Attractions and Places To See around Ballyewry - Top 20
Attractions and places to see around Ballyewry include a variety of historical sites, natural features, and cultural points of interest located within the broader County Down area of Northern Ireland. While Ballyewry itself is a small townland, its surrounding region offers numerous opportunities for exploration, from ancient ruins to scenic routes. Visitors can discover significant landmarks and diverse landscapes, making it a central point for exploring the rich heritage and natural beauty of the area.
Best attractions and places to see around Ballyewry
- The most popular attractions is Sketrick Castle, a castle that dates back to the 12th century and is situated on Sketrick Island. This large tower house was built in the mid-15th century and was actively involved in warfare during the 16th century.
- Another must-see spot is Nendrum Monastery Ruins, a historical site and religious building. This pre-Norman monastic site dates back to the 5th Century and features three round dry-stone walled enclosures, a church ruin, and a round tower.
- Visitors also love The Comber Greenway, a family-friendly cycle way and trail. This popular traffic-free footway and cycling path connects Belfast city centre with Comber, offering beautiful scenery and views.
- Ballyewry is known for its historical sites, natural features, and cycle ways. The region offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from ancient castles and monastic ruins to scenic trails.
- The attractions around Ballyewry are appreciated by the komoot community, with 45 upvotes and 16 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 9, 2026
Sketrick Castle
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Nendrum Monastery Ruins
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Ballycopeland Windmill
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Helen's Tower
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The Comber Greenway
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Tips from the Community
Nendrum Monastery was a Christian monastery founded in the 5th century. The monastery finished somewhere between 974 and 1178, but the church survived until the 15th century. You can visit the ruins if you're riding past.
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Sketrick Castkle is a historic landmark situated on Sketrick Island near Whiterock. The castle dates back to the 12th century and the grounds are free to explore.
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This large tower house was built in the mid 15th century and was actively involved in warfare during the 16th century. It would have originally been four storeys high with a boat bay and subterranean passage. There were four chambers at ground level, the largest had a vault built on wicker centring and two ovens. The small unlighted room could have been a lock up or treasury. The tower-house was relatively complete until half of it collapsed in a storm in 1896. Part of the bawn wall survives to the north and east of the castle.
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This is the best example in Northern Ireland of a pre Norman ecclesiastical enclosure with its buildings. Nendrum is associated with St Mochaoi who died at the end of the 5th century, and is linked with St Patrick in a much later source. Notices of Nendrum clergy, including three bishops, begin in the 7th century and the excavation of a sophisticated tide mill on the shore near the site has shown that the mill was active in the early 7th century, which underlines the early importance of Nendrum. References continue until a fire in 976, perhaps a Viking raid, when the head of the church (erenagh) was burned in his house. In the late 12th century a small Benedictine monastic cell was founded on the site, but by 1302–1306 this was the parish church, abandoned for Tullynakill on the mainland in the 15th century. H.C. Lawlor excavated the site from 1922 to 1924, when enclosure walls, church and round tower were restored. The glacial hill is crowned with three concentric walled enclosures, irregularly oval in plan. Little is known of the outer cashel, only partly in state care. In the middle cashel on the south-west side are circular platforms for huts, which excavation suggested were craft workshops, and a rectangular building known as the ‘schoolhouse’, also a workshop. In the inner cashel were the most important buildings, including the church with its graveyard and the base of a round tower north-west of the church. The west wall of the church was rebuilt in the 1920s, incorporating a reconstructed sundial at the south-west corner. Finds from the 1920s excavation, including the well-known bell of Nendrum, are in the Ulster Museum and Down Museum at Downpatrick. Underwater archaeological work in the 1990s showed that there is a stone jetty south-east of the enclosure, now inundated in the lough, and medieval pottery was found close by. ( source: department of communities )
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Perfect way to get out to Comber. Connecting easily with nearby tours of Strangford Lough and Ards. You will be amazed just how quite things get, and all only 30 minutes from Belfast.
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Ballycopeland Windmill is the only remaining working windmill in East Down. It was built in the late 18th or early 19th century and was worked until the First World War when it fell into disrepair. It was gradually restored between 1950 and 1978 to full working order.
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A small visitor centre is located inside the Millers house with a Cafe onsite open to the public. Disabled access is not possible within the windmill. This is a group of traditional buildings on a sloping site with changes of level. Wheelchair users can gain access to the exhibition but may find this difficult. Some parts of the complex are inaccessible for wheelchairs. Please note: Online booking is essential. A limited number of tickets may be available on the day however cannot be guaranteed. Tours of the windmill can now be booked on the official Ballycopeland Windmill website https://www.ballycopelandwindmill.com .
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Daft Eddy's Restaurant / Pub is very popular with Cyclists, and is just up the hill. There is also a Car park with full facilities if you look back to the mainland just on your left.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites are there to visit around Ballyewry?
