Bryansford GAC

The Bryansford GAA grounds sit just outside Newcastle, tucked into the foothills of the Mournes. It's a working sports club rather than a visitor attraction, so manage your expectations accordingly. On match days, there's proper atmosphere - local hurling and Gaelic football matches draw crowds who know the game and know each other. The facilities are functional: a pitch, a clubhouse, the sort of place where you'll hear as much Irish as English.

This works best if you're genuinely interested in watching Gaelic sports or you're travelling with someone who plays. Otherwise, frankly, it's not worth a special trip. You're better off heading down to the coast at Newcastle or up into the Mourne Mountains proper. If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Woodcroft is barely half a mile away - and there's a match on, it's a convenient evening out. The drive from Murlough Cottage or Mourneview is equally short.

Check locally what's scheduled before you go. Summer brings the most fixtures. The clubhouse does basic refreshments on match days. Parking is fine. Allow an hour for a match plus a bit of browsing around, though many visitors just pop in for half an hour if there's no game on. Combine it with a walk around the nearby village rather than making it your afternoon's entertainment.