Known as the “Gateway to the North”, Newry city is framed by the natural beauty of the Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion. A buzzy mix of past and present gives it a distinct edge, and the city has firmly established itself as a popular shopping destination with visitors from across the island of Ireland. And while it’s one of Northern Ireland’s newest cities, the past makes up an integral part of Newry’s modern-day character, with historic buildings including 16th-century Narrow Water Castle and Bagenal’s Castle (now home to the Newry and Mourne Museum), as well as Newry Cathedral and Newry Town Hall, both 19th-century constructions. Make Newry your next city break and enjoy a destination full of history, style and charm.
Narrow Water Castle, County Down
Tourism Ireland
Shopping in Newry
In the 19th century, Newry was a bustling trading port, a place of merchants, markets and noisy city quays. A link to the County Down city’s industrious beginnings can be seen in its place names: Buttercrane Quay, Canal Boat Street and Custom House Quay. A flourish of rejuvenation means many historically significant buildings are intact once more, each with a little tale of its own.
Shopping is one of Newry’s key draws, with everything from major retail centres to independent little shops. Shopping centres such as The Quays and The Buttercrane make for a great day out, but the smaller shops come with their own rewards and offer something more unique.
At the family-run Jack Murphy Jewellers, Gemma Murphy says the key to Newry’s success is its reputation for locally owned businesses. “Newry is known for the quality of its customer service,” she notes. “And that spreads through word-of-mouth all over Ireland and much further afield.”
Flagstaff Viewpoint, County Down
Tourism Ireland
The city is the perfect base from which to explore some of Northern Ireland’s most iconic sites, such as the Mourne Mountains and the Gullion Way, Lough Neagh and Strangford Lough, both of which are great locations for a relaxing and immersive break in nature.
Newry sits almost midway between the cities of Dublin and Belfast, making it an ideal stop-off between the two.
It lies at the heart of the Home of St Patrick, where traces of Ireland's patron saint are waiting to be explored. Fans of Game of Thrones® will relish the opportunity to discover some key filming locations from the hit TV series, while the historic landscapes of Ireland’s Ancient East, including the Cooley Peninsula and the charming medieval town of Carlingford, lie just to the south of Newry.
