Saint James's

Saint James's sits on the edge of Newry's town centre, a proper Victorian church that catches you off guard with its scale the moment you round the corner. Red brick and sandstone, all Gothic Revival lines and a decent spire - the sort of building that tells you this town once had real money flowing through it.

Inside, it's church as you'd expect: pews, stained glass, high ceilings. Nothing revolutionary, but there's genuine Victorian craftsmanship on display if you look up. The real appeal here is less about spending hours contemplating religious architecture and more about understanding how Newry developed. You'll get a sense of the town's 19th-century prosperity just by standing in the nave.

This works best for history buffs or anyone curious about Victorian industrial towns rather than as a standalone attraction. Budget 20 minutes, maybe 30 if you're the type who reads every inscription. It's free to get in, which means there's no guilt about a quick visit.

If you're basing yourselves at one of the nearby holiday parks - Chestnutt, Cranfield, Sandilands, or Kilbroney are all within a few miles - Saint James's slots neatly into a morning wander round Newry town. Pair it with the canal heritage nearby or pop into the town for a proper look around. It's not why you'd visit the area, but it's worth 20 minutes if you're passing through.