The region around Ballyewry is rich in history. You can explore the ancient ruins of Nendrum Monastery Ruins, a pre-Norman monastic site dating back to the 5th Century. Another significant historical landmark is Sketrick Castle, a 12th-century tower house on Sketrick Island. Further afield, consider visiting Grey Abbey, Dundrum Castle, or Inch Abbey, all notable historic sites in County Down. For a unique experience, Ballycopeland Windmill offers a glimpse into 18th-century engineering.
Are there any family-friendly attractions near Ballyewry?
Yes, several attractions are suitable for families. The Comber Greenway is a popular traffic-free path perfect for cycling or walking with children. Nendrum Monastery Ruins and Sketrick Castle offer engaging historical exploration. For a broader outdoor experience, Slieve Gullion Forest Park in County Armagh features walking trails, a scenic drive, an adventure playpark, and a children's story trail.
What natural features can I discover around Ballyewry?
The area boasts beautiful natural landscapes. Slieve Gullion, known as Ireland's Mountain of Mystery, offers stunning views and walking trails in its forest park. The Cusher River flows through the dense woodland of Clare Glen, providing picturesque scenery. You can also find mountain views at Silent Valley Reservoir near Newry and enjoy the green spaces of Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor.
What outdoor activities can I do near these attractions?
The region offers various outdoor activities. For running, explore routes like the 'Floodgates run — Strangford & Lecale' or the 'Movilla Abbey loop from Newtownards North ED'. You can find more running trails at Running Trails around Ballyewry. Cyclists can enjoy routes such as the 'Ards Peninsula quarter loop from Newtownards' or the 'Donaghadee Lighthouse – Ballycopeland Windmill loop from Greyabbey', with more options available at Cycling around Ballyewry. For easy hikes, consider the 'Boundary Walk, Mount Stewart' or 'Floodgates Walk', detailed in Easy hikes around Ballyewry.
Are there any unique or hidden gems to explore?
Beyond the well-known sites, consider visiting the Ballymacdermot Court Tomb, a well-preserved Neolithic burial site near Newry City, offering a glimpse into ancient history. Scarva Village, known for its annual 'Sham Fight' Pageant and a WWII pillbox, provides a unique cultural and historical stop on the Newry cycle path.
What is the best way to explore the area by bike?
The Comber Greenway is an excellent traffic-free path connecting Belfast to Comber, ideal for a leisurely ride. For more adventurous cycling, the Slieve Gullion Electric Bike Experience offers electric and standard bike hire for exploring the mountain's scenic views and surrounding areas with self-guided tours. You can also find numerous cycling routes around Ballyewry, including longer loops like the 'Ards Peninsula quarter loop from Newtownards'.
What are the accessibility options for attractions near Ballyewry?
Accessibility varies by site. For instance, Ballycopeland Windmill has a visitor centre with some disabled access, but the windmill itself is not wheelchair accessible due to its historic structure and changes in level. It's advisable to check specific accessibility details for each attraction directly before your visit.
Where can I learn more about the history of the region?
To delve deeper into the local history, the Newry and Mourne Museum, housed in Bagenal's Castle, offers insights into the area's past. Many historic sites like Dundrum Castle and Inch Abbey are managed by the Department for Communities, which provides information on these locations. You can find more details on historic places to visit via the Department for Communities website.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Ballyewry?
Visitors frequently appreciate the rich historical significance and natural beauty of the area. For example, those visiting Nendrum Monastery Ruins enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and stunning views of the Lough, often spotting traces of old salmon fisheries. The coastal views, seals, and otters near Sketrick Castle are also highly praised, especially by cyclists.
Are there any impressive architectural landmarks in the vicinity?
Yes, the region features several notable architectural landmarks. The Craigmore Viaduct, an impressive 18-arch structure, is the highest building of its kind in Northern Ireland and part of the railway line connecting Belfast to Dublin. Gosford Castle, a magnificent Grade I listed 19th-century country house, is another architectural highlight located just outside Markethill in County Armagh.
Can I find any unique viewpoints or scenic spots?
Absolutely. Helen's Tower, a 19th-century folly, offers excellent lookout points near Bangor. The glacial hill crowned with Nendrum Monastery Ruins provides one of the best views of the Lough. Additionally, the scenic drive through Slieve Gullion Forest Park offers panoramic vistas of the surrounding landscape.
What is the best time to visit attractions around Ballyewry?
While specific opening hours vary by attraction, the spring and summer months generally offer the most pleasant weather for exploring outdoor sites and enjoying activities like cycling on The Comber Greenway or hiking in Slieve Gullion Forest Park. However, historical sites like Sketrick Castle and Nendrum Monastery Ruins can be visited year-round, though some facilities might have reduced hours in the off-season.
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Most popular attractions around Ballyewry
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