Elaine's Guidebook

Elaine
Elaine's Guidebook

Family Fun Days

Local parks, amenities and tourist attractions for a fun-filled family day out
For the first time in centuries the gates of Mourne Park to the public are open. The Woodland Trust have become custodians of the wood and forest at Mourne Park. Discover its stunning vistas, shady riverside walks and iconic wildlife, such as otters, pine martens and red squirrels. Located on the Newry Road into Kilkeel and with free entry it is a lovely way to spend a morning or an afternoon. Visit the Woodland Trust website for more details.
Mourne Park House
For the first time in centuries the gates of Mourne Park to the public are open. The Woodland Trust have become custodians of the wood and forest at Mourne Park. Discover its stunning vistas, shady riverside walks and iconic wildlife, such as otters, pine martens and red squirrels. Located on the Newry Road into Kilkeel and with free entry it is a lovely way to spend a morning or an afternoon. Visit the Woodland Trust website for more details.
Kilkeel Leisure Centre is only 3 miles from The Loft @ Shemara and offers great value swimming in the pool. Book through the NM&D council website.
Kilkeel Leisure Centre
Mourne Esplanade
Kilkeel Leisure Centre is only 3 miles from The Loft @ Shemara and offers great value swimming in the pool. Book through the NM&D council website.
A bit further afield, near Dundrum is Mountpanther Farm Park. Check out their website for updates on events running throughout the year. Always a fun day out with the family.
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Mountpanther Farm Park
39 Dundrum Rd
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A bit further afield, near Dundrum is Mountpanther Farm Park. Check out their website for updates on events running throughout the year. Always a fun day out with the family.
Award winning blue flag beach only 1.5 miles from The Loft @ Shemara. Throughout the summer months the beach is manned by RNLI life guards. There are changing facilities and toilets in the adjacent council car park along with food trucks and ice cream vans.
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Cranfield Beach
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Award winning blue flag beach only 1.5 miles from The Loft @ Shemara. Throughout the summer months the beach is manned by RNLI life guards. There are changing facilities and toilets in the adjacent council car park along with food trucks and ice cream vans.
If you love chocolate you do not want to miss a tour and tasting at NearyNógs Chocolate Factory, located only 4 miles from The Loft @ Shemara. NearyNógs are the first bean to bar craft chocolate makers in NI and the oldest in Ireland.
NearyNógs Stoneground Chocolate
19 Ballymaderfy Road
If you love chocolate you do not want to miss a tour and tasting at NearyNógs Chocolate Factory, located only 4 miles from The Loft @ Shemara. NearyNógs are the first bean to bar craft chocolate makers in NI and the oldest in Ireland.
Another great forest park worth a visit with the family. It also has the added bonus of the peace maze. No admission fee but parking is £5.
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สวนป่า Castlewellan
Forest Park View
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Another great forest park worth a visit with the family. It also has the added bonus of the peace maze. No admission fee but parking is £5.
Enjoy an alpaca beach trek or a field walk experience. Booking advisable via their website. Voted NIs best tourism experience in 2022.
Cranfield Alpacas
37 Cranfield Rd
Enjoy an alpaca beach trek or a field walk experience. Booking advisable via their website. Voted NIs best tourism experience in 2022.
A little further afield on the way into Ballynahinch (approx 1 hour drive) is Montalto Estate. A lovely estate with walks and trails, suitable for families and dogs. Cafe and gift shop also on site. Check out their social media pages for seasonal events. Open Weds - Sun.
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Montalto Estate
Spa Road
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A little further afield on the way into Ballynahinch (approx 1 hour drive) is Montalto Estate. A lovely estate with walks and trails, suitable for families and dogs. Cafe and gift shop also on site. Check out their social media pages for seasonal events. Open Weds - Sun.

