There's so much happening in the region this month that will leave you in awe! From stunning landscapes to thrilling outdoor activities, there's something for everyone. Lets dive into what's on!
The month of May
Art Exhibition, The Saint Patrick's Centre, Downpatrick
Downpatrick Art Society invite you to come along and enjoy some great art on display 9am - 5pm daily.
1 - 29 May
Cranfield Alpaca Beach Treks, Kilkeel
Meet your friendly alpaca and take them for a leisurely stroll down country lanes, enjoying the stunning views as you head down to our beautiful, golden beach. Our Alpacas absolutely adore being walked on the beach. Join them for some fun in the sand and have an experience unlike any other.
1 May - 28 September
`The Story of Newry' Walking Tour, Newry
Join storyteller and tour guide Sinead Rice McAleavey to explore Newry city. Newry’s heritage and colourful history will be brought to life on this imaginative stroll, which tells the stories of our famous and infamous people, waterways, public spaces and fine buildings.
1 May
Supper Club, Scoper's, Dundrum
2 May
Traditional Music Session, Denvirs Hotel, Downpatrick
2 & 3 May
Ciaran Bartlett Comedy Show at NCC, Newcastle
3 May
Mourne Storytellers, Newcastle
3 May
Coffee Morning at Scopers, Dundrum
3 May
Newcastle Community Cinema, `THE LIGHTHOUSE`
3 May
A Night at the Boathouse - Sip & Paint, Kilkeel
Join us for a night of painting, cheese and wine all at the stunning location of the boathouse!!! The boathouse is located right at the harbours edge with views of the fishing boats, waves and harbour. The perfect setting to get creative and be merry!!!
Our Sip & Paint is suitable for all skill levels, everyone is welcome
To Book or for more information contact Art Academy N.I or text /Whatsapp
07564 833455
3 & 4 May
Mourne Wall - Two Day Guided Walk, Mournes
Guided walk in the Mourne Mountains - Mourne Wall Walk with Walk the Mournes.
22 miles and 15 peaks!!! But don't panic.. let walkthemournes.com guide you. Done over two days with a nights wild camping this is a fantastic experience.
3 May - 6 Sept
Saint Patrick's Coastal Camino, Downpatrick
Visit the World's only St Patrick Exhibition Walk one of the most beautiful coastal ways in Ireland along beaches and clifftops. Visit the healing wells of Saint Patrick and 15th Century Artole Church Visit medieval fishing village of Ardglass Explore the idea of pilgrimage with our Adoration Sister Guides
4 May
Newcastle Artisan Market, Outside Newcastle Centre
4 May
Claragh Bridge Vintage Club, Tractor/Classic Vehicle Run & Family Fun Day, Castlewellan
4 May
Stars in Their Eyes - Kilmorey Arms Hotel, Kilkeel
4 May
Puzzling Duck Hunt, Newcastle
Puzzles are hidden around Newcastle, find them, solve them, win prizes! Simple.
And keep your eyes peeled for the ducks!
4 - 6 May
Magnificent May Weekend, Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch
4 - 25 May
Alpaca Adventure Trail, Cranfield, Kilkeel
Meet, mingle, feed and herd our charming Alpacas surrounded by panoramic views of the Mournes and Carlingford Lough. Our alpaca adventure trail experience lets you get up close to our family of Alpacas whilst enjoying tales of Vikings, Knights, Emigration, Greencastle Aerodrome and learning about the Mourne Mountains, Carlingford Lough and Greencastle Castle. Children will love our treasure hunt and adults are awarded their alpaca adventure herding certificate – to frame when you get home!
4 - 25 May
Alpaca Field Walk Experience, Cranfield, Kilkeel
Enjoy a Cranfield Alpaca Field Walk, which are absolutely perfect for families with children of all ages. Take one of our gorgeous alpacas for a walk around the paddocks in our field with stunning views of the Mourne Mountains and Carlingford Lough.
4 May
Celebrate Bealtine - Forest Bathing Immersion, Killeavy, Newry
This special nature immersion will celebrate the Celtic Festival of Bealtaine, the beginning of summer. Ann will support your forest immersion through guided mindfulness meditation and she will offer you creative invitations to deepen your connection with nature. You will begin to gently slow down and switch off, while awakening your senses. This is the perfect chance for a digital detox and to relieve techno-stress.
