Plea to reopen tearooms in Tollymore Forest Park

Plea to reopen tearooms in Tollymore Forest Park

11 June 2025

THE Forest Service and Newry, Mourne and Down Council have been urged to get together to discuss reopening the tearooms at Tollymore Forest Park.

The plea by Mournes councillor Willie Clarke comes after Ulster Architectural Heritage (UAH) said that the building – which was a formally listed for protection in 2010 – remains closed.

Three years ago, the building constructed by the Department of Commerce and built by Rodgers brothers of Castlewellan, was added to the conservation organisation’s so-called “risk register.”

The building closed in 2002 and while repairs were instigated in 2014, UAH says that “unfortunately” there are still no signs of it reopening.

“It holds many memories for locals and tourists alike and surely this busy forest park warrants this structure to be reused, at least in peak season,” said the charity.

Cllr Clarke agrees and hopes the building, designed almost 50 years ago and featuring a rainwater system which has a series of chains ping from guttering to gravel beds, can be given a new lease of life, given its location at one of the province’s leading visitor attractions.

The two-storey tearooms are located between the main and overflow car parks, with a cafe previously located on the upper floor.

A toilet, shop and storage facilities were on the ground floor, with the first floor connected to the overflow car park via an elevated walkway.

In 2014, the external fabric of the tearooms underwent major repair work which included the refurbishment of the foot bridge.

Cllr Clarke said the Forest Service and local authority previously teamed up to discuss the reopening of the tearooms and while expressions of interest were sought, no one came forward.

On the cusp of another busy summer season, Cllr Clarke it was sad that the tearooms, which have a pyramid roof and is supported by wooden posts, will remain closed.

“I would very much like to see the tearooms reopening and believe the move would be welcomed by the park’s thousands of visitors,” he said.

“It’s something I have been pushing for a long time but unfortunately no tenant has yet been found.”

Cllr Clarke is encouraging the Forest Service and local council to get together to explore the reopening of the tearooms but recognises it won’t be this summer.

“The two organisations are partners and I hope they can get together to advance this particular project and enhance what Tollymore has to offer,” he said.

Cllr Clarke believes revitalising the facilities at the forest park and providing high quality cafe facilities at Tollymore will provide a major boost and help increase visitor numbers.

He added: “Tollymore is one of the district’s most significant assets and I have previously  discussed the idea to reopen the tearooms to enhance what is already there.

“The tearooms are a stand-out building and it is a pity the building has been closed to the public for so long. Hopefully that will change.”

Previously, the Forest Service and local authority also worked to secure someone from the private sector to utilise the Clanbrassil Barn located at the Bryansford Gate entrance to the stunning forest park in the main car park area.

In recent times, the first floor of the two storey Clanbrassil Barn was used as an exhibition space but has been closed for 10 years. 

There are also toilets and an education centre on the ground floor while the main building itself was renovated in 2014.

This building also enjoys protected status.

The forest park is owned and managed by the Forest Service and with the council putting tourism at the top of its agenda, both are keen to see Tollymore flourish.