County Down

The towns and villages of Mourne country are exciting destinations in their own right, also good bases for discovering the magic of the mountains. Popular resort Newcastle, where Slieve Donard really does 'sweep down to the sea' offers family fun, plus the bonus of mountains and championship golf (Royal County Down) on your doorstep.

Nearby Bryansford and Tollymore are centres for outdoor adventure - from the sublime to the extreme. There is pony-trekking, bouldering, canoeing, abseiling, hillwalking and even Ireland's only mountainboarding facility!  Both Tollymore and Castlewellan have outstanding forest parks.  Silent Valley, inland from restored harbour hamlet, Annalong, is another gem.  Big plans are afoot for the Mourne area - soon to be designated a National Park.

Round the rocky coast, past busy fishing port Kilkeel, to Victorian Rostrevor. Its park begins as manicured lawns, but as you climb it becomes an arboretum, river walk and finally a mountain trail offering views across Carlingford Lough.   Blue Flag Cranfield Beach  is also nearby.

Located in the Gap of the North, Newry is an excellent shopping city and the Newry and Mourne Museum is also well worth a visit.

 

  • Go Down to the Woods today

    When you picture Northern Ireland, you see an open landscape; a patchwork of green fields and rolling hills embracing broad loughs with heather-clad mountains in the distance. But did you know we have woodlands too?

  • Blue Lough, County Down

    This walk provides an easy introduction to the Mountains of Mourne giving a mountain atmosphere whilst following gentle gradients and making use of distinct tracks and pathways.

  • Slieve Croob, County Down

    Start this walk at the Dree Hill car park. Leave the car park and turn right onto Dree Hill road, follow the road down to Finnis.

  • Kilkeel, County Down

    Kilkeel is one of the principal fishing ports in Northern Ireland. As the boats come in, small knots of residents and caravanners with plastic bags gather at the harbour ready to strike a quick bargain before the main catch is landed.

  • Saint Patrick

    Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland. His feast day on 17 March is celebrated on every continent...