Wake up to a view of the iconic Mourne Mountains at Rathwood Farm



Rathwood Farm Project is the beginning of a bigger conservation project nestled in the Mourne region with sapling Christmas trees, woodland and wildlife all around.







FACILITIES & BOOKING
- 4 PODS
- BED
- SHOWER
- FIRE PIT
- PODS SLEEP 4
- ENSUITE SHOWER ROOM
- TEA & COFFEE MAKING
- ELECTRICITY & USB POINTS
- LINEN & TOWELS
- FRIDGE & TOASTER
- DOUBLE BED & BUNK BED
- HEATED TOWEL RAIL
- HAIRDRYER
- BREAKFAST PACK (extra)
- CAMPFIRE & BBQ PACK (extra)
Escape to Rathwood, the top luxury Mourne Mountains glamping site. Set in the townland of Donaghmore County Down, looking out to the renowned Mourne Mountains landscape, you are in driving distance from the highest and most dramatic mountain range in Northern Ireland, its summits crowned by granite Tors. The Mourne Mountain Region is designated as an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and parts are owned by the National Trust.
While glamping, Co. Down offers a selection of walks within this mountain range that provide stunning landscapes and views across the county. Just a short drive from Newcastle, Newry and numerous other small villages where you will be spoilt for choice with a diverse range of restaurants, pubs, major attractions, beauty spots and events.
The pod village is the beginning of a bigger woodland conservation project by the team at Rathwood and is the start of something special with the Woodland Trust and other wildlife conservation groups.
At less than 15 mins from Newry, 90 mins from Dublin and 40 mins from Belfast, Rathwood is a central location for a short break away in a rural setting.
Please note that there is a minimum 2 night stay during July and August.
PLEASE NOTE: Booking to stay is available from mid March 2020 in line with Government restrictions. True site photos coming soon as representational photos are shown of the pod, but not the pod site.
All the pods on site are of the same standard and include everything you need for a cosy and comfortable stay. You are in a group of 4 pods on our farm site looking out to the Mourne Mountains.
Please note that there is a minimum 2 night stay during July and August. Thanks
You also have a dedicated fire pit at your pod with outdoor seating. There is limited access to the farm, but we are asking guests to please take care with themselves and little children. Facilities include:
- Pods sleep 4 (2 adults and 2 kids, plus a free cot if required)
- Ensuite shower room with toiletries provided
- Double bed and bunk beds
- Pod fire pit
- Tea and coffee making
- Electricity plugs points and USB charging points
- Linen & towels
- Mini Fridge
- Heating and heated towel rail
- Storage areas
- Breakfast can be ordered
- Campfire & BBQ packs available
Check out our nearby attractions section to hear more on local things to do and see.
Covid-19 Quick Update
We have a dedicated page on policies and procedures that we are adopting above our normal procedures. Please see our dedicated COVID advice page. Our pod sites are already well placed to open with social distancing in mind due to the features below:
- Self-check-in and out so minimal contact with staff
- Smaller pod sites in an outdoor setting
- No internal communal areas, restaurants or bar areas
- Each pod is at a minimum 3metres apart from another pod so we can adhere to social distancing of customers
- Pods are cleaned to the highest standards, with now enhanced Coronavirus procedures, and all linen is professionally laundered
- Food can be supplied safely, but customers are welcome to bring their own
What you need to know
Check-In/Out
We operate a self check-in and check out system for your ease and convenience. The site host is available should you require assistance and contact details are provided with your check-in email.
- Check-in is after 3pm
- Check-out is by 10am
Please note that the accommodation and package add-on’s are all paid for in advance via the website due to the self-check in procedures.
Security/Privacy
You will be provided with a key pad code to access the key for the pod and the doors are all lockable for your safety and security.
There is a privacy glass feature for night – details available in the pod section and in the user guide provided in the pod.
Lighting
There is ambient lighting on the site for night time.
Beds
There is a double bed and bunk beds suitable for children 15 years and under. An additional cot can be provided for children under 2 years. The price is per pod not per person so there is no additional charge for children.
Heating, Electric & Water
Electric and power points are available in the pod including USB points. Running water is available in the shower room area, plus a full height shower. There is a towel radiator in the shower room, and within the pod there is a fully integrated fan heater, which you can adjust via the manual thermostat found in the wardrobe area.
