Break for the border!
Omeath To Cornamucklagh
In June 2024, the long awaited extension of the Carlingford Lough Greenway from Omeath village to the border with Northern Ireland was officially opened. The section was (roughly) 4.5km and runs along the scenic shoreline of Carlingford Lough, generally following the route of old Dundalk, Newry, and Greenore railway line.
The land on which the D,N & G railway ran until it closed on 31st December 1951 was ‘parcelled up’ and sold off, beginning in 1957. The Greenway planners and engineers of Louth County Council therefore faced a major challenge make and construct a route from Omeath to the border a reality.
The track bed of the railway, which had opened in August 1876, ran along the shoreline of Carlingford Lough, turning inland just before Narrow Water and routing through Ferry Woods to the border. Inevitably however, the land, now largely in private ownership, had been built upon, and there was therefore no simple route through.
In 2021, so began a legal process involving Compulsory Purchase Orders, effectively forcing landowners to part with their land and receive compensation. Many were, quite understandably, were very upset about this, and so it took some years for the legal process to be completed.
Construction began in August 2023 and the ‘diggers’ came in, carving out the route to the border. The route necessitated by-passing some properties by going inland and utilised quiet local access roads that branch off the R173, down to the shore and the few properties there. The end result was a wide, scenic and meandering gravel path that meant that cyclists (& walkers and runners) could now get to the Border. Moreover, the views along the way are stunning.
Across Carlingford Lough you firstly see the splendid town and port of Warrenpoint, a town that grew at a tremendous rate during Victorian times as holidaymakers and day trippers took advantage of an extensive railway network to travel to the area to enjoy the fresh air and fabulous views. There was even a foot ferry between Warrenpoint and Omeath, likely dating back to medieval times but modernised in 1912 with the introduction of the first motor boat, ‘’Fair Play’. Crowds flocked to Warrenpoint, and then took the ferry across to Omeath, especially on a Sunday, when the more liberal licensing laws in the Republic of Ireland, combined with the shops, stalls and hotels in Omeath, and St. Jude’s shrine were big attractions.
Sadly, the foot ferry service ended around a decade ago, but by 2027, OnYerBike clients will be able to cycle over to Warrenpoint when the long awaited Narrow Water Bridge is completed.
A short distance after leaving the village of Omeath, you firstly cycle through Omra Park, Drummullagh, and then turn right at a well marked junction, briefly joining a local access road (100 mtrs), before turning left and along the shore.
Most likely, looking across to the north, you will see a large ship. Until February 2024, it was known fondly as ‘Seatruck’ (still is locally!) and every day, the two roll-on, roll-off ferries carried lorries over from Warrenpoint to Heysham in Lancashire, and back. The Seatruck Ferries Ltd company, and their ferries were acquired in February 2024 by CLdN RoRo, a Belgium headquartered company, and rebranded.
A little further along, and having turned inland and back, you reach the very historic point where the Newry River empties into the tidal Carlingford Lough. It’s known as Narrow Water, not surprisingly, the aptly named narrowest section of the river and historically, back to ancient times, another well used crossing point. The Newry River is known as the Clanrye River in the City of Newry and in its upper reaches, and it rises in the hills near Rathfriland in the Mourne Mountains, County Down. There are many points of historical interest at this point.
We have written about them fully on our sister site – www.carlingfordloughgreenway.com, but here is the potted version !
The Newry River Range Leading Lights
They are freestanding light beacons – navigational aids – designed by Allan MacDonnell, engineer of the Newry Navigation Company, and built around c1880-90. They are of circular-plan, tapering to a conical roof, designed to look like ancient round towers. Their purpose was entirely practical, assisting ships to navigate the channel from Carlingford Lough, up river to the Newry Ship Canal.
The front ‘Leading Light’ is 16 ft tall and the rear ‘Leading Light’ is 49 ft tall. When navigating up river, a pilot aligns the towers, informing him as to where the deep water channel is. The rear tower is taller such that the two can be aligned. The towers are surrounded by water at high tide. Today, the Leading Lights are powered by solar panels, and remain a navigational aid to this day, the white patches on the Towers are known as day markers, and are used during daytime.
