With majestic, rugged mountains, hauntingly beautiful forests and glorious sandy beaches it’s not surprising that the whole Mourne Mountain region has been internationally recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Beneath the spectacular gaze of the Mountains of Mourne there lies the most beautiful golf course in the world.

A daring statement perhaps, but will anyone who has visited disagree? Royal County Down was originally laid out in 1889 by Old’ Tom Morris from St Andrews. However, one has only to reflect on the marvellous collection of green sites to appreciate that Mother Nature was the principle architect at Newcastle.

The course enjoys a magnificent stage-like setting as if stretches out along the shores of Dundrum Bay. As well as being one of the world’s most beautiful courses it is also one of the most challenging, with great swathes of heather and gorse lining fairways that tumble beneath vast sand hills, and wild tussocky faced bunkers defending small subtly contoured greens.

Alongside the Championship Links, Royal County Down has a second course, The Annesley Links. Laid out beneath the same massive, sometimes almost spellbinding backdrop, the Annesley Links is nowhere near as intimidating or as formidable a challenge as the Championship Links, but then it was never intended to be. It is a course for everyone.

The Championship Links is consistently rated among the world’s top ten courses. Accolades abound, most recently from Nick Faldo who described the magnificent par 3 fourth as his favourite hole on this superlative links. Tom Watson describes it as, "..a tremendous test of golf. The outward half especially is as fine a nine holes as I have ever played."

Apart from Royal County Down there are plenty of other courses in the area.

Ardglass Golf Club
Bright Castle Golf Course
Scrabo Golf Club
Downpatrick Golf Club
Spa Golf Club
Kilkeel Golf Club
Temple Golf Club
Ringdufferin Golf Club
Warrenpoint Golf Club

Northern Ireland is the best golfing destination in the world – and that’s official.

The Province recently beat off stiff competition from the top golfing locations around the world – including the US, Portugal, Spain, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. – to receive the IAGTO ‘Established Golf Destination of the Year’ award for 2001.

In, reaching its verdict, IAGTO – the global trade association of the golf tourism industry – polled its golf tour operator membership in 24 countries, taking into consideration: customer satisfaction, quality of golf courses and accommodation, support from suppliers, tourist boards & airlines, and accessibility to tee-times.

Accepting the award in Sun City, Northern Ireland Tourist Board’s Jim Paul said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to win this Award – it is the ultimate accolade for golfing as it is awarded by the industry’s specialists.

“Royal County Down and Royal Portrush are regularly featured amongst the top 20 courses in the world, and those who have been to Northern Ireland see for themselves the fantastic golf we have on offer”.
Newsletter January 2002

Walking:
The Mourne area of outstanding natural beauty is the ideal walking break destination. Whether you are a keen hill walker or just enjoy a gentle stroll, there are walks for every ability. There is a diverse landscape, which offers walks to savour mountains, drumlins, forests, lakes, rivers and beautiful sandy beaches.

Guided upland and lowland walks are available and there are a number of pre-mapped routes with route cards.

Climbing:
The Mourne Mountains is agreat location for climbing.
Click here for details of Information provided by Dave Hunt e-mail dave@climbing.ie

Hot Rock Climbing Wall

Cycling:
The Mournes is an ideal cycling destination as it has terrain to suit all types of cyclists, from challenging mountain climbs to flat and gently rolling hills of the lowland coastal planes.

There are seven local sign posted Cycle Trails for you to follow each with varying degrees of difficulty and length.

MOUNTAIN BIKERS have their own dedicated off-road trail at Moneyscalp in the Mournes

Horse Riding:
Enjoy gentle treks through forest glens, a pleasant canter by the waters edge of the Irish Sea or an exhilarating gallop along the sands.
All levels of riders are catered for, whether it's your first time or you're an experienced rider, there are all degrees of trekking available with horses and ponies to suit everyone.

Fishing:
Coarse, Game and Sea fishing all available locally.

Water Sports:

Cruises on Carlingford Lough on MV Seascapes Tel: Brendan O' Neill 028 417 53425

Narrow-Water Castle Cruise (60mins)
Carlingford Lough Cruise (60mins)
Bay and Harbour Cruise (30mins)
Carlingford Lough Medieval Castle Cruise (90mins)
Private hire is available.
Vessel has sheltered passenger accommodation.Vessel is wheel chair accessible.
Information pack available.
W/C facilities .

Mourne Coastal Tours
Andrew Cowden is the Skipper. He is a marine engineer and a part-time Lifeboat man. He is also extremely knowledgeable about the wildlife you will encounter on your trip.

The trips leave daily (weather depending from the local ports of Newcastle, Warrenpoint, Kilkeel and Annalong). During our high speed cruise it is possible to see porpoises, basking sharks, seals and numerous sea birds. Our trips vary in duration from short 15 minute trips to longer 1hr cruises. The boat is also available for charter and we can tailor a trip for you and your guests.

Andrew Cowden Tel:07880500086 http://www.mournecoastaltours.com

Bluelough Mountain and Water Sports Centre offer a fantastic range of mountain and water sports on offer at all levels of competence. Activities include: Open Canoeing, Voyaging, Raftbuilding, Rock Climbing, Bouldering, Abseiling, Archery. Telephone - 028 4377 0715.

Helicopter Rides around the Mournes
Starting in Newtownards your flight follows the western shore of Strangford Lough south, taking in Killyleagh Castle. Then turn inland over Downpatrick and head for the coastal resort of Newcastle. From here your flight takes you through the Mournes and as far north as Slieve Croobe where you turn for home over Lisburn, down the Lagan Valley, over Holywood and home via Bangor.

Flight time - 60 mins
Cost - £150.00 per person sharing
Click here for more information