Destinations > Northern Ireland > Counties Down & Armagh

Counties Down & Armagh

Counties Down and Armagh cover the area between Belfast and the border with the Republic. The main attraction here is the Mourne Mountains, although this isn't a big draw for most backpackers.

Newcastle (An Caisleán Nua)

Newcastle is on the coast 50km south of Belfast. It doesn't offer much of interest, but some people stop here to break the journey between Belfast and Dublin.

Practical Information

Newcastle Tourist Information Centre

Newcastle Centre, 10-14 Central Promenade, Newcastle

Tel (028) 4372 2222

Website www.newcastletic.org

Open Jun Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-6pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 9.30am-7pm, Sun 1pm-7pm; Sep Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-6pm

Coming & Going

Ulsterbus (website www.translink.co.uk) have frequent buses to Belfast, Downpatrick, Newry and Dublin.

Accommodation

Newcastle Youth Hostel

30 Downs Road, Newcastle

Tel (028) 4372 2133

Armagh (Ard Macha)

Armagh bills itself as Ireland's Christian Capital and St Patrick is believed to have lived here in the 5th century. The city now has two St Patrick's Cathedrals, including one on the site where St Patrick built his original church in 445.

Practical Information

Armagh Tourist Information Centre

Old Bank Building, 40 English Street, Armagh

Tel (028) 3752 1800

Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1pm-5pm

Coming & Going

Ulsterbus (website www.translink.co.uk) has buses to Armagh from Belfast, Dublin, Enniskillen and Portrush. Buses terminate at the bus station on Lonsdale Road.

Accommodation

Armagh City Youth Hostel

39 Abbey Street, Armagh

Tel (028) 3751 1800

Sights

Armagh County Museum

This distinctive building houses an extensive collection with exhibits on natural history, railways, art and local history.

The Mall East, Armagh

Tel (028) 3752 3070

Website www.magni.org.uk

Admission free

Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm

St Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral

Armagh's protestant cathedral is built on the site where St Patrick built his original church in 445. The Irish King Brian Ború is buried here and this medieval cathedral is also home to an eclectic collection of artefacts.

Cathedral Close, Armagh

Tel (028) 3752 3142

Admission free

Open Jan-Mar 10am-4pm daily; Apr-Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-4pm daily; tours depart Jun-Aug Mon-Sat 11.30am & 2.30pm daily

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral

St Patrick's Roman Catholic Cathedral is a Gothic Revival-style cathedral that dates from 1873 and is noted for its intricate mosaics.

Cathedral Road, Armagh

Tel (028) 3752 2802

Website www.armagharchdiocese.org

Admission free

Open daily till dusk

St Patrick's Trian

St Patrick's Trian has a number of exhibits on the history of Armagh and St Patrick. It also features an exhibition on the Gulliver's Travels story.

40 English Street, Armagh

Tel (028) 3752 1801

Website www.saintpatrickstrian.com

Open Jan-Jun Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm; Jul-Aug Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm, Sun 2pm-6pm; Sep-Dec Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm