Tollymore Forest Park
Tollymore Forest Park covers an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains offering stunning views of sea at nearby Newcastle.
The forest has four walk trails signposted by different colours. The Shimna River flows through the forest adding to its reputation for being a superb place for a picnic.
There are many features within Tollymore Forest Park including many follies, such as a barn dressed to resemble a church, gothic style gate arches and stone cones atop gate piers. A walk along the Shimna river is marked by many curiosities, natural and artificial – rocky outcrops, bridges, grottos and caves.
Elsewhere in the park the tree lover can examine experimental forest plots – some of exotic trees such as monkey puzzle and eucalyptus – or admire the tall giant redwoods and Monterey pines. Oak wood from Tollymore was the preferred material for the interiors of the White Star liners including the ‘Titanic’ which was built in Belfast.
Seek out the original tree of the slow-growing spruce, Picea abies ‘Clanbrassiliana’ which originated nearby in about 1750 and is the oldest tree in any arboretum in Ireland. A magnificent avenue of Deodar cedars is a striking feature of the entrance to this romantic forest park in the foothills of the Mourne Mountains.
For more information see the Discover NI website, and click here for more things to do. Walks NI also have a great guide to walking in Tollymore.
Tollymore National Outdoor Centre
Tollymore National Outdoor Centre stands as a state of the art outdoor centre. It is located on the northern edge of the Mourne Mountains on the fringe of Tollymore Forest Park with direct access to the forest. It provides a wide range of skills and leadership courses in rockclimbing, hillwalking, canoeing and kayaking, mountain biking, mountaineering and orienteering to groups and individuals. If you are hoping to try an adventure sport for the first time or you are an experienced outdoor enthusiast, we will have a course to suit you.
On site facilities include high and low ropes courses, indoor and outdoor climbing walls, kayak rolling pool, and mountain bike skills course. The Centre also includes ensuite accommodation, a range of changing facilities to suit different organisations, excellent dining facilities, coffee lounge facilities, information on the Mournes, and a range of meeting and conference rooms.
Tollymore Forest Park
