MenuNewcastle, Down
Newcastle is a seaside resort town, lying on the Irish Sea at the foot of Slieve Donard in County Down. It is within the townlands of Ballaghbeg, Murlough Upper and Tollymore, in the civil parishes of Kilcoo and Maghera. The name is thought to derive from the castle built by Felix Magennis in 1588 at the mouth of the Shimna River (demolished in 1830). The castle was captured by Sir James Montgomery in 1642. The castle and land were passed to Robert Hawkins, later to the Mathews family, and subsequently to the Annesleys. The Annersley family developed the harbour from around 1808, primarily as a loading point for the granite from the Mourne Mountains. The arrival of the Belfast and County Down Railway in 1869 spurred major growth as a seaside resort. The company built the Slieve Donald Hotel in 1898, epitomising Victorian grandeur. It became synonymous with golf, especially with its proximity to the Royal County Down Golf Club, founded in 1889. St John's Church (C of I) was built in 1832 on a rock overlooking the bay, its tower and spire dominating the town's skyline. Annesley Hall began as a National School in 1875. The town is within the council area of Newry, Mourne and Down.
Place Type: Town
Historic County: Down
Lat, Long: 54.203787,-5.892922
Grid Reference: J 3754 3036
Townland: Ballaghbeg TD
Civil Parish: Kilcoo CP
Council Area: Newry, Mourne and Down CA
Police Area: Northern Ireland PA
Devolved Legislature: Northern Ireland Assembly
GBPN ID: 321928
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Newcastle,_Down_321928
Peruse Down on Wikishire
Place Type: Town
Historic County: Down
Lat, Long: 54.203787,-5.892922
Grid Reference: J 3754 3036
Townland: Ballaghbeg TD
Civil Parish: Kilcoo CP
Council Area: Newry, Mourne and Down CA
Police Area: Northern Ireland PA
Devolved Legislature: Northern Ireland Assembly
GBPN ID: 321928
Entry Type: Main listing (P)
URL: https://gazetteer.org.uk/place/Newcastle,_Down_321928
Peruse Down on Wikishire