Overview
Aghalee (Irish: Achadh Lé, ‘field of the plain’) is a small, wooded village on the slopes of Friar’s Glen in County Antrim, three miles southeast of Lough Neagh and about 13 km west of Lisburn. It is not a tourist town and does not pretend to be. What brings people is the Broad Water towpath, a flat walk along the old Lagan Navigation Canal, easy to reach and easy to do.
The Broad Water walk
The Broad Water walk runs 3 miles (4.8 km) from Moira railway station into the village, on smooth tarmac that is completely flat. It takes pushchairs, wheelchairs and casual cyclists without trouble. It begins by crossing the 1833 railway bridge, where you can still see the iron guard notched by generations of tow-rope; from there it opens onto the Broad Water itself, a reservoir built to keep the canal topped up.
The trail is well kept and free. Worth knowing:
- Soldierstown car park (mid-route) has free parking, picnic tables, public toilets and disabled spaces.
- Wildlife. The reed beds and open water draw ducks, swans, grebes, teal, pochard and goldeneye, best in winter. Spring brings reed warblers and bluebells, primroses and wild garlic along the banks.
- Alternative return. Near the end, Old Church Lane gives a quieter, rougher way back towards Moira or the village.
- Dogs are welcome but must be kept under close control.
History
Aghalee was shaped by the Lagan Navigation Canal, which opened in the late 1700s and made the village a lock-station before boats reached Lough Neagh. Much of the engineering was the work of Richard Owen, who is buried in nearby Soldierstown churchyard. The canal carried agricultural goods and drove local growth until it was abandoned in 1954.
The overgrown banks and surviving bits of structure, like the skew brickwork of the railway bridge, are the visible remains. From the 1970s Aghalee turned into a commuter village for Belfast, but kept its towpath and rural feel. It still has a GP, a pharmacy, a community hall and a training centre.
Farm visits
Aghalee’s farming roots are still working. Local farms take part in the Bank of Ireland Open Farm Weekend, a free, family-friendly scheme that opens working farms to visitors. Murray’s Farm, just outside the village, has opened its gates in past years to show sustainable farming, animals and hands-on activities for children. Check the Open Farm Weekend website for the year’s dates and any booking.
Food
After the walk, Clenaghans is the obvious stop, a family-run restaurant that has been feeding locals for more than two centuries, with a steady menu and a small, warm room. For more choice in cafés, pubs and takeaways, neighbouring Moira is a short drive. Aghalee itself has a café, a fast-food outlet and the community hall, and not much else.
Practical information
Getting there
- By car: Aghalee is on the A3 between Lurgan and Antrim. From Belfast, take the M1 and leave at junction 9.
- By public transport: Ulsterbus runs to Lisburn, Antrim, Lurgan and Belfast. Moira railway station (NI Railways) is the nearest rail link, with the Broad Water trail starting from its car park.
- Parking: Free at Soldierstown car park, though a charge may apply in peak summer or for events. Limited roadside parking near the village centre.
Facilities and accessibility
The towpath is fully accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, with smooth tarmac and gentle gradients. Public toilets and disabled parking are at Soldierstown. The trail is open year-round and free.
Best time to visit
- Spring and early summer: wildflowers on the banks and birdlife at its most active.
- Autumn: golden woodland reflected on the water.
- Winter: the best birdwatching, with wintering waterfowl gathering on the Broad Water.
Nearby
- Antrim Castle: the ruins of a 17th-century fortress in landscaped parkland, a short drive north.
- Moira Demesne: a historic estate with a 19th-century mansion and quiet gardens.
- Down Royal Racecourse: one of Ireland’s main racing venues, home of the Irish Champion Stakes.
- Lagan Valley Regional Park: joins the towpath network near Union Locks for longer walks and cycling towards Lisburn.