Main Features of Tollymore Forest Park

This river which flows along its rocky bed through the centre of the Park from the Mournes to the sea at Newcastle. The tree shaded river with its numerous deep pools is home to a variety of birds and mammals such as dippers, kingfishers and otters.

These ornate bridges some of which were constructed over 200 years ago by various owners of the estate are fine examples of the stonemasons craft. Several of them were built in honour or in remembrance of relatives and friends.

Planted inside the Barbican Gate entrance these magnificent Himalayan cedars (Cedrus deodara) with their wide spreading branches and blue/green foliage form an imposing and picturesque entrance to the park.

This is a mass of stones carefully put together to form a room about 12 feet by 8 feet, with an opening to the river path at each end. There are two larger openings which look down on the river below. At one time there was a stone seat placed at the back of the room, and a bust, and an inscription on the back wall. They were put there by James Hamilton, second Earl of Clanbrassil, as a memorial to a friend, the Marquis of Monthermer, who died in 1770. the bust and stone seat have disappeared. The inscription, in Greek, reads: "Clanbrassil, to his very dear friend Monthermer 1770".

Clanbrassil Barn was constructed about 1757 at the same time as the old parts of the mansion house. The building was used as stables and stores until the end of 1971. The ground floor has been converted to provide a small lecture theatre and toilet facilities. The steeple at the eastern end has a fine old clock and sundial. The bell which strikes the hour bears the inscription "C : & : I Rudhall Glocester Fect 1785". The bell was tolled in the past to mark the beginning and ending of the working day, and any event of family or national importance. The sundial on the southern face of the tower can be read easily in suitable weather.