Newry

Newry is a place that attracts people that have a love of the great outdoors.  Situated as it is at the foot of the beautiful Mourne Mountains it is the starting point of many a hiking trail though the truly spectacular scenery that the region offers. There has been a settlement on this site in one form or another since 4000BC, with plenty of archaeological evidence having been unearthed to verify the fact. The current city is filled with beautiful Georgian houses and buildings as well as a stunning and quite modern cathedral that was only built in the 1830’s; the town hall here is also quite unique, built as it is over the Clanyre River. Newry offers an escape back to nature, the beautiful surroundings can’t help but eliminate the stresses and worries of daily life and allow you to relax and enjoy your time in this stunning part of Northern Ireland.

Explore the Area

Located on the beautiful east coast of Ireland, Newry is situated along the route that leads from Belfast to Dublin, which makes it a great place to stay if you are planning on visiting both the north and the south of the country. You will find Newry nestled right in the heart of the Clanrye Rivel Valley, almost wedged between two spectacular mountain ranges, these being the Mountains of Mourne and the Cooley Mountains. Many visitors use their location in Newry as a base for exploring South Armagh and South Down, making the most of their time in the area to discover all that there is to see and experience.

The Kingdom of Mourne is known especially for its sandy beaches and beautiful coastline where the beaches are undeveloped and peaceful. While you are in the area of Newry you will also find that you are provided with plenty of opportunities to make the most of the coastline and lakes with activities like sailing and angling, relaxing pastimes to let your cares drift away on the currents of the water.

Activities

The natural landscape here lends itself to activities that can be enjoyed outdoors, from trekking into the mountains, and of course climbing for the more adventurous visitor, there are also opportunities for fishing, and making most of the waters of not only the coast, but also the many rivers and lakes that make this part of Ireland so beautiful. There are a number of golf courses in the region on which you can sharpen your skills too.

Within a short drive from Newry you will also find the Murlough Nature reserve where you can encounter some of the regions native wildlife; this is a place that the kids will enjoy as they can get up close and personal with some of the regions smaller and furrier inhabitants. If you enjoy a little retail therapy as part of your holiday experience you will be pleased to know that Newry is the main retail shopping centre outside of the capital Belfast, and there are two purpose built shopping centres for you to enjoy, namely Buttercrane and the Quays, with Buttercrane being the more established of the two.

Other Attractions

The children will probably enjoy the pony trekking opportunities in the area and it will provide them with a memorable experience of their holiday here. For those with a love of history, or those wanting to know more about the area the Newry Museum can tell you all you need to know, located within the Arts Centre you may find that you have more to experience than just the museum. Fisherman will find that they have multiple opportunities around the area for both course and fly fishing on the many waterways in the area.