
Newcastle Harbour is located on the north-eastern coast of Ireland on the western shore of Dundrum Bay. It is approximately midway between the entrances to Carlingford and Strangford Loughs. The small drying harbour is used by small fishing boats and leisure craft. It is only suitable for vessels of about ten metres or less that can take-to-the-hard on a clean sandy bottom. Larger vessels may anchor outside and temporarily come alongside on a rise of the tide.
The harbour offers good protection except in strong southeast through east to northeast winds that cause a heavy scend in the harbour. Access to the harbour is straightforward except in developed conditions, again from the southeast through east to northeast, which makes the entrance difficult to negotiate. The harbour can only be accessed on the rise as it dries entirely even on neap tides.
Keyfacts for Newcastle Harbour
Last modified
July 18th 2018 Summary* Restrictions apply
A good location with straightforward access.Facilities
Nature
Considerations
Position and approaches
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Haven position
This is the position of the light set on the head of the north (or inner) pier inside the entrance. Fl R WG Red 232° to 240°, White 228° to 232°, Green 180° to 228°.
What is the initial fix?
The following Dundrum Bay Initial Fix will set up a final approach:

What are the key points of the approach?
Offshore details are available in eastern Ireland’s Coastal Overview for Strangford Lough to Dublin Bay
.
- Pass to the south of the two Ballykinlar Firing Range Buoys.
- Steer to the north of the harbour and enter from the north.
Not what you need?
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Below are the ten nearest havens to Newcastle Harbour for your convenience.
Ten nearest havens by straight line charted distance and bearing:
- Dundrum Harbour - 3.8 nautical miles NNE
- Annalong Harbour - 5.4 nautical miles S
- Kilkeel Harbour - 9.2 nautical miles SSW
- Killough Harbour - 9.3 nautical miles ENE
- Ardglass Harbour (Phennick Cove Marina) - 10.6 nautical miles ENE
- Greencastle - 12.3 nautical miles SW
- Quoile - 12.8 nautical miles NE
- Rostrevor - 13 nautical miles WSW
- Killowen - 13 nautical miles SW
- Between Rat & Salt Island - 13.3 nautical miles NE
These havens are ordered by straight line charted distance and bearing, and can be reordered by compass direction or coastal sequence:
- Dundrum Harbour - 3.8 miles NNE
- Annalong Harbour - 5.4 miles S
- Kilkeel Harbour - 9.2 miles SSW
- Killough Harbour - 9.3 miles ENE
- Ardglass Harbour (Phennick Cove Marina) - 10.6 miles ENE
- Greencastle - 12.3 miles SW
- Quoile - 12.8 miles NE
- Rostrevor - 13 miles WSW
- Killowen - 13 miles SW
- Between Rat & Salt Island - 13.3 miles NE
How to get in?

The resort town of Newcastle is located at the head of Dundrum Bay and at the foot of Donard, one of the Mourne Mountains. Its small artificial harbour is situated close to the south of the town and is protected by two breakwaters. The harbour area dries out completely at low water, in places to plus one metre, but offers an attractive berth for vessels that can take to the hard. Likewise, those who want to come alongside for a short time will find it serviceable with a sufficient rise of tide.

The path between St. John's Point and Newcastle is free of dangers but passes through the southern end of the ‘Ballykinler Firing Practice Area’. This should not be attempted when the range is in use. This is indicated by red flags shown from flagstaffs on the south and east sides of the entrance to Dundrum Harbour. When firing is taking place yachts should keep to seaward and south of the buoys situated in the centre of the bay, which mark the southern extreme of the firing practice area.

Ballykinlar Firing Range Buoy - Oval yellow buoy Fl.2 Y.10s position: 54° 12.039' N 005° 45.035' W
A course of due west to the harbour will pass immediately south of a second range buoy that marks the south-western end of Ballykinlar Firing Range. From there the harbour is little more than ten minutes’ sail and is readily conspicuous.
The harbour entrance is located between the heads of the north and south breakwaters and opens to the north. As the harbour draws near, steer to position the vessel immediately north of the entrance so it may be accessed from due north.

Those planning to dry out should not use the outer end of the north pier as it is much sought after. Pleasure boats, offering trips around the bay, use this extensively as it is the harbour’s longest serviceable berth for them to take on and set down passengers. At night many fishing boats berth here to be ready to depart on an early tide. This makes the south wall, or further in along the north wall, better drying out locations. With regard to a specific position, it is advisable to take the harbour master’s or at least a local sailor’s advice.

