NM ENGLISH BROCHURE - Cruise Warrenpointcruisewarrenpoint.com/wp-content/themes/genesis-sample/...‘the Hound of Ulster’ is reputed to have defended Ulster, single handed against

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A G U I D E T O N E W R Y & M O U R N E

NM ENGLISH COVER 4/12/03 3:29 pm Page 2

At the fresh Churchyard of CregganI slept last night in sorrow

And at the rise of morning the maidencame to me with a kiss;

She had flame heated cheeks and a gleamin her hair like gold,

And it was the healing balm of the worldto be looking at the young queen.

Art MacCooey1736 - 1773

1Slieve Gullion

NM ENGLISH BROCHURE 4/12/03 1:54 pm Page 1

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Stunning beauty with contrastinglandscapes, charmingvillages and bustling towns – Newry & Mourneinvites you to experiencethe many different aspectsof our area. Located in thesouth eastern corner ofNorthern Ireland, thisregion has an unspoiledand special charm - a land with infinite variety.


3 Silent Valley Mountain Park


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BeckoningThis is a truly beautiful area - a land of great contrast and diversity.

Few areas of similar extent can show such a variety oflandforms, topography, coastal forms, human history andsuch bold contrast of mountains, lowland and sea.

Both the Mourne and Ring of Gullion areas within Newry& Mourne have been designated as Areas of OutstandingNatural Beauty (ANOB). The purpose of this designation isto help conserve and, where possible, improve thelandscape for the benefit of those people who live here,for future generations and for visitors who come to seeand enjoy this area's natural beauty.

Annalong Corn Mill


5 Carlingford Lough


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Naturallywarm andgentle"Soft rolling hills, unspoiledcoastline, pretty villagesand sweeping river valleys– nature has certainlydone much for this area.A reflection of this richand diverse environment isits people; naturally warmand gentle, they arerenowned for theirhospitality and welcomingways. Quick-witted andinterested, the people herealways enjoy a chat orsome "banter".

Modern living has fusedwell here with traditionand culture, and acharming and relaxed way of living still exists – a choice of lifestyle toenjoy and share.

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This is an area rich in mythsand legends. According tofolklore the ‘Cloughmore’or big stone, 1000ft aboveRostrevor was thrown there by the Irish Giant Fionn MacCumhaill (Finn MacCool) during afight with a Scottish Giant.(geologists contradict thisand explain its presence ashaving being depositedduring the Ice Age). Duringthe same battle the ScottishGiant allegedly tore out ahandful of earth and flungit back at Fionn, whoducked. The earth landed in the sea and became theIsle of Man, while the divothe made filled with waterand formed Lough Neagh.

In the tale of the CattleRaid of Cooley (Tain BoCuailgue), Cu Chulainn,‘the Hound of Ulster’ isreputed to have defendedUlster, single handedagainst the hordes ofQueen Maeve of Connachtat what’s known as theGap of the North.

In another tale Fionn MacCumhaill was bewitched byMiluchra on the summit ofSlieve Gullion at the Loughof Calliagh Bhirra. To thisday, the superstitionsurvives that if you bathe inthe Lough your hair willturn white.

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On the Foot-marked Rock he stood,High-towering o’er the clan,A kingly chief of old Iveagh.In truth a God-sent man,A thousand voices thundered out‘MacGuinness’ o’er and o’er,Until the mountains answered back‘MacGuinness’ – from the shore.

The cry swelled round the land-locked Bay,Like trumpet-notes of fame,All nature joined the chorus ofThe well-loved chieftain’s name.The light of that great vision bright,With joy filled all his veins,Making him wish to mark his span‘The happiest of reigns’.

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Secrets of StoneThe Newry & Mournelandscape reveals many tracesof previous Millennia.

Before the annals of historyevidence of man’s influencedots the landscape and thisarea contains a wide variety ofstone and earthenmonuments, dating from asfar back as 4000BC. Theseinclude megalithic tombs fromthe Neolithic period (4500-2000 BC), earthen, and stonering forts built in the earlyChristian period (500-1200 AD)and medieval castles.

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Mankind has lived here for over 6,000 years and

with Ireland being on the western edge of the

known world, it wasn’t until around 432AD that

St. Patrick, Ireland’s Patron Saint, and his small

band of Monks set foot on the stoney shores of

Strangford Lough.

Early Christian monuments still survive today

including the Kilnasaggart Stone, a tall granite

pillar that marks the site of an early Christian

cemetery dated to 700AD, making it the earliest

dated Christian Cross carved stone in Ireland.

"This placebequeathed by Ternoc, Son of Ceran Bic, under the patronage of Peter the Apostle".C

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Great fayreand goodcompany"

Ireland is famed for its hospitality and Newry & Mourneis no exception. An excellent variety of accommodationincluding 4-star hotels, quality guesthouses and charmingself-catering provides the staying visitor with the best of"the Irish" in pleasant and relaxed surroundings.

The economy has a strong agricultural and fishinginfluence. Fresh local produce is therefore guaranteedand a diverse mix of cuisines is available from the area’smany restaurants and cafes.

Many of the area’s bars also offer good value for moneycuisine and provide the opportunity to relax, quench thethirst and enjoy the humour and chat.

With its vibrant nightlife, great food, entertainment andcultural havens, Newry & Mourne offers every visitor athoroughly enjoyable experience.

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Nature'splaygroundMiles and miles of coastline, beaches,lakes, fishing and cycling. Outward bound and adventure - a ’theme park’ for all the family.

Local festivals, mountain biking, kartingtracks, swimming pools, tennis courts,cinemas and indoor play areas, Newry & Mourne lets you relax whilethe kids have fun.


