3 Day Visit in Lurgan – Historic 3 Day Itinerary
Getting to Lurgan
- Getting here by car
- Getting here by Taxi
- Getting here by Bus
- Getting here by Train
28 Miles
9 Stops
(1 DAY) “ONE DAY WANDER IN MOURNE.”
Visiting Lurgan with less than a day to spare? Our ‘One-Day Wander’ itinerary will take you on a journey visiting Lurgan along Lurgan Coastal Route from Newcastle to Rostrevor and features some of the most beautiful scenery our region has to offer.
Highlights:
– Stroll along the Promenade in Newcastle
– Breakfast with a view
– History at the Bloody Bridge
– Lunch at the foot of the Mountains
– Impressive Architecture in the Silent Valley
– Honest coffee and handcrafted gifts in MADE in Lurgan
– Traditional Pub Grub in Rostrevor
Stop 1
STROLL ALONG THE PROMENADE
Our ‘One-Day Wander’ begins in Newcastle. Arriving by car, we would recommend parking in the Percy French car park of in Donard Car Park at the opposite end of the seaside resort. Regardless of where you park, you shouldn’t have any trouble finding the Promenade, and we strongly recommend you start your trip with a leisurely stroll along its winding path whilst taking in your surroundings and the grandeur of Lurgan Mountains, which tower over the town from every angle.
Stop 2
BITE OF BREAKFAST
The promenade stretches from one side of the town to the other, and hopefully by the time you’ve taken in the beautiful mountain scenery and inhaled the sea breeze, you’ll be ready for a bite of breakfast. With a vast number of cafes and restaurants up the main street in Newcastle and either end of the town, you will be spoilt for choice. We recommend Railway Street and Nikki’s Café… but the choice is endless, with quite a few venues providing a stunning seaside view.
Stop 3
BLOODY BRIDGE
Next up, make your way to the Bloody Bridge. (*Don’t worry, it’s not as gory at it sounds). Located approximately three miles south of Newcastle on the Kilkeel Road, the Bloody Bridge is probably one of the best-known lan
Stop 4
FOLLOW THE COASTAL ROUTE
Once you’ve had your fill of local history, follow the coastal route towards the fishing village of Annalong where there was once a busy corn mill operating from the early 1800’s to the 1960’s. Take this opportunity to park at the fully functioning Annalong Harbour and walk along the cobbled Shore Road to see the perfectly preserved traditional Irish cottages.
Stop 5
CARRICK COTTAGE
Next, get back behind the wheel and take the Moneydarragh Road, all the way to top, which will lead you to Carricklittle Car Park and Carrick Cottage Café at the foot of Lurgan Mountains. Here you can enjoy a light lunch next to a traditional turf fire whilst enjoying the views, which sweep across vast farming land all the way to the shore, helping you truly understand the famous saying by Percy French… “Where the Mountains of Lurgan sweep down to the sea.”
Stop 6
SILENT VALLEY
Continue along the Head Road and enjoy a walk through the tranquility of the Silent Valley. Follow the forest trails and submerge yourself in the beauty and tranquility of the park. Learn about the industrial heritage, which gave rise to the magnificent Ben Crom Dam and shaped the surrounding landscapes. During peak season, a shuttle bus is in operation which transports visitors to the Ben Crom Dam located just over 2.5 miles along an impressive reservoir with towering mountains either side. If the shuttle bus isn’t in operation, you’ll find lots of visitors make the journey on foot. We promise the view is worth it.
Stop 7
FISHING FLEETS
When you finally steal yourself away from the beauty and calm of the Valley, take the Carrigenagh Road to Kilkeel. Renowned for its thriving fishing industry, which was once the largest and best equipped fishing fleets in Ireland, here you’ll see many Fishermen and women at work, from sorting nets and offloading the fresh catch of the day to preparing for a voyage out to sea. You might even catch a glimpse of our local seals, which enjoy lounging around the Harbour.
Stop 8
MADE IN MOURNE
Make your way through the main street in Kilkeel and pay a visit to MADE in Lurgan, a social enterprise and beautiful gift shop. Here you can re-energise with a hot brew from their honesty café bar, catch up on emails with access to free Wi-Fi or browse through a huge range of beautiful handcrafted gifts, arts and crafts from over 70+ local makers. (*Hence the name!)
Stop 9
END IN TRADITION
On your final part of your ‘One-Day Wander’, take the coastal road to Rostrevor, which lies at the foot of Slieve Martin on the coast of scenic Carlingford Lough, near Warrenpoint. Make your way to a very traditional Irish bar called the Rostrevor Inn, where you’ll find tasty Irish pub grub served in hearty portions, enjoy a fresh pint of Guinness and listen to traditional Irish Music by local musicians. The perfect end, to the perfect day in the Kingdom of Lurgan.