'''Newry''' is a city in County Down, in Northern Ireland.

Understand

Along with Lisburn, Newry received its Royal Charter as part of the Queen's Jubilee celebrations of 2002. The city has existed as a settlement for well over 850 years.

Newry is the major population centre in the south of Northern Ireland, and is near to the border with the Republic of Ireland. It is also a major transport hub, with convenient connections to the rest of the country. It is an area with an interesting recent history, and is an ideal base for exploration of the Mourne mountains. It is also a centre of culture and nightlife in its own right.

Get in

Newry lies on the Belfast - Dublin main train line. It is connected to both these cities, and many cities in the North, by Ulsterbus coach.

  • Translink [http://www.translink.co.uk] have bus and train timetables for Belfast, NI, and links with Great Britain and the Republic.
  • Get around

    Newry is a relatively small city, and can easily be explored on foot. Taxis are widely available and charge a minimum fee of __3.50 within the city. Local buses run from about 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and really aren't worth the effort.

    See

  • Newry Cathedral
  • St. Patrick's Church, High Street - the first Church of Ireland chapel.
  • Newry City Hall - built over Newry's Canal
  • Do

    After Belfast, Newry is arguably Northern Ireland's second finest location for shopping. The town boasts two shopping centres (The Quays and The Buttercrane) as well as a modest out-of-town shopping complex. The Quays also has a 9 screen cinema, showing the latest blockbuster movies. Newry has a 25 metre swimming pool and a sports complex, both of which have seen better days. There are also facilities for playing soccer, bowls and tennis. Newry also has a number of public parks and is surrounded by beautiful towns, the majestic Mourne Mountains and spectacular countryside.and has loads of carry out spots

    Buy

    Eat

    Finding lunch should not prove a problem, as there are many good sandwich shops located on Hill Street and in '''The Quays Shopping Centre''' (people who live in Ireland will know to avoid O'Brien's in the Buttercrane).

    Finding somewhere to eat in the evenings can be a challenge. Excellent restaurants (such as the original Soho Place and Tickle) seem to have an abnormally short life-span. Many places offer inexpensive and unremarkable fare, the most prominent being the '''Canal Court Hotel''''s bar snacks menu (best described as standard chain-pub food). There are a wide range of Chinese restaurants/takeaways and pizzerias, but remarkably few Indian restaurants. The number of pubs offering food has grown significantly in recent years.

  • Despite its stupid name, '''Art Barfunkel's''' in the Arts Centre serves very special food (both at lunchtime and in the evening) and the atmosphere is something special.
  • '''Bella Sapori''' for good quality Italian fayre. The new Soho Place is probably worth a visit. The Canal Court has two restaurants, neither of which are renowned amongst locals for either value or excellence.
  • Just one quick word of warning - food-wise, Newry is hardly a vegetarian's paradise. You have been warned.

    Drink

    Sleep

    For a city, Newry has a surprisingly small number of hotels. For those looking at the lower end of the scale, the Mourne Country Hotel often suffices, although the quality of services offered are continually degrading. More popular, not only with class and location, is the city's newest hotel - the Canal Court Hotel. This hotel offers a wide range of facilities, both for guests and conferences, and is currently encompassing a massive upgrade. Bed and Breakfasts are also in abundance throughout the city and its surrounding rural areas at decent rates.

    Get out