Overview
The forest above Rostrevor is one of the places that fed C.S. Lewis’s Narnia, and the village makes the most of it. It sits where the Mourne Mountains drop to the northern shore of Carlingford Lough, a short drive from Newry and within reach of Belfast, and it’s long been called the “Riviera of the North”. Kilbroney Park is the reason most people come – for the walks, the giant Cloughmore Stone above it, and a mountain-bike trail network that includes Ireland’s first two official downhill runs. One thing to know before you go: parking at Kilbroney is no longer free (more below).
History and background
The name Rostrevor joins the Irish ros, a wooded headland, to the surname of Sir Edward Trevor, a Welsh settler who arrived in the early 17th century. Before the Trevors renamed it, the area was Caisleán Ruaidhrí (Castle Rory), after a Magennis lord of Iveagh.
The village wears its legends openly. A 9th-century high cross stands in the local cemetery; the ancient bell of St Bronach was once hidden in an oak tree; and the granite Ross Monument, an obelisk raised in 1826, remembers Major General Robert Ross, who commanded the British force that burned Washington in the War of 1812. Folklore is still a live part of the place, most of all in the Fairy Glen and in the story of the Cloughmore Stone, which local myth says the giant Finn McCool hurled across the lough.
What to see and do
Kilbroney Park and the Cloughmore Stone
Kilbroney Park, the former estate of the Ross family, is the heart of the outdoors here, split between lower parkland and upper forest trails. Highlights:
- Cloughmore Stone – a 50-ton granite boulder perched about 1,000 ft (300 m) above the village on Slieve Martin. Geologists call it a glacial erratic; legend says Finn McCool threw it from the Cooley Mountains. Walk around it seven times, they say, for good luck.
- Kodak Corner – a belvedere just beyond the stone, with the view across Carlingford Lough to the sea.
- Narnia Trail – a half-mile family walk that begins by stepping through a wooden wardrobe, with seven sculptures by Irish artist Maurice Harron along the way, among them Aslan, the White Witch and Mr Tumnus.
- Tree Trail – a two-mile loop through rare specimen trees, including the award-winning “Old Homer” holm oak.
- Amenities – a play park, tennis courts, café and picnic area make a full day easy.
Fairy Glen Walk
The Fairy Glen follows the Kilbroney River from the bridge at the park entrance, threading riverside meadow, woodland and open parkland. It’s popular with anglers after brown and sea trout, and with walkers who come for the shaded, quiet stretch that earned the name. The path is well kept and suits a gentle stroll as much as a brisk walk.
Mountain biking
Rostrevor Forest holds an extensive trail network run by Bike Mourne, including Ireland’s first two official downhill trails, alongside intermediate red routes and harder black and extreme lines. An uplift service shuttles riders from the Kilbroney Park car park to the higher trailheads, cutting out the climb and making this a magnet for cyclists from well beyond the village. E-bike tours are available for a more relaxed pace.
Cultural and historical highlights
- Fiddler’s Green International Festival – running since 1987, a multi-day event of concerts, workshops, traditional dances and art exhibitions across the village.
- Ross Monument – the 1826 granite obelisk on Shore Road, to General Robert Ross.
- Kilfeaghan Dolmen – a Neolithic portal tomb on the Kilkeel road, under a massive capstone.
Food, drink and accommodation
- The Oystercatcher – boutique hotel on the lough’s edge with a rooftop terrace.
- The Rostrevor Inn – an 18th-century coaching inn with en-suite rooms, a traditional bar and a bistro leaning on local seafood.
- Rostrevor Mountain Lodge – glamping pods and lodge rooms for a nature-focused stay.
- The Old School House Café – a restored school building doing hearty Irish breakfasts and good coffee.
- The Church – a former chapel turned bistro on Cloughmore Road, striking arches and a continental menu.
Practical information
| Facility | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening hours (Kilbroney Park) | March & October 09:00–18:00; April & September 09:00–20:00; May–August 09:00–21:00; November–February 09:00–17:00. Closed Christmas Day. |
| Admission | Free entry to all park trails and attractions. |
| Parking | Since March 2024, £5 per day for non-residents; residents can apply for a free annual permit. Cyclists and pedestrians enter free. |
| Toilets | At the café and upper car park; disabled-accessible facilities provided. |
| Accessibility | Designated disabled parking and toilets; flat sections of the Narnia Trail are wheelchair-friendly, but the steep climb to Cloughmore Stone is not. |
| Public transport | Ulsterbus route 39 links Rostrevor with Newry, Warrenpoint and Kilkeel, Monday to Saturday with a reduced Sunday service. The village lies on the A2 coastal road. |
| Bike hire & tours | Bike Mourne operates the trail uplift service; e-bike tours finish in Rostrevor (pre-booking recommended). |
Getting there
Rostrevor is nine miles north-west of Newry and roughly 46 miles south of Belfast. The A2 (Shore Road) makes a scenic coastal drive from Newry, and Ulsterbus route 39 gives regular public transport. Cyclists can reach the village on the Mourne Coastal route or via a Bike Mourne e-bike tour, all of which end in the village centre.
Nearby attractions
- Ardglass – Village and Historic Castle – a coastal drive east, with a medieval castle and historic harbour.
- Bagenal’s Castle – the 16th-century manor house in Newry, with guided tours.
- Ballyhalbert – Ireland’s Easternmost Village – a seaside spot with a long beach and coastal walks.
- Bangor Abbey – an early-Christian site north of Belfast.
- Ben Crom Mountain, Dam and Reservoir – walking and fishing in the Mournes, reachable via the A2.
Arrive early at weekends to get parking near the café, and bring a windproof layer whatever the season – the lough breeze moves fast, but the view from Kodak Corner earns the climb.