Exciting plans for new cafe at Tollymore park

Exciting plans for new cafe at Tollymore park

16 August 2017

ONE of Down’s most popular tourist locations will soon have a new cafe.

The long-closed tea rooms at Tollymore Forest Park are to come under the control of Newry, Mourne and Down Council which is to seek a tenant for the iconic building.

The former tea rooms building, between the two car parks in the forest park, has been vacant for several decades but under a new deal between the council and Forestry Service that could soon change.

In October 2015 the council entered into a global licence with the Forestry Service that will allow the local authority to manage the leisure provision in Tollymore, Castlewellan, Donard, Kilbroney and Slieve Gullion forest parks.

In April this year the council agreed that while it was waiting for these licences to be drawn up the council would take control of the tea rooms and the nearby Clanbrassil Barn at Tollymore. The council has now agreed a 20-year lease for the buildings which will be subsumed into the new licence.

The announcement has been welcomed by Newcastle councillor Willie Clarke, who has been lobbying for high quality cafe facilities at the park for many years.

“It has took a while but this will be fabulous for visitors and locals alike,” said the Sinn Fein politician.

“The addition of a high quality cafe will greatly enhance the visitor experience that Tollymore Forest Park offers. 

“Tollymore Forest Park is set to become an even more attractive location, with the Forest Service buildings being brought back into use. 

“Its opening is another key step in the council’s efforts to make Forest parks even more enjoyable for those who use them. The new cafe provision will only make the popular Tollymore Forest Park even more attractive to visitors,” he added.

The decision to press ahead with the tea rooms plan was made at the council’s Enterprise, Regeneration and Tourism Committee on Monday evening and must be ratified by the full council.