Discover Moy: Village History, Manor House and River Blackwater

Moy is a destination for travellers who want to combine Irish village history with manor-house culture and experiences in the countryside. Highlights include the historic village centre with St James and the Diamond, the Moy Gates and Screen, and The Argory on the River Blackwater. There is also the history of the Moy horse fair, whose origins date back to 1761. This allows you to plan your stay around cultural discoveries, a walk by the river and peaceful hours on a historic estate.

Historic Village Centre Around St James

St James forms the centre of Moy, a village laid out according to the design of the Earl of Charlemont in 1764. The building was constructed in 1819, is more than 200 years old and is listed as a Grade I protected building. Striking stained-glass windows define the building; these include a large south window in the transept above Lady Charlemont's door.

The Diamond is also part of the village's history. The central, tree-lined square forms the focal point of Moy's settlement. Around the central, tree-lined Diamond, you can explore Moy's historic layout. The Moy Gates and Screen mark the entrance to the now-vanished Roxborough Castle. Another interesting tradition concerns Moy's Diamond: it is said to have been modelled on the Lombard village of Bosco Marengo, which the young Viscount Charlemont visited during his Grand Tour.

St James may be opened to visitors outside worship times after making contact by telephone using the number displayed on the notice at the site. If you would like to see the interior, you should take this possibility into account when planning your visit and note the need to make contact on site.

The Argory and the River Blackwater

Another side of Moy can be seen at The Argory, at 144 Derrycaw Road, Moy. This Irish country house from the 1820s overlooks the River Blackwater. The estate covers 315 acres and includes oaks, chestnuts, beeches and impressive pollarded lime trees. This creates an excursion destination for families and travel groups where historic architecture and landscaped grounds take centre stage together.

The River Walk at The Argory follows the River Blackwater around the estate and crosses Bond's Bridge, a bridge from the industrial era. The route offers a different way to view The Argory through the riverside setting and the history of the bridge. When planning your day, take the route's course into account and choose a pace that suits your group.

For a varied break, The Argory has a natural wooden play area and picnic lawns beside the main car park. Balance bikes are also available at the visitor reception. Moy Antiques allows you to browse at your leisure in numerous cottages in the old-world style. This makes it possible to combine active hours, a picnic break and a cultural tour at different points throughout the day.

The Moy Horse Fair as Part of the Village's History

A monthly horse sale organised in Moy in 1761 is considered the beginning of the Moy horse fair. Over the course of its history, it developed into one of Europe's largest horse fairs. The fair's history gives the village an additional cultural perspective and shows how closely local traditions were connected with Moy's public life. For a specific event date, you should check the latest information.

Which Stay Suits Your Plans?

When choosing a holiday apartment in Moy, you can consider whether the focus of your trip should be on the village centre, the history of St James, The Argory or the River Walk along the River Blackwater. Those who appreciate cultural details will find several themes in the historic centre: architecture, stained-glass windows, the Diamond, the gates of Roxborough Castle and the tradition surrounding Bosco Marengo. Those who like to combine their stay with activity and a break in the countryside can plan to visit The Argory with the River Walk, wooden play area or picnic lawns.

For further travel planning, you can also consider Fivemiletown and Dungannon as destinations in their own right. This allows Moy to remain the starting point for your discoveries while you choose your accommodation based on the experiences that matter most to your travel group.

To the overarching travel overview: Dungannon.