Old Coastguard Mews is a charming development of exclusive mews style houses and apartments nestled at the foot of the Mourne Mountains in the picturesque village of Annalong, Co.Down.  The name of the village of Annalong (Ford of the Ships) may well date back to the days of the Vikings when their long-ships found shelter in the 'wee hole' at the mouth of Annalong River where the harbour was later built. Until the gravel bar was breached at Kilkeel in the 1870s, Annalong was the principal harbour along the Mourne coast. Prior to 1800 granite kerbstones, locally known as 'kribben' were being exported from Annalong to the west coast ports of Britain in converted fishing boats. As the granite industry developed purpose-built schooners were used and by 1900 a fleet of over thirty such vessels operated from the harbour. The demand for granite has changed and to satisfy the demand large blocks of different coloured granites are now imported from all over the world to be cut and polished in the village. Up until the second world war Annalong had a considerable fishing industry but the harbour was too small to accommodate the larger vessels and they moved to Kilkeel though the inshore fishermen continued to operate from Annalong. The harbour is now used mainly for pleasure craft.       Ireland's most picturesque corn mill built in the early 1800s is to be found adjacent to Annalong Harbour. Being one of Ulster's last working watermills it operated until the 1960’s. Acquired by Newry & Moune Council restoration began in 1983 and today guided tours take place regularly and one can see the production of flour and oatmeal. Visitors may also grind their own corn or have a browse at the exhibition on milling. Powered by a 15ft waterwheel (a form of technology over 2000 years old) and a 1920's Marshall 'hot-bulb' 20hp engine. The complex contains a grain-drying kiln and 3 pairs of millstones Old Coastguard Mews as the name suggests is built on the site of the Old Coastguard Station in Annalong. Originally built in the 1700's the coastguards were based here until about 1930. Hazelbank Developments Limited, are retaining a heritage listed whitewashed building with was originally a rocket station and pigeon tower. It is believed to be the only rocket station remaining in Ireland.       British soldier, explorer, and Middle East traveler, General Francis Rawdon Chesney , whose fame rests on his projects for the Suez Canal and for an overland route to India by the Euphrates River valley was born in Annalong Coastguard Station in 1789  NEXT