Local Restaurants and Cafés

Lovely restaurant in picturesque Rostrevor beside the Fairy Glen
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The Rostrevor Inn
33-35 Bridge St
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Lovely restaurant in picturesque Rostrevor beside the Fairy Glen
Covered outdoor terrace for warm sunny days. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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The Church
13 Cloughmore Rd
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Covered outdoor terrace for warm sunny days. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Great deli counter for takeaway lunches or a picnic. Bistro has a wide selection for breakfast and lunch. Very reasonably priced.
Cunningham Butchers, Food Hall, Bistro & Steak House - Kilkeel
13 Newcastle St
Great deli counter for takeaway lunches or a picnic. Bistro has a wide selection for breakfast and lunch. Very reasonably priced.
Indulgent ice cream. Famous for its Nuggy Pots. Always a hit with children of all ages.
Nugelato
23 Newcastle Street
Indulgent ice cream. Famous for its Nuggy Pots. Always a hit with children of all ages.
Seafood Bar and Grill with excellent food and service. Ideal for a special occasion.
Raymie's Seafood Bar & Grill
4 Duke St
Seafood Bar and Grill with excellent food and service. Ideal for a special occasion.
The best fish and chips around for either takeaway to sit and eat down at Annalong Harbour or to sit-in and enjoy.
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The Galley
43 Kilkeel Rd
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The best fish and chips around for either takeaway to sit and eat down at Annalong Harbour or to sit-in and enjoy.
The best coffee. Worth taking a trip for the coffee alone never mind the delicious traybakes and fantastic breakfast menu.
Church Lane Coffee
32 Church St
The best coffee. Worth taking a trip for the coffee alone never mind the delicious traybakes and fantastic breakfast menu.
The most delicious wood-fired pizza. Phone ahead and it will be ready to collect in 10/15 minutes. Fresh toppings and all made to order. Yummy.
Donic Pizzas
17 The Square
The most delicious wood-fired pizza. Phone ahead and it will be ready to collect in 10/15 minutes. Fresh toppings and all made to order. Yummy.
Lovely casual restaurant on the main street in Newcastle. Great menu with something for all tastes. Very resonable kids menu too.
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Great Jones
73 Main St
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Lovely casual restaurant on the main street in Newcastle. Great menu with something for all tastes. Very resonable kids menu too.
Pizza Umami run their mobile takeaway service from Cranfield Caravan Park each Friday and Saturday evening from 4-9pm. Lovely pizza. Can be eaten while watching the boats go out on the picnic benches along the shore.
Pizza Umami Newcastle
Pizza Umami run their mobile takeaway service from Cranfield Caravan Park each Friday and Saturday evening from 4-9pm. Lovely pizza. Can be eaten while watching the boats go out on the picnic benches along the shore.

Explore the Mourne and Cooley Mountains

Companies offering guided walks, hikes and tours of the Mourne and Cooley Mountains.
Mourne Mountain Adventures
21 Springdale Crescent
Walkthemournes.com
56 Burren Road
An accessible walk for all ages from 5 upwards. You can park beside Gamekeepers Lodge Equestrian Centre in Attical and follow the marked path. Will take 2-3 hours for the return walk. Bring a picnic and spend some time at Lough Shannagh, enjoying the beautiful scenery and peace and quiet.
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Lough Shannagh
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An accessible walk for all ages from 5 upwards. You can park beside Gamekeepers Lodge Equestrian Centre in Attical and follow the marked path. Will take 2-3 hours for the return walk. Bring a picnic and spend some time at Lough Shannagh, enjoying the beautiful scenery and peace and quiet.
Another walk through the Mournes that is suitable for a families with children age 5+. Park near Carrick Cottage Cafe in Longstone and follow the trail along the edge of the forest and on to the beautiful Blue Lough. A lovely walk with only a couple of more strenuous sections.
Blue Lough
Another walk through the Mournes that is suitable for a families with children age 5+. Park near Carrick Cottage Cafe in Longstone and follow the trail along the edge of the forest and on to the beautiful Blue Lough. A lovely walk with only a couple of more strenuous sections.

Sea Tours

Experience Carlingford Lough from the sea.
Summer Cruises from Carlingford Lough Ferry terminal offering a range of experiences from sunset cruises of the Lough and Haulbowline lighthouse to Gin tasting cruise evenings.
Carlingford Lough Cruises
Summer Cruises from Carlingford Lough Ferry terminal offering a range of experiences from sunset cruises of the Lough and Haulbowline lighthouse to Gin tasting cruise evenings.
Cloughmor Extreme Adventures offer sunset Kayaking sessions on Carlingford Lough from Carlingford Lough Yacht Club. A great way to spend an evening.
Cloughmor Extreme Adventures
Greenpark Road
Cloughmor Extreme Adventures offer sunset Kayaking sessions on Carlingford Lough from Carlingford Lough Yacht Club. A great way to spend an evening.
Geology Rocks Adventure Tourism
28 Carquillan

Sightseeing

A must visit if you are staying in Greencastle. This is a 13th century Royal Norman Castle. From the castle site there are spectacular views of Carlingford Lough. There are information panels located around the grounds giving a history of the Castle. The Castle is officially open from 10am to 4:30pm each Fri, Sat and Sun during July, August and September.
Greencastle Royal Castle
Greencastle Pier Road
A must visit if you are staying in Greencastle. This is a 13th century Royal Norman Castle. From the castle site there are spectacular views of Carlingford Lough. There are information panels located around the grounds giving a history of the Castle. The Castle is officially open from 10am to 4:30pm each Fri, Sat and Sun during July, August and September.