Family Breaks

Family fun in the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion

Whoever it was that put this place together had children in mind - just look at it. The Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion is like something straight out of a children’s novel. Indeed, it inspired a certain C.S. Lewis to take to his desk and weave his magic in Narnia. There is no better place to be outdoors than this wee corner of the island and once they have got used to not being with their phones and iPads for a few hours, your kids will love it here. What’s more, we are well used to making a big fuss over smaller guests and they are sure to feel right at home.

Magical Stays around the Mountains of Mourne

Be sure to stay in or around the giant that overlooks these lands - The Mourne Mountains. You can make your stay near these guardians all the more magical by spending a night or two at Fairy River Glamping. This supernatural setting has two underground cottages built snuggly into the landscape yet it boasts every luxury you need including two en-suites, warm and roomy bedrooms and even a cosy stove with turf. With an outside firepit and stone furniture you and your family can enjoy some chat on long summer evenings and recall how earlier that day you conquered all...or maybe just some...of the nearby Mournes.

If you’re on the lookout for an authentic Irish cottage stay, you should look no further than Kribben Cottages - a group of five white-washed houses that sit right under the Mournes. Though they look like something from the famous John Hinde postcard series, the cottages were only opened in 2014 by locals John and Myrtle Haugh. The accommodation is immaculate but there is nothing stuffy about it and kids will find plenty of space for playing chase as well as a small playground.

Clonlum Holiday Cottages near Newry can cater to between four and six sleepy heads and has the advantage of a Netflix subscription (which you might want to keep to yourself). Here’s hoping the weather gods will be kind to you and instead of watching reruns of Peppa Pig, you’ll be firing up the barbecue before sitting back and taking in the views of the majestic Slieve Gullion.

Embrace your Inner Giant

Speaking of which, and when everyone is finally settled into their accommodation, the Giant’s Lair and Adventure Playground at Slieve Gullion Forest Park is the very place to maybe start your adventures in the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion. This forest park is a living storybook. Boys, girls, and maybe even older elves and fairies will surely love the colourful choice of story trails on offer and of course you’ll get the chance to meet the bauld Fionn - the legendary hero of ancient mythology. There is a humongous play park with a lovely area designed specifically with toddlers in mind and for older kids, there’s some excellent adventure equipment. Mum or Dad might even embrace their adventurous spirit and have a crack.

There is plenty more of the same at Tollymore Forest Park where you can hop over stepping stones, cross ancient bridges, climb the castle turret, folly tower and get lost in the hollow tree.

If that all seems a little too adventurous the magical world of Narnia awaits visitors to Kilbroney Forest Park. Inspired by C.S. Lewis’s epic tale, this lovely trail is short enough for even the tiniest feet to take on and plenty to point at along the forest path that takes curious minds past citadels, tree people and even a beaver’s house. Or why not try out one of the family friendly bike trails at Kilbroney Park?  Even if you don’t feel like bringing your own bike, you can hire them out from Bike Mourne and set off exploring.

Those who have had enough of land adventures can take to the sea with The Carlingford Lough Ferry and, from there go on the Mountains of Mourne and Silent Valley Tour where they will see more of the scenery that inspired Lewis to write his great masterpiece. 

“I have seen landscapes,” he once wrote, “notably in the Mourne Mountains and southwards which under a particular light made me feel that at any moment a giant might raise his head over the next ridge”.

The tour also features another giant of the county, the impressive Spelga Dam, which took two-thousand men to build over 10 years.

Downtime near the Sea

After a day packed full of activities, information and the glories of nature, the lovely seaside town of Newcastle is the perfect place to wind down. Here, you can walk the promenade or skim stones on the beach before enjoying dinner in one of the many great value bars or restaurants. There are lots of family friendly options so Newcastle, is a top notch bet for all the family.

For families on the lookout for something different, the Cranfield Alpacas Experience is a beautiful way to engage your children on a day out. The concept is simple; you trek with the alpacas while taking in the stunning views of Carlingford Lough, the Mourne and Cooley Mountains and the historic 13th Century Royal Greencastle Castle. Whether you choose the two-hour Alpaca Beach Trek Experience or the shorter Alpaca Field Walk Experience, you will find out more about these majestic animals while guiding them to your mutual destination.

By now you and your kids will have a taste for the outdoors, so why not learn to cook in it. The wonderful School of Bushcraft in Finnebrogue Woods offers visitors the chance to get out into nature and learn the basics of surviving in it. On the Bushcraft Fundamentals offering, the guide and bushcraft specialist here will teach you essential survival skills including the basics of fire lighting and shelter building. A tasty lunch pack is provided and includes their own Finnebrogue Dexter Burger which you will cook yourself on an open campfire. The school also offers an excellent outdoors workshop on foraging.

If cooking outdoors or eating newly found mushrooms doesn’t float your culinary boat, try The Church in the picturesque village of Rostrevor. Set in an old converted church with high vaulted ceilings, this family run café and bistro offers traditional continental cuisine with a contemporary twist and uses choice ingredients that are hand-picked by local family farmers. 

In keeping with its ethos of sustainability, the menu is seasonal... and absolutely delicious any time of the year.

After over-indulging, why not walk it all off with a visit to Castlewellan Forest Park where you can maybe lose the kids (safely) for ten minutes in the Peace Maze. Planted in 2000 with community involvement, visitors can attempt to solve their way to the centre of the maze. Castlewellan also features an excellent playground and offers several walking trails through mountain paths, forests and loughs.

Whether you spend your day among the rolling hills of the Ring of Gullion or the shores of Strangford Lough, the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion has so much to offer that choosing your adventure might turn out to be an adventure in itself.