Warrenpoint

Warrenpoint, a picturesque port town in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Warrenpoint sits at the southern approach to the Mourne Mountains, (around seven miles from Newry City) and at the point where the Clanrye River and Newry Canal open into Carlingford Lough.  It is separated from the Republic of Ireland by a narrow strait. Warrenpoint was attacked by Vikings, settled by Normans and controlled by the Magennis clan. The town is known for its stunning natural scenery, including views of the Mourne Mountains to the northeast and the Cooley Mountains across the lough.

The History of Warrenpoint Town

Warrenpoint town came to prominence in the early 19th century, first as an outport for Newry, developing a thriving timber trade with North America and Canada. By the mid 1800s Warrenpoint had grown to the fifth largest port in Ireland, in terms of imports and exports, including people.  A plaque stands at the corner of the town dock to commemorate the thousands of emigrants who passed through the town in search of a better life. The town was planned and built on a grid system by the landlords in Narrow Water. The square is one of the largest in Ireland and saw many ‘fair days’ up until the late 1950s.

All year round, Warrenpoint offers well known restaurants providing excellent entertainment and a variety of foods to suit every taste and pocket.

Culture and Community

Warrenpoint has a vibrant cultural scene, with several festivals and events taking place throughout the year. The Wake the Giant Festival along with the Loughside Festival and the annual International Blue on the Bay Festival are some of the town’s highlights, celebrating local culture with music, dance, and other festivities. The town is also known for its live music, particularly traditional Irish music, which can often be heard in the local pubs.

Getting to Warrenpoint

Warrenpoint is easily accessible by road, with connections to Belfast and Dublin. The nearest city is Newry City, just a short drive away, which has a train and also a bus station with services to both Belfast and Dublin.

Local food in Warrenpoint

The town has a fantastic reputation for food with many restaurants and cafes in Warrenpoint offering fresh and locally-sourced ingredients.

The Front Shore in Warrenpoint

Warrenpoint's Front Shore incorporates a promenade and during the summer months an open-air amusement park is usually on offer, or you can take a stroll down along the beach and seafront and enjoy the breath-taking natural beauty of the surrounding water, mountain, and landscapes. Home to a wealth of biodiversity, the area is also renowned for its association with Celtic mythology and legends.
The promenade begins at Marine Parade at Warrenpoint port that is a major economic driver for the hinterland as a location for the import and export of goods. This modern port creates a direct link with Warrenpoint’s history as a thriving place for industry beginning in the mid-1700s via milling and trade.
The promenade also frames social spaces that have played key roles in the community throughout history from the Edwardian baths (1907) that enjoyed their heyday in the 1950s/1960s to the Seaview promenade overlooking Warrenpoint beach (located beside the baths) that is now a popular spot for open water swimming along with many water activities including rowing, boating, windsurfing and SUPing.
A key stretch of the promenade, overlooking the breadth of Warrenpoint beach, is characterised by picturesque Victorian and Edwardian architecture.

Just outside Warrenpoint is Narrow Water Castle, an excellent example of a tower-house and bawn built about 1568 at the strategic point where the Newry or Clanrye River meets Carlingford Lough.  

Warrenpoint Municipal Park is close to the centre of the town and has a magnificent array of flowers and shrubs.  The fine Edwardian bandstand is the focus for popular summer band concerts. Facilities include tennis courts and a children's play area.

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