scenic viewpoint
Mourne Mountains
Granite mountain range that inspired C.S. Lewis's Narnia, with the Mourne Wall traversing 15 peaks and sweeping views to the Irish Sea.
11 km · about 20 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomNorthern Ireland
Kilkeel
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Kilkeel
Kilkeel is worth a stop: 15 minutes from Annalong, 18km from Tollymore Forest Park.
Kilkeel is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, with about 6,400 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Annalong, about 8 km away.
Kilkeel (from Irish Cill Chaoil, meaning 'church of the narrow') is a small town and civil parish on the Irish Sea coast of County Down, Northern Ireland. It is the main fishing port on the Down coast, and its harbour is home to the largest fishing fleet in Northern Ireland. It had a population of 6,633 people at theRead more
2021 census. The town contains the ruins of a 14th-century church and fort, winding streets and terraced shops. It lies just south of the Mourne Mountains, in the historic barony of Mourne, and is the southernmost town in Northern Ireland.
Where to Stay in Kilkeel
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Kilkeel?
Within an hour or so of Kilkeel: Mourne Mountains (11 km), Slieve Donard and the Mourne Wall (14 km), Tollymore Forest Park (18 km), Castle Ward (Winterfell) (44 km).
Are there any good drives near Kilkeel?
The nearest famous roads are Dundrod Circuit, Craigantlet Hillclimb and Sally Gap.
Where is Kilkeel?
Kilkeel is in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom, about 8 km from Annalong.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 6,447
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Northern Ireland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 54.0620, -6.0031
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Kilkeel
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Slieve Donard and the Mourne Wall
Northern Ireland's highest peak at 850m, with the 22-mile granite Mourne Wall running over its summit.
14 km · about 25 min drive
national park
Tollymore Forest Park
Northern Ireland's first state forest park at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, with Gothic arches, ancient trees and Game of Thrones filming locations.
18 km · about 20 min drive
film location
Castle Ward (Winterfell)
The farmyard at Castle Ward on Strangford Lough was Winterfell's courtyard in season one; archery and banquet experiences run on site.
44 km · about 50 min drive
ancient ruins
Newgrange
A 5,200-year-old passage tomb in Ireland's Boyne Valley, older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids, famous for its winter solstice illumination of the inner chamber.
51 km · about 60 min drive
ancient ruins
Knowth
A great passage tomb in the Boyne Valley ringed by kerbstones carrying the largest collection of megalithic art in Europe.
51 km · about 60 min drive
natural wonder
Lough Neagh
The largest freshwater lake in the British Isles at 392 square kilometres, with a famous eel fishery.
54 km · about 65 min drive
historic highway
Dundrod Circuit
A 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.
58 km · about 65 min drive
Driving roads near Kilkeel
9 named roads, passes and coastal drives within 150km.
- Right hereMourne MountainsGranite mountain range that inspired C.S. Lewis's Narnia, with the Mourne Wall traversing 15 peaks and sweeping views to the Irish Sea.
- Right hereSlieve Donard and the Mourne WallNorthern Ireland's highest peak at 850m, with the 22-mile granite Mourne Wall running over its summit.
- 58 kmDundrod CircuitA 11.9km loop of Northern Irish country lanes still used for the Ulster Grand Prix motorcycle races, with jumps, stone walls and hedges inches from the racing line. Open public roads the rest of the year.
- 63 kmCraigantlet HillclimbA hillclimb on public roads in the hills above Belfast, running since 1946 and closed to traffic only on event days. The narrow climb gives long views over Belfast Lough.
- 77 kmHowth Cliff WalkA looped cliff path around Howth Head with views to Ireland's Eye and the Wicklow mountains, easily reached from Dublin.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
April to October
Nearby Destinations
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