Slieve Croob Stargazing Site — A free moorland summit above Finnis, the source of the River Lagan, with a car park high on the hill and big open sky over the Dromara Hills.
What you'll see: A wide dark sky over open moorland on clear nights; the Milky Way can show on genuinely dark, moonless nights, plus planets and seasonal meteor showers. It all depends on cloud and moon — nothing is guaranteed.
Getting there: Above Finnis, near Dromara, County Down. From Dromara take the Rathfriland Road, then the B7 south, then the Dree Hill Road up the hill to the car park on the left.
When to go: Clear, moonless nights; darker and longer in winter. Check the forecast and moon phase first.
Facilities: None. No toilets, no lighting, no café — it is open hill.
Cost: Free.
Good to know: Unlit, exposed moorland. Bring a torch (a red light saves your night vision), warm and windproof layers, sturdy boots, and tell someone where you are. The Dree Hill Road is single track higher up, so drive carefully.
Plan your visit
Where you start from
From the centre of Dromara you take the Rathfriland Road, then the B7 south towards Finnis, cross the small bridge over the infant River Lagan and climb the Dree Hill Road as it narrows and opens onto moorland. A little over three miles up there is a car park on the left, and in it stands a granite sculpture by artist Chris Wilson called 'Source of the River Lagan'. That car park is your base, already high on the hill and well away from street light.
The source of the River LaganHigh moorland summit at 534 metresFree hillside car park to start fromDark skies over open moor on clear moonless nightsSeasonal meteor showers overhead
Good to know before you go:
There are no scheduled facilities here, so plan around the sky itself: clear moonless nights, and the August Perseid or December Geminid meteor showers for the best chance of shooting stars.
Before you set off
What to bring
🔦A torch — ideally red-lightRed light lets you see the path without wrecking your night vision.
🧥More layers than you thinkYou’re standing still in the dark on a hill — it gets cold fast.
📱A star-map app & the forecastCheck the moon phase and cloud cover before you set off — a full moon washes the sky out.
🧣A flask & a blanketHalf the fun is sitting back with a hot drink while your eyes adjust.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Type
Free dark-sky moorland summit (source of the River Lagan)
What you'll see
A wide dark sky over open moorland on clear nights; the Milky Way can show on genuinely dark, moonless nights, plus planets and seasonal meteor showers. It all depends on cloud and moon — nothing is guaranteed.
Getting there
Above Finnis, near Dromara, County Down. From Dromara take the Rathfriland Road, then the B7 south, then the Dree Hill Road up the hill to the car park on the left.
Facilities
None. No toilets, no lighting, no café — it is open hill.
When to go
Clear, moonless nights; darker and longer in winter. Check the forecast and moon phase first.
Cost
Free
Booking
No need
Good to know
Unlit, exposed moorland. Bring a torch (a red light saves your night vision), warm and windproof layers, sturdy boots, and tell someone where you are. The Dree Hill Road is single track higher up, so drive carefully.
Parking
Small free car park part-way up the Dree Hill Road, marked by the granite 'Source of the River Lagan' sculpture.
Address
Slieve Croob, Dree Hill Road, Finnis, near Dromara, County Down
Questions
Before you go
Is it free?
Free
When is the best time to go?
Clear, moonless nights; darker and longer in winter. Check the forecast and moon phase first.
What will we actually see?
A wide dark sky over open moorland on clear nights; the Milky Way can show on genuinely dark, moonless nights, plus planets and seasonal meteor showers. It all depends on cloud and moon — nothing is guaranteed.
Are there any facilities?
None. No toilets, no lighting, no café — it is open hill.
What should we bring?
Unlit, exposed moorland. Bring a torch (a red light saves your night vision), warm and windproof layers, sturdy boots, and tell someone where you are. The Dree Hill Road is single track higher up, so drive carefully.
Getting there
Slieve Croob Stargazing Site is at Slieve Croob, Dree Hill Road, Finnis, near Dromara, County Down. Above Finnis, near Dromara, County Down. From Dromara take the Rathfriland Road, then the B7 south, then the Dree Hill Road up the hill to the car park on the left. Tap below for directions.
Most people meet the River Lagan in Belfast, wide and tidal past the city. Far fewer stand where it starts, a thin trickle of water high on Slieve Croob among the Dromara Hills. The granite sculpture in the car park marks that source and nods to the old local traditions of the hill, including the Cairn Sunday walk up to the summit.
The same height that gives the river its start gives you your sky. Up here the towns are below and behind you, the moor is open in every direction, and on a clear, moonless night you get one of the better dark horizons in County Down for the price of a careful drive up the hill.