Slieve Donard

The tall tower of the Slieve Donard Hotel presides over the sand dunes of the Royal County Down Golf Course and is second in its majesty only to the Mourne Mountains that sweep down to the opposite end of Newcastle Bay.

The Slieve Donard's proud Victorian architecture stands as a reminder of a bygone age and has graced the seaside town of Newcastle in County Down for over 100 years. Once the rail terminus for day trippers from Belfast to this Victorian "beside the seaside" resort, the Slieve Donard is perfectly situated for the Royal County Down Golf Course which is just a short stroll through the hotel's grounds.

The grand entrance to Slieve Donard befits a hotel of this magnitude, with its broad open lobby lit by hanging chandeliers, while Chaplin's Bar, recalling the famous actor's visit, is a lively and friendly place for a drink or a nightcap. Dining at the Slieve Donard, is provided with a choice of the elegant Oak restaurant priding itself on its traditional fare or the Percy French Inn, for informal pub dining and a sociable drink with the locals.

The guest rooms at the Slieve Donard are very well portioned, again a reminder of their Victorian origins with tall ceilings and some great bay windows to take in the stunning views of the Mourne Mountains and the graceful curve of the bay.

Activities in the area include golfing on the famous Royal County Down Golf Course, horse riding in the Tullymore Forest Park, hiking up the Majestic Mourne Mountains or simply walking along the Newcastle Promenade and taking in the sea breezes.