Blog

The Downpatrick & County Down Railway (DCDR) is celebrating yet more awards success.

Recently voted Northern Ireland's best place to live, Dundrum caught the attention of our resident border collie, Finn. Eager for a new adventure, he made his way to Dundrum Castle and found the perfect setting to explore.

Our resident border collie, Finn, made a memorable visit to Dundrum Castle recently and discovered the ideal spot to embark on his latest adventure. 

Located amidst the scenic landscapes of County Down, this historic landmark boasts breathtaking views, expansive open areas, and a variety of trails perfect for curious noses and wagging tails.

Mourne Dew Distillery’s Pooka Hazelnut Poitín Liqueur has been crowned Irish Drink of the year 2025 at the Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards for 2025.

Dundrum has officially been named the best place to live in Northern Ireland by the Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide – and it’s easy to see why. 

Described as “genteel, seriously gourmet, and generous in spirit,” this picturesque coastal village in County Down offers a magical setting where nearly every home boasts stunning views of the Mourne Mountains, Dundrum Bay, or both. 

Catherine Fulvio embarks on a Soulful Journey along Northern Ireland’s Saint Patrick’s Way in a new Two-Part Series airing on RTE1 on Thursday 13^th and Friday 14^th March (8pm) in the run up to St Patrick’s Day

St Patrick’s Day is a time to celebrate the rich history and heritage of Ireland’s patron saint. What better way to honour his legacy than by walking the St Patrick's Way through Downpatrick and the surrounding Lecale area?

This historical journey through the places that were pivotal in St Patrick’s life, offering both stunning landscapes and a profound spiritual experience.

Celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Saint Patrick’s Way, a pilgrimage trail that spans 132km (82 miles) across the counties of Armagh and Down. Join in the celebration of this landmark journey and embark on a path that is rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Along the way, collect stamps at 10 Passport Points and receive your Certificate of Achievement at the Saint Patrick Centre in Downpatrick, home to the world’s only permanent interactive exhibition dedicated to Saint Patrick.

If you’re looking for a scenic dog walk with a bit of adventure, Dundrum Coastal Path is a fantastic choice. Finn, the ever-energetic Border Collie, and I took on this beautiful route, and let me tell you—it did not disappoint!

The 24th of January 2025 and the name Éowyn will go down in infamy within the Garden’s history, alongside Storm Ophelia (2017) which also took champions from us. Like many areas in County Down Storm Éowyn gave us a devastating battering.

At this stage in the project the capital works is around 50% complete, with most work carried out to date in the first courtyard and car park. The new visitor information centre, formerly the café, has almost completed its renovation and has a beautiful gable wall showing period features. Once the renovation is completed the next step will be installing a range of interpretation to tell the amazing stories of the demesne.

Mountain biking is an incredibly fun sport, but it can also be a daunting one to get into. The assumptions people make about it can be off-putting, and even knowing where to go can be a challenge. In this blog, we aim to lay out the simple things you can do to get into mountain biking.

Give a gift and spend local at the same time in this season for giving.  Whether it's a relaxing mid week break that you've been dreaming of, a day of Giant Adventures full of outdoor activities or a quiet night in a cosy restaurant or pub, this decision is totally up to you!