Saint Patrick's Way Short Break
- Walk the best of the Saint Patrick’s Way in Northern Ireland, a pilgrimage trail
- The Mourne Mountains, a filming location for Game of Thrones
- Tollymore Forest, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Landscapes that influenced C.S. Lewis when he invented fictional Narnia
- Slieve Donard Mountain and its hermit cave associated with Saint Patrick
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Newry and overnightArrive in the historic city of Newry for your first overnight. There are trains or buses from Belfast to Newry and the journey takes from 1-2 hours.
Saint Patrick, the missionary who brought Christianity to Ireland was born around 400AD in Roman Britain and brought to Ireland as a slave around the age 16 years. He escaped his captors and fled to England and France where he studied to become a cleric. He went back to Ireland as a missionary in 432AD and landed in County Down on Strangford Lough, but went on to create Ireland’s first Christian church near Downpatrick.
While travelling on his mission in Ireland, Saintt Patrick spent time in a place called Glen Righe and he planted a yew tree here above the Clanyre River, which is the river that flows through Newry, It was a symbol of his faith and today the city’s coat of arms shows Saintt Patrick between yew trees.
Newry is also interesting due to its canal which was a vital coal transport link, and it is the oldest summit-level canal in Britain and Ireland. It opened in 1742 and connected Portadown and Newry.
This is a vibrant city and there are many bars and restaurants, as well as a flourishing art scene and heritage trail.

This hotel and spa is perfectly located next to the canal and very close to the heart of the city centre. Its rooms are spacious and modern, though decorated in a traditional style. You can also indulge in a spa treatment or relax in the jacuzzi or sauna.
Located in the heart of Newry City, Belmont Hall was constructed by Samuel Jackson Esq. in 1809. Its fourteen bedrooms offer all the comfort and contemporary facilities today's discerning guest has come to expect, while retaining its original Georgian period. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, and free tea/coffe and snacks. There is also Wi-Fi in all the rooms.
Today you will get a great sense of the changing landscape as you walk towards the coast. Walk down country lanes and past rolling green hillsides with views over Carlingford Lough and then views of the Cooley Mountains and the Mourne Mountains as you approach Rostrevor.
Rostrevor has barely changed from its Edwardian heyday and there are many fine 18th and 19th-century homes to view. Lying on the edge of Carlingford Lough, this idyllic little resort town is picturesque and has a C.S. Lewis-inspired Narnia Trail. Atmospheric pubs and enticing eateries all serve to ensure that you will have a marvelous evening here.
Ascent/Descent: +385m/-368m

Situated in exclusive Victoria Square, just a 5 minute walk from the town centre, both bright and airy rooms have amazing views over the mountains and the sea, crisp white cotton sheets and very comfortable beds. You will be welcomed warmly by your local hosts.

This inn is located right in the centre of Rostrevor in a beautifully refurbished 18th century building. They have 7 spacious ensuite rooms, free Wifi and offer a delicious cooked breakfast. There is also a very good restaurant and bar on the ground floor.
Today’s walk takes you from the edge of the lough and into the majestic Mourne Mountains. Firstly the trail takes you through the Rostrevor Forest. C.S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, used to holiday in the Mournes and this location inspired his fictional landscapes.
The next part of this pilgrim walk has you walking on parts of the Ulster Way and Mourne Way, through the foothills of these impressive mountains. A short transfer (20 mins) brings you back to Rostrevor for a second night.
Ascent/Descent: +463m/-222m

Situated in exclusive Victoria Square, just a 5 minute walk from the town centre, both bright and airy rooms have amazing views over the mountains and the sea, crisp white cotton sheets and very comfortable beds. You will be welcomed warmly by your local hosts.

