Bloody Bridge

Distance:

1 miles

Start Point:

J389271

Finish Point:

J389271

Point of interest:

Bloody bridge river, keeled skimmer dragon fly

Nearest town:

Newcastle

OS map:

Sheet 29

Terrain:

Rocky coastline path

Route:

Leave the car park by its southern exit and take care crossing over the road to gain access to Bloody Bridge. Pass through the pedestrian gate and squeeze stile and follow the well worn track down the hill. This track is the start of the Brandy Pad, an old smugglers’ route. Brandy and other spirits, wine, spices, tobacco, tea, coffee, sugar and silk made their way to the secluded coves of the Mourne coast via the Isle of Man, which was outside the control of Customs and Excise at that time.

On your left you will see ‘Bloody Bridge’ , originally a ford. The name refers to a massacre at the site at the time of the 1641 rebellion. The bodies of slain prisoners were thrown over the bridge into the river, turning it red and so the river became known as the Bloody Bridge River.

Continue up the path as it slowly climbs the lower slopes of the mountain. You will notice some stone pitching which is there to reduce path erosion. The vegetation in the valley is principally dry heath, which is rare in a European context. Wet springs and flushes along the path are home to some unusual invertebrates, including the Keeled Skimmer, a nationally scarce dragonfly. Several noteworthy butterfly species have also been recorded, including the Green Hairstreak, the Dark Green fritillary and the Grayling. Higher up in the mountains look out for ravens, red grouse and peregrine falcons, and the Irish Hare. Follow the path over the river, taking care to cross the river, and onwards due south until you reach a stile. This marks the end of the National Trust part of the trail.

* You can either continue onwards up the mountain or retrace your steps back to the car park and investigate the Coastal Path.

Facilities:

Car park, toilets and picnic tables

Accessible toilet facilities:

Yes

Accessible terrain:

Off road unsurfaced paths

Getting to the start by public transport:

Bloody Bridge trail is situated on the fringe of the Mourne Mountains by the Irish Sea three miles south of Newcastle on the A2 Newcastle to Kilkeel road.