4 May
Forest-Bathing Immersion Awakening Your Senses, Slieve Gullion Forest Park
Ann will support your Slieve Gullion forest immersion through guided mindfulness meditation and she will offer you creative invitations to deepen your connection with nature.
4 May - 10 August
Saint Patrick's Camino, Newcastle
Saint Patrick's Camino, Newcastle. Take a scenic coach journey to Trassey Car Park in the shadow of Meelmore Mountain and walk Saint Patrick's Camino through Tollymore Forest Park. Cross the Shimna River and onward to Newcastle for a well- deserved ice cream by the sea in the afternoon.
5 May
Sacred Site of Killeavy, Bealtaine Tour, Killeavy
Connect to the deep silence and palpable sense of peace within the sacred sites of Killeavy with Xhale. St. Moninne (Christened by St Patrick) founded a church at the foot of Slieve Gullion in the 5th century. During the Celtic festival of Bealtaine, it was a tradition to visit holy wells.
5 & 6 May
Dino Day, Dinoraur Meet & Greet at Fort Evergreen Pet & Play Farm, Warrenpoint
𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 – 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐝 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐭!
https://www.fortevergreen.co.uk/buy-tickets
6 May
Castlewellan May Day Fair
throughout the main street and on both the Upper and Lower Squares Castlewellan, adjacent to Castlewellan Library (formally known as The Market House), Castlewellan, County Down, BT31 9BU
The ever-popular Castlewellan Fair is taking place on Monday 6 May (May Day Bank Holiday) from 9am-5pm with free family-friendly activities, traders, artisan crafts and food and lots of colour to look forward to.
6 May
May Day Dun Day, at Narrow Water Castle, Warrenpoint
6 May
Tractor & Car Run, Kilkeel
6 May
Country Music Showtime Concert, Burrendale Hotel, Newcastle
10 May
Ladies Night at The Harbour House, Newcastle
10 May
Saint Patrick's Way Camino and Canoe Adventure, Downpatrick
St Patrick's Way Camino & Canoe Adventure - Half Day, 6 miles canoeing and walking with a guide. Includes lunch & transfers.
10 May
Downpatrick Racecourse, Fixtures
Downpatrick Race Course has a long and interesting history. The first race meeting was originally held over 300 years ago in 1685 at the old grounds a few miles down the road from where it is situated today. Racing has continued to take place throughout the years with few interruptions since the first race. The current Racecourse is situated one mile away from the centre of the historic town of Downpatrick and racing has been held on the present course for more than 150 years.
10 - 11 May
Donard Theatre Group present "Dying To Meet You", Annesley Hall, Newcastle
10 May - 6 September
Patrick and The Pagan Hills, Downpatrick
Half Day, 6 miles including guide, lunch & transfer.
10 May
Downpatrick Racecourse - (evening meeting)
Downpatrick Race Course has a long and interesting history. The first race meeting was originally held over 300 years ago in 1685 at the old grounds a few miles down the road from where it is situated today. Racing has continued to take place throughout the years with few interruptions since the first race. The current Racecourse is situated one mile away from the centre of the historic town of Downpatrick and racing has been held on the present course for more than 150 years. Enjoy a fun day out with live racing followed by live music.
11 May
Bottomless Brunch, Newcastle
Come and join us in The Donard Bar, Newcastle for bottomless, Prosecco and Mojitos for 90 minutes with special guest Dj Magiggs.
12 May
Waterfall & Ridge Hike, Kilkeel
Embark on an extraordinary journey through the enchanted splendor of the mystical Mourne mountains. Join us for an unforgettable guided escapade, where a breathtaking ridge beckons you to traverse glistening rivers that lead to the awe-inspiring grandeur of one of the Mournes' most magnificent waterfalls.
