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This exciting event is designed to inspire local residents in Newry, Mourne and Down to explore the best of what Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark has to offer, with something for everyone — from thrilling outdoor adventures to relaxing retreats and delicious local flavours.

Mrs C’s perfect pancakes come in two delicious varieties: classic fluffy and high-protein, the ultimate treat to celebrate Pancake Tuesday in style!

Join us as we celebrate the achievements of Patrick the man through themed experiences, events and celebrations.  Experience the fun at one of two Community Carnival Parades on Monday 17 March in Downpatrick and Newry and enjoy a range of local talent including buskers, bands, Irish dancers and traditional Irish music.

A special day for a very special person, Mother’s Day, also known as Mothering Sunday, is celebrated on Sunday, 30 March this year and it is a time to be grateful to our mothers for all the love and care she has shown us throughout our lives.  Obviously we should try to show our appreciation to our mother at all times but it is nice to have a day specifically dedicated to her. 

If you’re looking for a scenic dog walk with a bit of adventure, Dundrum Coastal Path is a fantastic choice. Finn, the ever-energetic Border Collie, and I took on this beautiful route, and let me tell you—it did not disappoint!

Are you planning some day trips for this half term? Great, we have you sorted!  Plan your visit to Mourne Mountains and the Ring of Gullion.

We are home to striking landscapes and lots of fun activities to keep you entertained. Here are some of the things you can get up to during your visit.  

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

The 24th of January 2025 and the name Éowyn will go down in infamy within the Garden’s history, alongside Storm Ophelia (2017) which also took champions from us. Like many areas in County Down Storm Éowyn gave us a devastating battering.

This time of year, you can savour light, seasonal menus crafted with delicious local ingredients, perfectly capturing the essence of Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion. 

What could be more perfect than a romantic getaway in Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion destination? Enjoy a romantic spa break at the Slieve Donard Hotel & Spa, treat yourselves to a memorable stay in Newcastle County Down. There is lots to do, and everything is within a stone throw away, you certainly won't be short of romance.  Savour a delicious, candle-lit meal in one of the area's many restaurants and make memories walking in the beautiful Mourne Mountains.

At this stage in the project the capital works is around 50% complete, with most work carried out to date in the first courtyard and car park. The new visitor information centre, formerly the café, has almost completed its renovation and has a beautiful gable wall showing period features. Once the renovation is completed the next step will be installing a range of interpretation to tell the amazing stories of the demesne.

Mountain biking is an incredibly fun sport, but it can also be a daunting one to get into. The assumptions people make about it can be off-putting, and even knowing where to go can be a challenge. In this blog, we aim to lay out the simple things you can do to get into mountain biking.