The best road cycling routes around Kilmascally

The Caledon Beam Engine is an exciting relic from another era that will accompany you on your tour through the Northern Ireland countryside. Nestled in the remains of an old wool mill, the beam engine tells of an era when the pounding and banging of machines shaped everyday life. Today it stands almost forgotten by the roadside and is a reminder of the region's industrial past. The ruin has its own charm - rusty gears, weathered walls and a feeling of time standing still. If you want to pause for a moment to take in the surroundings, this is an ideal place to dismount for a moment. This is not about perfectly restored monuments, but about the raw charm and stories that such places carry. Look out for the old inscriptions and the signs of decay that give the Beam Engine an almost sculptural appearance. This place is a silent witness to a time long gone and offers you a welcome change from the wide fields and winding roads of the region.

The dam is easy to cross and from there you have a great view over the lake and the rolling hills that surround it. The peaceful atmosphere is only occasionally interrupted by the gentle rippling of the water. The reservoir provides fresh drinking water to the surrounding area and the trout fishery here is controlled by the Armagh Angling Club - so it's an interesting spot for anglers. Even if you're not here to fish, the scenery is simply relaxing and it's worth stopping for a few minutes and looking around. The roads around the lake are easy to drive on but there might be a few potholes in places - nothing that would stop a real cyclist. Overall a nice stop to enjoy nature and take a quick breather before moving on.

As you step through the magnificent gate, you will be enveloped by the timelessness of this historic place. The old walls, which shine in the sun, tell stories from times long past and invite you to discover them. The municipality has enriched this treasure trove of history with a library and a museum that attract knowledge seekers and history lovers. In the quiet rooms of the library you can leaf through old writings and be transported back to times gone by, while the museum brings the history of the place and its people to life. After a journey of discovery through history and culture, the Priorat's café beckons with its seductive scent of freshly brewed coffee. Here, in an ambience that wonderfully combines modernity and history, you can take a little time out. Choose from comfortable seating inside or settle on one of the terraces to soak up the rays while munching on delicious pastries. But the Priory has even more to offer. A dreamy little walkway winds from the building down to the river. A path lined with blooming flowers and old trees that acts as an invitation to explore this wonderful terrain in all its splendor.

A well-designed information board welcomes you directly on the shore and will introduce you to the lake and the surrounding forest like an experienced guide. Using carefully chosen words and images, she traces the fishing history of Brantry Lough - from the first people who fished here with simple nets to the modern anglers who live out their passion for the sport here today. The board takes you into a world rich in biodiversity. You will be amazed at the variety of fish that swim in these waters and the stories each of them has to tell. From the iridescent brown trout that deftly meander through the aquatic plants to the smaller species that reside in the deeper areas of the lake.

Brantry Lough is a fantastic fishing lake situated just north of Creevelough in County Tyrone. The waters provide a great supply of brown trout that's stocked all year around bringing keen fishermen and their boats to the shores

Nice little cafe at Benburb Priory. Well worth a stop if you are in the area.

Also known as Black Lough, it's unique habitat means it is a great place for bird watching with a number of rare species being seen. You're also likely to spot people course fishing for pike and perch. There are even eels in the water.

Built in the early 17th century for Sir Toby Caulfield, who was given land during the Plantation. Park up your bike and take some time to explore the ruins by foot. Keep an eye out for the murder holes which give an idea of its grim history, as well as the Caulfield Coat of Arms in a prominent position above the doorway.