Newry

Overlooking the Irish Sea in County Down in Northern Ireland, the long-established seaside resort of Newcastle sits along the Shimna River beneath Slieve Donard, the tallest peak in the Mourne Mountain range. Sandwiched between the brooding Mourne peaks and miles of beaches that run north to nearby Dundrum Bay, it’s a great base for a relaxing break, nature lovers and sports fans alike.Newcastle has plenty for visitors, not least the famous Royal County Down Golf Club, a links course founded in 1889 that’s regularly voted one of the best in the world. Other attractions include the neighbouring Murlough Nature Reserve with its pristine sand dunes and, in the town itself, two beachfront swimming pools, enticing shops, restaurants and inns, and a newly revamped seafront lined with sculptures, cafes and other entertainments.

Newry is a city of two counties: its west half of Newry is situated in ambient County Armagh and its eastern half lies in timeless County Down. United by the 19th century town hall that traverses a bridge crossing the river Clanrye, the historic divide between the two counties, this Northern Irish city is one of the country’s fastest growing tourist destinations.

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