Blog (May 2024) - Visit Mourne Mountains

The Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion area has lots of picturesque and fun filled destinations for you to have a BBQ. Every year we enjoy the outdoors by celebrating National BBQ Week which runs from 3 - 9 June 2024. We encourage everybody to pick their favourite destination for a day outdoors and enjoy a meal with their loved ones.

Here we have some suggestions of places for you to get out and fire up those grills!

Solstice literally means ‘light standing still’. Sacred Slieve Gullion mountain is the perfect place to connect with nature during this special Celtic festival. This volcanic mountain, formed over 60 million years ago, rests within The Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark. Awaken your senses during a 3-hour forest bathing immersion in Slieve Gullion Forest park. 

Guest blog by Ann Ward, Certified Meditation Coach and Forest Therapy Practitioner.

The people of Mourne, Gullion and Strangford aim to embed the ethos of sustainability throughout the community.  The region is recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark - a place of unique landscape and cultural heritage. Crucial to this recognition is sustainability in tourism around Mourne, Gullion and Strangford and there are many great places who are only too willing to do their bit for the love of the area and its future generations.

Tourism Northern Ireland has celebrated completing its 12-week Destination Sustainability Training Programme with fifteen organisations across Northern Ireland, including two from our region, Life Adventure Centre and East Coast Adventure Centre,  who have taken important steps towards becoming more sustainable.

It's that time of the year when it’s good to get out, get some fresh air around you and explore the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion and all its natural beauty. Whether you want to visit a forest park, hike a mountain or do an activity, our region is abundant in outdoor happenings.  There is plenty to see and do and lots for you to participate in to ensure a memorable experience.

For the family that likes to get out, about and into nature, Mourne, Gullion and Strangford are quite possibly in the top destinations in the world. Not only does the beauty of the diverse natural landscape encourage exploration and inspire wonder, but the normally benign climate and low population density means the air is always clean and fresh.  But don’t stop the plans there, dine al fresco.  Pack your own picnic, pick up a pre-made picnic platter or experience freshly prepared picnics delivered to your door. There’s plenty of choice!

It’s time to book your tickets and head to the oldest racecourse in Ireland to enjoy a day of horseracing.

The Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion is one giant adventure park and for teens who like to get out and about, it is a great place to challenge yourself. The demand for outdoor pursuits has really taken off over the last few years and this part of the world has responded with an unbelievable array of exciting pursuits and activities. So whether you want to abseil down a mountain, cycle the face of a hill or paddle the rapids of a river, this area has it all.