Friendly centre for either a restful seaside or active sporting holiday. Step across the promenade to the soft, sandy beach fresh Irish sea. Five minute walk to the foot of the splendid Mourne Mountains. Two minutes to heated outdoor swimming pool, amusements games. Golf Newcastle is of course famous for the Royal County Down golf course. Newcastle is also a great hub for the would be golfer with other great golf courses within a short driving distance. Royal County Down is one of the oldest Golf Clubs in Ireland with traditions dating back for more than one hundred years. Situated in Newcastle, where in the immortal words of Percy French, The Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea, Royal County Down is not only a fine test of golf but has accompanying scenery that is spellbinding. http://www.royalcountydown.org. Bluelough The mountains of Mourne offer excellent opportunities for climbing or walking. A great Family Mountain Adventure is available from http://www.mountainandwater.com. This one-day course is perfect for learning what mountain activities are all about. You and your family will get to try out rock climbing, abseiling, scrambling, hill walking and learn a lot in a safe, fun environment under the watchful eye of one of our friendly instructors. Mount Pleasant Riding Centre Ireland's leading Riding and Trekking centre in the heart of County Down.Situated within 2000 acres of breathtaking forestry encompassing Castlewellan, Tollymore and the Mountains of Mourne, theres no better way to get away from it all than take to the reigns at Mount Pleasant. http://www.mountpleasantcentre.com. Mourne Trail Riding Centre Welcome to The Mourne Trail Riding Centre Home Page. In this web site Tom and Maggie Newsam would like to provide their customers with a complete overview of their facilities and services. As a family run business we pride ourselves in care and attention to detail. We only cater for people who can ride so that we may offer our customers the experience and enjoyment of interesting riding on quality Irish Hunters. Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Mountains of Mourne, the Mourne Trail Riding Centre offers value and services second to none. Don't just take our word for it - call today and find out for yourself. http://www.mournetrailridingcentre.com

Surroundings With so much to see and do in Newcastle and Co Down Northern Ireland, we can't list all of them but here are just a few of them. Tollymore Forest Park. On 2nd June 2005 Tollymore Forest Park celebrated its 50th anniversary.In 1955 it became the first state forest in Northern Ireland to be designated as a Forest Park. Tollymore was previously owned by Robert Jocelyn, 8th Earl of Roden and purchased by the Department of Agriculture in 1930 and 1941. Covering an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne mountains, the forest park offers panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at nearby Newcastle, while within its own boundaries are many splendid vistas of woodland and rivers. Tollymore was listed in the Sunday Times top 20 British picnic sites for 2000. Tollymore is one of three forests across Northern Ireland piloting the in-touch information kiosk. The kiosk contains lots of information on the forest and its surrounding area including useful tourist information. The kiosk is located at the bottom corner of the upper car park. Opening Hours: The Forest is open every day of the year from 10:00 am until sunset. Admission Fees from 1 February 2006: Car £4.00 Motorbike £2.00 Minibus £10.00 Coach £25.00 Pedestrian Access: Adult £2.00 Child £0.50. Click here for more information. Castlewellan Forest Park. The forest covers 460 hectares of natural beauty enhanced by diverse woodland and a variety of attractive man made features, all of which are accessible to the visitor on foot. The land was leased from the Annesley family in 1967 and became a Forest Park in 1969. The Peace Maze, original concept and maze design by Beverley Lear, Lear Associates, which is the largest and longest permanent hedge maze in the world, was officially opened by Mrs Brid Rodgers, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, on Wednesday 12th September 2001. Read the latest update from the National Arboretum. The forest is open every day of the year from 10:00am until sunset. 18th-century mansion, famed for its mixture of architectural styles One Classical and one Gothic facade Dramatic setting overlooking Strangford Lough Children can dress up and play with period toys in the Victorian Past Times centre Take a ride in a tractor trailer and visit our farm animals Woodland, lakeside and parkland walks with stunning viewpoints. The arrival of Mourne Golf Club on the Irish Golfing scene is recorded in the Golfing Union of Ireland centenary book with half a line - 1946 Mourne, A 1946.. Expanded into a sentence, this reads Mourne Golf Club was founded in 1946 and affiliated to Golfing Union of Ireland in 1946.. The centenary book of Royal County Down Golf Club is a bit more generous and gives the event the following two paragraphs: There was, however, one very significant move which took place in the closing years of the war. Gerald Annesley, grandson of the first president and now landlord, took a positive step forward on behalf of the townspeople of Newcastle. He wrote to the Council of Royal County Down reminding them that the town had become a substantial seaside resort and was no longer the fishing village of 1889. He proposed the establishment of a club for the residents of the Newcastle area, under the auspices of Royal County Down, and with separate premises. Council's characteristic reaction was to appoint a sub-committee. This did not betoken reluctance but they wished to be sure of the implications for all parties. For example, on handicapping and other issues, the Golfing Union of Ireland had to be consulted. Two years later details were finalised, but in the meantime Mourne Golf Club, as it had been named was seeking accommodation and the huts which had been used by the Civil Defence Authorities between the Clubhouse and Slieve Donard Hotel were found suitable. A lease was arranged as soon as the government sold them. Hours were set during which the members should play and financial relations, membership control and overview of their rules were agreed. Mourne would fix it's own subscriptions and handicaps and be afflicted to the Golfing Union of Ireland.

