Blog

Killeavy Castle Is Named Hotel of the Year  

The four star, Killeavy Castle Estate, nestled in the heart of County Armagh has been named AA Hotel of the Year Northern Ireland at the prestigious AA Hospitality Awards 2023. 

Think it is time to book a much-needed short break? Enjoy a staycation in the Ring of Gullion, it may be the perfect destination for your romantic getaway. The Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion is packed with places just perfect for quality time together. 

Autumn is approaching and it is the greatest season to get outdoors, the nights are getting darker, the chill and mist is in the air and the foliage is changing from green to gold, amber and russet. So, put on your cosy sweaters, go outside and enjoy the satisfying crunch of the fallen leaves beneath your feet!  

The Strangford Lough area is very picturesque and offers lots for families to do and see. Strangford is a small village at the mouth of Strangford Lough, which is the UK’s largest sea lough. The 10 minute ferry links the villages of Strangford and Portaferry and is an exciting experience for young and old as you take in the stunning scenery of this Marine Nature Reserve and try to spot seals, seabirds and jellyfish as the tide rushes past.

Ignite your summer adventures and discover Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark alongside 57 other unique UNESCO sites in the UK and crown dependencies thanks to a newly illustrated map, now available to download for free from the UK National Commission for UNESCO.

Isn’t it great to get home after a hard day’s work and switch on the telly to lose yourself in a great series or movie?  Well, how about a series or movie which is based in the beautiful area of Mourne, Gullion and Strangford?  It is a well-known fact that the series Game of Thrones® has used many locations in our area such as Tollymore Forest Park, Castle Ward and Inch Abbey, however, there are a few more places to be added to the list so kick your shoes off and relax while we flick through some of our programmes that have been based in and around our wonderful area of outstanding beauty. 

The Mourne Mountains, Ring of Gullion and Strangford areas are world famous for their outstanding scenery, history and walks. One of the best ways to experience the magic and majesty is with one of our qualified Tour Guides.

Special subjects include: Mourne Mountains, Saint Patrick's Country, Ring of Gullion, Strangford Lough, Local History, Granite Industry, Food & Drink.

Love all things animal?  Enjoy some four-legged fun and “pawesome” visitor attractions throughout Mourne, Strangford and Gullion.

Anglers get your bait, flies and hooks at the ready and plan your perfect fishing trip. We are spoilt for choice here in the Mourne Mountains and Ring of Gullion for fishing destinations. Our beautiful region is abundant in peaceful lakes, challenging rivers and wonderful coastal areas, perfect for your ideal fishing trip, whether it is coarse, game, or even sea fishing in beautiful fishing villages with plenty of history and impressive trawlers! We are here to tell you all about the best fishing spots in the area.

Located in the southeast corner of Northern Ireland is the Mourne, Gullion, Strangford geopark.  The area is culturally rich and champions sustainable and local tourism experiences.

Mourne, Gullion and Strangford are areas where the landscape is rich and fertile allowing food to be grown and produced locally.  The coastal waters surrounding the region is home to the richest fishing waters in Ireland.  Our rivers and lakes are also home to some of the best freshwater catches.

Buckets and spades at the ready, leave it to us to find you the best beaches to build your sandcastle on!

It looks like summer has arrived and long may it last!  There’s nothing like a long day out at the beach with your family or friends.  So, socks off and try dipping your toes into the cool blue waters of one of our many beaches listed below.

We have 3 beaches in our area that have once again been awarded Blue Flag status this year and that is something to be very proud of!  The categories that need to be met for Blue Flag standards are water quality, safety and public environmental education. 

Cycling has always been a favourite way to get out and about to explore our beautiful region and with so many activity centres available to hire a bike for the day, you don’t even need to have your own wheels!  Have a look at the cycling routes we have laid out for you and get on your bike!