Take up your bow and try archery in Newcastle at Mourne Archery Centre!

Where can I do archery in County Down?

One of the best places to get you started with archery is the Mourne Archery Centre in Newcastle. You'll find the venue a 50 minutes drive south of Belfast via the A49, or a few minute's drive north of the seaside town of Newcastle via Castlewellan Road.

Bull’s eye! Unleash your inner Robin Hood and try your hand at archery at Mourne Archery Centre. Based in a barn in Maghera, the centre is a space for both kids and adults to learn new skills and meet new people. The friendly and experienced instructors are there to teach you all the techniques and give you all the advice you’ll need to stay on target every time. It really is a brilliant experience for first-timers. Accessible and affordable, you’ll find yourself rapidly improving.

Give archery your best shot and they’ll have you shooting straight in no time. Take part in traditional target shooting, play extreme tic-tac-toe and even learn to pop balloons. Get competitive with mini-tournaments and see which of your friends and family is the true master of the bow and arrow!

Archery tips for beginners

If this is your first time taking aim, then here are a few tips to help you hit the bullseye every time!

  • Don’t hold your breath! Many people see films, where archers hold their breath while talking aim, breaths, and then shoot. Holding your breath will only distract you.
  • Relax your bow hand, as gripping it too tight will make you tense, which is a big influence on your accuracy and makes you far more likely to be off target.
  • Keep your feet firmly planted on the ground and wide apart, with a good posture – this will strengthen your aim.

Don’t worry about safety, as it’s conducted in a secure, controlled environment and all participants must attend a safety briefing before taking part. However, it is recommended that you bring a glove to protect your fingers!

Book your session in advance by filling in the form on their website, or giving them a call on the number listed below. Open Wednesday to Sunday.

  • 1.5-hour session – £10 pp
  • 2-hour session – £15 pp
  • 3-hour session – £20 pp

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