Estate Experiences
Estate Walks
Surround yourself with nature as you explore the guest walks located throughout the grounds of our Estate. Our guest walks have been created to allow you to enjoy the scenic aspects throughout the Estate. Many of our walks were created at the time of inception of Killeavy Castle in 1836, while some woodland walks have been created more recently to allow our guests to enjoy the scenic views over Slieve Gullion and the nearby countryside.
Escape life in the fast lane and embrace the silence that nature provides and allow yourself to ‘Get closer to what’s important’.
We have mapped all our guest walks to allow you to make the most of your time. Pick up a map from the Hotel reception and don’t forget to take some pictures and share them with us on our social media channels.
Specialised tours can be provided for groups of four or more. These can be customised by our Blue Badge Walking Guide to learn more about the rich history of Killeavy Castle Estate or the cultural and religious connections of Killeavy and Slieve Gullion.
Hikes and Walks in Northern Ireland
Killeavy Castle Estate is your gateway to Slieve Gullion and the Mourne Mountains. Explore some of the finest landscapes in Ireland, with countless trails, forests and scenic promenades to enjoy.
Step off the Estate onto the lower slopes of Slieve Gullion. The nearby Slieve Gullion Forest Park offers family friendly walks in the Giant’s Lair, as well as a special auditory trail for guests with complex sensory needs.
Cycling
Killeavy Castle Estate is set within some of the most spectacular and beautiful countryside in Northern Ireland. The Estate offers 365 acres of farm and woodland and we have created specific trails for exploring on foot and tracks for exploring by bicycle. Killeavy Castle Estate is set on the Eastern base of Slieve Gullion and is only a 5 minute cycle to the nearby Slieve Gullion Forest Park, which offers additional walking and cycle paths to explore the natural landscape whilst taking in views over Carlingford Lough and Dundalk bay.
Cycling Experiences in Armagh and Down
There is so much to explore and see in Newry and South Armagh, so we have put together a map of our favourite routes for you to find your way to local attractions and to give you some further guidance for your cycling experience. Make the most of your day and take in the breath-taking scenery and rediscover the land of history. Why not include a packed lunch from the Hotel to keep your energy up throughout your trip? Please ask at Reception for more details.
For those residents who have not brought a bike with you, you can easily hire an e-bike or mountain bicycle from our selection of bicycles. Just ask a member of the reception team for more details.
Traditional Bike Hire
We recommend Cube’s Trail Motion bikes which are all about more control, more comfort and more fun. For the Stereo 120 HPC TM 29, Cube have built a completely new carbon main frame, incorporating all the features that make our Stereo 120 so popular - Agile Trail Geometry, covered rocker pivots, sleek lines and assured handling - in a new, lighter and stiffer format. Great for the challenged user to access the nearby forest roads.
Electric Bike Hire
We recommend the CUBE Compact Hybrid for gentle forest tracks, country roads, urban adventures and absolutely loads of Fun. Electric Assist Bikes are only legal for riders 14 years and older. The brand-new Compact Hybrid is something different – a purpose-built, small-wheeled Bosch e-bike that's designed to slot easily into anyone's life, reducing the need to travel by car and, well... just making things simpler. Because simpler is good, right?. Built around a one-size-fits-all frame and compact 20in wheels, it doesn't take up much room but adapts easily to any rider thanks to easily adjustable handlebar and saddle positions. The step-through frame design makes it easy to get on and off, and Bosch's Active Plus drive unit and 500Wh battery gives a smooth, quiet and completely hassle-free boost to your pedalling.
Cycling Experience Rates
Hire rates are based on a daily hire rates
We have a selection of adult Electric Bikes available for hire at £35 per day / £20 per half or £60 for two days.
We have a selection of adult Mountain Bikes available for hire at £25 per day / £15 per half day or £40 for two days.
Includes
1. Helmet – must be worn at all times by the rider
2. Accessories pack – of a lock, tool, tube and pump
3. Electric Assist Bikes come with 1 full charge – for hires beyond 6h, we supply a charge cable within the accessories pack.
Optional
1. Damage Waiver – accidents happen! Protect against accidental damage to the bike with our Waiver Scheme - highly recommended for peace of mind – doesn’t include loss/damage to accessories including the use of the spare tube.
2. Packed lunches – are available but are subject to 24 hours pre-booking.
Forest Bathing
What is Forest Bathing?
Forest bathing is all about getting out into nature, and practising mindfulness while you take in your surroundings. Guided meditation and controlled breathing amongst the sights and sounds of the forest have a number of proven health benefits, including:
Reducing stress
Improving your mood
Helping you to feel refreshed and relaxed
Meet your teacher, Ann Ward
Ann Ward, founder of Xhale has a deep spiritual connection with nature. Ann has practised meditation for over 20 years and as a result, she has created immersive, mindfulness experiences, courses and retreats using the gifts of meditation and the landscape.
Ann is an Accredited Meditation Teacher with the British School of Meditation. Ann is also a Certified Shinrin Yoku (Forest Bathing) Guide and a Forest Therapy Practitioner with the Nádúr Centre for Integrative Forest Therapy. Her teaching practice is drawn from a number of ancient Eastern traditions and contemporary sources including Thich Nhat Hanh and Jon Kabat-Zinn.
Ann has a rich tapestry of experience in health, community development and peace-building, arts, education and private sectors. Personal empowerment is at the heart of all of her work where she offers transformative experiences and programmes tailored for individuals, groups and organisations.
Book Forest-Bathing
Want to try forest-bathing for yourself? Ann will be hosting a series of forest-bathing taster sessions on the Estate, starting in the historic Walled Garden and moving into the surrounding woodland.
- Saturday 28th June | 9am - 10am | £15 per person
- Sunday 28th September | 9am - 10am | £15 per person
Spaces must be booked in advance, to secure your space, phone Reception on: 028 3044 4888
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