Quoile Castle — Attraction in Newry, Mourne and Down District Council

A bit confusing when you're there for the first time! The walk is actually across the road from the car park, through a little green gate, and there are no signs to suggest this until you are through that gate.

The tower (not a castle) itself is not much to see, unfortunately, as it is blocked off from public access and only half is visible from inside the site. You can see the other side by walking out of the site and going up the grass path on your right, but whether this was public access land was unclear as it backed onto a house.

This site could benefit from some TLC as the path around the visitor centre is mostly blocked by overgrown plants, and also some signage for first time visitors. It appears as though the centre is permanently closed according to the Discover NI website.

Turning left on the walk takes you out to the junction between Quoile Road and Mearne Road, around 0.3 miles. I didn't venture in the...

Growing up in Downpatrick as a kid one of my favorite memories was cycling on our bmx's down to the Quoile river with a back pack full of sandwiches to go fishing for Rud & Perch with friends, even though not a single one of use really knew how to fish, we would have watched the regulars took advice and learned as we went along lol. Now i live 30 miles away, but i still drive down occasionally to take a long walk and have a picnic with my wife, my son and our dog, especially on a good day like today. It's been updated quite a bit over the years with new smooth tarmac walkways, wheelchair freindly ramps, wheelchair accessible picnic benches and wooden jetty things so you can walk out on to the water for a better view, it's also a G.O.T filming location. Such a lovely part of the world, the older you get the more you appreciate the scenery...

It is an interesting ruined fortified tower rather than a castle. The Tower itself can't be accessed either. However, there is a helpful information board next to the tower which gives context to the building. The visitor centre was closed when we visited. The gardens seem well maintained too. It also contain quite a few picnic benches. Free car parking is available for approximately ten cars. Access to the Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve and riverside walk is just across the road. I wouldn't recommend travelling any great distance to visit here although it is worthwhile visiting if you are in...