Overview
Camlough (Irish: Camloch, meaning “crooked lake”) lies five kilometres west of Newry in County Armagh, set against the backdrop of the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village takes its name from Cam Lough, a 90-acre glacial ribbon lake that sits in a valley carved between Slieve Gullion and Camlough Mountain. While the lake’s modern shape appears relatively smooth, its irregular form earned it the “crooked” nickname long before a late-19th-century embankment raised its water levels.
Together with the Camlough River and the surrounding uplands, the area forms a compact landscape of tranquil waters, ancient geology, and layered history. It remains a quiet but active hub for open-water swimming, hiking, and heritage exploration.
History & Heritage
Prehistoric monuments & plantation roots
Human presence in the Camlough area dates back to the Neolithic period. Visitors can still find several portal tombs on the slopes of Camlough Mountain, along with the solitary standing stone known as the Hag’s Chair in nearby Lislea and the Ballykeel Dolmen, notable for its two upright portal stones and massive capstone.
The village itself sits in the townland of Cross, a name that refers to the historic crossroads rather than a religious monument. By 1620, the mountain was recorded as Sliabh na Croise (“Mountain of the Cross”). During the Plantation of Ulster, the area was part of the O’Hanlon’s country before a 1,000-acre grant of twelve townlands was awarded to Henry McShane O’Neill, setting the stage for the village’s development.
Industrial past & engineering
The Camlough River once powered a network of around nine mills, driving Ulster’s linen and textile industries through the 18th and 19th centuries. The earliest and most prominent was Kelly’s Flax and Scutching Mill, established around the mid-1700s on Keggal Road. Though the mills are long gone, stone foundations and remnants of water-wheels still line the riverbanks, marking the rhythm of a bygone industrial era.
Dominating the valley is the Craigmore Viaduct, an 18-arch stone bridge built between 1849 and 1852 for the Belfast-to-Dublin railway line. Designed by civil engineer John Benjamin Macneill, the structure stretches a quarter of a mile and reaches 126 ft at its highest arch. It remains Ireland’s tallest viaduct and a striking landmark visible from much of the surrounding countryside.
What to See & Do
Cam Lough & water activities
Cam Lough is a popular training ground for triathletes and open-water swimmers. Its calm waters host the annual Camlough Lake Water Festival in August, featuring everything from introductory “Try-a-Tri” sessions to the Ulster 5k and 10k championships. The lake also stages the Crooked Lake Triathlon each June. In September 2009, 200 swimmers set a Guinness World Record here by completing a 680 km continuous relay swim.
Beyond organised events, the lake is ideal for kayaking, paddle-boarding, and angling. A recent planning application for a new recreational hub aims to add a slipway, jetty, kayak storage, and changing facilities, further cementing the lake’s role as a regional watersports destination.
A lesser-known feature lies just off the shore: a roughly one-kilometre tunnel excavated in the 1960s for an abandoned pumped-hydroelectric scheme. The cavern was intended to store and release water to generate over 200 megawatts of electricity, but the project was shelved as the Troubles began. Today, the entrance remains a quiet reminder of mid-century engineering ambitions.
Hiking & geology
Camlough Mountain (also known as Slieve Girkin) rises to over 400 metres and offers marked trails for hikers of varying abilities. The rock beneath your feet tells a deep story: the mountain is composed of granodiorite formed around 400 million years ago, linked to the closure of the ancient Iapetus Ocean. This makes it significantly older than the 60-million-year-old volcanic rocks of nearby Slieve Gullion.
From the summit, views stretch across the rolling farmland, the glacial lake below, and toward the Cooley Mountains and Carlingford Lough. A popular loop route combines the mountain ascent with lakeside paths, covering roughly 9 to 10 km with moderate elevation gain. The terrain shifts from paved lanes to unpaved hiking paths, rewarding steady effort with sweeping panoramas.
Ancient sites & river walks
The area’s archaeological trail is easily accessible. The Ballykeel Dolmen sits at the western foot of Slieve Gullion, while the Hag’s Chair stands isolated in a field, wrapped in local folklore. For a glimpse of Penal-era history, the Mass Rock (Carraig an Aifrinn) at Grant’s Rocks served as an outdoor altar for over 300 years.
River walks trace the course of the Camlough River toward the Newry Canal. Short, family-friendly strolls begin near the village centre, while longer routes climb toward the mountain, passing stone bridges, mill ruins, and open pasture. The Craigmore Viaduct can be viewed from several informal footpaths along the river valley, offering excellent photographic opportunities without requiring a detour from the main trails.
Practical Information
- Getting there – Camlough is five kilometres west of Newry, easily reached via the A1/N1. Ulsterbus route 338e provides regular connections from Newry Bus Station. Free parking is available near the lake and at trailheads.
- When to visit – Late spring through early autumn offers the mildest weather for swimming and hiking. Spring is excellent for birdwatching, while autumn brings bright foliage to the mountain paths.
- Facilities – Picnic areas and public toilets are located by the lake. Launch points for kayaks and paddle-boards are maintained by local groups. A new recreational hub is planned to expand changing and storage facilities.
- Safety – Open-water swimmers should monitor weather conditions, as the lake can become windy. Hikers should wear sturdy footwear for unpaved sections and carry waterproof layers. The viaduct area features steep drop-offs, so supervision is advised for children.
- Accommodation – Bed-and-breakfasts and self-catering cottages are available in Camlough and nearby Newry, with several properties offering views of the lake or surrounding hills.
- Local events – The Camlough Lake Water Festival (August) and Crooked Lake Triathlon (June) are the main annual highlights. Check local listings for exact dates and registration details.
Camlough’s combination of glacial water, ancient stone, and quiet trails makes it a practical base for exploring the Ring of Gullion without the crowds of more famous peaks. Arrive with a packed lunch, comfortable shoes, and an eye for the landscape’s quieter details.