15 Vintage Car Rally, Kilbroney Park.


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ActivitiesOne of this area’s major strengthsis its rich and diverse naturalenvironment. As Newry & Mourneoffers mountain ranges, beautifulbeaches, inland waterways,coastal plains, rolling hills andunspoilt woodlands, it is notsurprising that it has establisheditself as one of Ireland’s majoroutdoor recreational areas.

Newry & Mourne has longenjoyed an excellent reputationfor hill climbing, walking, fishing,golfing, cycling and watersports.Detailed information on all theactivities this area has to offer canbe obtained by contacting thelocal Tourist Information Centresor visiting our website.Alternatively tailored activitypackages can be organised byMourne Activity Breaks.


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WalkingThis is a superb walking area. Themajestic Mountains of Mourne andthe Ring of Gullion areas provide anoutstanding backdrop for walkers ofall types. With a wide variety of walksthat cater for a broad range of fitness,ability and experience, the area offers flat coastal routes and canaltowpaths to testing slopes and mountains.

Many guidebooks and route mapsexist on walking in the area, includinga laminated walking card set, whichexplores the landscape and rock geologyof this historic corner of Ireland.

The Ring of Gullion Way follows aseries of minor roads and off roadtracks around the spectacular volcaniclandscape in this area of outstandingnatural beauty. This 52km route canbe enjoyed in six sections and offersthe walker a chance to explore anexceptional countryside rich ingeology, folklore, wildlife and archaeology.

Other marked ways include the NewryCanal Way which starts at the oldtowpath in Newry and continues toPortadown. Whether you follow theentire route between Portadown andNewry or simply wander along shortersections, walkers of all abilities candiscover a treasure chest ofarchaeological and industrial heritage.

The Mourne area is a favouritedestination for walkers and offerswide and varied terrain with fantasticscenery. Excellent maps exist forwalking in the area and a wide range of suggested route planners are available.

Walking festivals offer a greatopportunity to participate in the socialside of walking. The MourneInternational Walking Festival in Juneand the Wee Binnian Walking Festivalin September offer a variety of walksranging from excellent road and trackwalks to guided mountain ramblesand hikes. Entertainment plays a largepart in these festivals, with musicthroughout the day and a ‘Blister Ball’for those weary walkers seekingrefreshment at night (package deals available).

The Mournes and the Ring of Gullionare a favourite stomping ground forwalking journalist Paddy Dillon. Hisdescription of Slieve Binnian gives us ataste of the walking terrain that’s onoffer – "Slieve Binnian has a veryrugged crest of rock tops which makesit easy to view the beautiful scenery inand around the Mountains of Mourne".

The following route description is anexample of the many possible walkswithin the area.

Walking in the Mournes.


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SlieveMartinSlieve Martin rises steeplyfrom Carlingford Loughnear the village ofRostrevor, bringing to mindthose famous words:'Where the Mountains ofMourne sweep down tothe sea.' The forestedslopes conceal the ancientRostrevor Oakwood whichis protected as a NationalNature Reserve. The hugeCloughmore Boulder,which legend says wasthrown across CarlingfordLough by the giant FionnMacCool, is a fineviewpoint. A moorlandcrest can be followedbeyond the summit ofSlieve Martin to Knocksheeand then the walk headsback into Rostrevor Forestand links with the UlsterWay. It's also worth takingthe time to exploreKilbroney Park and thevillage of Rostrevor.


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The WalkPark in Rostrevor Forest and take a look at theinformation boards, which show a series of shortway marked trails. Walk down from the car parkand turn left in front of the Forest Office. A pathon the left is signposted for the RostrevorOakwood. Turn left along a broader path, whereanother sign points the way to Fiddler's Green.The path zig-zags up a wooded slope and reachesthe grassy clearing known as the Fiddler's Green.

Continue up to a forest track and turn right. Turnleft to follow a steep, narrow, grassy path uphillthrough the forest. The edge of the forest givesway to a gentle, open slope, where you bear leftto reach the huge 40 tonne Cloughmore Boulderand enjoy the fine views over Carlingford Lough.

Turn around and look for a gravel track leadingaround the head of the nearby glen. It overlooksa forest drive and car park. Follow this track as itrises around the head of the glen and then makea bee-line up a grassy path to reach the summit ofSlieve Martin. There is a cairn and a trig point at I,597ft (485m), and views of the mountainsaround Carlingford Lough are very good.

Leave Slieve Martin and head east towards aprominent mast, crossing a small stile over a fence

on the way. Keep walking towards another mastalong the grassy crest. As the crest narrows, a pathleads along it to reach the hump of Knockshee atthe end. This is another fine viewpoint, crownedwith an ancient burial cairn. In clear weather youcan see beyond the Mountains of Mourne toDublin and the Wicklow Mountains, as well as tothe Isle of Man.

Double back to the gap and then drift graduallyoff to the right. Aim to pick up an old trackleading towards Rostrevor Forest at the head ofthe Watergap River. As you approach the forest,you need to drop down from the hill track andcross a stile over the forest fence to reach a foresttrack. Turn right to follow the track to the edge ofthe forest on the slopes of Slievemeel, avoidingother tracks to right and left.

By the time the track runs downhill and bendsleft, there are views along the length ofKilbroney River. Keep to the right at twojunctions with other forest tracks, until youreach a narrow tarmac road and a barrier gate.Turn left along the road, passing anotherbarrier gate to return to the car park wherethe walk started. The Forest Restaurant isimmediately to hand, with Kilbroney Park andthe village of Rostrevor beyond.

INFORMATIONDistance: 10 miles (16 kilometres).

