St Patrick’s Church
Newry Information Centre. Seek out the Promise Stone outside a bakery on Castle Street. This granite slab got its unusual name because deals were struck over it on market days by bakery employees who touched it for good luck.
Admire marble, mosaics 3 and mountains
The Explorer:
Bagenal’s Castle
CITY Map: NEWRY
FIVE Essential Things to Do Newry’s unique personality expresses itself with a range of charming attractions from quirky architecture to grand architectural statements
yourself with 1 Surround history on a heritage walk It’s impossible to escape the fabric of old Newry. Stroll through the streets and you’ll soon appreciate the classical elegance of 18th century Georgian town houses, a mid-19th century courthouse, and more. Along the quays, new businesses have sprung up replacing derelict warehouses, such as a sugar mill that now houses Lorsha Design textiles and gallery. Brick canal buildings with attractive orange-red terracotta façades are still in place with their original features.
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Seek out the “Promise Stone” in Bagenal’s Castle
Incredible restoration work has been carried out on Bagenal’s Castle, a 16th century fortified tower and 19th century warehouse. It now houses a museum, as well as the Newry Tourist
Stand on the high ground of St Patrick’s Church of Ireland and enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding hilly countryside. Founded in 1578, St Patrick’s was the first Protestant church to be built in Ireland. Next, stop off at the Cathedral of St Patrick and St Colman – the main Roman Catholic place of worship, which boasts beautiful stained-glass windows and mosaics. Originally a plain building when it opened in 1829, it was made of local granite, and with its enhancements now has a commanding presence in the city.
enjoy a scenic stroll and 4 see the “Newry Navvy” Chiselled and carved to perfection, the face of the Newry Navvy looks down from his plinth on Sugar Island. The bronze statue, erected in 2011, celebrates the men who built the Newry Canal in 1742. And if you’re wondering what a “navvy” is, it was the name given to the canal labourers, who were originally called navigators. Wandering through the city, it’s worth paying close attention – you’ll be rewarded. All around are little decorative details: an elaborate iron balcony, a front-door boot scraper, and the delicate petal and lozenge fanlights on Hill Street and Trevor Hill. Along one side of St Colman’s Park, the brightly painted doors of the elegant neo-Georgian three-storey granite town houses add a lovely splash of colour.
Enjoy contemporary 5 art with a stunning cake Described by manageress Edel Farrell as “a family-run business that has been part of the fabric of Newry for generations”, the Shelbourne café and restaurant has been serving delicious treats to loyal locals for more than 100 years. Don’t miss the exceptional spelt and honey scones with homemade gooseberry jam. On the walls hang works from local artists, as well as pieces by one of Ireland’s most distinguished artists, Graham Knuttel, whose portraits of Van Morrison and Bono draw the crowds.