach tours

The Historical coach tours project is implemented through The Ring of Gullion Landscape Partnership Scheme. The LPS is part of the Heritage Lottery Fund’s programme to conserve and enhance some of the region’s most treasured landscapes. The LPS runs from September 2015 until August 2018.

The total budget for this project is £7,640

The aim of this project is to raise the awareness of the area’s rich heritage and provide an opportunity for a new business to emerge. The project can also act as a training tool for new tour guides. This project will deliver on these aims by:
1. Providing a fully guided coach tour on eight days each year during the lifetime of the LPS
2. Providing each passenger with a brochure
3. Training one new tour guide per year to guide coaches.

Project Updates

Summer coach tours 2015

Update published on: September 14, 2015

There were eight historical coach tours run every Saturday in July and August. A total of 114 people attended, and the project took in an income of £1038. There was a brochure produced for the visitors. Una Walsh was the guide on the tours and Slanes Coaches Newtownhamilton provided the coaches.

Summer coach tours 2016

Update published on: September 23, 2016

There were nine historical coach tours run every Saturday from the 30th July to the 24th September. The 30th July was in irish and provided by Éamonn Ó hUallacháin. A total of 205 people attended, and the project took in an income of £1,612. There was a brochure produced for the visitors. Una Walsh was the guide on the tours and Slanes Coaches Newtownhamilton provided the coaches.

Feedback from 2016 tours:-

“On behalf of Belfast U3A, can I thank everyone involved in The Ring of Gullion Heritage Coach Tour for our wonderful tour of South Armagh, especially our guide Una Walsh one of the best historians we have ever listened to.”

“On behalf of myself and my 4 accompanying friends, we would like to express our enjoyment on a wonderful day out today on the Heritage tour. Una was a brilliant guide, every bit as spectacular in her knowledge as the outstanding scenery we saw. We were so impressed with every aspect of the tour and will not hesitate to highly recommend it to others. Una’s obvious passion about the area struck a chord with all of us.”

coach tours for tourism businesses

Update published on: February 4, 2017

The Ring of Gullion Partnership provided two coach tours with Una Walsh “the mastermind of the history of the Ring of Gullion” in February just for tourism business staff. 33 tourism business staff attended.

Summer coach tours 2017

Update published on: December 29, 2017

There were twelve historical coach tours run every Saturday and Wednesday from the 1st August to the 16th September. A total of 242 people attended, and the project took in an income of £2,420. There was a brochure produced for the visitors. Una Walsh was the guide on the tours and Slanes Coaches Newtownhamilton provided the coaches.

Feedback from 2017 tours:-

“The Lifelong Learners, mainly retired people from every background, enjoyed a ‘day out of time’ thanks to Una’s superb commentary and detailed knowledge of the history and culture of her native area. All agreed that they had had a marvellous day in south Armagh thanks largely to the enthusiasm and expertise of our expert guide.”

Dr Éamon Phoenix, Head of Lifelong Learning at Stranmillis Univesity College,Historian/Historical Consultant, broadcaster and member of the Taoiseach’s Expert Advisory Group on Centenaries

“On behalf of Causeway U3A, thank you very much for the wonderful outing to the Ring of Gullion last Wednesday. We were astounded by how many interesting things there were to see and to hear so much of the local history from Una. She was amazing. Mickey was also great – good driver and also every good humored, even when we dragged a load of cut grass into the bus at Moyry Castle!”.