Maps: OSNI 1:50,000 Discoverer Sheet 29. OSNI 1:25,000 Mourne Country OutdoorPursuits Map.

Start: Rostrevor Forest near Rostrevor village.

Terrain:Forest tracks and hill paths, with someopen moorland slopes.

Food & Drink: The Forest Restaurant and Rostrevor.

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Cycling

"A spectacular circular cycle routebeneath the high Mournes, with beautifulviews across countryside with patchworkfields and stonewalls leading to the IrishSea" vividly describes one of this area’smany scenic cycle trails.

Cycling offers the flexibility to set yourown pace and explore at leisure the minorroads and laneways while passing throughbeautiful countryside. Explore the ancientstone monuments and early ChristianHeritage in and around the Ring ofGullion, or visit the 13th century fortress,Greencastle, and discover its charminghistory and legends.

Newry & Mourne is linked to the Sustrans Cycle Network via the NewryCanal Cycle Route.

The Newry Towpath route stretches fromNewry Town Hall to the Bann Bridge inPortadown and is a 20 mile trip on part ofroute 9 of the National CycleNetwork. The route followsthe towpath on the westernbank of the now non-navigable Newry Canal.

The Canal operated for morethan 200 years and provided

employment and generated wealth forthe many towns and villages nearby. The Canal was the first summit level canalin the British Isles and has 14 locksbetween its entrance atCarlingford Lough andLough Neagh. Most ofthese can be seen alongthe way.

At the start of the routeis Newry Town Hallwhich was designed byWilliam Batt andconstructed in 1893. It was one of the lastworks of the old NewryTown Commissionerswhose crest, dated 1891, can still be seenon the bridge in front of the Town Hall.The style of the building is broadlyclassical and its most unusual feature isthat it is constructed on a three-archedbridge astride the Clanrye River. Thereason was, reputedly, to settle the rivalrybetween the people of Armagh and Downas to which County the Town Hall shouldbe sited (the river is the county boundary).

Dotted along the entire length of theroute are historical landmarks, notablyaround Steenson’s Bridge. This particularlyscenic stretch of the Canal has a plethoraof wildlife. A short distance fromSteenson’s Bridge is Goragh Wood, whichwas the principal railway station forNewry and also served as a customs post

up until the 1960s. This wasthe last train stop beforecrossing the border into theIrish Republic.

Art pieces can be seenalong the route includingsome Millenium Mileposts

and a series of specially commissionedpieces which reflect the former work andnature of the Newry Canal.

After exploring Newry it is well worthexploring the rest of the district in theRing of Gullion and Mourne areas.Continuing on route 9 from Newry via theNational Trust property at Derrymore, it ispossible to explore the Camlough andSlieve Gullion areas. A circular routeknown as The Poets’ Trail follows countrylanes and minor roads in the beautifulRing of Gullion. The Trail, which startsfrom the village of Mullaghbane andfinishes in Creggan, leads you to a tour ofthe home of the poets of South Armagh,providing an insight into their homelandand the rich inheritance of the area’smonuments, history and culture.

In South Down within the Mourne Area ofOutstanding Natural Beauty, seven circularroutes have been clearly waymarked withbrown and white route markers.Laminated route cards are available andprovide detailed route descriptions, mapsand points of interest along the way.


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FishingCoarse, Game or Sea Angling, whatever your choice, withsuch a diverse landscape and topography Newry &Mourne won’t disappoint.

GAME FISHING:Mountain streams supply crystal clear water to the area’seasily accessed lakes and rivers. Wild brown trout are apopular catch, as are salmon and sea trout in season.Dollaghan, a species of brown trout unique to Ireland,run up the rivers to spawn and provide excellent sportingopportunities.

The Whitewater, a small spat river, rises high in theMournes above Kilkeel and enters Carlingford Lough atMill Bay, near Cranfield. The Clanrye River, Newry and

the Bann, Northern Ireland’s longest river, also offergreat fishing and sport for the dedicated angler andcasual fisherman alike. Excellent trout fishing lakes arelocated throughout the area including Kiltybane, Cashel,Donaghaguy and the Mill Dam.

COARSE FISHING:Newry Ship Canal has been a previous venue for theWorld Coarse Angling Championships and has a 3.5kmfishable section which runs from Newry to the sea lockson the Omeath Road. This water has provided matchweights of over 50lbs. Summer algae improves roach andbream catches, while large pike can be caught in thewinter. Other excellent coarse waters include Camloughand Derryleckagh lakes.

SEA ANGLING:Many varieties of fish are known to inhabit the clean,clear coastal waters surrounding much of the Newry &

Mourne area including ray, turbot, dogfish, mullet,flounder and tope. Shore angling is excellent and specialoff shore fishing excursions in the Irish Sea are availablewith fully fitted modern craft and experienced guides.Carlingford Lough and the North Eastern Coast of theIrish Sea provide some of the best sea fishing in Irishcoastal waters, with specimen fish such as the Irish recordcatch for tope at 661/2 lbs.

Kiltybane Lake


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GolfWith many of the world’s top courses,Ireland is a favourite destination forgolfers looking for challenging courses,good hospitality and competitive greenfees. No matter what part of Ireland youchoose to visit, you’ll never be far fromexcellent golf and the Newry & Mournecourses are no exception.

These are mostly undulating parklandcourses that offer the golfer an interestingchallenge with tight sloping fairways andvalleys and well-maintained greens.

Most of the clubs have practice areas,excellent bar and restaurant facilities andseveral have golf clubs, buggies and caddycars for hire.

During the summer months, open weeksallow touring players to test their skillswith some local but friendly competition.Golf events such as the Carlingford Classicand the Kilkeel Golf Championship providea great opportunity for aspiring ‘Tigers’ tocompete match style and then relax withgood company amongst newly foundacquaintances.

