Northern Ireland Travel News Columnist JOHN TREW headed to the village of Milford, three miles outside Armagh, to experience some exciting attractions off the beaten track...

I AM constantly amazed at the effort and ingenuity which energetic individuals continue to put into creating attractions and amenities in parts of Northern Ireland that are off the beaten tourist track.

Among them are remarkable people I have met in the past few weeks as I travelled around our colourful countryside. All of them are born optimists who refuse to allow the prevailing economic mood – and countless other setbacks – to get them down.

STEPHEN McMANUS is a prime example. At the age of 15 (yes, 15) he set up a legal Trust to help save buildings such as the historic Manor House and other buildings in his native village of Milford, three miles outside Armagh.

He has worked tirelessly over the succeeding years, fighting to preserve the former mansion of the McCrum Family who established the model village for workers in their linen factory which, in turn, became the biggest of its kind in Ireland.

The amazing artefacts and memorabilia which Stephen has put together as Keeper of Collections were formerly on temporary display at the mansion’s old Gate House. They have now found a new home in one of the old millworker’s terraced houses – No 47 William Street, Milford to be precise – so Milford House Museum is open there for the first time this Easter Weekend with daily opening times between 2pm-6pm until September.

I have been privileged to enjoy a preview tour of the fascinating little Museum, led by Stephen in Victorian attire. He tells the incredible story of Robert McCrum, an innovating genius who made millions while treating his workers well.

Alas, his son Master Willie appeared to be fonder of Monte Carlo than Milford and squandered the family’s fortunes, ending his days in penury. However, Willie is famous among fans of football trivia as the amateur goalkeeper who invented the Penalty Kick Rule in 1880. Indeed, visitors to the Museum may well park their car within yards of the hallowed Spot at McCrum Park where Master Willie got the idea while playing in goal for his club, Milford FC!

Another highlight of my museum tour was the hilarious re-creation  of  the Headmistress who presided over Milford House during the period it housed Manor House Armagh  girls’ boarding school, 1936-65. The next re-enactment will be on June 4& 5, booking advised, Tel: 028 37525467. The only sad aspect of my afternoon was to cross the road to see the vandalised remains of the once-beautiful mansion behind KEEP OUT! signs.

However, with that fireball of energy, Stephen McManus, dedicated to getting his hands on the building to restore it for posterity, I feel sure it’s only a matter of a few years until Milford Museum is established there.

FUN ON YER BIKE AT BLESSINGBOURNE

Colleen Lowry is another energetic Ulster innovator who always has a big project -- or three -- on the go every time I meet her over a typically delicious dinner at The Valley Hotel, Fivemiletown.

Together with hard-working husband Nicholas, she has transformed the Blessingbourne Estate on the Fermanagh/Tyrone border into one of the best places I know for self-catering apartments. There’s no better place to stay for those in search of the authentic lakeland and farmland experience – complete with distant sounds of their randy roosters and priapic peacocks!

Having made considerable progress on the refurbishment of the family’s Victorian manor house, and having added such unexpected delights as a former UN helicopter to their Coach and Carriage Museum, the Lowrys are now overseeing the final touches to what should be a really popular tourist attraction – Ireland’s premier Mountain Bike Trail.

They jumped into the saddle – so to speak-- when they were offered the chance to have a challenging eight kilometre (that’s five miles in old money) cycling trail snaking through the woodlands and skirting the lakes of their 660 acre Estate at the top end of the scenic Clogher Valley near Fivemiletown. Designed by Phil Saxema, the expert responsible for the bike trails at the Bejing Olympics, the facilities will cater for riders of all ages and aptitudes, from young family groups to top-level competition bikers. In spite of some setbacks that the Lowrys have learned to take in their stride, they are confident of meeting their June opening deadline.

Indeed, they kept us entertained with stories of their ups and downs while we were all enjoying a Seventies-style Theme Dinner at The Valley Hotel (read my review of the hotel’s latest delightful developments at TravelAdvisor.com) My friend Colleen will not mind me saying that she is the only person I know ( apart from my wife’s friend Mary Thomas) who can out-talk me. When Blessingbourne’s cycling enterprise opens, she will, indeed, be a perfect ‘spokes’person!

THE OH-SO-COOL DAY SPA IN AN ANCIENT LANDSCAPE

At the bottom of the wee country road that leads up to the Celtic Cross that has presided over the ancient parish of Errigal Keerogue for a thousand years,you will find something new, cool and trendy.

Well, new-ish anyway, because it was a couple of years ago that HELENE AND SEAN O’NEILL opened Lavender Health Spa in a Tyrone location so rural that the only passers-by I spotted on my delightful afternoon there were two magpies and a lost spring lamb.

“Actually, we emphasise the fact that Lavender is a totally rural retreat in an area noted for its tranquil beauty and spirituality,” Helene told me. “Even though we are only a few minutes’ drive from the famous Ballygawley Roundabout, our guests often tell us they already feel better when see and smell the unspoilt countryside that surrounds us.”

For me personally, what struck me about the place was its resemblance to some of the best day spas I have enjoyed in France, Spain and the USA. From the smart promotional literature to the design and layout of the thermal pool suite and treatment rooms, it has all the indications of a highly professional operation.

One of the reasons for Lavender’s success is its association with Helene’s existing beauty salon in Ballygawley; many of the spa’s first customers were regulars there. Word-of-mouth has done the rest, as well as the local press and tourism initiatives such as Flavour of Tyrone.

A large range of treatments, rituals and experiences – for an increasing number of men as well as women – is available, with packages for yummy mummys, brides-to-be and female circles of friends being particularly popular. Like other spas, there’s a tie-in with internationally renowned suppliers such as Aromatheraphy Associates.

It was only after I departed, that I read in the brochure that the “hand-harvested seaweed from the Atlantic coast of Ireland” for the £30 Voya Bath, is recommended as a treatment “for those who feel sluggish and need to be re-energised and de-toxified.” That’s me - so turn on the bathtaps, Helene, I’m on my way back!