Romantic Getaways

Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep you off your feet

A few minutes spent in the mythical surrounds of Visit Mourne and you’ll understand what inspired Percy French to pen his famous ballad Mountains o’ Mourne. The hero of the song longs to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend time with his muse ‘where dark Mourne sweeps down to the sea’. Though the song is older now, Visit Mourne still inspires romance and there’s no better place to reignite those embers of love.

You can get your romantic  stay underway at Killeavy Castle Estate This secluded spot near Newry specialises in romantic getaways and it makes the most of its countryside. At Killeavy you are surrounded by woodlands on the Ring of Gullion. There is a real sense of fresh air and living both in and with nature. Sustainability is at the heart of the hotel owner’s ethos. Mick and Robin Boyle have made their sustainable principles a priority in the day to day running of the hotel and have a particular focus on the use of local produce to reduce cost and transportation emissions.  During your stay, you’ll no doubt see them cajoling the estate’s very own Longhorn Cattle and Cheviot Sheep or taking in produce from the Walled Garden.  You can breathe deep, relax and make the most of the hotel’s forest trails or spend the afternoon looking out to Slieve Gullion from the wonderful spa while they prepare your lunch.

For those who are looking to get away from it all but still want to be close to some action, Slieve Donard Resort and Spa might just be the pick of the places to stay. Overlooking the beach at Newcastle and with access to all this lovely little coastal town has to offer, you’ll never be short of things to do or places to go without the need to get into the car. The world-famous Royal County Down Golf Links sits right on the hotel doorstep. But if golf is not your passion, there’s plenty of pampering and luxury treatments on offer here too.

The fifty-minute hot stone massage at the nearby Burrendale Hotel, Country Club & Spa is just the ticket for those who need to soothe those tired and work-tense bodies. And if after that, you feel like putting it back through the ringer, the hotel offers a range of activities including pilates and yoga that will refresh both your mind and body.

Not that you should be staying indoors for that kind of thing in these parts. Such is the natural beauty around you that most visitors to Visit Mourne are eager to get out and into its wild surroundings.

Walking hand in hand in a mountain wonderland

Why not start off with a romantic trek up the nearby Slieve Gullion. While the full circuit around the mountain comes in at over thirteen kilometres, there are shorter, but no less sweeter options for walkers of all levels. The mountain itself might well be an extinct volcano but it is sure to arouse some romantic inspiration should you conquer it together. There are stunning views right out across the region and at the top you will find the island’s oldest burial cairn - the perfect spot to resurrect the flames of passion or maybe propose the next step in your journey together.

If you’re not punch drunk on love at this stage, then maybe it’s time for a little tipple. Accessed via narrow mountainous lanes, the Killowen Distillery is at the heart of a busy working rural community in the townland of Kilfeaghan. The distillery hosts tours of their traditional small batch distillery and you’ll be free to warm up or cool down with some tasty samples of their produce as they go through their entire production process for gin, poitín and their top-class pot still Irish whiskey. Not only does this tour give visitors an excellent introduction into the fascinating history of Irish whiskey making, it also delves into the locality and culture of this beautiful part of Visit Mourne.

If you still have the legs for it, a pre-dinner stroll along the four-mile Murlough Beach north of Newcastle might just be the leveller you need. Romantic couples might be tempted to take a detour to the dunes but be warned, this is a hotspot for bird and butterfly enthusiasts.

By now, you’ll have no doubt worked up an appetite so it’s just as well there are a host of great eateries to choose from within the Visit Mourne area. If you fancy cooking up a seafood storm of your own, then you could try Mourne Seafood Cookery School at Kilkeel Harbour where chef Roger Moynihan, will put you through your (enjoyable) paces and give you some great tips for preparing and cooking fish. The best bit - you get to eat it all up and wash it all down with a glass of local Oyster Stout.

If you still have space for desert, or are looking for something to bring back home as a gift the village of Killyleagh is home of Sir Hans Sloane the inventor of drinking chocolate. You can visit the Dufferin Arms, where Sir Hans was born and sample some of the famous Hans Sloane Drinking Chocolate. It’s the perfect sweet way to end your day.

Those who prefer the more traditional meal out will love The Harbour Inn, Annalong. This spot keeps its menu simple and its prices reasonable and is popular for top-class fish and seafood. It has the added bonus of a view out over the local harbour and away in the distance the ever-present Mournes.

Not that you’ll have time to be staring at them. By the end of this Romantic Break away to Visit Mourne, you’ll probably be too busy gazing into each other’s eyes.