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Rostrevor
lies on Carlingford Lough and the hill of Slieve Martin,
at the base of the Mourne Mountains and on the Kilbroney
River. The town is known for its folk music festival,
Fiddler's Green Festival. The name 'Rostrevor' first
appeared circa 1618 and was named after Rose Ussher (the
daughter of Henry Ussher, the Anglican Archbishop of Armagh)
by her husband Edward Trevor (who came from Brynkynallt in
Wales). Nearby
Cloughmore and the Kilfeaghan Dolmen are big stones
surrounded by legends. Cloughmore according to local legend
was tossed across Carlingford Lough from the Cooley
mountains opposite, during a fight between the legendary
Irish giant Finn McCool and his arch rival Ruscaire, the Ice
Giant. One can see the outline of a sleeping Finn McCool in
the Mourne Mountains from some places in Rostrevor. Walking
around the stone seven times will apparently bring good
luck.
Kilfeaghan Dolmen is
situated on the main Kilkeel to Newry road about three and
three quarter miles from Rostrevor. It is a prehistoric
dolmen and the site is dated between 2000 and 1000 BC. The
capstone is said to be one of the biggest in Ireland and is
estimated to weigh between 35 and 40 tons. Excavations at
the site earlier this century unearthed various bones and
pottery. |
