Aghadowey brings together small woodland areas, church history, pottery and motorsport. The woodland areas lie north of Garvagh; other points of interest range from historic churches to a studio on the Causeway Craft Trail and Aghadowey Oval. When choosing what to visit, start by asking what interests you most: landscape, historical context, craftwork or sport? The places below offer distinct, specifically named points of interest in each of these areas.

Four small woodland areas north of Garvagh

Aghadowey Forest is a group of four small woodland areas north of Garvagh. They are called Scotch Cah, Irish Cah and Ballycaghan (two areas). So there are four areas, but only three different names; the two areas with the same name cannot be distinguished by name alone. This grouping is key to understanding the landscape: Aghadowey Forest refers to several small areas, not one large forest.

Churches and historical periods

Different historical periods come together at St Guaire’s Parish Church. The present church dates from 1797; the older of its two bells bears the year 1695. Separate from these is the tradition that St Guaire founded a monastery at this site in the 7th century. This foundation is described as a tradition and should not be confused with the construction date of the present church or the date on the bell. The building, the bell and an earlier religious account can therefore be understood as three distinct points of reference.

A blue commemorative plaque for Reverend James McGregor was installed at Aghadowey Presbyterian Church in 2014. This memorial provides another, more recent historical reference and relates to a different church from the tradition associated with St Guaire’s Parish Church.

Pottery on the Causeway Craft Trail

The Causeway Craft Trail invites visitors to seek out artists and craftspeople and watch them at work. One stop on the trail is a visit to the studio of potter Adam Frew. The studio is in the rural surroundings of Aghadowey, in a converted former barn beside his home. Frew makes functional porcelain pieces and large one-off works; his pieces are thrown on the potter’s wheel. These two types of product offer contrasting emphases: functional pieces sit alongside large one-off works, all made using the same technique. The trail therefore focuses on craftspeople and their work as well as on the finished objects.

Motorsport and golf

The history of Aghadowey Oval dates back to the 1970s. In 2014, it was used for hot rod, stock car and banger racing. A raised spectator area offers a view of the track; the oval also has toilets and track lighting. As these facilities may change, check before your visit whether they are still available.

At Brown Trout Golf Club, the signature hole is the second. Players must hit the ball 170 yards across the River Agivey. This places two sports with different focuses side by side: racing at the oval and a specifically described golf hole with a river crossing. The details of the hole, river and playing distance make the golf reference specific, while the types of racing are explicitly tied to 2014.

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