Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Newry, Northern Ireland

Nestled in a valley along its namesake river, the city of Newry is straddling Counties Armagh and Down, close to the border with Ireland.

Remarkable nature abounds, beginning with the stunning waters of Carlingford Lough, home to the picturesque Cranfield Beach at its mouth.

To the west rise the rolling peaks of the Mourne Mountains, historically significant for their granite, which contributed to the UK’s industrial revolution, and showcasing the rugged landscape of the Silent Valley Mountain Park.

The eastern region features the volcanic Ring of Gullion, designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, rich with monuments and archaeological sites steeped in Irish mythology, tracing back to the Stone Age.

Let us delve into the most captivating attractions in Newry:

1. Newry Cathedral

The most prominent structure in Newry is the Grade A-listed Gothic Revival cathedral, constructed from local granite in the 1820s.

Designed by architect Thomas Duff, a notable figure from Newry, he was responsible for several churches and cathedrals across northeastern Ireland, all showcasing a Gothic Revival style.

Subsequent enhancements were made over the next century, including the addition of the tower, transept, and chancel.

The interior features notable vaulting, floor tiles, and colorful stained glass, while artisans from Italy were commissioned for the elaborately detailed marble dressing and mosaics, which required five years for completion.

2. Newry and Mourne Museum

Bagenal’s Castle has undergone significant transformations since its establishment as a fortified house in the 16th century.

This castle was constructed on the location of Newry’s 12th-century Cistercian abbey, although many of its original fixtures were lost until the 1980s when it functioned as an industrial bakery starting in the late 19th century.

Archaeological excavations during the 1980s uncovered original window frames, fireplaces, gun loops, and doorways.

The banquet hall, which was also restored, now accommodates events throughout the year.

The museum offers insights into Newry’s folklore and history, detailing the Cistercian abbey established concurrently with the city’s founding, and providing information on the record-breaking 18th-century Newry Canal.

3. Slieve Gullion

Positioned within the Ring of Gullion lies Armagh’s highest peak, rising to 573 metres, offering breathtaking panoramic views.

From this vantage point, one can appreciate the entirety of the Ring of Gullion, as well as the Armagh Drumlins and the Mourne Mountains to the east.

The slopes are adorned with bare stone, heather, and dry heath, and at the summit are two cairns flanking a lake.

The southern cairn is recognized as the highest passage grave in Ireland.

Visit the Slieve Gullion Forest Park, which includes a visitor center, walled garden, adventure playpark, and the Giant’s Lair—a themed 1.5-kilometer trail within the forest inspired by the rich Irish mythology associated with Slieve Gullion.

4. Derrymore House

Located within 100 hectares of meadows and woodlands, Derrymore House was constructed in the late 18th century in a charming gentrified vernacular style.

The property, currently managed by the National Trust, exemplifies the “cottage ornée” style popular during that period, featuring a thatched roof composed of reeds from the Shannon River.

This quaint appearance contrasts with the building’s elevated status, having served as a summer residence for Newry’s Member of Parliament, Isaac Corry.

For a nominal fee of £2, visitors can explore the drawing room or enjoy complimentary access to the idyllic grounds, which comprise the final segment of the Ring of Gullion Way.

5. Ballymacdermot Court Tomb

The premier Stone Age memorial near Newry is this burial site, providing an impressive view from the southern flank of Ballymacdermot Mountain.

The site dates back between 6,000 and 4,500 years, offering inspiring vistas of the Meigh plain.

It features a court forming nearly a complete circle and three distinct chambers on one side, now devoid of roofs.

These chambers, once supported by corbels, still reveal the central chamber’s corbel features.

Another court tomb is located nearby at Clontygora, along with a portal tomb at Ballykeel, while the Bernish viewpoint offers additional stunning panoramas just minutes away.

6. Silent Valley Mountain Park

The Silent Valley Reservoir, constructed between 1923 and 1933, was designed to capture water runoff from the Mourne Mountains in response to the rapid growth of Belfast in the early 20th century.

This vast catchment area is enclosed by the Mourne Wall, a remarkable 35-kilometer dry-stone structure that took 18 years to complete.

Silent Valley is renowned for the magnificent mountains surrounding the reservoir, along with the scenic views provided by those smooth granite summits.

Since 2014, three new walking trails have been introduced to enhance visitors’ experiences, leading to the Mourne Wall, which spans 15 peaks within the Mourne Mountains.

7. Moyry Castle

Overseeing the Moyry Pass and the Gap of the North, not far south of Jonesborough, stands a fortification dating back to the Nine Years’ War at the beginning of the 17th century.

Ordered by Lord Mountjoy, the Lord Deputy of Ireland during Queen Elizabeth I’s reign, Moyry Castle features a single three-storey tower atop an outer wall known as a “bawn.”

The Moyry Pass was historically significant as the premier route for armies traversing the challenging hilly and boggy landscape.