This inn is located right in the centre of Rostrevor in a beautifully refurbished 18th century building. They have 7 spacious ensuite rooms, free Wifi and offer a delicious cooked breakfast. There is also a very good restaurant and bar on the ground floor.
Starting from where you finished yesterday (a short transfer away) you will once again walk through the Mourne Mountains and around Slieve Bearnagh, which is the fourth highest in this range, with two large granite tors on its summit.
Then walk through Tollymore Forest, an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Links with Saint Patrick are many here. Newcastle lies at the base of Slieve Donard Mountain on which there is a hermit’s cave in the Great Cairn constructed by Saint Donard, who was an important disciple of Saint Patrick. He is said to have converted when Saint Patrick brought his bull back to life after it had been killed.
Newcastle itself is a delightful seaside town, lying on the Irish Sea with a 5km stretch of beach and with plenty of local pubs and restaurants to choose from.
Ascent/Descent: +464m/-711m

This cosy family-run B&B is located very near the main shopping area, yet it is very quiet. All 4 rooms have modern day comforts with free Wifi, tea and coffee making facilities and welcoming owners.
Situated in the heart of Newcastle, the Beach House B&B is a well-established Victorian Guest House on the sea front. There is a balcony for the guest’s use with spectacular views over Dundrum Bay and the Mourne Mountains. All rooms have en suite bathrooms, tea and coffee making facilities, WiFi internet access and you can enjoy a full Irish breakfast in the morning.
You can travel to Belfast by bus from Newcastle (around 1H30M) and from here make your onward journeys.
Other Information
Is it for me?Celebrate Saint Patrick’s legacy by following his footsteps in Northern Ireland on this “best of” itinerary. Rated moderate as you will be walking into and out of the Mourne Mountains, this tour will suit those guests who love history, a mix of beautiful landscapes and the friendliness of the local people who are more than willing to engage in a chat and share their stories!
Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!
Inn to Inn Walking | Walk from place-to-place changing accommodations each night. Generally staying in B&B’s, inns, and guesthouses.
Solo Travellers
As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 16 Years
This itinerary is graded moderate overall and involves beautiful sections of walking in the Mourne Mountains. The daily distances vary from 17.5km (11mi) to 21km (13mi) with a maximum ascent of 465m (1525ft), and maximum descent of 715m (2345ft). Please note that the last walk to Newcastle is arguably the most challenging walk as it involves a steep uphill climb to Butter Mountain at the start. The mountains can feel featureless at times but once you have passed the mountain, the trail becomes more gentle through rolling farmland and woodland. This tour is suitable for regular walkers and it is advisable to do several longer walks of a similar distance on undulating terrain to build up your fitness before setting off. This way you can make the most of your time in the Mourne Mountains!
The terrain consists of quiet tarmac country roads (on Day 2), woodland paths, and trails through open moorland and mountains (on Days 3 and 4). Although the paths are not very high, the area can feel quite isolated and you are exposed to the elements. During rainy weather some of the trails can be muddy, boggy, and waterlogged, so be prepared to get your boots wet and wear very good quality walking and waterproof boots. Wearing gaiters is also a good option.
If you are thinking of travelling solo, please consider that mobile phone coverage may be patchy in remote areas along the trail. We also welcome small groups on the trail, ideally no bigger than 6-8 travellers due to accommodation limitations in remote areas along the route. Booking in advance is a must.
The accommodation on this tour is comfortable B&B’s and a hotel. All offer a warm welcome to walkers and traditional Irish hospitality with delicious full Irish breakfasts. It must be noted that as there is no appropriate accommodation in the Mourne Mountains, we will provide transfers to and from the walks on Day 3 and 4 and you will stay a second night in Rostrevor. We regularly use the properties below but may accommodate you elsewhere if these are not available.
Single Rooms & Solo Walkers
We will be happy to accommodate your party with single rooms if requested, and a single supplement applies. This trip is also available to solo walkers, and a supplement is again payable (as some costs are not shared). Please note that singles may not be of the same standard as twins/doubles.
Meals
A hearty breakfast is included each morning, which usually includes choices of cereals, toast and yoghurts. A full cooked Irish breakfast is also provided. Lunch and dinner are not included, so you are free to choose from the available options. Most of your accommodations will be more than happy to provide a packed lunch on request and this can be booked on arrival. Alternatively you can buy lunch at local shops or stop in a café. Your route notes will have more specific information on whether you will need to take a packed lunch on a walk or whether there is a café, shop, etc en route.
