Home And Away Guide: The Whistledown Hotel Warrenpoint

The Mourne's is home to Northern Ireland’s highest mountain peak Slieve Donard and is said to have inspired C.S. Lewis’ magical world of Narnia, whereas the landscape of the Ring of Gullion and its ancient Ring Dyke makes it officially listed as a unique area of special interest, rich in culture, heritage and mythology. In summer at least (winters can be surprisingly harsh), there are plenty of straightforward hikes in the Mournes that require no special equipment, with obvious tracks to many of the more scenic parts.

There are also more serious climbs and courses in the Mournes are run by the Tollymore National Outdoor Centre in Bryansford. Both areas are unique in themselves, an adventurer's paradise which offer a unique experience. Nearby Carlingford is a small and medieval village where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea. With tourism as the main source of employment the region is ideal for hill walkers, golfers, sailing, fishing & other water sports.

The annual Carlingford Oyster Festival usually held in late summer attracts thousands of visitors from all corners. Newry City has been a place of continuous human settlement since way back in 4,000 BC, so it’s no surprise that it enjoys a rich and colourful heritage. Sitting handsomely among modern structures are elegant 18th-century Georgian townhouses and a lovely mid-19th-century courthouse. Down by the quays, brick canal buildings with attractive terracotta façades are still in place with their original features. A former sugar mill, once occupied by American soldiers during World War II, has been converted into a textile design business with an art gallery and café, while a flax and spinning mill on Cornmarket has been restored and is now used by community groups. Outside of Belfast, Newry is by far Northern Ireland's finest location for shopping. The town boasts two shopping centre's (The Quays and The Buttercrane) as well as an impressive out-of-town shopping complex at Five Way's. The Quays also has a 9 screen cinema, showing the latest blockbuster movies. There are also facilities for playing soccer, bowls and tennis.

Newry also has a number of public parks and is surrounded by beautiful towns such as Warrenpoint & Rostrevor where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Carlingford Lough and the Mourne Mountains. Kilfeaghan Dolmen, situated approximately three miles on the Kilkeel road, is a Neolithic portal tomb, approximately 5,000 years old. It is well worth a visit because of the massive capstone, which is estimated to weigh 35 tons, believed to be one of the biggest in Ireland.

The Whistledown Hotel near the beach in Warrenpoint provides luxurious accommodation with a full range of services including free Wi-Fi, a bar and an elegant restaurant. All guest rooms have en suite bathroom facilities with a bath or shower, with toiletries and a hairdryer provided. There is also a flat-screen TV, telephone, safe and tea and coffee facilities in each room. This hotel offers luggage storage, laundry services and dry cleaning, with ironing facilities in all rooms. Business facilities such as meeting rooms, fax and photocopying services are also provided. The "Luxurious Winter Escape " package offers an overnight stay for two people to include a cocktail each on arrival, a 3 course evening meal in the Bistro Restaurant, a pamper gift and chocolates in the room, plus a full cooked breakfast the next day for £150.  Full details on www.thewhistledownhotel.com