Council to Progress Plans for New Tourism Investment Across the District

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is to develop an outline business case for a new immersive tourism trail featuring world class visitor amenities stretching from Carlingford Lough to Strangford Lough as part of a major investment proposal under the Belfast Region City Deal (BRCD).

A new concept plan aims to connect Kilbroney Forest Park in Rostrevor with Slieve Gullion Forest Park in South Armagh and Delamont Country Park on the outskirts of Killyleagh, with significant investment planned at each to transform them into international standard tourist facilities that will appeal to global visitors and provide a boost for towns, villages and businesses across the region.

There will also be a focus on harnessing the huge potential of the UNESCO Mourne Gullion Strangford Global Geopark and Castlewellan Forest Park where Northern Ireland’s first treetop walk is proposed.

The concept plan aims to harness the spectacular beauty of the district's stunning landscape as part of a unique tourism journey delivering sustainable growth through investment in world class tourism attractions. The focus is on enhancing family-based tourism facilities and enriching already outstanding attractions.

Approval for the Council to progress the plan to the outline business case stage has been agreed by the BRCD’s Executive Board supported by BRCD partners including the Department for the Economy, Department of Finance and Tourism Northern Ireland.

The BRCD recommendation was endorsed by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting on Thursday 23 April and is due to be considered by full Council when it meets next month. The outline business case will then be presented to BRCD before the end of the year.

Following discussions which began in August 2025, the BRCD Executive Board and its partners supported the retention of the funding allocation within the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council area, subject to meeting the objectives of the BRCD programme.

Council officers and elected members have been engaging with a specialist tourism consultant since September 2025 to discuss and develop the concept project that will deliver against the BRCD objectives.

With 100 miles of coastline, three Blue Flag beaches, four Green Flag Country and Forest Parks, a municipal park, three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and a UNESCO Global Geopark, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council aims to utilise the area's unique combination of mountains, forests and waterways to deliver a high value tourism offering with a measurable regional impact.

The new Narrow Water Bridge linking Warrenpoint with Omeath, due to open at the end of next year, is viewed as an important contributor to the concept plan, with new greenway links from the bridge into Warrenpoint being developed, providing a spectacular journey through land boasting breathtaking scenery.

Moving forward, a stakeholder engagement strategy will be developed in partnership with a multi-disciplinary team to ensure that all relevant parties are involved in the concept design and development and that decisions are informed by technical, operational, financial and community perspectives.

In tandem with the new tourism proposition, it’s proposed a Challenge Fund will be made available to provide an opportunity for local tourism businesses to apply for grant aid to help enhance what they do as part of the focus to attract more international visitors to world class facilities and encourage them to stay longer.

Last September, Newry, Mourne and Down and District Council unveiled a £1 million hotel development grant scheme designed to stimulate new investment in accommodation provision.

Tourism and Regeneration projects within BRCD aim to enhance the attractiveness of Northern Ireland, increasing out of state visitors and supporting the regeneration of towns and villages across the region, delivering economic benefits to a range of businesses by generating demand for accommodation, hospitality, recreational and cultural activities and transport services, spreading sustainable economic, social and environmental benefits around the region, so that communities in all parts of Northern Ireland benefit, all year round.

The Council wants to grow existing businesses, support start-ups and help create opportunities for new business investors and continue to position tourism as its corporate priority, with the proposal designed to develop world class visitor amenities.

If the Council agrees to progress the plan to the outline business case stage, work will begin immediately on its development, including the establishment of key timelines.