Donard Park

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Donard Park is a public park located in Newcastle, County Down in Northern Ireland. The park is next to the Glen River, which forms the boundary along one side, it is popular among youths for its many rock pools which become a hotspot in the summer.

The park is named after st. Donard, who also gives his name to Slieve Donard, the mountain which the park is at the foot of.

The park features football and hockey pitches and picnic facilities. It is also used as a starting point for ramblers to climb the nearby Mourne Mountains and has a YMCA centre including camping facilities. In 2006 the main entrance and car park were redeveloped and facilities upgraded. There are future plans for retail space and rentable accommodation beside the park. The local council have been petitioned to build a swimming pool in the park and have put in a request for a cycling velodrome to be built there for the 2012 London olympics.

The park was previously owned by the Ansley family until they give it over to the people of Newcastle and the local council took responsibility for maintaining it.

During the first world war solders were stationed here briefly before being sent to the Somme in France.