Those who have journeyed on the Dublin-Belfast railway may have glimpsed Moyry from the train, and visitors can explore the area to capture atmospheric photographs of the tower.

8. Cranfield Beach

Located at the northern edge of Carlingford Lough, Cranfield Beach features an extensive expanse of sandy and pebbled shoreline with a gentle gradient.

From late June to early September, this Blue Flag beach is overseen by an RNLI lifeguard, and those willing to brave the crisp Irish Sea can swim between designated flags.

A walk along the beach is rewarding at any time of year, providing stunning views of the Mourne Mountains to the north.

Beyond the beach lies a landscape primarily composed of residential homes and caravan parks, making it advisable to pack a picnic for your day out.

9. Killeavy Old Churches

Encircled within a historic cemetery, the ruins of two churches constructed back-to-back can be found at the base of Slieve Gallion.

The western church dates back to the 1000s, while the eastern church originates from the 1400s.

Both were part of an ancient monastery established in the 6th century by Saint Moninna, functioning for a millennium before ceasing operations with the Abolition of the Monasteries.

During your visit to this evocative site, consider the various events that befell the monastery, including a Viking raid in 923 and a significant storm in 1146. In the northern section of the cemetery, you will find a granite flagstone believed to mark the grave of Saint Moninna.

10. Annalong Cornmill

At the point where the Annalong River flows into the Irish Sea in the corresponding village, stands a restored watermill that operated from the early 19th century until the 1960s.

Despite its name, Annalong Cornmill focused on grinding oats into oatmeal, and for over 150 years, only three families managed the operation.

From April through October, the mill opens to the public, offering insights into Mourne’s rural culture, showcasing the mill’s mechanisms, and presenting narratives from re-enactors.

Additionally, exhibitions highlight Mourne’s “stonemen,” who quarried granite and loaded it onto schooners for the construction of industrial cities in England and Scotland.

11. Narrow Water Keep

At the juncture where the Newry River meets Carlingford Lough is an enchanting castle keep constructed in the 16th century, surrounded by a bawn.

The earliest fortifications at this site trace back to the 13th century, established to control river traffic heading to Newry by Hugh de Lacy, the 1st Earl of Ulster.

In later years, Narrow Water evolved into a “Tower House” for nobility, showcasing intriguing architectural features, such as arrow loops to prevent blind spots and corner quoins fashioned from limestone, creating a striking contrast with the granite rubble walls.

12. Flagstaff Viewpoint

This picturesque scenic overlook is situated along the right bank of the Newry River, directly across from Narrow Water Keep and mere meters from the Irish border.

A spacious parking area is available at the base of the hill, leading to a climb through heather to survey the winding river flowing to Carlingford Lough.

Atop Barry’s Rock stands a flagpole, reaching a height of 12 metres, marking the site of a historic flag.

This flag was hoisted to assist sailors entering the estuary in gauging the wind’s direction and intensity, and it may have also served as a signal to warn smugglers about the presence of customs officers.

13. Newry Canal Way

The now-defunct Newry Canal was the inaugural summit-level canal in the United Kingdom, constructed to facilitate the transport of coal from Tyrone to the Irish Sea at Carlingford Lough.

Today, visitors can walk or cycle along a 32-kilometre stretch north to Portadown.

The route meanders along the restored towpath originally utilized by horses to pull barges and traverses some of Northern Ireland’s most scenic landscapes.

Along the way, you will encounter 13 locks, remnants of bygone bridges, an abundance of informative panels detailing the canal’s history, as well as the quaint villages of Jerrettspass, Poyntzpass, and Scarva.

At Scarva, you can detour to view the historic Terryhoogan aqueduct and the idyllic Lough Shark, a favorite among anglers.

14. Kilnasaggart Standing Stone

Situated two kilometers south of Jonesborough stands a two-meter-high carved stone, regarded as one of the oldest of its kind in Ireland.

The Kilnasaggart Standing Stone, dating back to the 8th century, is located on the site of an early Christian cemetery; excavations revealed graves arranged radially around this central pillar.

Thirteen Celtic crosses adorn the stone, accompanied by an inscription stating, “This place, bequeathed by Temoc, son of Ceran Bic, under the patronage of Peter, the Apostle.”

15. Seascope Lobster Hatchery

Located along the coast in Kilkeel, the Seascope Lobster Hatchery stands as the only marine laboratory in Northern Ireland open to visitors.

From Monday through Saturday, individuals may visit to learn about initiatives aimed at preserving European lobster stocks, as well as blue mussels and Pacific oysters.

The hatchery nurtures lobsters from infancy to adulthood, allowing visitors to explore this process, engage with the lobsters, and gain insights into the fishing industry, marine ecosystems, and sustainable practices.

Children are also welcome, with family-friendly exhibits, hands-on activities, and engaging displays.