Travel Information
Things To Do
In Carlingford Lough & The Cooley Peninsula
Carlingford and The Cooley Peninsula is the ideal location for individuals, couples, groups and families to visit because there are so many things to do. Whether you are visiting for a few hours, for a day, for a weekend or a longer holiday, you can be sure that to find fabulous things to do for all the family.
Hiking on the Cooley Peninsula
There are a wide range of hiking trails for every fitness level here on the Cooley Peninsula. For those that would just like a modest stroll, there is no better trail than the Carlingford Lough Greenway. Almost flat and accessible at various points, it’s just 7km from Carlingford Marina to Omeath with cafes and facilities at both ends – Rabello Bistro in Carlingford Marina and a plethora of options in Omeath.
If you are going to try to get up Slieve Foye, we would suggest that unless you know the mountain you take up the services of local Guide Anam Tours. You’ll find Anam Tours on Facebook and Instagram and Clodagh leads walks all year round. We often get to watch the helicopter circling around as Greenore Coast Guard scramble up the mountain to rescue a walker as there are always dangers for the unsuspecting.
Slieve Foye Loop, Carlingford
This walk is mostly on good paths and is marked with blue arrows. It is around a 280 metre ascent and 8km distance, rated as Hard and requiring above average levels of fitness.
Barnavave Loop, Carlingford
Similar terrain, the Barnavave Loop is 14km and rises 350 metres. Rated Moderate to Hard, it requires above average levels of fitness.
Commons Loop, Carlingford
Requiring moderate to average levels of fitness, this 4km hike rises to 250m.
Molly National Loop Walk, Grange
Rated as Easy to average, this 4km walk starts at John Long’s pub in Grange.
Rooskey National Loop Walk, Grange
Moderate to above average, this 7km walk ascends 220 metres and starts at John Long’s.Annaloughan National Loop Walk
An 8km walk overlooking Dundalk and suitable for moderate to above average fitness levels.The Táin Way
A 40km, long-distance trail around the Cooley Peninsula that is typically completed in two days. Personally, I would start over in Ravensdale and then spend the night in Carlingford.The walks listed are merely a sample of the possibilities for hiking and walking in the Cooley Mountains. You can stroll around Carlingford on a short History Trail Walk with Anam Tours or on at the other extreme you can tackle The Táin Way
Biking on the Cooley Peninsula
OnYerBike has over 100 items of cycling equipment so that all the family can enjoy cycling around the Cooley Peninsula. We have an increasing number of eBikes, regular hybrid bikes and kids bikes, as well as child seats, child trailers, doggie baskets and a large doggie trailer. Helmers, bike locks, Hi-Vis jackets, baskets and rucksacks are all available too.
We are ideally situated at the start of the Carlingford Lough Greenway at Carlingford Marina, and we offer 2 hours, 3 hours, 4 hours and full day packages. It’s around a 14km there-and-back round trip to Omeath, easiy done in 2 hours. Our 3 hours or 4 hours options allow you to experience cycling the Greenway to Newry and back, with stops along the way. Cycling further afield, making a day of it, all our adult bikes are equipped with rear carriers and we provide rucksacks on request.
Our bikes are hybrid regular bikes and eBikes optimal for cycling the greenway and the country roads around the Cooley Peninsula and County Down.
OnYerBike does not offer moutain bikes (but you can rent mountain bikes from Bike Mourne at Rostrevor and Castlewellan).
Boating On The Carlingford Lough
I know that when I get to the seaside, I immediately feel the insatiable urge to get onto the water ! How to do this in Carlingford & The Cooley Peninsula. Well let me tell you, there are so many ways!
Carlingford Lough Sea Tours, based at Carlingford Marina, provide a range of sightseeing tours, fishing & leisure trips, special occasions and even swimming & diving excursions from their state-of-the-art, wheelchair accessible, catamaran, ‘Discovery’.
Carlingford Sail Training Centre is based near OnYerBike at Carlingford Marina. Whether you are new to sailing, need a refresher, or wish to expand your sailing skills, they have Irish Sailing Association (ISA) Certified Courses available that are perfect for you.
Racing, cruising, adult learn to sail programs and Summer Sailing camps for children are on-water activities that can be enjoyed on Carlingford Lough.
There are a lot of exciting adventures to be explored.
Carlingford Lough Ferry
An ideal way to cruise accross the Lough from Greenore to Greencastle is on the Scenic Carlingford Lough Ferry. With regular sailings throughout the season, the Carlingford Lough Ferry is a great way to see Carlingford Lough from both sides.Water-based Activities
If you fancy stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), canoeing or kayaking, then Carlingford Adventure Centre have them all on offer complete with all the equipment you need and other water based activities as well. Just Google Carlingford Adventure Centre and you’ll see that they have a huge array of “Land, Sea and Sky” activities for all the family.Commons Loop, Carlingford
The Cooley Peninsula is a fantastic destination for Windsurfers and Kite Surfers. I often see them taking to the water from Greer’s Quay or more often from Templetown Beach which is a Blue Flag beach on the Peninsula.These are just a few of the water based activities available on Carlingford Lough and The Cooley Peninsula.
Other Outdoor Activities All Around
If the great outdoors is your thing, then Carlingford & The Cooley Peninsula is hard to beat.
We are very fortunate to have Carlingford Adventure Centre and Skypark in Carlingford offering a fabulous range of Activities. Choose from Laser Combat, Ziptopia, Rock Climbing, Orienteering, Hillwalking, Kayaking, Canoeing, Water Trampoline, Raft Building, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Canoe Rafting, Footgolf, Crystal Maze, High Ropes, Archery, Frisbee Disc Golf to name but some of the ever expanding activities on offer.
But it doesn’t end there. Other Outdoor Activities on offer include a Farm Visit, Paintball, Clay Pigeon Shooting, Banana Boating, Sea Angling, Leprechaun Cavern, Golf at Greenore, Horseriding, Birdwatching.
Whether you visit Carlingford and The Cooley Peninsulas for a few hours, a day, a weekend or longer then you can be sure that there is lots of Activities for you and your family to enjoy. We do of course live in Ireland and so to enjoy the Activities you need to make sure that you have the right clothes and equipment. We can’t promise you the perfect weather, but we do promise you a very warm welcome!
Check Out the Carlingford Adventure Jerusalema Video
For more information:
We also have created www.carlingfordloughgreenway.com which showcases all the fabulous places you can visit along The Carlingford Lough Greenway.
As this website builds out, there will be guides to Carlingford, Omeath, Newry, Poyntzpass, Scarva and Portadown which you can visit ‘On Yer Bike’ now that we have a fabulous 53km greenway linking Carlingford to Omeath, Victoria Lock, Newry and then on to Portadown on the Newry Canal Towpath.