Corliss Fort

The earthworks at Corliss Fort sit just outside Newry, a fairly modest archaeological site that rewards a short detour if you're already exploring the area. What you're looking at is an Iron Age fort - a raised circular enclosure with substantial bank and ditch defences, the sort of thing that once protected a settlement but now reads more as a gentle undulation in the landscape than dramatic ruins.

It's the kind of place that appeals to anyone with even passing interest in ancient history, though you'll need to bring your own imagination. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards - just the earthwork itself and the views across the Mourne foothills. Walkers tend to enjoy it more than casual tourists; it forms part of a decent circuit if you know the local paths around Newry.

Allow thirty minutes if you're stopping by, perhaps an hour if you're lingering for photos or have kids keen on clambering about. The site is free and accessible year-round, though it's far better visited in drier months when the surrounding fields aren't waterlogged.

If you're based at Hilltop Hideaway - that luxury pod retreat a few miles away - Corliss Fort works as a low-key morning walk rather than a destination in itself. Pair it with a proper ramble in the Mournes proper, or a visit to Newry town itself. On its own merits, it's worthwhile only if you're genuinely interested in Iron Age forts. Otherwise, it's a bit too subtle to justify a special trip.