Green fees range from £10.00 - £30.00 andpackaged deals are available.

Horse RidingThe Ring of Gullion and the Mournes,provide a backdrop of hills, mountains,rivers, lakes, forests, coastal plains andaward winning beaches, making theoption of seeing it all on horsebackextremely appealing.

Trail riding breaks are available as are fulland half day treks and lessons for all agesand abilities.

Qualified helpful and experienced guidesare on hand and advanced riders andnovices alike can enjoy trekking along thisarea’s beautiful lanes, forest trails andcross country treks.

WatersportsMuch of Newry & Mourne is coastal,offering great opportunities for watersports. Carlingford Lough, Camlough Lakeand Lough Ross provide shelteredconditions for a range of water based activities.

Specialist operators such as East CoastAdventure Centre can provide fullyqualified tution in many activitiesincluding dinghy sailing windsurfing andwater-sking or thrill the kids, big or smallwith a ride on a banana boat.

Cranfield Beach has been awarded theprestigious Blue Flag award, which is givento beaches and marinas across Europewhich meet strict criteria for bathingwater quality. Cranfield Beach alsooperates the internationally recognisedlifeguard flags.

Sheltered harbours and pontoons such asat Annalong provide safe and securemooring facilities for keeled yachts andcruisers. Leisure crafts are also welcome inWarrenpoint.


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Other Sporting andRecreational FacilitiesWhether on a short break or longer holiday, theNewry & Mourne area offers excellent sportingand recreational facilities. Both Newry andKilkeel have 25 metre swimming pools, fitnesssuites and squash courts. Tennis courts andbowling greens are available throughout theentire area for the visitor seeking some casualrecreation with exercise.

Activity Breaks in Newry & Mourne Mourne Activity Breaks is a dedicated touroperator established to provide tailor madeactivity holidays.

The hassle of having to make detailed bookingarrangements for a chosen activity,accommodation, transport, etc. is removed andthe holiday is packaged to meet the customersspecific requirements. A wide range of activitiesis catered for within the Newry & Mourne areaincluding walking, golf, horse riding, cycling,coarse, game and deep-sea angling and waterbased activities.

For contact details please refer to the insideback cover.

Ring of Gullion


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What’sHappening!

A Guide toFestivals and Events

Many festivalsand events takeplace throughoutthe year,reflecting themany culturalactivities that theNewry & Mournearea has to offer.

Along with the rest of Irelandand much of the world, the St. Patrick’s Day Festival on the17th March attracts participantsand visitors in a celebration ofIreland’s patron saint.

Culturally this area has much tooffer everyone. Events includethe Newry Musical andOrchestral Society AnnualPresentations, the Lislea DramaFestival, the Newry andWarrenpoint Feis and the NewryDrama Festival.

Music fans can visit the area forthe week long Fiddlers GreenFestival which takes place in thescenic village of Rostrevor and isan annual celebration of Irishmusic and culture with an

international flavour. Anotherweek long event is the TommyMakem International Festival ofSong named in honour of thelegendary folk singer who is anative of the area. The annualFeile Camloch Festival featuresmusic, song, dance and TheInternational Liars Convention.

The Warrenpoint Blues on theBay Festival is a three dayextravaganza of over forty bluesacts and features the Blues

Showcasewith topinternationalartists.Whether ablues fan ornot, this is aweekend thatpromises agreat time for all.

The more active can choose froma long list of events. Golfers canparticipate in the sport andhospitality at the CarlingfordClassic event and the Kilkeel GolfChampionship.

Walkers can choose from a widevariety of terrain withroad/track, guided mountainrambles and hikes while enjoyingthe social side of walking as atthe Mourne InternationalWalking Festival and the WeeBinnian Walking Festival.

Events and festivals are part ofthe fabric of life here and peoplevigorously preserve the culture

and traditions of the area as wellas embracing the new.

The warm welcome that awaitsevery visitor ensures that manypeople return again and againto experience the different andunique events that Newry &Mourne has to offer.

Whether planning a short breakor extended holiday, check outwhat’s on in the area. We haveonly mentioned a few tastershere and there are many moreevents happening throughoutthe year.

For full details of festivals, eventsand entertainment pleasecontact one of our TouristInformation Centres for a localWhat’s On Guide.


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Local AreasInteresting towns and villages, greatlandscapes, character, culture, leisureactivities - Newry and Mourne has alot to offer its visitors.

Newry has a rich heritage with manyfine buildings and public places. In recent years there has been asignificant increase in the retail andleisure sectors providing excellentopportunities for shopping, sports,relaxation and entertainment.

Beyond Newry, the area includessome of the most dramatic andpicturesque scenery in Ireland. Rising dramatically from the sea, theMourne Mountains dominate muchof the landscape to the east ofNewry and contrast with thelowland plains around Kilkeel andthe mudflats and salt marsh areas of Carlingford Lough.

To the west of Newry lies beautifulundulating countryside. The drumlinlandscape around Crossmaglen andthe legendary Ring of Gullion aresteeped in Celtic mythology and thisarea is famed for its rich culturalheritage and its numerousprehistoric and early Christian sites.

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AnnalongAnnalong which means ‘The Ford ofthe Ships’ may refer to the raids madeby Viking long boats on Mourneduring the early Christian period. Setagainst a magnificent panorama ofthe Mountains of Mourne theAnnalong area is an excellent base forexploring a varied and unspoiltcoastline. Annalong is a small fishingvillage and a centre of smuggling andstonework in the past. The harbour isvery picturesque and with theCornmill, is often used as aninspiration by artists. The water wheelat the Cornmill can be seen inoperation during guided tours.

