Newry Basin Landscape

Key Characteristics

• Large scale drumlin landscape drained by tributaries of the Newry River.
• Rolling, improved pastures in good condition, becoming increasingly rough on the fringes of the Mourne foothills.
• Well trimmed, low gorse hedges and tree belts separate fields, creating an intact and unified landscape.
• Scattered individual bungalows and large farms, with many new bungalows located on drumlin tops.
• Network of narrow hedged and hedge-banked roads within the drumlins.
• Occasional panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains.

Landscape Description

The Newry Basin is a large scale rolling drumlin landscape situated between the Ring of Gullion and the Mourne Mountains. The area is drained by tributaries of the Newry River which flow in attractive river valleys. The drumlins are orientated north-north-west to south-south-east. To the south east, the drumlins are displaced by broader ridges separated by narrow, flat-bottomed valleys with ribbon loughs and bogs such as Derryleckagh Lake and Greenan Lough. To the south of Newry, the Newry River flows in a dramatic, steep sided narrow valley. The Newry Basin is a very diverse area, with a rich heritage of historic landscapes and archaeological sites. The rolling fields have a neat and artificially green appearance, although pastures become increasingly marginal with rocky knolls, bracken and gorse hedgerows towards the foothills of the Mourne Mountains. Elsewhere, well trimmed low hedges and tree belts separate fields, creating an intact and unified landscape pattern. Small woodlands, such as Derryleckagh Wood, are often found on valley sides.

There are occasional panoramic views of the Mourne Mountains from the tops of the drumlins. The landscape seems open and exposed on ridge-tops and enclosed and sheltered within the valleys. There are scattered individual bungalows and large farms throughout the area and the many new immaculate dwellings have a neat suburban feel. New bungalows and derelict stone cottages are often sited on drumlin tops, particularly towards Slieve Roosley. There is a network of small hedged and hedge banked winding roads connecting scattered dwellings. These and the major roads 'roller coaster' over the drumlins, creating a confusing and often disorientating landscape for the traveller. The town of Newry is at the head of the Newry River which leads to Carlingford Lough, the port of Warrenpoint and the small town of Rostrevor are located in sheltered bays along the coast. Narrow Water Castle is an important historic landmark at the entrance to the Newry River.

Landscape Condition and Sensitivity to Change

The landscape is generally in good condition, especially in the drumlin farmland landscape to the north. It becomes slightly more degraded on the fringes of Newry, with field boundaries falling into disrepair and scattered ribbon development. Pylons, major transport corridors and insensitive development associated with the town, serves to detract from the overall high quality of the landscape. The most sensitive landscapes are the attractive river valleys, loughs and marshes, such as the Derryleckagh Bog ASSI and the many archaeological sites (raths, mottes, standing stones) which are concentrated on the fringes of the area.

Principles for Landscape Management

• Inter-drumlin wetlands and the more extensive bogs to the south-east of Newry should be a priority for landscape management. The use of herbicides on adjacent fields may have serious consequences for these valuable habitats.
• The loss of field boundaries and the replacement of hedgerows and hedgebanks with wire, is detrimental to the landscape character. The management and replanting of hedges and the rebuilding of drystone walls would help prevent this.
• The management of small farm woodlands would help to maintain landscape diversity and integrate new development, particularly on the fringes of Newry.

Principles for Accommodating New Development

• Ribbon and scattered rural development within the broader fringes of Newry is visually intrusive where it is sited on ridge-lines. Development should be concentrated in coherent groups located on lower slopes, close to existing buildings.
• Development is inappropriate in the broad tranquil valleys at Derryleckagh.
• Single dwellings in the countryside could be integrated more easily if located on lower slopes amongst native vegetation. Non-native species are inappropriate. It is important to keep views of the Mournes open. Restoration of old stone cottages would be beneficial.
• Large new elements would be visible but the rolling landform can easily accommodate carefully sited development, providing that it is associated with new planting which is designed to link with local field patterns.