Romantic Getaways

Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep you off your feet

Spend a little time in the mythical Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion 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’.  The Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion still inspires that old fashioned romance and there’s no better place to reignite the 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. Killeavy Castle Estate is set into the natural environment and surrounded by woodlands on the lower slopes of  Slieve  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.

Slieve Donard Resort and Spa is another fabulous place to spend some quality time together, you can get away from it all but there is always the option for some action nearby. Overlooking the beach at Newcastle you’ll have access to all this lovely little coastal town has to offer. 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. The hotel offers a range of rejuvenating activities including pilates and yoga that will refresh both your mind and body.

Walking hand in hand in a mountain wonderland

 Are you eager to get out and experience the wild splendour of Mourne Gullion Strangford?  Why not start off with a romantic ramble up Slieve Gullion. While the full circuit around the mountain comes in at over thirteen kilometres, there are much shorter, but no less sweeter options for walkers of all levels. The mountain itself might be an extinct volcano but its remarkable views are sure to ignite your passions. There are stunning panoramas right out across the region and at the top you will find the island’s oldest burial cairn - the perfect spot to make your declaration of love or 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. You could mix it up with a Trails and Ales Cycling Tour. Combine your love of the great outdoors with some of our finest craft beers. Hosted by the Life Adventure Centre and Whitewater Brewery, the Trails and Ales tour is a guided cycling experience through the Mournes. Learn the local stories which inspired their brews, as you cascade through one of three cycling routes.

Or you could call in to the Killowen Distillery, for a tour of their traditional small batch distillery.  You can 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. A fascinating history of Irish whiskey making, it delves into the locality and culture of this beautiful part of the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion.

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, 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 area. If you fancy cooking up a seafood storm of your own, then you could try Mourne Seafood Cookery School at Kilkeel Harbour where the chef will 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.

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 water and the traditional local harbour.

For something sweet, check out the quaint village of Killyleagh, home of Sir Hans Sloane the inventor of drinking chocolate. Drop in to the Dufferin Arms, and sample the famous Hans Sloane Drinking Chocolate. It’s the perfect end to your day.