Newry Canal Way

Getting to The Start

By Car

Newry is easily accessed by car from both Belfast and the Republic of Ireland via the A1. Car parking is available beside the Quays Shopping Centre near the start of the walk.

Although the Ulster Way Section starts in Carnbane, the Newry Canal Way as the name suggests starts in Newry which offers numerous car parks. A two mile way along the canal will bring you to Carnbane to the north of Newry.

By Public Transport

There are regular bus and train services to Newry.

Northern Ireland Rail (NIR) Service 1 links Newry to Belfast. NIR Service 2 (Dublin Enterprise) links Belfast to Dublin stopping in Newry.

Ulsterbus Service 238 connects Belfast to Newry. In the summer months (July & August) the South Down Rambler Bus Services 408 connects Newcastle to Newry. Ulsterbus services also connect to Newry from several towns in the area.

For timetable information please consult Translink website http://www.translink.co.uk/present/IndexOpSvc.asp#ULB

How to Walk the Route (Following a Clockwise Direction)

The route starts at a road bridge over the canal at the Carnbane Industrial Estate on the northern outskirts of Newry. Follow the path north along the left (west) side of the canal. Walk through a verdant corridor of foliage to pass beneath the stone archway of Steenson’s Bridge about 20 minutes from the start.

Go under the bridge at Jerrettspass and on past an intact lock and cottage and through a landscape of undulating fields to Gamble’s Bridge. Another hour of walking along a quiet lane leads to more locks and the village of Poyntzpass. Cross a road here and continue for another 20 minutes to Acton Lake, or Lough Shark as it is also mysteriously known. This beautiful lake can be seen through the trees to the right. Pass the old sluice-keeper's cottage and continue north along the canal to the village of Scarva, some 30 minutes from Acton Lake.

Cross Scarva Bridge and walk on for a short distance. A footbridge on the right allows access to the Scarva Visitor Centre on the far side of the canal. Walkers may choose to leave the Newry Canal Way at this point in order to follow the Link section to Aughnacloy and the start of the next Quality section the Sliagh Beagh Way. This can either be done of foot along rural roads or via a series of buses. Alternatively continue along the Newry Canal Way to Portadown for more direct transport links to Aughnacloy.

From Scarva, 45 minutes of walking leads past Campbell's Lock and Terryhoogan House and Lock to the A51 road at Madden Bridge. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, stayed at Terryhoogan House several times in the 18th century. Cross the A51 and another hour of walking brings you under Knock Bridge to Moneypenny's Lockhouse, the northern-most Lock on the Canal.

Continue along the canal past the Point of Whitecoat, the name given to the confluence of the River Bann and Cusher River. Follow the towpath to Portadown, under the Bann Bridge and on to Shillington’s Bridge at the Old Town Quay and the end of the walk, approximately 40 minutes from Moneypenny's Lock.

Facilities Along the Route

Although this section of the route begins near the Carnbane Industrial Estate, the best place for nearby accommodation is slighty further south in Newry which a wide range of B&Bs and Hotels.

There is only one B&B along the route in Scarva but as this section can be realistically walked in one day, walkers should therefore reach Portadown which has a few B&B's and Hotels.

Linking to the Next Section

The next Quality Section is the Sliabh Beagh Way beginning in Aughnacloy.

The best route is to continue walking along Quality Section – Newry Canal Way to Portadown where more direct public transport links are available. All transport links pass through Portadown so walkers should continue walking along this excellent off-road route.

Check out Link Section Scarva - Aughnacloy for public transport information from Portadown and the alternative walking directions from Scarva to Aughnacloy.