Warrenpoint stands on the northern shore of Carlingford Lough, its name is derived from a rabbit warren which existed in earlier times near the shore.

Today the town is a lively place, the commercial harbour sees a constant procession of ships landing and loading all manner of goods

Warrenpoint most likely came into existance as a collection of houses the inhabitants of which derived their sustance by harvesting the sheltered and no doubt then bountiful waters of Carlingford Lough.

Its scenic beauty and coastal location instigated rapid development so that the population in 1824 was 500 and in 1831 was 1,000. In 1836 there was a school, a court house, a savings bank and a farming society. In 1846 the population was 683.

Fairs were held once a month and a market every Friday. In the mid-19th century, Newry merchants obtained a government grant to create a tidal dock at the village, as prior to 1850 ships of above 150 tonnes could not get further up the lough than Narrow Water.

A railway connection opened on 9 May 1849, increasing Warrenpoint's popularity as a holiday destination. and Warrenpoint became popular as a resort town. Thousands flocked to the resort every year, where most took the passenger ferry to Omeath in County Louth. The Warrenpoint railway station closed in January 1965. The Ferry remains in operation but only in the summer months from May to September.

A bandstand in the town park provided concerts and a swimming pool was built in 1908. The baths were opened by Captain Roger Hall on Whit Monday, the 8th of June in that year, but they are now closed.

On 6 February 1921, during the Irish War of Independence, the Irish Republican Army ambushed an Ulster Special Constabulary (USC) patrol in Warrenpoint. The ambush took place on Seaview Road and one USC constable was killed.[2]

On 27 August 1979, during "the Troubles", the Provisional Irish Republican Army ambushed a British Army convoy at nearby Narrow Water Castle. Eighteen soldiers were killed – the British Army's greatest loss-of-life in a single incident during the conflict. This is often called the Warrenpoint ambush.

See also Famous People. Read about Warrenpoint from Thomas Bradshaws' Directory of 1810.
Go to towns in County Down.