Page 291 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Ireland

NOR THERN IRELAND  289

m A Tour of the Mourne Coast

Newcastle, where, in the words of the 19th-century
songwriter Percy French, “the Mountains of Mourne sweep
down to the sea”, makes a good base from which to explore
this area. Driving up and down the dipping roads of the
Mournes is one of the highlights of a trip to Northern Ireland.
Along the coast, the Mourne Coastal Route drive skirts
between the foothills and the Irish Sea, providing lovely views
and linking a variety of fishing villages and historic castles.
Heading inland, you pass through an emptier landscape of 2 Dundrum
The town is overlooked by
moorland, purple with heather. The Silent Valley, with a the ruins of a Norman castle,
visitors’ centre and well-marked paths, is one of the areas and from the nearby bay you
that have been developed especially for tourists. can see the mountains rising
in the distance.
3 Tollymore Forest Park Belfast
This attractive park is dotted with follies like the Gothic
Gate that formed part of the original 18th-century estate.
4 Spelga Dam
There are stunning views north from the
Spelga Dam over the Mourne foothills. B180
1 Newcastle
A popular resort
since the early
B27 19th century,
Slieve Newcastle
J Donard has a
B25
Slieve J A2 promenade
Muck overlooking
M O U N T A I N S O F M O U R N E sandy beach.
a sweeping,
Rostrevor with Slieve
Martin behind Annalong
Newry Slieve B27 J
Martin
5 Rostrevor J A2
This tranquil A2
and leafy Victorian Kilkeel
resort nestles C a r l i n g f o r d L o u g h
below the peak
of Slieve Martin,
on the shores of
J
Carling ford Lough.
Tips for Drivers 6 Green Castle
Erected in the 13th 7 Silent Valley
Length: 85 km (53 miles). century, Green Castle lies The valley is closed to traffic, but
Stopping-off points: Newcastle at the end of a single you can walk to the top of Ben
has the biggest choice of pubs track road on a rocky Crom Mountain from the car
and restaurants. Dundrum, outcrop at the entrance park, or in summer go by bus.
Annalong, Kilkeel and Rostrevor to Carlingford Lough.
all have pubs, and a café opens in Key
the Silent Valley in summer. The
Spelga Dam and Tollymore Forest Tour route
Park are good picnic spots (see 0 kilometres 5 Other roads
also pp365–7). Viewpoint
0 miles 3

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