If you really want to watch TV you can do so in the comfort of the Avoca and we perfectly understand that there may be programmes you wish to see but if you are looking for something different and refreshing Newcastle and the Avoca is where you can find it. Check out. During the summer months live bands, groups or discos perform frequently in the Avoca - especially at weekends - in the function room / dance space that adjoins the main Lounge Bar. The dance area is on a raised level of the lounge, sufficient to keep apart those who dance and those who just enjoy live music and a drink. If you want a really quiet drink and a chat (if you are young and 'in luv' or if you simply want to get your head showered and forget about 'luv' J!) - there is also the Residents' Bar at the other end of the hotel - open during the Summer. Bedrooms also are in a completely different wing of the hotel, so sleep for those who go to bed early should not be disturbed. Other evening entertainment in Newcastle? There is so much going on in other parts of the resort that we simply cannot list them. They are all within walking distance, so questions about drinking and driving simply do not arise. Food in the dining room of the Avoca is hard to beat! But on occasion we all like to go out for that special meal. The gourmet cooking to be found in nearby County Down villages must be tasted to be believed! A great foundation are the fish, lobsters and prawns just out of the Irish sea - plus fresh vegetables and well-hung meat from local butchers and farmers! We know the quality! We are in the business ourselves! We can give you pointers to quite a few delightful restaurants that you may enjoy. In other pages you will discover at least the beginnings of an outline of many things you can do and see in the Kingdom of Mourne. We will not labour the point. There is a genuine choice between days of rest and activity, freedom to do exactly what suits you - an important ingredient in any refreshing holiday.

Facilities The Avoca Hotel is clean and comfortable and offers real value for money. It is ideal for families and couples. You can tailor your stay to your own taste: active or restful - mountain climbing or just strolling where the spirit takes you and joining in the 'craic' (If you don't know what this is you will find out at the Avoca - and it will be a fun experience! The 'craic' can be mighty!). Our lounge-bar serves quality spirits, beer, cocktails, wines bar food. Our newly furbished Pool Rooms, are excellent for keeping the kids (and adults) entertained if the weather is not suited for an outdoor event. our restaurant offers well-prepared best quality food (most of it carefully selected local produce.) comfortable bedrooms - with daily service fresh linen towels as required. Small but beautiful! Our private function room is available for weddings, family celebrations, business lunches or dinners, and community or social occasions. Menu by arrangement. pleasant residents; lounge (with fine sea views) - courteous service (with a care for the privacy and individual needs of residents)

Situated at the foot of the beautiful Mourne mountains the Avoca Hotel in Newcastle Co Down is ideally situated to take advantage of Co Down. The Avoca is ideally located as a base for exploring the beautiful County of Down - and further afield. In Newcastle itself the hotel is close to places of entertainment, such as the outdoor heated seawater swimming pool tennis courts, bowling, pitch putt, and entertainment arcades. The maps on the right can be enlarged to show our location. The view left is from the direction of the famous Royal County Down Golf Club. The Avoca Hotel is at the far end of the beach, on Newcastle's Central Promenade.

 Baby chairs and cots are provided
 Credit cards accepted
 Dinner may be served in the room
 Hairdryer
 Heating
 Ironing facilities
 Licensed bar
 Private park, garden, courtyard
 Quiet surroundings
 Restaurant
 Private/Ensuite bathroom
 Phone at reception
 TV sets in rooms