Tollymore Forest Park

The Shimna River 

This river comes from the Mournes to the sea at Newcastle. It flows through the middle of the park on a rocky bed. A lot of birds and animals, like dippers, kingfishers, and otters, live in the tree-lined river with its many deep pools.

The Stone Bridges

Some of these fancy bridges were made by different owners of the estate more than 200 years ago. They are great examples of stonework. Several of them were made to honour or remember family and friends.

The Cedar Boulevard

Inside the opening to the Barbican Gate, there are beautiful Himalayan cedars (cedrus deodara) that have been planted. They make an impressive and beautiful entrance to the forest park with their wide branches and blue and green leaves.

The Hermitage

This is a group of stones that have been put together carefully to make a room that is about 12 feet by 8 feet and has a doorway on each end that leads to the river path.

There are two big holes that let you see the river below. There used to be a stone seat, a bust, and writing on the back wall of the room. James Hamilton, the second Earl of Clanbrassil, put them there as a tribute to the Marquis of Monthermer, a friend who died in 1770. The bust and the stone seat are no longer there. “Clanbrassil, to his very dear friend Monthermer, 1770” is written in Greek on the stone.

Clanbrassil Barn

Clanbrassil Barn and the old parts of the grand house were both built around 1757. Until the end of 1971, the house was used as a stable and a store.

On the ground floor, there is now a room for teaching and toilets. At the eastern end, there is a beautiful old clock and sundial on the tower. “C: &: I Rudhall Glocester Fect 1785” is written on the bell that rings the hours.