Newcastle (An Caislean Nua), County Down

Newcastle, County Down, Ireland Northern

Recommendation added: 12/04/2006 15:23
By: Flicker (YSUK rating +29)

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"Newcastle (An Caislean Nua), County Down, Northern Ireland
This is my favourite place to go in Northern Ireland.
There is a beach and loads of amusements and I have a thing for the 2p machines!

Its not that far away from me, but the last time we went we stayed for a few days in the Slieve Donard, its a very nice hotel but I don't think I would stay there again. The staff were wonderful and the surroundings were lovely, but the windows were dirty and the room was not worth the money that we paid.

There is a restaurant in the hotel and another in the grounds. One evening we went to the hotel in the grounds and it was very expensive and the food was not up to much.

In the town there are a lot of amusements, restaurants and bars. The amusements are excellent for spending a few hours, can be expensive and not really very good for kids.

For the kids there is the Tropicana, it has an outdoor swimming pool and adventure land, I never went into this but seen it from outside, it looked fabulous and any child would have fun here, even the grown up children!

Also for the kids I would suggest a barbecue in Tullymore Forest, we used to go there when I was a child and the fun to be had is immense. I got lost once but was returned safely, so you can sit and relax and have the kids enjoy the scenery and a ramble in the forest, as long as they do not stray too far!

For those of us that likes a walk, a ramble in the hills or just to take in the scenery Newcastle is definitely the place. Newcastle is home to the Mourne Mountains and what a view to be had! It is said that 'the Mountains o' Mourne sweep down to the sea' at Newcastle, and this is the case, it is as beautiful as it sounds.

It was wonderful to wake in the morning and go for a stroll on the beach, the waves lapping and the birds chirping. Standing on the beach front looking out to sea for miles and miles is wonderful. The beach goes on for five miles.

If golf is your thing, Newcastle is home to one of Northern Irelands best kept fairways, Royal County Down Golf Course, there is also and easy companion course.

There is plenty to see and do in Newcastle Tullymore Forest Park, Silent Valley ,Castlewellan Forest Park, The Mourne Mountain, Donard Park, Tyrella Beach, Butterfly House Seaforde, Murlough Nature Revserve, Turnip House Knitwear and the American Car Museum.

There are quite a lot of little gift shops that you would find novelty items in.

To summarise, Newcastle is good for the arcades, the beach, the history and all the little parks, but I have to say that the best thing about Newcastle is its natural beauty which is unique to Newcastle, which makes it stand out as the jewel in the crown of the coast of Down.

For more information for those that like to putt on the green, I would advise looking http://www.worldgolf.com/course-reviews/ireland/royal-county-down .htm, but be warned if you look, you will want to visit.

http://www.geographia.com/northern-ireland/ukidwn00.htm , will provide you will some extra information on the beautiful town.

I hope you have fun."