Maghera: Drivers gobsmacked by 'massive' yellow box junction
Is this the biggest yellow box junction in the UK, Ireland or even the world?People in a County Londonderry town say they are gobsmacked by the size of a new set of road markings.Maghera has been dubbed the "small town with the big yellow box" after the road markings were painted earlier in the week.The box stretches more than 40m along a busy junction frequently used by buses and lorries as well as cars.
It is aimed at improving traffic flow on the A29 Tobermore Road.
Melissa Caskey, who works in an office which overlooks the box, said she was shocked when she first saw it."It's massive. It's ridiculous. Everybody who comes into our office says – 'have you seen the size of that box out there?" she said."It's really silly and very few people know how to use it. But I do think they had a good reason for it because that's a very busy junction."She said a smaller box would have been better.
Some residents highlighted the need for safer driving and said they hoped the new box might help.Barney Regan, who runs a bar nearby, said he hoped it might become a tourist attraction."The north coast has the Dark Hedges and the Giant's Causeway, we've got the largest box-junction in Ireland," he said.
The Department for Infrastructure has been contacted for comment.Situated in the town centre, the yellow box is close to local businesses including a cinema, but is also used by through traffic.While there is criticism of the size of the traffic flow measure, there is a general recognition that traffic flow in the town needs to be improved.
Other claims to fame
Many other towns and villages in Ireland claim to be home to abnormally large phenomena.For many years the peninsula of Doagh in Donegal was said to be home to Ireland's largest searchlight as part of the Donegal Lapland festival each ChristmasThe village of Ross Cross in County Meath is said to be home of the island's largest 99 ice creamDonegall Quay in the centre of Belfast is the domain of what is reputedly the largest statue of a fish in IrelandCork city is believed to have Ireland's largest roundabout - the Kinsale Road roundabout which has five separate arms.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
‘Expectations were already high for Royal Portrush 2025 – but they've gone to another level'
I am, of course, very proud and excited that Royal Portrush is hosting the 153rd Open Championship this July. The buzz around here is electric, and for good reason. We're not just preparing for a major golf tournament; we're getting ready to share the unique magic of Northern Ireland with the world. Hosting The Open here is a monumental undertaking, having experienced it all before in 2019, but this year we are stepping it up considerably from six years ago. It goes without saying that the ground staff and greenkeepers have been working so hard for months to get everything right for July. Years of planning go into every single detail to help us achieve the week we want. We work hand-in-glove with The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews to plan everything from crowd flow and transportation to player facilities and media ops. Royal Portrush is slightly different from other venues that have hosted The Open in that our 18th green has grandstands all around it, creating a real amphitheatre environment. And the players don't use the clubhouse here – they have their own area created for them, complete with restaurants, gyms and everything they could possibly need for their week at Portrush. It's like building a small city. The hospitality pavilion at the second green and third tee is new for this year and is a huge three-tiered structure. We're expecting almost 280,000 people here over the four days of competition. What happened at the Masters with Rory McIlroy winning in such dramatic fashion means everything has just cranked up another few notches – if that was even possible. So while our greenkeeping team works tirelessly to get the course in championship condition, there's security, traffic management, catering and volunteer coordination that all needs organising. Hundreds of volunteers give up their time, and they're the lifeblood of the event. And communication is key. Keeping everyone informed, from local residents to the thousands of spectators. It's a colossal effort, a real team effort. But seeing it all come together and witnessing the world's best players take on our course, that makes it all worthwhile. And if we have an event that's anything like 2019, we'll be in for a treat. When people ask me about the must-see holes here, I find it so tough to choose, but if I had to pick a couple, the fifth hole is a firm favourite. It's a short par four, just 370 yards from the elevated tee. You're driving downhill towards the sea, and then it dog-legs slightly to the green. The second shot is a treat – to the green perched right above Whiterocks beach. The views are simply stunning. You can see right out past Dunluce Castle all the way to the Giant's Causeway. It's an iconic hole, one you often see gracing magazine covers, and during The Open it's a real risk-reward challenge for the players. Spectators love watching them go for the green from the tee. But our most notorious hole – and one you'll see the spectators gather for in a more ghoulish way – is the 16th: Calamity Corner. From the championship tee, it's a 236-yard beast. It plays slightly uphill over a great chasm between the tee and the green. There are no bunkers here but, believe me, none are needed. There's plenty of danger there as it is. These