Newry

A massive granite sculpture marks where the Republic meets the North - but that's just the start of what makes this border town compelling. Newry sits in a natural gap between the Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion, creating a landscape that shifts from rolling green hills to dramatic granite peaks within minutes of leaving the town centre.

The town itself has shed its Troubles-era reputation and now feels refreshingly normal. Shops line Hill Street and the Mall, while the Newry Canal - once crucial for trade between Belfast and Dublin - cuts through the heart of things. It's still a working waterway, though these days it's more about leisure boats than cargo barges.

Mourne country beckons from every direction. Those granite peaks aren't just for show - they're proper hiking territory, with Slieve Donard being the highest point in Northern Ireland. The coastline's equally impressive, running from Carlingford Lough's sheltered waters down to Newcastle's long sandy beach.

Getting here couldn't be easier. The A1 dual carriageway connects Newry directly to Belfast in under an hour, while Dublin's just 90 minutes south. Regular bus services link the town to both capitals, making it surprisingly well-connected for somewhere that feels genuinely rural once you venture beyond the ring road.

Camping nearby makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into town for supplies or a proper meal, but far enough out to wake up with mountain views. Several parks dot the Mourne foothills, putting you within striking distance of both serious hiking and gentle coastal walks. The Irish border's novelty aside, this is simply cracking countryside that deserves more attention than it gets.