Explore
With everything close by, the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion is plentiful in quaint towns, incredible scenery, ancient forests, and stately homes. Explore the vastness of our landscapes and receive a giant welcome from all you encounter here.
Visit the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark
Experience the outstanding scenery of the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark. Discover the majestic mountains, our primordial forests, and the soft shoals of Strangford Lough in this expansive area.
Take Your Breath Away with our AONBs
We are lucky to have three Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs) in our region. Come and climb the Mountains of Mourne, and observe the incredible landscape that surrounds them. Hike the stretch of the range that comes down to the sea.
Discover the Ring of Gullion’s crags where a volcano poured into the valleys, eroding the rock face, and leaving us with a geological wonder.
Trek the lost shores of Strangford and Lecale, and observe the fascinating wildlife that inhabits its coastline.
Walk the path of Ireland’s Patron Saint
Tread where St. Patrick once stood and stand in wonder at the striking landscape where legend says he banished snakes from the island of Ireland. Venture through The Saint Patrick Centre, the only one of its kind, in Downpatrick to hear more of his story. Explore St. Patrick’s legacy on a St. Patrick Camino trek over the same pagan hills he once surveyed.
Walk Through our Gardens and Nature Reserves
Discover the beautiful Murlough National Nature Reserve with a sand dune system over 6000 years old. See if you can spot one of the 23 species of butterfly that have made their home in Dundrum Bay.
Tread quietly around the Quoile Pondage Nature Reserve and Countryside Centre and you will find mute swans, mallards, tufted duck, and other endangered bird species. Find the bird hide and you might be lucky enough to see the rare Gadwall. Listen out for its buzzy call, a lovely sound on ponds and lakes.
Amble around the idyllic Rowallane Gardens. Take a leisurely stroll through the formal gardens and see the impressive design carved from the County Down landscape. The Reverend Moore, who designed Rowallane Gardens, used a more naturalised approach to his grounds. Moore drew great inspiration from the landscape in Tollymore which is reflected in the stunning gardens we have today.
Explore our Ancient Forests
Wander through the 450 hectares that make up Castlewellan Forest Park. Canoe, cycle, horse ride, or walk around the vast lake that sits in the shadow of Castlewellan Castle. Bring your fishing rod if you want to catch dinner.
Explore Slieve Gullion Forest Park
Take the kids to Slieve Gullion Forest Park and let them scout the incredible Fionn's Giant Adventure (also known as Giant's Lair). A magical, living storybook, let the children get lost in their imaginations as they walk through fairy houses and encounter dragons and giants through art. Grab a seat at the Giant’s Table or sneak into the Ladybird House. Inspired by a tapestry made up of local myths and legends, this is something your children won’t forget. Watch them play in the adventure play park while you enjoy a coffee by the wildlife pond.
Climb the Regal Mountains of Mourne
Step outside and experience the magnificence of the Mourne Mountains. Discover the many peaks and hills, the fallen valleys, and the sensational views. Slieve Donard is the highest Mountain in Northern Ireland. Hike on a clear day and you can see the Isle of Man, Scotland, Donegal, Wales, and even Wicklow.
If you are an experienced mountaineer, tackle Slieve Commedagh. A strenuous and challenging walk, be prepared for steep ascents. Explore the Brandy Pad where smugglers stashed and transported their goods.
Make the ascent of Slieve Binnian and be rewarded with unique views of Annalong Forest. Follow the impressive stone Mourne Wall, 22 miles in length, the wall was constructed between 1904 and 1922 and crosses 15 mountains. Trek past the Blue Lough and get your camera ready for the incredible shots of the valley.
Wander Around our Tremendous City, Towns and Villages
Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion is brimming with picturesque towns and villages and at its heart is Newry city. Visit the fishing town of Kilkeel and head to The Nautilus Centre and Mourne Maritime Visitor Centre to learn about the local fishing and maritime heritage, and see how nets and boats are mended. You might even get to sample some of Kilkeel’s famous king prawns. Enjoy a scenic pint at the shores of Strangford Lough, the largest sea lough in the UK and Ireland and plan your adventure to its many mini islands. Venture through the wooded glens of Castlewellan and pop by the castle.
Believed to be the oldest inhabited castle in Ireland, stay in Killyleagh Castle and sleep in one of the stone turrets. Breathe in the history of the Lecale Peninsula in Ardglass where St Patrick started his mission. Wander around Ó Fiaich Square, named after Cardinal Tomas O’Fiaich, the Archbishop of Armagh, who hailed from nearby Cullyhanna.
A stop off in Rostrevor Village is a must. Explore the Rostrevor Oak wood, a relic of a much larger forest. The woodland contains Oak, Ash, Sycamore, Hazel to name but a few. There are lots of ferns and flowers like wild garlic, primroses and bluebells. The forest is home to jays and squirrels and it hosts a number of rare plants like wood avens and hard shield fern. Follow the path into Kilbroney Park, the Fairy Glen walk provides varied scenery from gentle riverside to scenic parkland and woodland. The Fairy Glen is located on the left immediately after the bridge beside the entrance to Kilbroney Park. Explore The Narnia Trail and enter this magical world through the wardrobe door.
Order an artisan Nugelato ice cream on a warm day and pick all your toppings before a walk along the promenade of Newcastle and find more things to do in Newcastle here. Stand on the hallowed ground of the cathedral in Downpatrick beside St Patrick's Grave, or party into the wee hours in Newry City.