Where is Omagh Hostel? Is the hostel suitable for families? How far is the nearest pub, shop, cash machine? What is included in the price for the night? What are check-in and check-out times? Are there parking facilities nearby? Can I bring my dog/cat/horse? Can I Camp at the site ? Omagh hostel is situated just 3 miles north of the town of Omagh, which is in the heart of N. Ireland. See for further directions. Grid reference h476753. It most certainly is! As Billy and Marella have three children of their own they understand the needs of families. The hostel is situated in the heart of the country far away from busy roads, and has a large play area and plenty of space for the children to play and roam. All are less than two miles away. Our price includes a bed for the night, all bed linen and duvets, hot showers, use of our facilities and free pick-up and drop-off from the bus station if required. Guests can check in any time up 10.00pm hours. However, rooms are not ready until 2.00pm. If you want to check in before this time you can store your bags and return when your room is ready. Checkout time is 11.00am the following morning. Yes there is very safe parking on the grounds of the hostel, as well there is somewhere to leave bikes if required. Yes all are welcome so long as they (dogs) are kept on a lead while outside as a courtesy to our neighbours who are farmers. We charge £6/animal/night. We have plenty of room for camping and we charge £20.00/tent /night/max 2 people. 1 person camping is £10/tent/night and children camping under 5 are free. Campers have access to all the usual hostel facilities minus linens, pillows and duvets.

A comprehensive list of fantastic tour guides and contacts to ensure that you get the best out of your time in the Sperrins. Laurel Villa 60 Church Street, Magherafelt, BT45 6AWContact: Eugene Kielt Tel: + 44(0)28 7930 1459 / +44(0)28 7963 2238 Fax: 028 7930 1459 Email: info@laurel-villa. 1 Westbourne Avenue, Ballymena, BT43 5LW Contact: Jennifer McLernon Tel: 07709523116 Email: jennifermclernon@tiscali. Commons, Belleek, Co Fermanagh, N Ireland BT93 3EF Phone: 0044 (0)2868658327 Mobile: 07855325693 email: adam4eves@aol. Evishession, Broughderg, OMAGH, BT79 8HU Contact: Mr Sean Clarke Tel: 028 8675 1570 Fax: 028 8675 1469 Email: clerke@hotmail. Ulster American Folk Park; Centre for Migration Studies. Tel: 028 8225 6315 Email: centremigstudies@ni-libraries.

EU FLOWER Omagh hostel is very pleased to announce that we have been awarded the prestigious EU Flower Ecolabel in the tourist accommodation category. Defra, the UK Competent Body for the European Ecolabel scheme, bestowed this celebrated and respected award to the Omagh Hostel following our application and recent inspection of the property in January 2008. Omagh hostel is the first hostel in Northern Ireland to receive this environmental distinction. We have implemented a number of changes in the day to day operation of our business to fulfill and maintain both the mandatory and optional criteria necessary to achieve the. Frequently Asked Questions about The EU Flower and Ecotourism. So What is the EU Flower all about ? What is the Need for EU Flower Certification? How does Omagh Hostel Meet these Principles? So what is the EU Flower? The EU flower is a voluntary scheme designed to encourage businesses to market products and services that are kinder to the environment and for European consumers - including public and private purchasers -allowing easy identification.You can find the Flower throughout the European Union as well as in Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland. The European Eco-label is part of a broader strategy aimed at promoting sustainable consumption and production. What is the Need for EU flower certification? It is widely recognised that there is a need for a certification programme to identify the genuine ecotourism experience from;greenwashing;; that is, where ecotourism is used as a marketing tool for operations that are not adhering to the principles of ecotourism. Certification provides an assurance of commitment to best practice in this regard.This label has been designed to guide visitors travel choices and help them to choose promoters of ecotourism products and the experiences they have on offer. It is also designed to act as a framework for operators who wish to adapt existing products to ecotourism or create new ecotourism products. Omagh Hostel and Ecotourism Principles Here at Omagh Hostel we believe in encouraging responsible tourism, to do this we have adapted environmentally friendly practises e.g. careful planning as to the use of energy water and promotion of sustainable (eco-labelled) accommodation. Production of waste and involvement in;green purchasing; are also considered, as is eco friendly transport. A range of minimal impact codes have been included in our planning programme. Lastly but not least we have undertaken a series of activities so that the community and the environment will benefit from the guests arriving here at the hostel. So what is Ecotourism? Ecotourism is travel which is small scale, low impact, culturally sensitive, community orientated, primarily nature based, educational and capable of broadening peoples minds and enlivening their souls but providing a unique experience, firmly grounded in sustainable principles and practices. Here at Omagh Hostel we try to adhere as closely as possible to these principles not always an easy job to do!!! Reducing our Environmental Impact. We use 'green' electricity via Eco Energy NIE. Extensive recycling, reusing and reduction in packaging from our suppliers. Composting, we compost everything that is possible to compost. Where possible, use of low energy lighting and LED technology. Investment in highly efficient central heating system (Biomass boiler). Wide ranging use of environmentally friendly cleaners, soap powders etc. Carbon Neutrality our CO2 output for the hostel has been measured to be about 16.5 tonnes per year, which is about half the UK equivalent (primary use) to reduce our carbon footprint and offset this, we plant at least 22 trees per year(and often many more) We are continually looking at ways to make even more reductions. New Reed beds to be installed in Spring 2008 for waste/wetland system. Vegetables and fruit grown according to organic principles seasonally available. We have in place an environmental impact management system. We have a green purchasing policy. We encourage our guests to arrive by bus (we offer free pick up and leave back to the local bus station 3 miles away) We also provide a locked security area for cyclists. Community Activities. We support our local community by offering the hostel grounds free of use at certain times of the year for guide and scout groups. Ulster Wildlife Trust. Garden Organics (HDRA). Omagh Community Arts has free use of the hostel facilities for community activities. We vigorously support our local charity shops and are members of Freecycle.org. Conservation Activities. We organise at least one local conservation event per year. We have used conservation volunteers to put up 17 bird, bat and owl boxes. This year we will be planting over a thousand 1000 indigenous trees in our new woodland area. We invite guests to donate 50p(voluntary) to local conservation work. Re: Interpretation and Education. We provide Interpretation and Education for our guests in the form of our hostel blog, for which we offer free internet access in the hostel. www.bananarambles.blogspot.com. Our newsletter for 2008 will be out at the end of June, its about cultural and environmental activities at the hostel and in the area. We frequently run environmental education classes. We give guided tours to our guests explaining about Omagh hostel and ecotourism principles. We have volunteers from around the world on a cultural exchange programme (Wwoofer providers). We provide non-personal interpretation in the form of leaflets and an information corner. We are currently developing a leave no trace code of conduct for our guests. We use local guides for our guests. We ensure visitors spend time in nature