Why visit here?
Newcastle, or an Caisleán Nua in Irish, derives its name from a late 16th-century castle. The settlement originated at a bridging point at the mouth of the Shimna River. On this site, Magennis Castle was constructed by Felix Magennis, of Mourne. Although the castle was subsequently demolished in 1831, by then it had already lent its name to the area.

Today Newcastle is a service centre for the surrounding rural hinterland, a commuter settlement and a holiday and retirement resort. The town continues to derive its trade from the Mournes and the pleasant stretch of sandy beach that fronts the town. It has become the largest seaside resort in County Down that attracts droves of trippers from Belfast on public holidays and summer weekends.

But this seaside arcade characteristic is more than overpowered by the mighty Slieve Donard and the Mournes rising up behind the town. Percy French’s very famous ballad ‘The Mountains of Mourne’ is thought to be an anthem to both London and Newcastle.
With people here workin' by day and by night
They don't sow potatoes, nor barley, nor wheat
But there's gangs of them diggin' for gold in the street
At least when I asked them that's what I was told
So I just took a hand at this diggin' for gold
But for all that I found there I might as well be
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
A fountain on the promenade commemorates the popular Irish songwriter.
The close proximity of this magnificent mountain range makes Newcastle the ideal point of departure for any serious walking or climbing. In this respect, the stunning Mournes have a lot to offer. Close to the town, there are plenty of straightforward hikes that require no special equipment and have obvious tracks that lead to the more scenic parts. Plus for those who want more serious walking or climbing a wide range of further opportunities are dispersed throughout the range.

For those more inclined towards gentler local walking, there are several pleasant parks in the vicinity of the town. There is the Mourne Coastal Footpath along the shoreline that is deservedly popular, and Donard Park is a pretty public park situated at the foot of Slieve Donard next to the Glen River. Indeed it is a nice walk from Newcastle town centre to the park along the pathways that surround the River Glen. Two miles inland from Newcastle, along the Bryansford Road, is Tollymore Forest Park. This 630 hectares park with the Shimna River flowing through it, offers a variety of trails with pleasant scenery.

Golfing enthusiasts may be tempted by Newcastle's Royal County Down championship golf course, which has a reputation as one of the most challenging links courses worldwide. It has played host to events such as the 2007 Walker Cup and 2006 Ladies British Open Amateur Championship. Amateurs might prefer to take advantage of the golf driving range at Donard Park, which also provides a number of sports pitches.
Today the harbour is much quieter playing host to some small fishing and pleasure craft used for water sports. Its founding stones of Mourne granite are still being used today. Recently the stone was used to create the base for the 9/11 memorial in New York.

From a boating perspective, this could only be described as a good berth for vessels that can take to the hard. But when the excellent provisioning and the access to the magnificent Mourne Mountains are added, it truly warrants serious consideration of any coastal cruiser passing along this coast.
What facilities are available?
The town of Newcastle stretches along the shore to the north of the harbour. With a population of almost seven and a half thousand there is a wide selection of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes available. Hence almost all provisions and necessities can be obtained including fuel and a post office.The harbour has toilets and facilities for waste disposal and a harbour master is available between April and September. The Newcastle Sailing Club clubhouse and dinghy park is situated beside the harbour on the main road to Killkeel. The clubhouse itself is normally only open during racing or club events. It also has premises beside the RNLI house where there is a concrete slip for launching dinghies at high water, plus showers when open. There is another small launching slip 200 metres north of the harbour.
Newcastle is located approximately 30 miles from Belfast, along the A24 road, and approximately 85 miles from Dublin. Downpatrick is about 12 miles away. The town has its own Coach/Bus Station (+44 28 4372 2296) on Railway Street at the eastern end of Main Street - a couple of hundred yards east of the promenade. The very helpful tourist office is close by at 10-14 Central Promenade (July & Aug Mon-Sat 10am-7pm, Sun 2-7pm; rest of year Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; +44 28 4372 2222). The nearest major railway Station is in Newry just over 20 miles away. Newcastle is about 30 miles from Belfast International Airport, and over 85 miles from Dublin Airport taking approximately 2 hours' travelling time.
Any security concerns?
Never an issue known to have occurred in Newcastle Harbour. However in an open harbour normal security provisions should be adhered to.With thanks to:
Fred Curran, Custodian of Ardglass Marina. Photography with thanks to Eric Jones, Henry Clark, Ardfern and Albert Bridge.















