Dundrum Heritage Trail

19. St Donard’s Church of Ireland Built in 1887 as memorial to 5th Marquis of Downshire. Designed by Thomas Drew.

Pinnacled tower, set in highly attractive churchyard laid out like gentleman’s park, with yews, monkey puzzles, parkland trees and rhododendrons. Tower has fine angel and gargoyle figures. Door and gates display fine Victorian craftsmanship.

20. Manor House & Studio Charming semi-detached, two-storey building dated around 1810, possibly designed by John Lynn. Set in grassy garden with hipped roof and wide eaves, stone quoins and architraves.

Attractive simple form of pinnacled gateposts.

Studio features artwork by Richard Croft and Helen Kerr.

21. Former Unitarian Manse Former Manse now a private home.

22. Methodist Church Pleasant, mid 19th Century modest, black stone Methodist Church. Redbrick trim, arches, and three pleasant terra-cotta finials, flanked by square stucco manse. Opened

for divine worship on Sunday 27 August 1882. Former Methodist Manse now used as conference centre.

23. Manse Road No’s 3 & 5 Simple, rendered, semi-detached houses with single-hipped roof, from early 1800s. Probably part of Lord Downshire’s development of village. Pretty and unusual iron railings.

24. Dundrum Castle In 1177 John de Courcy, an Anglo-Norman Knight invaded Ulster in a quest for land and wealth. He soon defeated the local Irish clans and set about building a series of castles to ensure his control of the area. It is thought that de Courcy recognised the important strategic position of the original Irish fortification at Dundrum and so set about strengthening the site by building the defensive wall. However, de Courcy’s power was short lived. In 1203, King John, concerned that de Courcy was becoming too powerful, ordered Hugh de Lacey (builder of the circular keep) to replace him as Lord of Ulster. In turn the fortifications were surrendered to King John in 1210. Great circular keep and gatehouse added in the 13th century. Consists of basement and two upper floors. Internal stairway leads to roofed wall walk. Some parts roofed on wicker centering, others with corbelled slabs in prehistoric manner. Some remains of gatehouse to upper ward, which originally comprised narrow passage between two rectangular towers, one with substantial semicircular platform. Within it are walls of substantial house, perhaps built by Blundells in 17th Century. Blundell estate became part of Downshire dynasty through marriage.

Murlough National Nature Reserve is a fragile 6,000 – year old sand dune system, just at the edge of Dundrum Bay. Its spectacular location has superb views over the bay to the Mourne Mountains. Murlough is an excellent area for walking and birdwatching.

What’s here?

Best and most extensive example of dune heath in Ireland. Network of paths and boardwalks through the dunes. Access to one of the finest beaches in Northern Ireland.

Stunning panoramic views of the Mountains of Mourne sweeping down to the sea. Self-guided nature walk, additional guided walks and volunteer events throughout the year.

Wildlife throughout the year Internationally important area for wintering wildfowl and waders. Haul-out site for Common and Grey Seals. Woodland and heath, with an array of butterflies and wild flowers. Marsh Fritillary, one of 22 butterfly species in the area, is of European importance.

Murlough’s history Murlough is owned by the National Trust, which has managed it as Ireland’s first Nature Reserve since 1967. Human habitation is evident in the area from Neolithic times, through the Bronze Age to the present day.

Visitor facilities Nature reserve / Coast / Country walk / Access for visitors with disabilities / Suitable for picnics / Learning / Dogs welcome on leads

Dundrum Heritage Trail

For further information on general touring, accommodation, short breaks and activity breaks please contact one of the following Visitor Information Centres or visit our website.

Newry Visitor Information Centre Bagenal’s Castle Castle Street, Newry BT34 2BY T: 028 3031 3170 www.visitnewryandmourne.com

Newcastle Visitor Information Centre 10-14 Central Promenade Newcastle BT33 0AA T: 028 4372 2222 www.downdc.gov.uk

Kilkeel Visitor Information Centre Nautilus Centre Rooney Road, Kilkeel BT34 4AG T: 028 4176 2525 www.visitkilkeel.com

Banbridge Visitor Information Centre The Old Town Hall 1 Scarva Street, Banbridge BT32 3DA T: 028 4062 0232 www.banbridge.com

Email info@visitmournemountains.co.uk

www.visitmournemountains.co.uk Dundrum Castle & Dundrum Bay

18. Old Commercial Hotel Very handsome, nine-bay two-storey range, with coach-arch, vermiculated quoins and keystones, and two excellent, well painted consoled doorcases. Former bar and restaurant, to be converted to houses and flats.

