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Mountain
Slieve Donard
Highest mountain in Northern Ireland and Ulster at 850 metres, rising behind Newcastle.
A mini guide to
The Mournes & Newcastle
Granite mountains, forest parks and a seaside town at the foot of Slieve Donard
Photos
1 / 7Welcome to the area
Granite mountains, forest parks and a seaside town at the foot of Slieve Donard
The Mourne Mountains are a mainly granite range in County Down, and Slieve Donard, at 850 metres, is the highest mountain in Ulster. Newcastle, a seaside resort on the Irish Sea, sits at its foot, with a sandy beach and a promenade. Tollymore Forest Park, the first state forest park in Northern Ireland, and Murlough National Nature Reserve are both close to the town.
Inland, the Mourne Wall, built between 1904 and 1922, encloses the catchment of Silent Valley Reservoir, which supplies water to County Down and most of Belfast. Annalong, Kilkeel and Rostrevor are small villages around the edge of the mountains, and Castlewellan Forest Park and Dundrum Castle lie to the north-east. This guide lists Northern Ireland places only; Carlingford Lough has the Republic of Ireland on its southern shore.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Mountain range
Mourne Mountains
Predominantly granite mountain range in County Down, including Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Ulster.
Reservoir and park
Silent Valley Mountain Park
Reservoir and mountain park in the Mournes that supplies water to County Down and most of Belfast.
Directions Website Report a problem with Silent Valley Mountain Park
Dry-stone wall
Mourne Wall
Granite dry-stone wall, 22 miles long, built between 1904 and 1922 around the Silent Valley catchment.
Forest park
Tollymore Forest Park
Forest park of about 630 hectares at the foot of the Mournes, the first state forest park in Northern Ireland.
Directions Website Report a problem with Tollymore Forest Park
Nature reserve
Murlough National Nature Reserve
National Trust nature reserve of sand dunes, wildlife and walking trails on Dundrum Bay.
Directions Website Report a problem with Murlough National Nature Reserve
Find your way
On the map
The map shows The Mournes & Newcastle and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Prepare for the hills
Mountain weather changes quickly. Carry a map, waterproofs and food if you plan to climb Slieve Donard or walk beside the Mourne Wall.
2
Silent Valley access
Northern Ireland Water runs Silent Valley. Check its page for opening, parking and any charges before you drive in.
3
Forest parks
Tollymore and Castlewellan are state forest parks listed on nidirect. Check each page for opening times and any entry or parking charges.
4
Dunes at Murlough
Murlough National Nature Reserve is cared for by the National Trust. Keep to the paths through the dunes.
Tips from the Britlens editors
Explore this guide
Everything for The Mournes & Newcastle
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- The Mournes & Newcastle (area photo): Ardfern, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Slieve Donard: Rossographer, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Mourne Mountains: Voyager (uploader), CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Silent Valley Mountain Park: Peter Williamson (user Wpeterwilliamson), Public domain, source
- Mourne Wall: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Tollymore Forest Park: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Murlough National Nature Reserve: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Newcastle seafront: Ardfern, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Castlewellan Forest Park: Ryan Mcdonald, CC BY 2.0, source
- Dundrum Castle: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Slieve Binnian: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Kilbroney Park: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Annalong Cornmill: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Spelga Dam: Bananenfalter, CC0, source
- Fermanagh Lakelands: Joli, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Belfast city centre & Cathedral Quarter: Bryn Holmes, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Titanic Quarter & East Belfast: Suicasmo, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- The Causeway Coast: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA, CC BY 2.0, source
- Derry~Londonderry: Mario Falcetti, CC BY 4.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Northern Ireland