Benburb Valley Park

Benburb Valley Park is situated in the centre of Benburb Village, about seven miles from Armagh City and eight miles from Dungannon. The park extends for three miles along both sides of the river Blackwater from Milltown to Maydown Bridge. There are 90 acres of woodlands, derelict sections of the former Ulster Canal and beautiful stretches of river popular for canoeing.

Within Benburb Valley Park there are five listed buildings, from a 17th century castle/bawn to a small bridge over a 18th century race. Part of the Ulster Canal and its 5th, 6th and 7th locks are integral to the Park as is the gorge of the river Blackwater. The Manor house, Benburb Castle and Benburb Valley Park are bordered to the south by the river Blackwater and to the north by the Brantry.

The beautiful old manor house is now home to the Servites.  It was built by the Bruce Family in the late 19th century and had several owners, including use as a military hospital during World War II.

Since coming to Benburb the Servites have maintained an ‘open door’ policy to all of the community regardless of religion and the Priory-Centre is seen as a haven where people can come and feel welcome.

Please click here to read more about the Servites and Benburb Priory

Besides the superb scenery landscapes, the Benburb Valley Park has indeed many other facilities that cover a wide range of activities. The Blackwater with its serpentine trails has hewn a beautiful gorge across the countryside and is an ideal location for canoeing. Within a ten mile radius there are 40 lakes and the river Blackwater is available for salmon, trout and a good variety of course fishing.

The extensiveness of the countryside gives splendid conditions for picnicing, fellwalking, fossil hunting, orienteering and rock climbing as well as geocaching.

Benburb, itself, is a small village with a long history. The small population blends with the relaxing yet fascinating atmosphere. It’s seclusion is the perfect environment for visitors of all ages.

Benburb Castle is sometimes called ‘Wingfield Bawn’, and although the Wingfields never lived at Benburb they left a lasting mark on the landscape. Sir Richard Wingfield was an active and distinguished soldier, a member of a Suffolk family, from the east of England. After military service in Ireland and on the Continent, he was made Marshal of Ireland in 1600 and fought at the Battle of Kinsale in 1601.

In 1610 he was granted 2,000 acres embracing the castle and town of Benburb and began to build both bawn and Church. There is a record of the sale of the estate to Nicholas White in 1615, but the significance of this is unclear as Wingfield was in possession of Benburb 1n 1618-19. Sir Richard was created Viscount Powerscourt in 1618 and died in 1634.

The Wingfield family’s main lands were in Wexford and Wicklow, and their principal seat was Powerscourt near Enniskerry in County Wicklow. Members of the Wingfield family still live in Ireland and there is an active Wingfield Family Society in America.

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Travelling from Belfast take the M1 from Dublin, then the A1 to Newry and then the  to Armagh. Take the A29 road to Dungannon and then the B130 to the town of Blackwatertown and on to Benburb.