Murlough, Ireland’s first National Nature Reserve

visitmournemountains @visitmourne Dundrum Castle

Murlough National Nature Reserve

visitmournemountains.co.uk

This project is part-financed by the European Union’s INTERREG IVA Cross-border Programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body

St Donard’s Church of Ireland

Dundrum Heritage Trail

Dundrum Dundrum is a picturesque village on the southeast coast of County Down in Northern Ireland. It is 35 miles south of Belfast and 5 miles north of Newcastle.

The village is best known for its ruined Anglo-Norman castle. As well as the castle, there are many other attractions and amenities nearby. Dundrum has easy access to the coast – the Dundrum Coastal Path, built on the old railway line, runs along the shore of the Inner Bay. Families are welcome at the new children’s play area in the village.

History of Dundrum Castle Dundrum is best known for its ruined AngloNorman castle. John de Courcy recognised the strategic importance of the original fortifications and proceeded to enhance the defences by building a wall around the site after his invasion of Ulster in 1177. It is thought that Hugh de Lacey built the circular keep in the early 13th century. Though in ruins, Dundrum Castle is one of the most significant and evocative historical monuments in the North of Ireland, ranking in importance alongside the castles at Carrickfergus and Dunluce. There are beautiful panoramic views from the grounds to the Mourne Mountains sweeping across Dundrum Bay and onto Murlough National Nature Reserve.

This Medieval Castle is set high on a hill overlooking the sea, with a circular keep and massive walls. The castle was built on an earlier fortified earthwork – the name dun derives from this.

John de Courcy led the Norman invasion of East Ulster and developed the site to guard the land routes from Drogheda via Greencastle to Downpatrick. King John visited the castle in 1210, and paid for minor works and to establish a garrison there.

Subsequently the Earls of Ulster held Dundrum Castle. From the middle of the 14th Century, ownership passed to the Magennises of Mourne. In 1517, the Earl of Kildare captured

SS Great Britain in Dundrum Bay The SS Great Britain, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel, was one of the first iron ships.

In 1846, on its way from Liverpool to New York, it ran aground in Dundrum Bay during bad weather. The ship’s Captain, James Hosken, miscalculated the steamer’s speed and, with poor charts, mistook St John’s Point lighthouse for the Chicken Rock lighthouse. The SS Great Britain remained aground for nearly a year, protected by temporary measures organised

by Brunel (who stayed in the Downshire Arms Hotel during this time). In August 1847, she was finally floated free and taken back to Liverpool, where she remained in use for many years.

You can still see the SS Great Britain in Bristol, where she was installed as a visitor attraction.

Dundrum’s Commercial & Maritime Heritage • In the 1600s, Ulster’s ports became more important commercially. In 1625, William Pitt was appointed as Customer of the ports of Newcastle, Dundrum, Killough, Portaferry, Donaghadee, Bangor and Holywood.

• Coal was Dundrum’s major import. The East Downshire Steamship Company was based here. Dundrum only ceased serving as a commercial port in 1984.

• The Belfast & County Down Railway opened a station at Dundrum in 1869, which remained in use until 1950. The old railway line is now used as the beautiful Dundrum Coastal Path.

it, followed by Lord Deputy Grey in 1538.

Phelim Magennis surrendered the castle to the Crown in 1601. The Crown gave it to Edward Lord Cromwell. After this it was sold to the Blundell family. The Magennises took the castle briefly in 1641, but the Blundells returned after the war and built the house on the south edge of the building.

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Dundrum Bay is one of only three places in Ireland where two currents meet to create the ‘magic wave’. Tonn Ruairí means the ‘wave of Ruray’ – he was a Viking who drowned in Dundrum Bay from the forces of the magic wave. The name lives on in one of Dundrum’s public houses.

