Saint John's Church of Ireland

The austere exterior of Saint John's doesn't announce itself loudly on the streets of Newry. It's a proper Church of Ireland edifice, built with that particular Georgian confidence that suggests the architects knew exactly what they were doing and weren't going to fuss about it.

Step inside and you're confronted with clean lines, tall windows, and the kind of light that makes you understand why people built churches facing particular directions. The interior is relatively spare compared to some of its Catholic counterparts across the border - this is Protestant restraint, and there's something honest about that approach. If you're into ecclesiastical architecture, you'll spot the period features without needing a guidebook.

This is really for those with a genuine interest in church history or anyone passing through Newry with an hour to kill. It's not a spectacle-and-crowds kind of place. Kids will manage about twenty minutes before getting restless, unless you've got them primed for historical buildings. The location makes it accessible if you're staying at Greenview Glamping, just four and a half miles out - worth combining with a walk around the town centre.

Free admission, as you'd expect from a working parish church, though hours can be irregular so do ring ahead. Newry itself is worth a proper nose around if you're in the Mourne area - the canal, the town hall, the market square have more immediate appeal for most visitors. Saint John's works best as a spot check rather than a destination in itself.