North of Annalong stands BloodyBridge which once linked the oldKilkeel to Newcastle road. The bridgederives its name from a massacre in1641 at the instigation of the IrishChieftan Sir Conn Magennis. Duringthe 18th and 19th Centuries, thecoastline between Glassdrummanbecame infamous for smuggling andperhaps the most notorioussmugglers’ route is the Brandy Padwhich climbs steeply from the sea atBloody Bridge.

CrossmaglenArea(Crois Mhic Lionnáin)– Lennons Cross

Although the name of Crossmaglenhas been recorded on maps sincearound 1609 it was a small collectionof houses until the late 18th century.The name of the town has its origin inan ale house at the crossroads ownedby Owen Lennon. By 1790 it had

grown to a substantial settlement. It has along tradition as an agricultural town andthe local landlord Mr Ball built animpressive market house in the marketsquare in 1811. The town is famed for itstraditional music and horse fair, heldannually in September. The town also hostsan open air fair on the first and third Fridayof each month where you can sample thetraditional flavour of Ireland.

Six miles from Crossmaglen the village ofCullyhanna is home to the Áras anChairdinéil Ó Fiaich Heritage Centre whichdocuments the life and times of one ofCullyhanna’s most famous sons Cardinal

Tómas Ó Fiaich. The ancient monuments ofAnnaghmore Cairn and the Dorseyrampart, an ancient entrenchment, arelocated within a mile of Cullyhanna. The Dorsey dating from the Iron Ageperiod, consists of two roughly parallelearth bank and ditch ramparts over a milelong and lies astride an old route toEamhan Macha (Navan Fort, ancient capital of Ulster).

Close by is one of Ulster’s most importantgraveyards, Creggan Parish Church andGraveyard which is the burial site of three18th century Gaelic poets and home of thefamous O’Neill Vault. Adjacent to the

graveyard visitors can enjoy the beautifullykept "Poets Glen".

Annaghmore Court Cairn is an ancientcourt grave known as the "fort of thedead" and is one of the finest examples ofits kind in Ireland. Lisleitrim Lough lookingwestwards from Corliss Fort is a wellformed circular crannog and an ancientIrish dwelling, built on a manmade island.

The nearby village of Newtownhamiltonhas associations with the legendary story ofLir and tradition maintains that King Lirhad his palace at Carrigatuke.

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The Mountains of Mourne are a product ofthe Ice Age and were formed over 50million years ago. These mostly roundedmountain peaks and dramatic graniteoutcrops are popular with walkers andhikers from all over the world. The rangeconsists of peaks which are unusual in thattheir summits are grouped together in acompact area only seven miles wide. Agateway to the Mournes is the village ofHilltown, located in the Mourne foothills inthe parish of Clonduff (meadow of theoxen), which provides a perfect base forexploring the surrounding mountains. Thespacious town square features a prettyparish church and the old Georgian markethouse (now a hostelry).

In 1835 Hilltown had a total of 21 houses,of which 12 were bars. Throughout the18th century the smuggling of wines andspirits from the isolated beaches along theMourne coastline, via the "Brandy Pad" and through "The Hares Gap", meant thatHilltown was a favoured centre for distribution

of these illicit goods.

To the west ofHilltown isMayobridge, a smallquiet village linedwith lime trees. Agreat view of theMournes, LoughNeagh, the Ring ofGullion, the Sperrinsand Co. Louth can beseen from the nearbyLysney’s Hill. Twomiles north east ofHilltown is theGoward Dolmen.

This huge granite capstone measures 13ftby 10ft by 5ft and is one of severalprehistoric dolmens in the area. The SilentValley Mountain Park in the high Mournesfeatures a dam ringed by dramaticmountain panoramas and the famousMourne Wall is located in the U – shaped valley of the Kilkeel River.

The Mourne Wall which took over 18 yearsto complete and is 22 miles in length,connects the summits of the mountains.Built between 1904 – 1922, the wall waserected to delineate the water catchmentarea for the Silent Valley which serves asthe principal water supply for Belfast.Attractive parkland and forest walksprovide access to the dams of the SilentValley and Ben Crom Reservoirs and thegrounds contain parkland, lakes and pondswhere the visitor can enjoy splendidmountain scenery, woodland walks and arange of facilities including an exhibitioncentre, a craft shop and a café.

Kilkeel AreaKilkeel, translated as ‘Church of theNarrows’, was an ecclesiastical site since thesixth century and is the capital of theKingdom of Mourne. The ruins of the 14thcentury church of St Colman still stand inthe town centre. Kilkeel became the chiefmarket centre and place of government ofMourne after replacing Greencastle as thecapital in the mid 16th century

Kilkeel Harbour has the largest fishing fleetin Ireland and today the boats mainlyspecialise in off shore bottom trawling forprawns, though many of the yawls andskiffs kept in the port are still used forinshore fishing. Yawls are descended fromViking ships and have evolved into skiffs,which have fitted engines. Prawns,haddock, hake, cod, plaice and whiting arecaught throughout most of the year; whiteherring is landed from inshore autumnfishing. The Nautilus Centre at the harbourhas retail facilities, where freshly caughtfish can be purchased along with fishingtackle and souvenirs.

South of Kilkeel, Cranfield Bay ‘Place of theWild Garlic’ has a long south facing beachwhich looks out towards the Haulbowlinelighthouse built from blocks of MourneGranite. Cranfield Beach has been awardedthe prestigious Blue Flag, which is given tobeaches and marines across Europe thatmeet strict criteria for water quality, and isa popular summertime destination with holidaymakers.