It is worth noting that when the Narrow Water Bridge is complete in 2027, Newry River Range Rear Light will be obscured by the bridge, so an alternative navigational aid has been put in place. It’s constructed in concrete but designed to look like one of the original towers.
So today, there are three Newry River Range Leading Lights.
Narrow Water Keep
Directly across the Newry River, from anywhere in the proximity of the Narrow Water Bridge construction site, or from the magnificent Newry River Boardwalk, you will observe a structure that looks very like a castle tower with a wall around it. This is the Narrow Water Keep, and it is located alongside the A2 in County Down, very close to where the Narrow Water Bridge will reach the other side of the river.
Whilst the current structure is not medieval, there has in fact been a keep on this site since 1212, the original having been built by Hugh de Lacy, first Earl of Ulster, to prevent attacks on Newry via the river, as part of the area’s Norman fortifications. The current tower-house and bawn was built in the 1560s, originally to house an English garrison.
The keep was damaged during the Irish Rebellion of 1641, and sold to the Hall family in the 1670s. The Hall family lived in Narrow Water Keep until the early 19th century, when they built Narrow Water Castle (see below).
Narrow Water Keep Light Beacon
You may also notice a small stone built ‘Light Beacon’ alongside the Narrow Water Keep. It was probably built in the 1880s and so likely part of the scheme designed by Allan MacDonnell, engineer of the Newry Navigation Company, to improve the Newry River navigation. It was somewhere near the beacon that King John forded the river on a pontoon in 1210.
This beacon can probably be better espied from the Newry River boardwalk, the topic of another route.
Narrow Water Castle
Looking across and above the Narrow Water Keep, you may spot, up on the hill the roof and turrets of Narrow Water Castle. It’s not always visible due to mature trees but you can definitely see it from Autumn to Spring.
As mentioned, the Hall family lived in Narrow Water Keep – then known as Narrow Water Castle – until the early 19th century, when they built the much grander mansion, now known as Narrow Water Castle. During this period, an architectural style emerged that combined late Gothic elements, Tudor, and Elizabethan styles and was known as the ‘Elizabethan Revival Style’
Thomas Duff of Newry was the architect, he also designed the Cathedrals in Newry, Armagh and Dundalk. Construction, using local granite, began in 1816 and was completed in 1836.
Today, Narrow Water Castle remains the private residence of the Hall family and is not open for public admission, although it occasionally open its doors for weddings and exclusive events. You can visit however, as the estate boasts three amazing 5 star self-catering apartments that can be booked directly on-line.
Narrow Water Bridge
The Narrow Water Bridge is a major cross-border infrastructure project, currently under construction, that will span the narrowest point of Carlingford Lough and connect he A2 Newry-Warrenpoint dual carriageway in County Down with the R173 just outside Omeath.
Budgeted to cost €102 million, funded by the Republic of Ireland’s Shared Island Fund, this 195 metre, two-span, cable-stayed bridge features a unique asymmetrical design, with a rolling bascule (opening) span on the northern end to allow for marine traffic to pass along the river to Victoria Lock, the sea-lock that for centuries enabled ocean going ships to enter and exit the Newry Ship Canal and reach Albert Basin in Newry
Construction, being undertaken by BAM Civil Ltd, officially began in June 2024 and completion is expected by late 2027. All reports suggest that currently, the bridge is on time, and on budget.
The construction itself is a wonder to behold, very interesting for anyone interested in such major civil engineering projects!
Ferry Wood
As you might guess, Ferry Wood takes its name from the (ancient) ferry that used to operate across the Newry Rive at Narrow Water.
It is an absolute joy to ride through Ferry Wood, especially on a hot day ! On any day, it’s just another fabulous feature of the Carlingford Lough Greenway which incorporated a lane that passed through the woods which, based on satellite images, was once the track bed of the D,N & G Railway.
When you reach Cornamucklagh, just short of the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, you pass under a bridge that once crossed the railway into the wood, and a short distance later, you reach the next section, the fourth phase of the Carlingford Lough Greenway, that opened in July 2025.
The next short but hugely impressive section takes the Carlingford Lough Greenway from Cornamucklagh to Victoria Lock, the subject of another route.
