This is a list of my favourite walks & a brief list of things to see & do in the area: (For this & more ideas – printed on one page, please click here)
Walks
The mountain is behind us and the seashore is a stone’s throw from our garden. Enjoy the colours of heather & bracken and the spectacular views from looped walks on the mountain, smell the seashore from the Carlingford Greenway and take the Carlingford Scenic Ferry – from nearby Greenore to the mesmeric Mountains of Mourne with stunning walks & drives.
And for the fun of it – take some pictures – and #ghanhouse – sharing your experience will energise others!
Greenway
Walkway that runs from Carlingford marina along the coast to Omeath – where there is a cafe!
Beautiful walk with stunning views of the Lough and Mourne Mountains. Great for prams, bikes, wheelchairs, children and walkers with not a car in sight! 7km each way.
Seashore
This is the best walk of the lot and hardly anyone does it! Borrow a pair of wellington boots from us, check the tide is on the way out, walk 4 minutes to the far shore, then walk down to the water’s edge, through the rock pools, over the slippery seaweed glistening in the sunlight. The joy is the smells, the multitude of colours and walking out the edge of the tide and seeing the Mourne Mountains and Slieve Foy tower above the Carlingford Lough. Great for pictures! Walk back before the tide starts coming back in again.
Ballagan shore
Just 5 minutes drive from Ghan House is a single-track road which winds its way through the ancient old Irish farmhouse town of Whitestown, past Lily Finnegans pub then onto the open shore, with panoramic views of the Irish Sea, Carlingford Lough, Hallbowline lighthouse (the 2nd best designed building in the whole of Ireland) the Mourne Mountains and Slieve Foy. To get to it, turn right out of our main drive, left at the T junction towards Greenore, 1st right (after 100metres) and follow this road round to the left until you hit open shore immediately on your left. Follow this road and park around where the road splits. The walk takes you inland on the right hand split and follow this road in an anticlockwise direction to bring you through the ancient farmhouse town, the shore & back to your car – approx 50 minutes walk.
Breathtaking! And great with prams.
Picturesque round of golf
This one is for the golfers – have one of the best rounds of golf you’ll ever have & get your exercise in too – Just 3km from Ghan House (turn right from our main drive, turn left at the T-junction and turn 2nd left which is just past the golf course) – here is Greenore Golf Course. A wonderful course with sea & mountain views – with some tee off points on the old railway embankment – with stunning views of Carlingford Lough, The Mountains of Mourne & Slieve Foy mountain. Open to non-members – but advised to book in advance – www.greenorgolfclub.com . Great club house with stunning views open for a pint & great lunch – for golfers & non-golfers.
Driving tour from Dublin to Carlingford
Click here for the Dublin to Carlingford Driving Tour.
With thanks to Jennifer from sidewalksafari.com….Great car hire recommendation….Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre….5,000 year old Proleek Dolman…..place to Stay & eat in Carlingford…..Walking tours….the Scenic Carlingford Lough Ferry….the amazing Mountains of Mourne…Kilbroney Forest Park….and more (also add on your list – 600 yr old massive Celtic Crosses at Monasterboice & 5,000 year old Newgrange, Knowth & Dowth – both just off the M1 motorway on the way up) – thanks Jennifer!