2. Former Coastguard Buildings Attractive Tudor-Revival range of five houses, alternately one and two storey. Built in mellow red brick with yellow brick ornament, with high decorative chimneys and gables. Lady Harriet Clive laid foundation stone on 6 November 1844.

3. Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart & Parochial House Designed by leading Catholic architect of his day, Alex McAlister. Stout, stone exterior with excellent spire. Consecrated in 1884. Parochial House is attractive square Tudor-Revival stucco house with painted dripstones.

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Recently, the British horror film Wilderness, starring Sean Pertwee, was filmed at Dundrum Castle.

Dundrum – Name & Legend Dundrum Bay was originally called Lough Rudhraighe (Ruairí in modern Irish) after an ancient local tribe, Clann Ruairí. Ruairí is thought to be the brother of Slainge, son of Ireland’s mythical invader Partholón. Slieve Donard was originally named after him.

His clan later became known as the Ulaid – this is where Ulster gets its name. Dundrum is believed to be the location where Briccriu held a great feast for Conchobar mac Nessa and the heroes of Ulaid.

1. Former Royal Ulster Constabulary (R.U.C.) Station Prominent when you enter Dundrum village from Belfast. Built to standard design by Thomas Francis Rippingham. Completed on 13 November 1929, with married quarters for local sergeant and family. Limited opening from 1967 and closed around 1990. Now a commercial building.

4. Royal Irish Constabulary (R.I.C.) Station Old Royal Irish Constabulary Station until 1929, when new station for the Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) was completed, as part of the evolvement of the province of Northern Ireland.

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5. Dundrum House Fine, squarish three-storey house dated about 1835, in manner of Charles Lilly. Windows on principal floor inset within segmental-headed recessed arches, with complete glazing bars.

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6. Site of former Belfast & County Down Railway Station & Goods Yard Railway came from Downpatrick to Newcastle.

Line opened in 1869 by Downpatrick, Dundrum & Newcastle Railway Company, later merged with Belfast & County Down Railway Company. Main line closed on Sunday 15 January 1950. Old track bed at northern end of village cared for by National Trust. Recently upgraded pathway provides easy walking along shores of Dundrum Bay. Coastal path part funded through European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and Northern Ireland Tourist Board.

7. Tonn Ruray Public House Built around 1867 by Hugh McCann – today still in same family. Name comes from ‘magic wave’ of Dundrum Bay. 8. Buck’s Head Attractively painted building, now housing bar and restaurant popular with both locals and visitors.

9. Clock House Appears to date from Lord Downshire’s development of Village in 1825-30. Served as agent’s house and courtroom. Clock framed in handsome pediment, coupled with original 16-panel windows, curly finial and estate bell.

One of most unique buildings in village.

10. Former Harbour and site of East Downshire Steamship Company Headquarters

11. Downshire Arms Former Hotel dated around 1825. Pair of former three-storey houses in heart of village, with strong quoins and plaque displaying Downshire coat of arms. Unique feature of excellent freestanding Doric-columnar porch.

Now home to Downshire Tea Rooms and Mourne Seafood Bar. 12. Bath House Part of hotel complex – charming, small building built shortly after 1825. Site split by new railway in 1869 – access to Bath House from hotel was by footbridge.

16. 143–149 Main Street / Dundrum Inn Charming, almost symmetrical block, dated around 1820, with projecting bays at each end, quoins and early Victorian glazing. Now popular bar and restaurant.

17. Original Downshire Primary School Former schoolhouse building dated around 1836. Extremely pretty Gothic-Revival pinnacle schoolhouse, with coupled lancet window and Tudor dripstones.

13. Gate Lodge & Bath House Gateway Gateway to the former Downshire Hotel (see 12).

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14. Hazards Former saddler’s shop. Solidly pleasant, six-bay, two-storey early Victorian pair, with segmentalheaded windows, quoins and good shop front.

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15. Quay View Restaurant & Dundrum Bay Holiday Homes Recently built terrace of luxury holiday homes with spectacular views across Dundrum Bay to Murlough National Nature Reserve, and on to Mountains of Mourne.

Map by Joanna Martin www.curlewcottagedesign.co.uk

Dundrum Bay

Public Art