Kilcoo Church (ruins)

The ruins of Kilcoo Church sit quietly in the countryside between Newcastle and Newry, easy to miss if you're not looking for them. What remains is mostly the stone walls of what was once a medieval parish church, with enough character to make the short detour worthwhile if you're exploring the area on foot.

It's the sort of place that appeals more to walkers and local history types than casual day-trippers. You won't find interpretation boards or facilities here - it's just the bones of the building, which is either atmospheric or disappointing depending on your mood. The setting is pleasant enough, with views across the surrounding fields, and the walk to reach it from nearby Newcastle takes no more than twenty minutes or so.

Free to visit, obviously, and you can come anytime. Allow fifteen to twenty minutes to have a proper look around and take photographs. It's not going to be the highlight of a week's holiday, but if you're based at Pine Tree Hollow Glamping just down the road, it's a sensible addition to a morning's ramble. Pair it with a longer walk in the Mourne Mountains, which dominate the landscape here, and you've got the backbone of a decent day out.

The ruins work best in decent weather - there's nothing to shelter under, and wet grass makes the approach slippery. Don't expect much, and you won't be disappointed.