two holes really encapsulate the challenge and beauty of Royal Portrush. Visitors will discover that Royal Portrush is truly unique. It's the setting. We are on the stunning Causeway Coast here and the coastline is just beautiful. The views are incredible—you can see across to Scotland and right across Donegal. From a golf course perspective, we're fortunate to have quite a deep site. Most links courses are quite low-lying and narrow, but we have a wide site, and the land moves in different directions. No two holes run consecutively in the same direction on the Dunluce Links, and there are quite a few elevation changes, which is unique for a links course. This means plenty of opportunities for spectacular views and scenery while you play. Beyond Royal Portrush, this region is a golfing treasure trove. I love playing other courses like Royal County Down, where I trained as a club professional in the 1990s, and the new St Patrick's Links at Rosapenna. Away from golf, there's so much to do. We're spoiled for choice. Being in the pro shop, I get to hear what visitors love, and it's always the Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. But they love the coastline too, all the way to Ballycastle because it is so stunning. You're spoilt for choice when it comes to food – Portrush Harbour is a real foodie hotspot. My favourite restaurant there is Mermaid, which serves up amazing seafood dishes, but Neptune & Prawn, a casual Asian food and drink bar, is also great, and the Harbour Bistro is also very popular. Wash that down with a drink at the Springhill Bar on Causeway Street – it hosts traditional Irish music nights, which are a big hit with both the locals and tourists. Further afield you have all the Game of Thrones filming locations, such as Ballintoy Harbour, while Rathlin Island, with its wildlife and rugged beauty, is also a must-see. If you're a true die-hard fan of the show you can also take the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Banbridge. Visitors are absolutely spoiled for things to do and see. A week is not enough – especially if you are here in Open week and there's golf to watch too! There was a real legacy from the 148th Open when it was held here in 2019. The impact is still being felt. Shane Lowry's incredible win inspired the next generation of golfers for sure. Combined with what Rory has already achieved even before his Masters win this year, and it really encourages young people to get into the game. We do a lot of work in local schools, and it's wonderful to see so many young people inspired by The Open and the opportunity to see the best players in the world right here. Hosting The Open is a privilege, and sharing this special place with visitors is a joy. They are truly lucky to experience the beauty and magic of Royal Portrush and the Causeway Coast. Golf offers and packages For island of Ireland golf offers and packages visit our partners at: Golf Escapes, Golf Escapes – Northern Ireland, Your Golf Travel, Golfbreaks & Golfbreaks – Northern Ireland
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
The best place to reconnect with my old rugby pals is on our beautiful golf courses
Growing up, life in our corner of Ireland was a glorious mix of muddy fields on the farm and manicured greens at the local golf club. It was my middle brother, Mark, who was the golf enthusiast. He'd disappear off there for the day while Simon, my older brother (and former Ireland international) and I were more likely to be found helping Dad farming. But golf was never far away for me. I played a bit at university and during my rugby career I'd squeeze in a round here and there when time allowed. Then, as retirement loomed, the sport took on a whole new significance for me. Being a sportsperson, I needed something to keep me competitive, but also somewhere I could relax and be with friends. And when you have the array of golf courses we have here on the island of Ireland, it proved to be the perfect pastime for me. I still get that buzz from a close match, but I also appreciate the chance to be outdoors, enjoying good company and just the sheer thrill of hitting a really good shot. That never goes away. During my playing days, we'd often get away on our time off from training to play a round at Royal Belfast, which was such a treat. Paul O'Connell was always one of the best players in our Ireland squad at the time. Brian O'Driscoll was very good too – but such a bandit! He was the captain, though, so he made the rules when it came to handicaps – you couldn't complain! The first two holes at Royal Belfast I remember being so tough, but if you emerged unscathed from those you could go on to score well there. But you do need a draw to play that course – I recommend you pack one in your bag! When you retire from rugby it's very easy to lose touch with your old team-mates – people you've worked and played with so closely for years. It's strange. So I've started little golf trips with some old colleagues, which has been amazing. I took a group to Rosapenna in County Donegal last year, which is one of the finest places to play on the island of Ireland. We did a three-day blast, playing the three courses they have there: Sandy Hills, Old Tom Morris and St Patrick's. The greens at St Patrick's were just something else – massive slopes, it felt like almost a 20-foot drop from top to bottom on some of them, and so hard to read too. But it was all about the craic, the competition, and that special camaraderie you only get with old mates. We'd do a draw at lunchtime to work out who plays who, and the losers would buy