The Hare and the Silver Fish of Kilkeel

The Hare and the Silver Fish is a gallery housed in Kilkeel, just south of Newry, that focuses on contemporary art with a distinctly Irish sensibility. It's a modest space but one that punches above its weight - the kind of place where you'll find local artists alongside established names, and where the work actually means something rather than existing to fill wall space.

You're looking at paintings, sculpture, and mixed media that often draw on the landscape and mythology of the Mourne region. It's not a sprawling institution - plan for an hour, perhaps ninety minutes if you're genuinely interested in talking to the artist or staff. The gallery works best for people who actually like art rather than those treating it as a rainy-day tick-box exercise.

I'd call it worth a stop if you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Kilbroney, Chestnutt, or Cranfield are all within a five-mile radius. It's the sort of cultural counterbalance to coastal walks and pub lunches that makes a holiday feel properly rounded rather than just filled with activities. Newry itself is close enough for shopping and bigger meals if you need them.

Contact details and admission fees aren't readily available online, so ring ahead before you visit. Opening hours can be variable, especially outside summer months, and you don't want to drive down expecting to find it open.