Outdoor Facilities - Leisure, Forest and Country Parks Re-opening from Wednesday 27 May

Tennis Courts and Angling Facilities

The Executive announced on Monday 18 May that some COVID-19 restrictions would be lifted to allow some sports to restart.

We are therefore pleased to announce that the following outdoor leisure facilities will open from Wednesday 27 May in line with COVID-19 restrictions and guidance:

• Donaghguy Reservoir (Warrenpoint Fishing Club)
•  Newry Tennis Court
• Warrenpoint Tennis Courts
• Kilbroney Tennis Courts
• Newcastle Tennis courts

Please note the following:

• At this stage tennis facilities are restricted to established tennis clubs only and not open for casual public use.  All club members must comply with Tennis Ireland’s social distancing guidelines.
• Changing rooms and pavilions are to remain closed for use until further lifting of restrictions.
• Club members only to use facilities for casual play, no private coaching or competitive games to take place.
• Warrenpoint Fishing Club to use Donaghguy Reservoir for its members only and no day tickets can be sold to general public.

Outdoor Facilities

We are re-opening a number of outdoor facilities from Wednesday 27 May 2020:

Facility                                           Opening Times

Slieve Gullion Forest Park                  9am - 5pm

Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor                  9am - 5pm

Delamont Country Park, Killyleagh                 9am - 5pm

Warrenpoint Municipal Park                            9am - 5pm

Annalong Harbour (for local fishermen only)    Open

Newcastle Harbour                                           Open

Killough Harbour                                               Open

Killyleagh Harbour                                            Open

Cranfield Beach (car park)                               9am - 5pm

Tyrella Beach (car park)                                  9am - 5pm

                                                                       During Normal Opening Hours

Castlewellan Mountain Bike Trails and         10am - sunset

Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails

(with the exception of 2 downhill trails which will remain closed) 9am - 5pm

Walking Trails in Forest and Country Parks     Open During normal Park Opening hours 

Horse Riding Trails in Castlewellan             10am - sunset

Camlough-slipway                                           Open

IMPORTANT: Playparks, toilet facilities, caravan and camping facilities, and on-site cafes will remain closed at each site due to COVID-19.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council will re-open Kilbroney Forest Park, Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Delamont Country Park and Warrenpoint Municipal Park on Wednesday 27 May 2020.  The parks will be operating on a restricted basis initially, with car parks at each site open from 9am – 5pm each day.  Playparks, toilet facilities, caravan and camping facilities, and on-site cafes will remain closed at each site.  Visitor numbers entering our facilities will be limited to manage the capacity at each site. 

The car parks at Cranfield and Tyrella beaches will re-open from this date.  Lifeguards will not be operating on beaches and bathing is not recommended at this time.  Council operated harbours will also re-open from this date. 

In order to ensure that we can keep our beaches, forest and country parks open for everyone’s use and enjoyment we ask that visitors are considerate and responsible in their actions, please follow the latest government guidelines on the COVID-19 response, including continuing to practice social distancing and good hygiene.  Please check that facilities are open before you leave home and adhere to the guidance and signage that we’ve put in place at each site for your safety.  Please don’t park on grass verges outside of sites, and keep roads clear, especially in rural locations. 

All re-opened facilities will be monitored for adherence to the guidance and sites will be closed when it is deemed that adherence to government guidelines around social distancing and good hygiene is not achievable.