Ballymena Library Department of Local Studies Demese Avenue, Ballymena Tel: 028 2566 4121. Griffiths Valuation 1848; 1864. Details of the 1901 census. Gravestone Inscriptions Another excellent resource is the;Ireland;s Gravestone Index;, enter name, county, approximate date of death. www.irishgenealogy.ie/gravestones/. Omagh Library; Department of Local Studies 1 Spillers Place, Omagh Tel: 028 8224 4821. The 1901 Census for Country Tyrone. 1848; 1864 Griffiths Valuation Land Registry. A compilation of old Tyrone Newspapers. Public Record Office for Northern Ireland One of the most valuable starting points for people tracing their roots in the Sperrins region is the Public Records Office of NI; PRONI. PRONI holds documents form the 17th century to the present day. PRONI 66 Balmoral Avenue, Belfast Tel: 028 9025 5905 Email: proni@dcalni.gov.uk www.proni.gov.uk. National land records for the Irish Flax Growers Index. Irish Journals and Local History Records. www.folkpark.com Tel: 028 8224 3292. Ulster Historical Foundation. This organisation is an excellent resource for anyone tracing their Sperrins ancestry. The book /pamphlet by William Roulston entitled; in Search of Sperrins Ancestors; A Practical Guide and Sourcebook; is highly recommended. www.ancestryireland.co.uk. Useful Websites Irish World is the Irish Historic Foundation centre for counties Tyrone and Fermanagh. It;s computerised database allows direct access to all the principal sources of research.

The rivers around Omagh offer a varied and wide range of fishing opportunities for both the game and coarse angler. Waters from the High Sperrins feed into the Foyle River providing ideal fishing conditions. Rivers are unknown and quiet providing a tranquil environment for excellent fishing. For more information. The roads in and around Omagh Hostel are excellent for cycling: quiet, traffic free and offering spectacular views of the countryside. Explore quiet villages; visit the beautiful Gortin Glens and the mysterious Glenelly valley. Roam even further and lose yourself in the Sperrin mountains. For more information click this link. The Sperrin mountains offer the walker a unique experience: quiet walks through seldom visited valleys, high mountain tarns and bog loughs. Remote and hidden, one is almost guaranteed not to encounter another walker. Rolling hills and lost valleys are all part of the allure of the high Sperrin mountains. A recommended walk would be to the top of Mullaghcarn from the door of Omagh hostel. For The Definitive Guide to Outdoor Activities in Northern Ireland visit this

 Camping and RSV park on grounds
 Playground for children
 Clothes dry cleaning
 Disabled guests are welcome
 Hairdryer
 Heating
 Ironing facilities
 Kitchen
 Laundry services/washing machine
 Mixed dorms
 Smoke-free guest rooms
 Parking lot
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Phone at reception
 TV sets in rooms
 Common room with a TV set