Kitchenette
There is a tea/coffee making area, mini fridge, plus cutlery set if you wish to bring along continental style breakfast/snacks etc. So feel free to bring additional food items (or wine!). There is also a dedicated fire pit outside the pod so you can place a disposable BBQ there.
House Keeping
Bed linens, towels, and toiletries are provided, but feel free to bring extra. We have also provided an additional basin and washing up items so that you can use the bathroom sink to clean up dishes/utensils that are used. We thank you in advance for doing this for us!
Parking
There is a dedicated parking area beside the pods and car parking is free.
Pets
Unfortunately the site is not suitable for pets, but it is something we are looking to in the future.
User Guide
Within the pod there is a user guide which tells you all about the features of the pod – how to take down the bed, the privacy glass feature for night, lighting etc.
Below are the options that we can add-on to your stay.
Fit pit pack- £15 per Night
Bag of wood, kindling sticks, fire lighters, matches, mega marshmallows & large sticks.
Welcome Prosecco – £18 per Bottle
Chilled and ready at your pod for your arrival.
Continental Breakfast* -£15 per Night
Selection of bread (pancakes, wheaten or soda) with jam and butter, muesli, yoghurts, fresh juice & fresh milk.
Family BBQ Pack*- £30 per Night
4 Steak Burgers, 4 Chicken Kebabs, 6 Sausages, 2 Minute Steaks & 4 Baps
Disposable BBQ provided.
Red and Brown Sauce Sachets
BBQ Pack For 2* -£25 per Night
2 Sirloin Steaks, Pepper Sauce, coleslaw, potato salad
Disposable BBQ provided.
All BBQ packs supplied by William Baird Butchers in Newry Co.Down
* Please note that for all fresh items we require at least 2-3 days notice to provide.
Self-catering options at your pod:
Check out the above facilities section to read all about the self-catering facilities provided in our pods and the BBQ options for outdoor dining. All guests are allowed to bring their own food and drink to the pod.
We also have lots of yummy food options in our ‘Optional Extra’s’ section that you can pre-order to be at your pod when you arrive for your convenience. All locally sourced.
Everything you need is in the pod from mini fridge, tea/coffee making facilities, crockery, cutlery and washing up equipment.
However, if you fancy nipping out to the local area for something to eat, you have a wide range of options while glamping in County Down:
Bronte Steak House and Grill
Address: 9 Ballynafoy road Banbridge BT32 5DN
Distance: 2 miles
Seven Stars Restaurant and Bar
Address: 4 Main Street Loughbrickland BT323NQ
Distance: 3.5 Miles
The Sheepbridge Inn
Address: 143 Belfast road newry BT341QU
Distance: 5 miles
Moes Grill
Address: The Boulevard outlet centre, Unit 75 Banbridge, BT324LF
Distance:6 miles
Loft 56 Restaurant
Address: Milestone, Newry street , Rathfriland , BT345PZ
Distance:6.5 miles
Downshire Arms Hotel Restaurant and Bar
Addres:95 Newry street
Banbridge
BT323EF
Distance:6.5 miles
Brass Monkey Bar and Restaurant
Address: 1 Sandys Street newry BT34 1EN
Distance: 7 miles
Our Mourne Mountains glamping site is just a short drive from Newcastle, Newry and numerous other small villages where you will be spoilt for choice with a diverse range of restaurants, pubs, major attractions, beauty spots and events.
Here are some nearby attractions that we recommend during your visit to Rathwood:
Slieve Gullion / Slieve Gullion Forest Park
Slieve Gullion is a mountain in the south of County Armagh. The mountain is the heart of the ring of Gullion and is the highest point in the county
Address 89 Drumintee Road Meigh Newry BT358SW
Distance: 15 miles from pod site
Mourne Mountains / Spelga Dam
The Mourne mountains, also called the Mournes or mountains of Mourne, are a granite mountain range in Co Down in the south east.
