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Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal's Castle, Newry

Companionship careNewry and Mourne

Days out in Newry and Mourne for an older parent

Eight places in Newry and Mourne that make a good day out for an older parent, from Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal's Castle to Bessbrook Model Village. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal's Castle. Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0

Eight days out across six towns

The best places to take an older parent in Newry and Mourne

Six of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for two confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal's Castle, Newry

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Newry

Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal's Castle

Bagenal's Castle is a 16th-century fortified house joined to a 19th-century warehouse, restored to hold the Newry and Mourne Museum and the visitor information centre. Displays cover prehistory, Newry's Cistercian abbey, the Gaelic lords and the Newry Canal, the first summit level canal in the British Isles.

It is a five-minute walk from the city centre with a car park next door, so a carer can plan a short indoor visit and a coffee in town.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Rostrevor

Kilbroney Park

Kilbroney Park sits above Rostrevor with woodland, riverside walks, an arboretum and a forest drive with views over Carlingford Lough. It is home to the Narnia Trail and the Cloughmore Stone, a huge boulder high on the hillside.

Reception by the main car park has a café and accessible toilets, and the forest drive lets a parent enjoy the lough views from the car.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free on foot, parking charged

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their website

Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Meigh

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Meigh

Slieve Gullion Forest Park

Slieve Gullion Forest Park lies at the foot of Slieve Gullion in the Ring of Gullion, nine miles from Newry, with woodland trails, a walled garden and a scenic forest drive. The drive climbs towards the mountain with wide views across the surrounding hills.

The visitor information building beside the playpark has toilets and an accessible toilet, and the scenic drive lets a parent see the views without walking, although the café is temporarily closed.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet

Their website

Narrow Water Keep, Warrenpoint

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Castle · Warrenpoint

Narrow Water Keep

Narrow Water Keep is a tower house and bawn built around 1568 where the Newry River meets Carlingford Lough. There has been a keep on this strategic spot since 1212.

It is free and right beside the road into Warrenpoint, so a carer can plan a short stop to see the tower by the water.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free, parking charges may apply

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Silent Valley Mountain Park

Nature reserve · Kilkeel

Silent Valley Mountain Park

Silent Valley is a reservoir in the heart of the Mourne Mountains, run by NI Water, with landscaped grounds, walks beside the water and views up to the high peaks. The dam and reservoir were built in the early 20th century to supply Belfast with water.

A carer can keep to the grounds near the car park for a short walk with mountain views, and should arrive early because parking is limited to 120 cars.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Entry charged per car

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Newry Cathedral, Newry

Photo: Dshort5551, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Newry

Newry Cathedral

Newry Cathedral was designed by Thomas Duff and built of local granite in 1829, the first Catholic cathedral opened after Catholic Emancipation. Its interior was richly decorated in the early 1900s with marble and mosaics.

It stands on Hill Street in the city centre and is quiet inside with pews to rest on, so it suits a short visit combined with the museum.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Derrymore House, Bessbrook

Photo: Bernie Brown, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Bessbrook

Derrymore House

Derrymore is a National Trust thatched cottage of the 18th century set in woodland and parkland less than two miles from Newry, where the Act of Union is said to have been drafted in the Treaty Room. The estate has scenic walks through the parkland.

The house opens only on a few dates, but the parkland walks are a peaceful stop, and a carer should check the National Trust website before planning a house visit.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Check prices

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Bessbrook Model Village, Bessbrook

Photo: Eric Jones, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Market town · Bessbrook

Bessbrook Model Village

Bessbrook is an early Quaker model village built from 1845 by the Richardson family for workers at their linen mill, laid out in local granite around greens and squares. Nearby is the 18-arch Craigmore Viaduct across the Camlough valley.

The village is compact and its layout is unchanged, so a carer can plan a short drive or stroll round the squares, and guided tours can be arranged.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Regular groups and events in Newry and Mourne

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Newry and Mourne.

  • Gardening · NewryCouncil allotment plots around NewryAllotment plots let locally by the council give people a patch to grow vegetables and flowers, with reduced rates offered at times. A carer can help with the heavier digging and watering so an older gardener can concentrate on sowing, tending and harvesting from a seat.Details
  • Music · NewryNewry Musical FeisAn established competitive festival of music and singing in Newry, with classes for singers, instrumentalists and choirs. A carer can take someone along as an audience member for a session or two, which is an easy way to hear live music without a late night.Details
  • Sports · NewryNewry Bowling ClubA bowling club in Newry which has held open days to bring in new and returning players. A carer can go along to the open session, help with getting bowls out of the car and stay for the tea afterwards.Details
  • Volunteering · KilkeelConservation volunteering at Mourne ParkThe Woodland Trust recruits wildlife conservation volunteers at Mourne Park near Kilkeel, an old estate woodland opened to the public in recent years. A carer can drive someone to sessions and help with the practical side so they can take on the recording and observing tasks.Details
  • Knitting · NewryKnitting group at Newry LibraryNewry Library has hosted knitting sessions where people bring their own work and knit together. A carer can carry the bag of wool and needles, arrange the lift in and out, and stay for the company if wanted.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Newry and Mourne

At a glance

The eight places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal's CastleNewryan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Kilbroney ParkRostrevorhalf a dayFreeAskYesYes
Slieve Gullion Forest ParkMeighan hour or twoFreeAskYesAsk
Narrow Water KeepWarrenpointan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Silent Valley Mountain ParkKilkeelan hour or twoPaid entryAskAskAsk
Newry CathedralNewryan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Derrymore HouseBessbrookan hour or twoCheck pricesAskAskAsk
Bessbrook Model VillageBessbrookan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Newry and Mourne

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

12345678
  1. 1Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal's Castle, Newry
  2. 2Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor
  3. 3Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Meigh
  4. 4Narrow Water Keep, Warrenpoint
  5. 5Silent Valley Mountain Park, Kilkeel
  6. 6Newry Cathedral, Newry
  7. 7Derrymore House, Bessbrook
  8. 8Bessbrook Model Village, Bessbrook

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Newry and Mourne

Carers in Newry and Mourne charge £18 to £25 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £20, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £80 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Newry and Mourne has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Newry and Mourne

Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal's Castle in Newry, Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor, Slieve Gullion Forest Park in Meigh, Narrow Water Keep in Warrenpoint, Silent Valley Mountain Park in Kilkeel, Newry Cathedral in Newry, Derrymore House in Bessbrook and Bessbrook Model Village in Bessbrook. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

Kilbroney Park and Slieve Gullion Forest Park have an accessible toilet. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Newry and Mourne Museum at Bagenal's Castle, Kilbroney Park, Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Narrow Water Keep, Newry Cathedral and Bessbrook Model Village. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £20 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Newry and Mourne shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Companionship care in the counties around Newry and Mourne

Days out in the areas around Newry and Mourne

Companionship care by town in Newry and Mourne

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Newry and Mourne

See carers near Newry and Mourne who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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