dinner and drinks for the winners that night. We're already planning another trip for next year. From a family point of view, Donegal holds a particularly special place in my heart. We had a place up at Portnoo, and family holidays always meant rounds at Donegal Golf Club in Murvagh. It's been a while since I played there, but I have such fond memories: the panoramic views of Donegal Bay and the Bluestack Mountains while taking on those challenging holes and being blown about by the Atlantic winds. Wonderful. I'll always remember our journeys to Donegal. Before my sister was born, it was me and my two brothers sitting in the back of the car with all the nonsense you'd get with three boys like that. But the journey was always a sure sign we were on our way to a proper break. And Donegal has this unique vibe. The winding country roads, sheep everywhere you look, the little towns with their wool shops and Donegal tweed. It's a place with a real sense of heritage, the peat fires, the smell of the sea, it all adds up to something quite special. And, of course, it's also where you can explore the stunning Malin Head – which I recommend to anyone making their way to this part of the world. Another place I'd recommend to visitors is Westport, nestled in County Mayo on the Wild Atlantic Way. It is a charming town with a really vibrant atmosphere, Georgian architecture and stunning natural surroundings. It's overlooked by Croagh Patrick, Ireland's holy mountain, and bordered by the tranquil Clew Bay. You can cycle the scenic Great Western Greenway, explore historic Westport House, or just enjoy lively traditional music in welcoming pubs. I've also enjoyed visits to Bushmills Distillery, which is one of the key stops on the Northern Ireland Whiskey Trail, and will happily take guests there as part of a day out. It's the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery, dating back to 1608. It provides guided tours showcasing traditional whiskey-making processes and the tour finishes with a tasting session, which is always popular. I did a promo day there back in the day with Denis Leamy, the former Munster number 8. He was my room-mate when we were on Ireland duty together. It was quite unusual to have players from different teams rooming together, but we got on famously and he was a groomsman at my wedding. The distillery called us the Bushmills Brothers when we were doing the work for them, which we both quite enjoyed. And Bushmills isn't so far from Royal Portrush of course (in truth, you're never far away from some of the world's best golf courses wherever you are on the island of Ireland). Viewers from around the world will get some understanding of its greatness when they watch this year's Open – but you really have to play it to understand it. I find it is somewhere you can get completely immersed in the game. Each hole feels like its own little world, totally different from the last, offering unique challenges and those breathtaking views we're so lucky to have. The fifth is probably the most beautiful of all – and I know I'm guilty of bombarding people with photos from it. It's such a wonderful hole to play. It seems like it should be good to score on because it's quite short – but you've got to place your drive perfectly to give yourself the best approach to the green with the White Rocks in the background. Go too far with that and you're out of bounds over the back. Too short, and the slope of the green takes you all the way back to where you were coming from. Nearer home for me, Royal County Down is my absolute favourite. Joining the club about five years ago was a dream realised, because the place has deep family connections for me and there's something magical about it. I love just ringing up on a Saturday morning, grabbing a bite and joining a random draw. You meet all sorts of people and you always get a great game. The first tee is simply magnificent. Standing up there with the wind coming on from the left and you can see the whole layout of the course unfold – it's hard to beat. The island of Ireland is more than just where I live. It's in my blood. It's the sound of the wind off the sea, the smell of peat smoke, the laughter of friends on the golf course, and the simple joy of being outdoors. It's home, pure and simple. And you need to visit. Golf offers and packages
Telegraph
2 hours ago
- Telegraph
Why there's so much more to Ireland than golf
Ireland is rightly known for its superb golf courses – it has world-famous names located in every corner of the country and the 153rd Open is being hosted at Royal Portrush. But what if playing 18 holes just isn't your bag? Put simply, that isn't a problem. There's a lot more to discover here, from mountainous offshore islands criss-crossed with hiking trails to whisky trails and fine dining on the island's seemingly inexhaustible larder of premium ingredients. Explore the Wild Atlantic Way Want to enjoy the great outdoors? With its lofty sea cliffs, pristine beaches and rugged mountainscape, Achill Island is an enticing place to visit, just offshore from County Mayo, and can easily be reached via a road bridge. And it's easy to get to this part of Ireland from Great Britain too, with a range of flights available into Ireland West Airport Knock, Donegal and Derry (as well as the multiple daily connections to Belfast and Dublin. Hillwalkers will be thrilled by the landmarks they find here. There are some major peaks to summit, including 2,200ft Slievemore and 2,190ft Croaghaun, the latter famous for its steep north-eastern face, which plunges dramatically down into the Atlantic