Tourism \ General Touring

The following section offers two suggested routes for general touring in Newry & Mourne. These routes are only basic suggestions and for further details you should contact the nearest tourist office.

The area's principal town, Newry city, is a modern thriving shopping centre, and an excellent starting point for a tour of the district.

Newry derives its name from the Irish 'Iuir Cinn Tra', which translated means the yew tree at the head of the strand. Reputedly, St Patrick planted this yew tree which is reflected on the town's coat of arms. The Newry Town Trail can be completed on foot and provides an interesting insight to the town's historical past.

Newry through to South Armagh

Visit Bessbrook - the Model Village and Derrymore House, a National Trust property. Drive through Camlough and along Camlough Lake to Aras an Chairdineil O'Fiaich (Heritage Centre) in Cullyhanna and enjoy a relaxing hour hearing about the life and times of the late Cardinal Thomas O'Fiaich. Cullyhanna also boasts an 18 hole golf course at Ashfield.

Visit Creggan Parish Churchyard and Graveyard where some of the most famous poets of South Armagh are buried, including the O'Neils. Whilst in the area call at Hearty's Folk Cottage to enjoy traditional baking and music. Lunch can be enjoyed in Crossmaglen, where you can choose from either a meal or a quick snack.

Visit Ti Chulainn Cultural Activity Centre in Mullaghbane, which is a centre rich in traditional music, song and dance, Irish language, drama, literature, etc.

Whilst in Mullaghbane why not treat yourself to a round of golf at Cloverhill Golf Club?

Travel then to the Ring of Gullion Trekking Centre which is also based in Mullaghbane where you can enjoy a relaxing cup of tea or coffee in the coffee shop, or an afternoon pony trekking. Whether you are experienced or a novice, there is something here for everyone.

Continue through the Ring of Gullion, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), to the Slieve Gullion Courtyard and Forest Park. Here you can enjoy a leisurely stroll through the gardens of Slieve Gullion, or for the more energetic, you can walk to the top of the mountain and view the magnificent scenery of South Armagh, as well as viewing the passage graves, dolmens and volcanic lake at the top of the mountain walk.

Newry through to South Down

From Newry follow the A2 dual carriageway to Warrenpoint, a busy little port and seaside resort and one of the best planned towns in Ireland, built on a grid system by the landlords of Narrow Water. On the approach to the town, Narrow Water Keep guards the water of Carlingford Lough and was originally built in 1212 by Hugh DeLacy, Earl of Ulster. Other points of interest in the Warrenpoint area include Clonallon Church, built on the site of Saint Dallon's 6th century monastic settlement, and the stone of destiny or Coronation stone of the Magennis Clan.

Just north of Warrenpoint is the Burren Heritage Centre. This offers a number of permanent displays reflecting major historical sites in the immediate area, a portal tomb, a model of a typical Crannog and another based on the 6th century monastic settlement at Clonallon.

Following the A2 coast route from Warrenpoint in an easterly direction you will pass the Ross monument, erected to honour General Robert Ross in 1826 to celebrate his victory over America Farles in Bladensburg in 1814.

Rostrevor has been described as "the sweetest little watering hole to be found in the three kingdoms and one of the most beautiful spots in Ireland" (Murrays Handbook 1896). Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor is situated at the foot of Rostrevor Forest. The park offers vast areas of open space, caravan and camping facilities, riverside walks and picnic areas. Cill Bronagh (the 'Church of Bronagh') stands in Kilbroney graveyard on the B25 Hilltown Road, about half a mile outside of Rostrevor.

Between Rostrevor and Kilkeel, Greencastle Castle is a good example of the strongholds erected in Ireland by the Anglo-Normans around the middle of the 13th century.

Kilkeel's Harbour boasts a large fishing fleet. The port is a hive of activity and the Nautilus Fishing Centre is well worth visiting.

Annalong was home to a fleet of more than thirty schooners, which carried granite and potatoes to the western ports of Britain. Beside its intimate harbour stands Annalong Cornmill which was built in the 1800's and still welcomes visitors today.

On the main coast road between Annalong and Kilkeel, follow the signs for the Silent Valley. The dam was built at the beginning of the 20th century and provides up to 30 million gallons of water per day. Attractive parkland and forest walks provide access to the dams of the Silent Valley and Crom Reservoirs. Today you can enjoy splendid mountain scenery, woodland walks and a range of facilities including an exhibition centre and restaurant and craft shop. The story of how the dam was built continues to fascinate visitors to the Silent Valley. For a fact sheet contact Newry TIC

From Silent Valley, follow the road through Deers Meadow via Spelga Dam to Hilltown. Originally known as the eight mile bridge, the town was named Hilltown by the Marquis of Downshire in 1765. The smuggling of brandy and spirits from the coast along 'the brandy path' was a local pastime and Hilltown was the favourite distribution point.

Just 2 miles from Hilltown on the B8 Hilltown to Castlewellan Road, is Goward Dolmen. The top stone measures 13ft by 10ft by 5ft and it covers a single chamber.

A locally produced Heritage Trail Guide "the Kingdom of Mourne and the Barony of Upper Iveagh", provides excellent information and illustrations and is well worth obtaining. (details from your nearest tourist office).