The nearby Mill Bay estuary on CarlingfordLough offers the sheltered conditions andtidal mudflats for a range of shellfish,invertebrates, marine plants, wild fowl andwaders which winter in the Bay.

The Mournes

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Greencastle‘Castle of the Fair Green’ once thecapital of Mourne, is a smallhamlet located on the mouth ofCarlingford Lough. Greencastle isone of the earliest Anglo Normansettlements in Northern Ireland.The castle was built in the 13thcentury and was maintained as anoccupied fortress for 350 years.During that time it was attacked,sacked and repaired several timesso that the building we see today is a mixture of 13th – 16thcentury structures.

The Greencastle Fair was one ofthe great 3-day fairs of Ireland,where, unlike the Puck in Kerry, itwas the male sheep and not themale goat, which was enthroned.

Other points of interest in andaround this area are the manyraths, forts and graves thatchronicle man’s early existence.Examples include the DunnamanCourt Grave, Giants Grave and theKilfeghan Dolmen.

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The Newry AreaNewry, which has been awarded city status, is the district’smain town. Newry is a modern thriving retail centrenestling in the valley of the Clanrye between the granitemass of the Mournes and the Carlingford Slieve Gullionmassip. Busy and vibrant today, Newry is one of the oldestsettlements in Ireland and has been inhabited sinceMesolithic times. Newry has a long and proud history andtraces its origins to St Patrick who reputedly planted ayew tree at the head of the strand. The Gaelic words IuirCinn Trá, were finally shortened to the word, Newry.

During the Willamite war, Newry was all but destroyedand the fire of 1689 devastated the town when only sixhouses and the castle survived. Yet within decades, thetown’s fortunes were rising. The town was rebuilt, hadthe busiest port in Ulster and the first summit level canal

in the British Islands, which was completed in 1742. Thisstimulated the flow of goods (brown linen, butter, hides)and led to a period of prosperity which explains the manyfine buildings and public spaces that can still be seentoday. The Newry Heritage Trail is a useful way ofabsorbing and enjoying Newry’s history and architectureand other points of interest while also spoiling the visitorwith a great choice of shopping, restaurants and hostelries.

Heather Park provides a relaxing haven and allows for apanoramic view of the town including St Patrick’s Church,the first Protestant Church in Ireland built after thereformation. The Cathedral of St Patrick and St Colman, St Mary’s Parish Church and the Newry Museum are allworth exploring. A copy of the Newry Heritage Trail canbe obtained from Newry Tourist Information Centre.

Newry Town Hall


Newry is one of the country’s foremost shoppingdestinations with an array of traditional, independenttraders and multi-national retailers which combine toprovide great shopping opportunities. Hill Street in theheart of Newry is the focal point for shopping in the townand holds a market every Thursday and Saturday. The main shopping street provides a fine range of familyowned businesses. Modern, extensive shopping andentertainment complexes include the Quays andButtercrane Centres. The town, built on its tradingtraditions, today still provides some of the best shoppingin Ireland.

BessbrookBessbrook still has many traces of the model villageshaped by a Quaker linen manufacturer, John GrubbRichardson, around the middle of the 19th Century.Its founder believed that alcohol was the main cause of poverty and crime and decided that Bessbrook had no need for licensed premises, a pawn shop or a police station.

Construction began on Craigmore Viaduct in 1849 and thebridge was opened in 1852. The 18 arch viaduct designedby Sir John O’ Neill sweeps across the valley of CamloughRiver, the highest arch being 126ft making it the highestviaduct in Ireland. The viaduct now carries the Belfast toDublin rail link.

Nearby is Derrymore House, a thatched manor built forIssac Corry. Today the house and its parkland are cared forby the National Trust and are open to the public.

BessbrookButtercrane


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The Ring OfGullion AreaThe Ring of Gullion’s striking landscape is the resultof the unique geology of the area. A ring of igneousrock has resulted in a distinctive range of peaks andthe area is scattered with small farmsteads andhistoric monuments. This magical landscape has beenillustrated throughout the ages in local literature,poetry, music, history and art. Traditions and culturalheritage are still very present in every day life.

This area is thriving in Celtic myths and legends. Inthe poem Táin Bó Cuailgne (the cattle raid of Cooley), Cu Chulainn known as The Hound of Ulster is reputedto have defended Ulster single handedly againstQueen Maeve of Connacht at the ‘Gap of the North’.Another legend tells of how the giant FionnMacCumhaill was bewitched by Miluchra on thesummit of Slieve Gullion at the lough of CailliaghBhirra. Today the superstition survives that if youbathe in the lough your hair will turn white.

Today much of Slieve Gullion is covered with some2500 acres of woodland and the scenic drive aroundthe mountains offers visitors spectacular views of thesurrounding countryside. At the base of themountain, Slieve Gullion Courtyard provides theweary walker with refreshment.

People have lived in this area for over 6,000 years andevidence of their presence can still be seen todaythrough traces in stone, in megalithic tombs, burialchambers and cairns. Notable examples include theKilnasaggart Stone, thought to be Irelands’ oldestChristian monument. This stone can be dated toaround 700 A.D, making it the earliest dated cross-carved stone in Ireland. Ancient dolmens and cairnsare also of great interest and include theBallymacdermot and Clontygora court tomb and the Ballykeel Dolmen.

Other places of interest amongst the many naturaland historic attractions in this beautiful corner ofNewry and Mourne includes Killevy Old Church andthe 17th century Moyry Castle built as an outpost toguard the gap of the north.

The area’s traditions of music, song, dance, literature,Irish language and folklore have not been forgottenand are still evident in every day life. A visit toMullaghbane Folk Museum and Tí Chulainn CulturalActivity Centre is highly recommended.

