Exploring Newry’s Town Centre

Hey everyone! Welcome to my tenth in a series of travel blogs about the adventures I have gone on, as poet in residence at Belfast Grand Central Station and places you can travel to as well from the station.

My creative writing workshops have taken me to Newry over the past few months, and I’ve loved every second of it. It’s one of those cities that quietly surprises you—full of character, colour, and kindness. I’ve travelled there by both bus and train, and each journey has its own rhythm. 

If you’re heading straight into the town centre, I’d recommend the 235 Goldliner bus from Stand 5 at Belfast Grand Central Station. It drops you right by the water, and the journey itself is a gentle glide through green fields and winding roads—about an hour and a half of pure calm. From the bus stop, you’re only a few steps away from cafés, shops, and some brilliant street art. I’ve spotted everything from vibrant murals to tiny, tucked-away pieces that feel like secrets waiting to be found. There’s a real creative pulse in Newry, and it’s one of the reasons I love working there. 

The train, while lovely, leaves you a little outside the town centre—but it’s a great way to be part of active travel and get your steps in. The walk into town is scenic and gives you time to take in the changing light, the river, and the buzz of the streets as you approach. 

One thing that really stuck out for me in Newry was the natural space right in the middle of it all. I saw the most beautiful heron standing in the river, calm and still, while cars passed by on either side. It felt like a moment suspended in time—quiet, unexpected, and oddly poetic. 

And speaking of poetry—these kinds of moments always find their way into my writing. In my role as poet-in-residence at Belfast Grand Central Station, I’m gathering fragments from journeys like this one. The heron, the murals, the conversations in cafés—they’re all threads in the poem I’m working on for the station. Newry, with its mix of bustle and stillness, has given me plenty to carry home. 

The locals are beyond lovely. More than a few recommended Friar Tucks, just a two-minute walk from the bus stop—and I have to say, it had the nicest coleslaw I’ve ever tasted. Not what you’d expect me to rave about from a chippy, eh? Haha! But it’s true. The food was great, the staff were warm, and it felt like one of those places where everyone knows everyone. 

There’s also a lovely canal walk near the bus station, perfect for a quiet stroll before heading home. The station itself has a cosy little coffee shop where you can sit with something warm and watch the light shift across the water. It’s the kind of place that invites you to pause, reflect, and maybe scribble down a few lines in your notebook. 

And if you have time, pop into Newry Cathedral—its architecture is stunning, and the stained glass windows are worth a look. There’s also a brilliant second-hand bookshop tucked away near the town hall, where I found a poetry collection for just £2. Bargain! 

Newry might not shout the loudest, but it speaks in its own way—and if you’re listening, it has plenty to say. 

Newry speaks in its own quiet way — and if you’d like to hear it too, the Journey Planner is the easiest place to begin.