Distance: 14 miles from pod site
Newcastle Seaside Town
It lies by the Irish Sea at the foot of Slieve Donard, the highest of the Mourne mountains
Distance: 17 miles from pod site
The Royal County Down Golf Club Newcastle
Distance: 17 miles from pod site
Mourne Sea Tours – Daily 2 Hour Trips
Newcastle
Tel 07734970065
Silent Valley Mountain Park
Address Head road Ballymartin newry BT344PU
The silent valley reservoir was built to gather water from the Mourne mountains
Distance: 16 miles from pod site
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Address The square Hillsborough BT266AG
Hillsborough Castle is an official government residence in Northern Ireland. It is the residence of the Secretary of State, and the official residences in Northern Ireland of Queen Elizabeth 2nd and other members of the Royal family when they visit the country
Distance: 22 miles from pod site
Castlewellan Forest Park
Address Forest park view Castlewellan BT319BU
Castlewellan forest park covers 450 hectares of land lying north of the Mourne mountain
Distance: 16 miles from pod site
Tollymore Forest Park
Address: Bryansford road Newcastle BT330PR
Tollymore Forest Park was the first state forest park in Northern Ireland, established on 2 June 1955. It is located at Bryansford, near the town of Newcastle I the Mourne and Slieve Croob area of outstanding Natural beauty
Distance: 18 miles from pod site
If you are traveling to our Mourne Mountains glamping site from-:
DERRY
- Head south-west on Bonds St towards Glendermott Rd/A6
- Follow A6, M2 and M1 to A1 in Lisburn and Castlereagh. Take exit 7 from M1
- Follow A1 to Ringclare Rd in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
BELFAST
- Get on A12 from A1 and Grosvenor Rd/B38
- Follow M1 and A1 to Tierny Rd in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon
- Continue on Tierny Rd. Drive to Ringclare Rd
DUBLIN:
- Get on M50 from N1
- Take M1 to Tierny Rd in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon, United Kingdom
- Continue on Tierny Rd. Drive to Ringclare Rd
To book your Mourne Mountains glamping holiday simply click the orange BOOK NOW button above. The BEST PRICES for staying with us are always with our direct bookings on the WEBSITE!
This will open up the booking system where you can check for available dates, pricing and packages.
Please note that there is a minimum 2 night stay during July and August. Thanks
PLEASE NOTE: We operate a contactless self-check-in system so we require full payment for accommodation is required at the time of booking. You can book just the pod only, and at the end of your booking it will show you a range of options on the optional extra’s such as breakfast, camp fire pack and BBQ – these items will be only RESERVED and charged for closer to you stay.
There are also options to pre-book packages such as the ‘pod and campfire’ or ‘pod and breakfast’ so that you know that these are completely sorted before your stay.
All special offers will be appear if valid for the dates that you search.
Once you have a confirmed booking an email confirmation will be sent to you. All the information you need will then be emailed closer to the time – how to find us, what to bring, things to do and see, what’s in the pod etc.
Full t&c’s are in the booking engine, please note that each pod site has its own booking engine and nights cannot be exchanged across pod sites as we operate with different host partners. Our standard t&c’s are very flexible with up to 14 days notice to cancel or amend a booking if required.
Special Policy Amend – COVID-19 Booking & Cancellation Policy Update
Please see our dedicated page on our COVID-19 policies and procedures.
Given the impact of COVID-19 on how we work and travel, we have been continuously adapting our cancellation policy as things evolve. Everything you need to know is on our website, plus when you make a booking we will send you full details with your check-in emails regarding a safe stay.
For more information on COVID-19 precautions and procedures we have a special dedicated page with full details.
WHAT OUR GUESTS SAY
Your Host
The Rathwood Farm Mourne Mountains glamping site is the vision of local landowner Andrew Magowan who has great plans for the conservation and development of a sustainable woodland farmland. Working closely with the Woodland Trust and RSPB, Andrew has a vision to bring his farm to life with wildlife friendly green initiatives.

Having discovered a ‘Rath’ on his land, Andrew is developing his land to compliment this historical find. Rath is shortform for ‘Ringforts’ – Ring forts or ring fortresses are circular fortified settlements that were mostly built during the Bronze Age up to about the year 1000.
The woodland is the most important element and a total of 11.12 hectars was planted in a dozen different native species of broadleaf trees on the site. There is also a growing Christmas Tree farm where they grow and produce organic Christmas trees. RSPB has also expressed interest in this land as there are Yellowhammers nesting in the project area which are currently on the endangered species list.


WHAT YOUR HOST SAYS
CONNECT WITH YOUR HOST
“We are at the exciting start of our journey of developing the farm project and I am very inspired by how I can sustainability develop my farm, encourage organic growth, bring back older farming practices, showcase our unique RATH element and also welcome people to enjoy all this beauty in an overnight glamping setting”
Andrew Magowan, Founder and Landowner
24 Ringclare Road
Donaghmore
Newry
Co.Down
BT34 1RY