Warrenpoint &RostrevorWarrenpoint and Rostrevor are pretty coastal resortson the shores of Carlingford Lough overlooking theCooley Peninsula on the South and the strikingMournes towards the North East.


As late as 1780 Warrenpoint consisted ofonly 2 houses and a few huts used by the occasional fisherman during theoyster season.

By the mid 1800’s the Victorians’ passionfor coastal holidays had madeWarrenpoint a fashionable seasideretreat. The town was planned and builton a grid system with the square as it’scentral feature. The town’s commercialharbour came to prominence in the early19th century as an out port for Newry anda plaque stands at the corner of the towndock to commemorate the thousands ofemigrants who passed through the port insearch of a new beginning.

This is a busy and prosperous resort townand is a popular mecca for entertainment,good food and festivals. The beautifulMunicipal Park and promenade provide arelaxing ambience and the surroundingarea has many places worth exploring.

On the approach to the town NarrowWater Keep guards and watches overCarlingford Lough. Originally built in 1212by Hugh Delacy, Earl of Ulster, the Keep isopen for tours in the Summer months.

Other points of interest in theWarrenpoint area include ClonallonChurch built on the site of Saint Dallons6th century Monastic settlement and the‘Stone of Destiny’ or The CoronationStone of the Magennis Clan.

Just North of Warrenpoint is the BurrenHeritage Centre. This features a numberof permanent displays reflecting majorhistorical sites in the immediate area.

Along the coast road towards Rostrevor,you will see the large stone monument onyour left which commemorates MajorGeneral Robert Ross’ victory over U.Sforces at Bladenburg in 1814. Major Ross’troops are believed to have beenresponsible for the burning of the White

House in Washington during this war andthe general himself is said to have eatenthe presidents’ breakfast.

The village of Rostrevor lies betweenSlieve Martin and Carlingford Lough. Thepresident of Ireland lived here with herfamily until she became president in 1998and still retains her home here. Thisbeautiful place was the site of an earlyChristian monastery founded by StBronagh in the 12th century. Remains ofthe monastery are still to be seen in theKilbroney Muncipal Cemetery located onemile outside the village on the road toHilltown. Also in this cemetery is a pre-Christian headstone known as a jiminystone; close by this headstone is a goodexample of an early Celtic cross. Thiscemetery is well worth a visit becausethere is a holy well associated with St Bronagh and the grave of the 8 foot 10 Giant Murphy.

At the opposite end of the village on theShore Road to Kilkeel you will see on yourleft the entrance to Kilbroney Park. Thislarge area of parkland and forest hascamping facilities, a restaurant and manyinteresting walks. One popular walk is tothe Cloughmore stone, a huge boulderleft over from the glacial period, fromwhere there is a beautiful view of thecoastal area and the Cooley mountains.This forest contains one of the lastremaining oak groves in Ireland.

Three miles from Rostrevor, towardsKilkeel, the Kilfeaghan Dolmen is wellworth seeing. Its massive capstone isestimated to weigh 35 tons. The dolmenis a Neolithic portal tomb which isapproximately 5000 years old.

Warrenpoint Promenade


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Aberdeen

Glasgow Edinburgh

Prestwick

BELFAST

Londonderry

Dublin

Cork

Shannon

Exeter

Southampton

LONDONBristol

Cardiff

BirminghamEast Midlands

Sheffield

Manchester

Leeds/Bradford

TeesideNewcastle

Isle of Man

Blackpool

Liverpool

Channel Islands

BELFAST

DUBLIN

LONDON

AMSTERDAM

BRUSSELS

COPENHAGEN

BERLIN

DUSSELDORF

FRANKFURT

MUNICH

ZURICH

MILAN/ROME

PARIS

GENEVA

BARCELONA

MADRID

BELFAST

NEWRY &MOURNE

BELFAST

DUBLIN

LONDONSheveneningen

Bergen

Stavangar

Hamburg

Hook of HollandRotterdamZeebrugge

OstendDunkirk

CalaisBoulogne

DieppeLe Havre

Cherbourg

Saint MaloRoscof

Great Yarmouth

Hull

NewcastleCairnryanStranraer

Isle of Man

LiverpoolHolyhead

FishguardPembroke

Swansea

PlymouthSouthampton

Portsmouth

Newhaven

Dover

FelixtoweHarwich

Folkstone

Larne

Dun Laoghaire

Rosslare

Cork

Troon


35

Travel InformationBy CarDepart from Belfast on the M1, westbound. At junction 7 turn on to A1 for Newry.From Dublin, take the N1 north to Newry.

By RailTrains travel from Belfast to Dublin on aregular basis, stopping at various stationsincluding Newry. Trains also operate aservice from Belfast Central toColeraine/Londonderry.Newry Station: 028 3026 9271Belfast Central: 028 9089 9411Dublin Connolly Station: 003531 836333

By AirThree main airports to Ireland include:Dublin International Airport approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes from Newry (Tel: 003531 814 11 11)Belfast City Airport approximately 1 hourfrom Newry (Tel: 028 9045 7745)Belfast International Airport approximately 1 hour from Newry (Tel: 028 9442 2888)

By BusBus services from Dublin Central Station andBelfast Europa Bus Station arrive in Newry Tel: 028 3026 3531

By SeaStena HSS crosses from Stranraer to Belfastin only 90 minutes Tel: 0870 5707070P&O Irish Ferries cross from Cairnryan toLarne in approximately 2 hours Tel: 0870 2424777Seacat crosses from Troon to Belfast Tel:0870 5523523Norse Irish Ferries from Liverpool to BelfastTel: 028 9077 9090Irish Ferries from Holyhead to Dublin Tel: 0870 5171717P&O Irish Sea from Liverpool to Dublin Tel: 0870 2424777