Aerial footage of the harbour
Newcastle Harbour (at the 6 minutes 40 seconds point)
The Mountains of Mourne by Jim Brannigan
About Newcastle Harbour
Newcastle, or an Caisleán Nua in Irish, derives its name from a late 16th-century castle. The settlement originated at a bridging point at the mouth of the Shimna River. On this site, Magennis Castle was constructed by Felix Magennis, of Mourne. Although the castle was subsequently demolished in 1831, by then it had already lent its name to the area.


Today Newcastle is a service centre for the surrounding rural hinterland, a commuter settlement and a holiday and retirement resort. The town continues to derive its trade from the Mournes and the pleasant stretch of sandy beach that fronts the town. It has become the largest seaside resort in County Down that attracts droves of trippers from Belfast on public holidays and summer weekends.

But this seaside arcade characteristic is more than overpowered by the mighty Slieve Donard and the Mournes rising up behind the town. Percy French’s very famous ballad ‘The Mountains of Mourne’ is thought to be an anthem to both London and Newcastle.
With people here workin' by day and by night
They don't sow potatoes, nor barley, nor wheat
But there's gangs of them diggin' for gold in the street
At least when I asked them that's what I was told
So I just took a hand at this diggin' for gold
But for all that I found there I might as well be
Where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea.
A fountain on the promenade commemorates the popular Irish songwriter.
The close proximity of this magnificent mountain range makes Newcastle the ideal point of departure for any serious walking or climbing. In this respect, the stunning Mournes have a lot to offer. Close to the town, there are plenty of straightforward hikes that require no special equipment and have obvious tracks that lead to the more scenic parts. Plus for those who want more serious walking or climbing a wide range of further opportunities are dispersed throughout the range.

For those more inclined towards gentler local walking, there are several pleasant parks in the vicinity of the town. There is the Mourne Coastal Footpath along the shoreline that is deservedly popular, and Donard Park is a pretty public park situated at the foot of Slieve Donard next to the Glen River. Indeed it is a nice walk from Newcastle town centre to the park along the pathways that surround the River Glen. Two miles inland from Newcastle, along the Bryansford Road, is Tollymore Forest Park. This 630 hectares park with the Shimna River flowing through it, offers a variety of trails with pleasant scenery.

Golfing enthusiasts may be tempted by Newcastle's Royal County Down championship golf course, which has a reputation as one of the most challenging links courses worldwide. It has played host to events such as the 2007 Walker Cup and 2006 Ladies British Open Amateur Championship. Amateurs might prefer to take advantage of the golf driving range at Donard Park, which also provides a number of sports pitches.
Today the harbour is much quieter playing host to some small fishing and pleasure craft used for water sports. Its founding stones of Mourne granite are still being used today. Recently the stone was used to create the base for the 9/11 memorial in New York.

From a boating perspective, this could only be described as a good berth for vessels that can take to the hard. But when the excellent provisioning and the access to the magnificent Mourne Mountains are added, it truly warrants serious consideration of any coastal cruiser passing along this coast.
Other options in this area
Click the 'Next' and 'Previous' buttons to progress through neighbouring havens in a coastal 'clockwise' or 'anti-clockwise' sequence. Alternatively here are the ten nearest havens available in picture view:
Coastal clockwise:
Annalong Harbour - 3.4 miles SKilkeel Harbour - 5.7 miles SSW
Greencastle - 7.6 miles SW
Killowen - 8.1 miles SW
Rostrevor - 8 miles WSW
Coastal anti-clockwise:
Dundrum Harbour - 2.4 miles NNEKillough Harbour - 5.8 miles ENE
Ardglass Harbour (Phennick Cove Marina) - 6.6 miles ENE
Kilclief Bay - 9.1 miles NE
Cross Roads - 9.3 miles NE
Navigational pictures
These additional images feature in the 'How to get in' section of our detailed view for Newcastle Harbour.











Detail view | Off |
Picture view | On |
Aerial footage of the harbour
Newcastle Harbour (at the 6 minutes 40 seconds point)
The Mountains of Mourne by Jim Brannigan
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