swell. These are challenging routes, taking around three to four hours to climb up and return back down; for something less strenuous head up to Minaun Heights, at 1,530ft it offers panoramic views across the island and over the sweep of Keel Beach and can be reached via car and then a short, steep 15-minute walk up to the top. Keel Beach is perhaps the island's most famous, and is a glorious place for a swim or to explore in a sea kayak. This is also one of Ireland's best places to learn to surf, with beginner-friendly waves and a range of surf schools offering lessons. Alternatively, head to Keel Lake, just inland of the beach, where the calm, shallow waters are ideal for stand-up paddleboarding, as well as trying your hand at kitesurfing or windsurfing. After all that activity you'll be ready to relax, perhaps on one of the island's five Blue Flag beaches. Head to Dugort village and you can soak up the sun on Achill's twin beaches of Silver Strand and Golden Strand; you can even kayak between the two, passing seal colonies and seabirds. As night falls, head to the pub for an evening of hearty food and Irish craic. Try Lynott's Pub in Cashel, a village on the east side of Achill Island, for a quintessential Irish experience, with a traditional-cut stone-wall interior, plenty of lively debate and regular live music sessions. In Keel, head to The Annexe Inn for a proper pint of Guinness and nightly traditional music sessions. Tory Island and Slieve League Alternatively, sail out to Tory Island in Donegal instead. This is a vibrant Gaeltacht (Gaelic-speaking) community nine miles off the north coast and surrounded by the tempestuous Atlantic. It's a wildly beautiful place where you can visit Iron Age forts and medieval round towers, spot puffins and join traditional céilís – sure to see you twirled around the dance floor by an islander or two. Also in Donegal are the soaring sea cliffs of Slieve League, some of the highest in Europe and rising to 1,960ft above the Atlantic. You'll start at the Cultural Centre, where you can board a shuttle bus to the cliffs themselves; here you'll find numerous designated viewpoints as well as the stomach-knotting One Man's Pass trail, which leads brave hikers up to the highest part of the cliffs. Whether you brave the pass or not, you'll take in spectacular views of Donegal Bay, as well as the Giant's Desk and Chair rock formation at the base of the cliffs. The Causeway Coastal Route This coastal driving route loops around the coast of Northern Ireland, taking in striking sea views and some of the country's most famous sites. The Giant's Causeway is truly unmissable and best visited first thing, when you can spring across its incredible basalt columns in the early morning calm. Continue afterwards to tumbledown Dunluce Castle, an atmospheric medieval ruin atop the cliffs, then on to the Old Bushmill's Distillery. This is the world's oldest licensed distillery and offers tours that uncover the ancient whiskey-making process, taking you through from mash tun to pot still to whiskey barrel. Bushmill's is part of the Northern Ireland Spirits Trail; pick up a Distillery Passport here and see how many you can tick off on your adventures. There are 13 in total, from the Titanic Distillers in Belfast to the Wild Atlantic Distillery on Northern Ireland 's north-west coast. Incredible coastal scenery The coastline of Donegal, in Ireland's north-west, is a windswept wonderland of towering sea cliffs, pristine white-sand beaches and crashing Atlantic waves. Here you can take to the saddle for a thrilling horse ride along two kilometres of sandy beach at Tullan Strand, or head out on a sea safari by Rib with True North Boating, getting up close to marine life such as bottlenose dolphins, basking sharks, minke whales and grey seals. The highlight just might be Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point and a glorious place for a coastal hike. Located at the far end of the Inishowen Peninsula, this is a fantastic place for spotting seabirds (look out for peregrine falcon, barnacle geese and the rare corncrake) and come nightfall, one of Ireland's most likely locations for the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, to appear, lighting up the inky night sky with undulating waves of neon pink and brightest lime. Further south, in County Sligo, there's yet more dramatic coastal scenery to explore. Make time for Benbulben, a steep-sided, flat-topped mountain that can be climbed in around four hours, as well as a detoxifying soak at Kilcullen Seaweed Baths, where you can climb into its restorative warm seawater amid harvested seaweed and bathe overlooking the dunes of Enniscrone Beach. Gazing up at the stars County Mayo is one of the more beautiful and undiscovered parts of Ireland, and after sunset you'll find it cloaked in the very darkest of night skies. Stargazing here is unforgettable, and is at its best in the Mayo Dark Sky Park, a protected area of Atlantic blanket bog, mountains and forest that is Ireland's first International Dark Sky Park. There are three signature viewing sites; the darkest is at Brogan Carroll Bothy, around 20 kilometres north of Newport town, which offers a range of walking loops from the Letterkeen trailhead car park. Lace up your boots for a post-sunset hike here and prepare to be amazed by the incredible constellations stretching across the sky overhead. Golf offers and packages For island of Ireland golf offers and packages visit our partners at: Golf Escapes, Golf Escapes – Northern Ireland, Your Golf Travel, Golfbreaks & Golfbreaks – Northern Ireland