Annual Events…JanuaryPantomime Season- Newry

FebruaryPantomime - Warrenpoint

MarchWarrenpoint Feis

Lislea Drama Festival - Lislea

St. Patrick's Day Festivities – Newry

Newry Drama Festival - Newry

AprilNewry Musical Feis – Newry

MayBlues on the Bay Festival - Warrenpoint

Cycle Tour of South Armagh - Slieve Gullion Wheelers

June Kilbroney 2000 - Vintage Car Rally,Rostrevor

Tommy Makem International Song School

Mourne International Walking Festival

Newry Agricultural Show - Derrymore House

Kilkeel Classic Golf Championship

JulyFiddler’s Green International Festival -Rostrevor

Twelfth of July Parades

Kingdom of Mourne Festival - Kilkeel

AugustFeile Camloch - Camlough

Maiden of Mournes International Festival -Warrenpoint

Annual AOH Parade - Newry

Annalong Harbour Hooley

Carlingford Classic Golf Championship

SeptemberWee Binnian Walking Festival

Youth Drama- Newry

Festival of Fish- Kilkeel & Annalong

NovemberAnnual Craft Fair – Narrow Water Castle –Warrenpoint

Dicken’s Day – Kilkeel

DecemberChristmas Illuminations & Festivities

A comprehensive list of all events isavailable from any TIC.


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NEWTOWNHAMILTON BELLEEK

CAMLOUGH

WHITECROSS

JONESBOROUGH

MEIGH

MULLAGHBANE

CULLYHANNA

FORKHILLCROSSMAGLEN

WARRENPOINT

ROSTREVOR

KILLOWEN

KILKEEL

CRANFIELD

ATTICALLANNALONG

BALLYMARTIN

HILLTOWN

RATHFRILAND

BESSBROOK

JERRETTSPASS

MAYOBRIDGE

BURREN

NEWRY

NarrowWaterCastle

FathomForest

BurrenHeritageCentre

VictoriaLock

DerrymoreHouse

CraigmoreViaduct

KillevyCastle

SlieveGullion

BallykeelDolmen

Slieve GullionCourtyard Centre

RailwayStation

CregganChurchyard & Poets

Glen

AshfieldGolf

Course

The DorseyEnclosure

Áras anChairdinéil Ó’Fiaich

Heritage Centre

FlagstaffAmenity Area

MullaghbaneFolk Museum

SlieveGullionScenicDrive

Kilnasaggart Stone

MoyryCastle

Gap of the North

Open AirMarket

Slieve GullionForest Park

MourneWood

Greencastle

Shanlieve

SlieveMuck

SilentValleyVisitorCentre

SlieveBinnian

WeeBinnian

Sports Centre

Award-WinningBeach

CloughmoreBig Stone

KilbroneyPark

Harbour

Harbour

AnnalongCornmill

and MarinePark

AnnalongWood

Spelga Pass

GowardDolmen

SlieveBearnagh

SlieveCommedagh

SlieveDonard

CoveMountain

Chimney RockMountain

SlieveLamagan

Rostrevor Forest Parkand Scenic Drive

RossMonument

KilfeaghanDolmen

DunamanCourt Grave

Ti ChulainnCultural Centre

Clover HillGolf

Course

GreenvaleTrekkingCentre

MillbrookEquestrian

Centre

BarkstonEquestrian

Centre

KnockbarraghHostel

WarrenpointGolf Club

KilkeelGolf Club

Hostel

Ring of GullionTrekking Centre

InformationCentre

GolfCourse

WaterSportsCycling Riding

HistoricBuilding

AncientMonument

ForestPark


Newry Tourist Information CentreTown HallNewryBT35 6HRTel: 028 302 68877Fax: 028 302 [email protected]

Warrenpoint Tourist OfficeTown HallWarrenpointCo. Down BT34 3HNTel: 028 417 52256Fax: 028 417 [email protected]

Kilkeel Tourist Office & Mourne Activity Breaks28 Bridge StreetKilkeelBT34 4ADTel: 028 417 62525Fax: 028 417 [email protected]@mourneactivitybreaks.co.uk

Crossmaglen Tourist OfficeThe SquareCrossmaglenBT35 9GHTel: 028 308 68900Fax: 028 308 [email protected]

Northern Ireland Tourist Board St Anne’s Court59 North StreetBelfastBT1 1NBTel: 028 902 31221Fax: 028 902 40960

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information compiled in this guide is accurate; Newry & Mourne District Council cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions.

Photography by:Esler Crawford. Leo Murphy. Chris Hill. Peter Harvey. Edgar Brown. Mike Hartwell.

Design & Production by Design12, Tel: 028 926 03030.

For further information on generaltouring, accommodation, shortbreaks and activity breaks pleasecontact one of the following TouristInformation Offices or visit our website address.

From the Republic of Ireland the diallingcode is 048-

The International dialling code is + 44-28-_ _ _ _ _ _

eg. from Europe the dialling code is 0044-28-_ _ _ _ _ _from the USA the dialling code is 01144-28-_ _ _ _ _ _

www.seenewryandmourne.com www.discovernorthernireland.com www.mourneactivitybreaks.co.ukwww.south-armagh.comwww.getawayfromitall.info


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NM ENGLISH BROCHURE - Cruise Warrenpointcruisewarrenpoint.com/wp-content/themes/genesis-sample/...‘the Hound of Ulster’ is reputed to have defended Ulster, single handed against