If you’re driving south from Armagh City, the landscape starts to tilt and roll in a way that feels different. The drumlins get steeper. The grass seems a shade deeper. Suddenly, you hit a town that feels like it’s clinging to the side of a hill, defined by grey stone and a spirit that's tough to pin down. That’s Keady.
Honestly, most people just pass through on their way to the border or Monaghan, which is a massive mistake. They see the shops and the hills and think "standard market town." It isn't. Keady—derived from An Céide, meaning "the flat-topped hill"—is a place where the industrial ghosts of the 19th century still haunt the riverbanks and where "road bowls" isn't just a hobby; it’s basically a religion.
Why Keady Is More Than Just a Gateway to the Border
You've probably heard of the "Orchard County," but Keady doesn't feel like a manicured apple grove. It feels raw. The town was built on the back of the linen industry, powered by the River Clea (a tributary of the Callan). If you walk along the water today, you’ll see the Old Mill. It’s been converted into workshops now, but it used to be the heartbeat of the community.
There’s a specific kind of "Keady energy" you won't find in Belfast or Derry. It’s a border town, which means it has that frontier resilience. People here are famously musical. It’s the home of the Makem family—Sarah and Tommy Makem. If you’ve ever sat in a pub anywhere in the world and heard "Four Green Fields," you’re hearing the soul of Keady. Tommy Makem didn’t just sing folk songs; he exported a specific Northern Irish identity to the global stage.
The Mystery of the Tunnel to Nowhere
One of the weirdest bits of local history is the Ulster and Connaught Light Railway tunnel. Basically, back in the early 1900s, there was this grand plan to link Greenore in Louth all the way to Clifden in Galway. They dug a tunnel under the railway embankment in Keady. They finished it. And then... nothing.
The line never happened.
For decades, this perfectly good tunnel just sat there, a subterranean monument to a dream that ran out of cash. Today, Ulsterbus actually uses part of it as a garage. You can’t make this stuff up. It’s a literal tunnel to nowhere that ended up housing buses. It’s these kinds of quirks that make Keady fascinating if you actually bother to look.
Road Bowls and the Sound of Iron on Tarmac
You cannot talk about Keady without talking about "bullets." No, not the ammunition. I’m talking about road bowls.
If you see a crowd of men standing in the middle of a narrow country road, staring intensely at a small iron ball, don't honk your horn. Just wait. You’re witnessing an ancient sport that has survived in very few places outside of Armagh and Cork. The goal is to throw a 28-ounce iron ball (the "bullet") over a predetermined course—usually a few miles of public road—in the fewest number of throws.
It’s high stakes. There’s betting. There’s incredible technique. And the "lofting"—where they throw the ball high into the air to bypass a curve in the road—is genuinely impressive. It’s one of the few things that can legally shut down a road in Northern Ireland without a permit from the Department for Infrastructure (sorta).
Exploring the Tassagh Viaduct
Just a few minutes outside the town center lies the Tassagh Viaduct. It’s a massive, multi-arched stone structure that looks like it belongs in a period drama. Built around 1910 for the Castleblayney, Keady, and Armagh Railway, it now stands silent.
It’s one of the most photographed spots in the county for a reason. The way the light hits the stone arches at sunset is incredible. It’s a great spot for a walk, though I’d recommend wearing boots because the ground around the Callan River gets incredibly boggy, especially in the winter months.
🔗 Read more: Salt Lake City to Sedona: The High Desert Drive That Most People Mess Up
The Cultural Heart: TMAC and St. Patrick’s
For a town of its size, Keady punches way above its weight in terms of infrastructure. The Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre (TMAC) is the hub for everything from traditional music sessions to local theatre.
Then there’s St. Patrick’s Church. It’s one of the largest in the Archdiocese of Armagh. Even if you aren't religious, the scale of the building is worth a look. It was built in the 1860s and underwent a massive renovation in the late 80s. It dominates the skyline, reminding you that while Keady is a "small town," its ambitions have always been huge.
Hiking and Getting Lost (In a Good Way)
If you’re into the outdoors, skip the manicured parks for a day and head to Carnagh Forest. It’s on the road toward Castleblayney. It has three waymarked trails:
- The Boundary Trail (about 2 miles)
- The Carnagh Lake Trail
- Jointy's Lake Trail (a quick 0.6-mile loop)
The lakes are the highlight. They’re still, dark, and surrounded by dense trees. It’s the kind of place where you can walk for two hours and not see another human being. Honestly, it’s one of the best-kept secrets for hikers who are tired of the crowds at Slieve Gullion.
What to Do Next in Keady
Don't just drive through. Stop the car.
If you're visiting in August, try to time it for the Keady Fair Day. It’s a throwback to the old market days with crafts, livestock, and a lot of traditional music. It's loud, it's crowded, and it's the most "authentic" Keady experience you can get.
For a quieter day, start at the TMAC to see if there's an exhibit on, then head out to the Tassagh Viaduct for a walk. Finish up with a drive toward the "Darkley" side of town to see the old mill chimneys—they stand like sentinels of an industrial past that refuses to be forgotten.
Grab a "poke" (ice cream) from a local shop, find a spot overlooking the valley, and just watch the clouds move over the drumlins. You'll realize that Keady isn't just a place on the map; it’s a mood.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Visit the Tassagh Viaduct: Set your GPS for Tassagh Road for the best views of the arches.
- Check the TMAC Schedule: Look up the Tommy Makem Arts and Community Centre online for upcoming "trad" sessions or local plays.
- Explore Carnagh Forest: Park at the Castleblayney Road entrance for the lake trails.
- Watch a Road Bowls Match: Ask a local in one of the pubs on Main Street when the next "score" (match) is happening; they usually take place on Sunday afternoons.