12 May
Wee Binnian Walkers - Donard Park (Slieve Donard)
13 May
Tim Edey Concert, Rostrevor
'Tim Edey is brilliant – in every which way. As a guitarist he has few peers. As a box player he's a magician. As a character he's off the scale.' The Guardian 'Tim Edey plays a host of different instruments to a standard us mere mortals can only dream of. Listen and weep'. Jim Byrne, The Living Tradition "One of the world's greatest melodeon players", Mike Harding, BBC Radio
13 May - 27 May
Nature Through My Autistic Eyes Photography Exhibition, Newcastle
This exhibition will exhibit the brillant work of an inspiration and amazing landscape and nature photographer with Autism and Verbal Dyspraxia called Nathan " Nat " Pierson (myself), I travelled all around everywhere in search of amazing photography opportunities and I learn photography all by myself. So call and visit my photography exhibition to view my amazing work, say hello and have a chat with myself and support your local photographer with Autism and Verbal Dyspraxia.
15 May
Supper Club, Scoper's, Dundrum
17 May
Abba Sensations at Canal Court Hotel & Spa, Newry
17 May
Pots, Petals & Pizza Evening, Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch
17 & 18 May
Donard Theatre Group present `Dying To Meet You', Annesley Hall, Newcastle
18 May
Whitewater Brewery Tour & Taste, Castlewellan
Tour & Tasting at the Multi award winning Whitewater Brewery.
Visit Whitewater Brewery in Castlewellan and hear about how it all started, get to see into the heart of the brewery and get to taste some of their multi award winning beers.
Settle down in the taproom after the tour and enjoy one of their amazing sourdough pizzas.
18 May
Hot House Flowers at Newry Town Hall
20 May
Liam Ó Maonlaí in Concert, Rostrevor
Best known as the Hothouse Flowers' frontman, Liam O'Maonlai has more recently carved out a successful solo career as a musician, songwriter, and artist. Liam grew up surrounded by music, learning to play piano and to sing in his native Irish at an early age. In 1981 he won an all-Ireland award for under 18 bodhran playing, and has received many awards as a tin whistle and piano player, dancer, and singer over the years.
22 - 28 May
Guiness 25th Annual International Blues on the Bay Festival, Warrenpoint
23 May
Wonky Donkey Beer & Cheese Night, Kinedale Donkeys, Ballynahinch
24 May
Downpatrick Racecourse - (evening meeting)
Downpatrick Race Course has a long and interesting history. The first race meeting was originally held over 300 years ago in 1685 at the old grounds a few miles down the road from where it is situated today. Racing has continued to take place throughout the years with few interruptions since the first race. The current Racecourse is situated one mile away from the centre of the historic town of Downpatrick and racing has been held on the present course for more than 150 years. Enjoy a fun day out with live racing followed by live music.
24 May
Al Porter Comedy Show, The Bank, Newry
25 May
Beeswax Workshop, Ballynahinch
Join us for a delightful and eco-conscious workshop at Kinedale Donkeys in Ballynahinch, where under the expert guidance of Amanda, you'll create beeswax rolled beeswax candles. These sustainable creations will not only enhance your daily life but also make your evenings warm and inviting.
25 May
Wild River Dipping, Newcastle
Hike to the secret spots and immerse in the rivers of the Mourne Mountains. An activity that explores the trending cold water and wild swimming craze. Including hiking, wild dipping, forest bathing and cold water therapy. Our trained and highly experienced Mountain Leaders and cold water specialists guide you into the hidden landscapes of the Mourne Mountains to the spots we love the most. Visitors will experience how to safely and enjoyable enter the world of cold water therapy and wild swimming, whilst we take you through the fundamentals.
25 May
Historic Chimney Rock Hike, Newcastle
Hike up Chimney Rock a walk through history
26 May
Newry Half Marathon, Newry
26 May
Wee Binnian Walkers - Spelga Dam (Spelga Skyline)
27 May
Alpaca-palooza & Donkey Delight at Castle Ward, Strangford
27 May
Alfi Concert, Rostrevor Inn
Alfi 'The album captures the organic, full-bodied spirit of their live shows, as well as the distinctive personalities of the players – and marks Alfi as a vital force in Ireland's ever-diversifying folk scene' (Hot Press).
29 May
Supper Club, Scoper's, Dundrum
29 May
Montalto House, Guided Tour, Ballynahinch
Your visit will begin with a warm welcome while you enjoy tea, coffee and homemade shortbread in the beautiful Montalto House. Following this, your guided tour will commence. This will enable you to explore the grandeur of this 18th century Georgian mansion along with its wonderful collection of original art and antiques.
31 May