You can buy dinner in all the towns you stay in as there are plenty of choices of local restaurants and pubs.
This route is well-waymarked for the most part and easy to follow. Navigation is straightforward as you can use the Macs Adventure Smartphone App which has maps, GPS tracks, and daily route information. Simply download the GPS tracks for offline use and follow the route on your phone with the assurance that navigation will be simple, and you can’t get lost. You will find more information on downloading the app in your Macs Adventure Account.
Please note that depending on the time of year and recent weather, the trail may be boggy in places which could reduce your average walking speed.
- 4 Nights in B&B's & guest houses
- 4 Breakfasts
- Luggage Transfers
- Day 3 Transfer from the end of the walk
- Day 4 Transfer to beginning of walk
- A detailed information pack, route notes and maps
- Access to the GPX tracks via the Macs Smartphone App
- 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
- Travel to Newry
- Travel from Newcastle
- Lunches & dinners
- Snacks & drinks
- Travel Insurance
- Personal Equipment
- Taxi transfers or public transport should you need to skip a stage
- Extra nights before, after or during your walk
This walking tour is best enjoyed between April and October. You have the flexibility to start on any day of the week, except Sundays and Mondays (subject to availability). This is because the only options for dinner in the small village of Rostrevor are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
If you are planning on traveling between June and August, we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially when traveling in a group.
In our opinion, one of the best times to visit this region is in spring when colourful wildflowers are in bloom and the Mourne Mountains look incredible at this time of year. July and August are the busiest months and accommodations tend to fill up fast, but you can appreciate long hours of daylight. For a quieter experience, September is an ideal month and it has the advantage of the crowds beginning to thin.
Due to the Irish Open 2024 being held in Newcastle, it's no longer possible to book between 8 to 15 September 2024.
Irish weather is typically unpredictable year-round so be prepared for any conditions and you will be pleasantly surprised. No matter what month you choose to travel, being in the Mourne Mountains means it can get wet and windy at any time of year. At the start and towards the end of the season the conditions may be wetter and windier which may slow down your progress along the route. There could even be some snow in early spring or late autumn and for this reason, it is important that you check the local weather forecast before setting off each day.
The closest airport is Belfast City Airport. From here you can take a bus or a train to Belfast City Centre and then a bus or a train to Newry. The total journey takes just over 2H. You can also fly into Belfast International Airport. However, this airport is further away and it will take you 3H by bus to Newry with 2 changes, or you can take a train via Belfast City Centre which takes almost 4 hours.
It is also possible to fly into Dublin Airport as the journey by bus is only 1H15 and there is a regular service.
To find out more information about buses and trains please visit Bus Eireann, or Translink.
Just as when you arrived, the best airports to fly into are Belfast City, Belfast International or Dublin. From Newcastle you can take buses to Belfast City Centre and onto either airport from there. The journey in total to the airport takes about 1H30, depending on the transfer times in Belfast.
You can also take a bus to Dublin Airport and fly out of the there. The journey takes 2H45.
Please refer to the travel links above for more information on timetables and routes.
Your bags will be collected from your accommodation each day and moved onto your overnight accommodation. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 18kg per person.
At Macs Adventure, we work in partnership with many luggage transfer providers who set a limit on how many bags/suitcases they will transfer per person, and also the weight of the bag/suitcase. Your booking includes transfer of 1 bag per person. It is very important that you read the luggage information specific to your tour before departure. If you do not adhere to these limits, there is a great possibility that you will be charged locally both for extra bags or if they are too heavy. This limitation can be a challenge, especially as airlines generally have limits that are higher. However, our luggage providers have reasons for these limits (usually due to the Health and Safety of their employees), which we must respect.
The distances and descents / ascents are approximations of the recommended routes. Please be prepared by packing all necesssary items, for example, proper rain gear (jacket and pants), sun hat and sunscreen. Your information pack has a detailed equipment list which includes standard walking/ cycling gear such as good walking boots or shoes, warm and waterproof clothes for the cooler months and lightweight clothing for summer, and a day pack.
It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity and emergency evacuation and hospital care.
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