Tour Guides NI explore Binevenagh and Roe Valley with Visit Causeway Coast and Glens

Visit Causeway Coast and Glens were delighted to welcome a group of guides from Tour Guides NI visiting Causeway Coast and Glens Borough to the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre on Saturday 24th January.

A group of 31 tour guides from throughout Northern Ireland were hosted by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council for lunch in the centre as part of their visit to the Roe Valley and Binevenagh AONB.

The familiarisation trip was facilitated and narrated by local guides Sam Young from Hinterland Tours and Erin McCombe from TuTours, encouraging tour guides from other areas of Northern Ireland to discover the hidden treasures of the Roe Valley.

Speaking about the visit, Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “We welcome the opportunity to showcase our beautiful area to Tour Guides NI and would encourage them to promote our intriguing history and heritage to their customers.

“It is a pleasure to host a group of engaged tourism businesses working on the ground throughout Northern Ireland and foster an interest in guiding along the western area of our stunning Causeway Coastal Route.”

The tour began with a visit to the scenic and historic sites of Dungiven Priory and the Roe Valley Country Park and was followed by lunch at the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre provided by Café Steinbeck, where the group enjoyed the fascinating art and heritage exhibitions on display. 

Following lunch, the group of tour guides were enthralled by a tour of Limavady Workhouse led by Richard Smyth and Debbie Caulfield of LCDI, a compelling insight into one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in Ireland.

Afterwards, the group travelled through the charming and picturesque villages of Magilligan, Downhill and Castlerock, giving the group an opportunity to see the unique heritage of Downhill Demesne with their visit to the Borough concluding at artisan chocolatier The Chocolate Manor to sample their delicious product. 

Throughout the visit, Sam and Erin shared their considerable knowledge of the culture, history, and environment relating to each location, while the group marvelled at the beauty of their surroundings.

Sam Young from Hinterland Tours explained why the tour was important to raise the profile of the area amongst Northern Ireland tour guides and expressed his pleasure at the success of the visit: "Tour Guides NI and Visit Causeway Coast and Glens were delighted to bring 31 tourism professionals into the Roe Valley and Binevenagh AONB.

“The aim of the visit was to highlight some of the great tourism providers in the area as well as educating the Tour Guides about some of our fascinating history, myths and legends.

“The visit was facilitated by Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre, Limavady Workhouse Museum Chocolate Manor and local tour guides to give a real local flavour as part of a drive to encourage visitors to come to the area."