One giant budget-friendly adventure park for any family
Everyone knows that the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion area is really just one giant adventure park. There are surely few better places on earth for outdoor fun and your kids are sure to love it here. Should it rain, and that can happen on occasion in these parts, there are plenty of budget-friendly things to do indoors too.
There’s no better place to start embracing your playful spirit than Fionn's Giant Adventure at Slieve Gullion Forest Park. This place is like a magical living storybook. Elves and fairies of all ages can get stuck into the fun on the engaging story trails and wear themselves out in the huge play park, including a specially designed toddler’s area. There are plenty of opportunities to take your family on bear hunts through the woods too - if you have the nerve.
Step into the magic of Narnia
Inspired by local man C.S. Lewis’s epic tale, the Narnia Trail in Kilbroney Forest Park brings all the family into the magical world of Aslan and the Pensevies. This gentle trail is short enough for tiny feet and colourful enough to keep little minds engaged throughout. Keep an eye out for the white witch.
From here you should head to the foothills of the Mourne Mountains, where Tollymore Forest Park has a range of outdoor activities that are sure to keep the kids in tip top form. Hop over the famous stepping stones, across ancient bridges or let them investigate the giant deer, castle turrets and folly towers in the Big Deer play area.
The Peace Maze at Castlewellan Forest Park is one of the world's largest permanent hedge mazes. Planted in 2000 with community involvement, visitors can attempt to solve their way to the centre of the maze and mark their achievement with a celebratory cheer. Just beside the maze, the Animal Wood play area is designed for kids aged four to eleven and there’s plenty here to keep them happy. The climbing wall, the fireman’s pole and rope-bridge to the hollow tree stump slide are just some of the cool things on offer. Watch them run wild while you sit back and enjoy a coffee from the nearby coffee trailer.
Build castles near Newcastle and hang out with the stone age kids
In the lovely seaside town of Newcastle, you can walk the promenade or skim stones on the beach before enjoying dinner in one of the many great value bars or restaurants. Kids sometimes eat free in some local bars or restaurants so it might not be a bad place to dock for an evening meal. If it’s a bit more beach and sea you’re after, the boarded walkways of the Murlough National Nature Reserve take you through the dunes and down to the wonderful Murlough Beach. Less than two miles in length, it's the perfect spot to give the kids a little bit of leeway with their buckets and spades while you go for a brisk walk along the shore and take in the air.
Home of the tallest megalith in Ireland, Delamont Country Park near Downpatrick has developed somewhat since the days that families first settled in these parts. We’re pretty sure that the kids would have loved the adventure playground that modern visitors can now enjoy. They’d more than likely run a mile if they saw the miniature railway that today’s kids can trundle around the park in, but they’d certainly know the best places to hide in the woods. After your train has run out of puff and you’ve had enough of the playground, the beauty of those woods is well worth exploring with all the family in tow.
Enjoy a sea dip at Minnerstown beach or for beautiful views of the Mourne Mountains head to Tyrella or Cranfield beach, perfect spots for a fun day out with family. Alternatively take the coastal route to Ballyhornan beach and enjoy the stunning views this sandy stretch has to offer, surrounded by rugged cliffs and views of Guns Island. Each of these beaches offers a unique experience, making them perfect for a family outing on a budget - Remember to leave no trace!
Dundrum Castle is a fantastic family-friendly destination offering a mix of history, nature, and adventure. The 12th-century Norman castle provides a glimpse into medieval life, the site is free to visit and includes a car park at the base, making it accessible for families. If you’re feeling inspired from exploring ancient ruins, Inch Abbey situated just outside Downpatrick is a 12th-Century Cistercian monastery. Wander through the impressive stone ruins of the abbey, where children can imagine life in medieval times.
Now we did mention that it has been known, on occasion, to rain, only now and then, in these parts. Fear not, we have that covered. History buffs should check out the Down County Museum which takes you through 9,000 years of the county’s history and reveals some of the tales that this place has to tell about its past as a county jail. Before visiting, it’s worth checking in to see if any of the excellent family days are on. Above in Newry, families always get an enthusiastic welcome at Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal’s Castle where you can find out more about the town itself and some of the local folklore of the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion.
The Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion might be the greatest place on earth for families to visit, and it's a bonus that having fun here doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Slieve Gullion is Ireland's Mountain of Mystery. Slieve Gullion Forest Park offers walking trails, a scenic drive, an Adventure Playpark, Fionn's Giant Adventure children's story trail and a Courtyard with coffee shop.
The famous writer, C S Lewis, as a young boy, spent much holiday time in the Mournes and Rostrevor in particular, allowing him to imagine, dream and wonder, and inspiring his creation of the magical world of Narnia.
Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle and is open to the public all year. Tollymore Forest covers an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains.
Located on Forest Park View, Castlewellan, County Down, in a dramatic setting of mountains and sea, Castlewellan Forest Park has one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe. The beauty, vigour and perfect shape of the trees in the National Arboretum attract tree enthusiasts from around the world.
A visit to Castlewellan Peace Maze offers more than just a fun challenge - it provides a journey through history, community, and hope, making it a must-visit attraction for anyone exploring Northern Ireland.
Newcastle Beach is a popular seaside resort and tourist destination located on the South Down coast of Northern Ireland. Newcastle Beach comprises of sand, pebbles and larger stones and is approximately 2.5 km in length. The major part of Newcastle Beach is backed by a promenade and the seaside town of Newcastle, which has lots of shops, cafes, restaurants, amusements and other attractions. The beach has a very gentle slope with the Mountains of Mourne in the background. The beach is popular for swimming and sunbathing and there is life saving equipment available with signage on the Promenade. The beach can be accessed via steps or the slipway.
This 5 mile stretch of golden sands is still the essence of the resort and is hugely popular for swimming, sunbathing and other forms of recreation.
The Delamont Miniature Railway first opened in 1999. It is Ireland's longest miniature railway. Experience the Park's beauty on this unique miniature train.
Tyrella beach and conservation area is a small, enclosed dune complex within Dundrum Bay. It is a wide, flat, sandy beach two kilometres long and backed by 25 hectares of mature dunes in a conservation area.
Cranfield West offers a gently sloping, mainly sandy beach located at the entrance to Carlingford Lough, an area designated as being of Special Scientific Interest.
Ballyhornan beach is located on the Lecale Way. To the north is Kilclief and to the south is Ardglass. The beach is surrounded by rugged cliffs and lush greenery, providing a stunning backdrop for visitors. Guns Island lies just in the bay. On the horizon it is possible to see the Isle of Man. The beach is popular with canoe & kayakers as it is on the South East Coast Canoe Trail. It is a great location for walking, swimming, kayaking and enjoying the natural surroundings, however facilities are limited. The Ballyhornan Coastal Path goes to the south, follow the signs for the Lecale Way. Highlights along the route include: a clifftop walk, Guns Island, Saint Patrick's Well, and Ardtole Church.
Believed to have been built in or around 1177, Dundrum Castle was built by John De Courcy as part of his coastal defence after he invaded Ulster. Dundrum Castle is located on a wooded hill north-west of Dundrum village near Newcastle.
Located on the north bank of the Quoile River, Inch Abbey was founded by John de Courcy in atonement for his destruction of Erenagah Abbey.
Bagenal’s Castle located in historic Newry is a 16th century fortified house and adjoining 19th Century warehouse, and has been sympathetically restored to house Newry & Mourne Museum and Newry Visitor Information Centre.
Down County Museum is located in the old county Gaol of Down. It houses fascinating exhibitions on the history of Down as well as restored cells with life-size figures of prisoners and their gaolers.
