Tollymore Forest Park , Newcastle , County Down
Just outside the tseside town of Newcastle , County Down is Tollymore Forest Park. It lies in the shadow of the Mountains of Mourne and has magnificent walks to enjoy. On a tour of Ireland you would have to see the famous Moorne Mountains and therefore may be able to take in this beautiful park.
Tollymore Forest Park covers an area of almost 500 hectares.
The earliest mention of Tollymore was in records dated 1611 when it was stated that the Maginnes family of Upper Iveagh received a grant of 7.5 townlands, including the Estate of Tollymore, from James I. This remained in the family until about 1685 when Bryan Maginness died unmarried and his sister Ellen, who had married Captain William Hamiliton of Ayrshire, inherited the land.
The Hamilton family remained owners of Tollymore until 1798 when a similar chain of events took place.
The great grandson of William Hamilton, James, died in 1798 without children and Tollymore was transferred to his sister Anne, who married Robert Jocelyn, 1st Earl of Roden.
The Roden family continued in possession of Tollymore throughout the 19th Century, when in 1930 the late Earl sold part of the Estate to the Ministry of Agriculture for afforestation purposes. The remainder was sold to the Ministry in 1941.
If you are planning a tour of Ireland and would like to see the park contact Ireland Luxury Tours.....