Springtime Gems of the Mournes Short Break

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1 Springtime Gems of the Mournes Short Break Includes, 2 Nights B&B, Afternoon Tea on arrival Dinner for Two in our Restaurant. March Special Offer Normal Price If you just want to get away for a short break, relax, take in some sites and stunning scenery, eat some great seafood, then look no further. You will love a short break in the Mournes where it s peace and quiet, will refresh and revive you. Take a scenic drive around the Mournes, call into the Silent Valley Reservoir Park, and let nature wash away the stress and strains. It was named the Silent Valley due to the rock blasting during construction scaring off the birds. You can follow the nature trail, walk around Sally s Lough, feel like you are in the heart of the Mournes, drop into the café for a coffee and slice of homemade cake. If you are feeling more energetic you can walk the three miles to the second Bencrom Dam and back. Head on through the mountains, passing sites where the HBO blockbuster Game of Thrones was filmed and you will pass Spelga Dam on your left. The Mourne Wall is 22 miles round the high peaks of the Mourne. Watch out for the lambs frolicking in the fields. Travel on through the quaint Bryansford Village and then turn right towards Newcastle. You could visit either Castlewellan Forest Park or Tollymore Forest Park if you wanted to stretch your legs some more. Park and stroll along the Promenade, browse in the shops and try an ice cream, whatever the weather. Slieve Donard, N Ireland s highest mountain towers over Newcastle. See if you can spot the old quarry. Mining of Mourne Granite is now very rare, however the streets of Manchester, London and Liverpool to name a few cities were paved with Mourne Granite. As you leave Newcastle about a mile outside on the coast road on your left is the Bloody Bridge Car Park, where there is a sculpture of Percy French, who wrote the famous song, Where the Mountains of Mourne Sweep Down to the Sea. Return to the hotel travelling through Annalong and Ballymartin. Relax before enjoying dinner in our restaurant. We have an extensive range of Wine, and specialist Gins with over 24 in stock along with matured Bushmills Whiskey to name but a few. On day two, after a hearty Ulster Fry or perhaps something healthier, you can do the Loop of Carlingford Louth. Travel south to Greencastle where you can pick up the new Scenic Carlingford Ferry, just opposite the 13 th Century Royal Greencastle Castle. The ferry sails on the hour every hour from Greencastle and returns on the half hour from Greenore across the Lough. You will be stunned by the scenery as you sail across, watching out for the seals on Green Island, the birdlife, the oyster and mussel beds, Haulbowline Lighthouse, and the dolphins in summer. Carlingford Lough was named by the Vikings as Carlin-fjord and you can see why with the Mourne and Cooley Mountains rising steeply from the deep waters.

2 Once you arrive into Greenore, take the first road about a half mile out of the village on your right to Carlingford Medieval village. We would suggest arriving at Carlingford early to get parked as by afternoon, it is very busy. Enjoy a walk around the medieval streets, there are lots of little boutiques, antique shops, pubs, cafes etc to choose from. Drive under the arch at King John s Castle and follow the coast road along the Lough passing through the sleepy village of Omeath. Newry City sits at the head of the Lough, you can stop and indulge in a little retail therapy or visit Bagenal s Castle & Newry Museum, before taking the coast road along the other side of Carlingford Lough. You will pass through Warrenpoint town and then come to Rostrevor Village. Turn right in the village and about a half mile on your left is Kilbroney Forest Park. You can drive right to the top of the forest trail and it is just a short walk to the Cloughmore Stone, where you get tremendous views of the Lough. This is where C S Lewis stayed as a child & was his inspiration for the magical land of Narnia. Then, just follow the coast road back into Kilkeel. After your breakfast take a stroll around Kilkeel, browsing through the new Made in Mourne artisan craft emporium, boutiques, homeware stores and don t miss a walk around Kilkeel harbour calling into the Mourne Maritime Visitor Centre. You can watch the fishermen working on their nets and keep an eye out for the seals in the harbour looking for a handy fish supper. Here are a few other attractions that you could build into your visit, depending on your interests: Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle Castlewellan Forest Park, Castlewellan Seafood Cookery Class

3 Pony Trekking, Paint balling in the heart of the Mourne Gamekeepers Lodge Cycle Hire, Archery, Canoeing - Life Adventure Castlewellan Forest Park Kids Nautical Crafts Seascope N Ireland Lobster Hatchery, Kilkeel Harbour Mountain Bike Hire Kilbroney Forest Park

4 Skypark High Ropes, Ziplines, Climbing Wall Adventure Park Game of Thrones Walking Tour of Tollymore Forest Park, Newcastle Walking Routes Lough Shannagh, Blue Lough, Brandy Pad, Slieve Donard see walking breaks for more info. Beer Tasting Carlingford Brewing Company Golf Kilkeel Golf Club, Royal County Down, Ardglass Golf Club

5 Family Fun Cranfield Blue Flag Beach Narnia Trail, Rostrevor Castlwellan Forest Park Exploris Aquarium Castleward Cycle Trail Belfast Zoo Titanic Centre

6 Giant s Causeway Ulster Museum Take the Scenic Carlingford Ferry to unlock more Family Fun Tayto Park, Funtasia Water Park

7 Leprechaun Underground Cavern Newgrange Petting Farm Waterbased Activities Carlingford to Omeath Greenway