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You are here: Home > What's On > Giant Adventures > Footsteps in the Forest > Frequently Asked Questions
Set within the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Footsteps in the Forest is a ticketed, nine-day Halloween festival that takes place in Slieve Gullion Forest Park, County Armagh.
Find out more about the festival HERE.
Footsteps in the Forest takes place from Monday 21 to Tuesday 29 October 2024.
Footsteps in the Forest is a family-friendly event that celebrates the Gaelic festival of Samhain (Sow-in), which marks the harvest season's end and the beginning of winter. The nine-day festival will see Slieve Gullion Forest Park transformed into the 'otherworld'.
Historically celebrated throughout Ireland, Samhain is steeped in tradition that to this day shapes the holiday we now know as Halloween. Footsteps in the Forest will bring this fun and immersive Halloween experience to life through costumed characters, spectacular illuminations, and mythical storytelling.
Visitors will go along a guided, illuminated trail that will take them on the journey from the origins of Samhain to modern day Halloween. To bring a mystical quality to the experience, the event will be held in the evening enthralling and capturing the imaginations of all ages.
Footsteps in the Forest is a free ticketed event and booking is essential. Family tickets went live on Monday 7 October at 11am and tickets are now fully booked. Each family ticket will admit one car, not one person (max tickets per booking is 2). Please follow Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion social media pages for reminders and updates @VisitMourne.
Please ensure you have a copy of your ticket on your phone or printed out to display at the arrival point.
We are sorry that we are unable to exchange tickets for an alternative date.
The guided trails start each evening at 5pm and will run every 45 minutes until the last show at 8.45pm.
An autism friendly will take place at 5pm and 5.45pm each evening with a brighter setting and lower music.
Irish language sessions will take place on Tuesday 29 October.
This is an evening experience therefore warm clothing and appropriate footwear are recommended.
The trail is 1.65km in length and is uneven in places, with a slightly challenging gradient at the start of the trail. A torch is advisable.
Prams are permitted however they are not advisable due to the trail gradient and uneven surface.
You may only arrive 10 minutes before your allotted session time.
Find out more about the festival HERE.
Yes, there is a section of the trail which includes Tricky Treats and warm beverages to purchase.
Footsteps in the Forest is being held in Slieve Gullion Forest Park, 89 Drumintee Road, Killeavy, County Armagh, BT35 8SW. Slieve Gullion Forest Park is situated 5 miles southwest of Newry City, on the B113.
Disabled parking is available for blue badge holders.
Slieve Gullion Forest Park will be open each day, throughout the event, to the general public until 3pm.
The closest bus station is in Newry City, which has direct routes from the Europa Bus Station in Belfast, making travelling to the festival all that easier.
If you’re travelling from Dublin it couldn’t be easier too with regular train and bus routes operating daily to Newry City and then take a connection to Slieve Gullion Forest Park.
For more information on Translink timetables and fares please visit www.translink.co.uk or call the Contact Centre on (028) 90 66 66 30.
For more information on getting around, click HERE.
The forest trail gradient on the mountain is steep and has an uneven surface. There are areas which are difficult to navigate for wheelchair users and those with limited mobility. There are areas of rough terrain which could be made worse by wet weather. Caution should be exercised when following the trail.
The forest trail can also be noisy at certain times.
An autism friendly tour will take place at 5pm and 5.45pm each day with a brighter setting and lower music.
Yes, there is toilet provision at the start and end of the trail.
Accessible toilets are available.
There is a range of accommodation options available from family friendly hotels and B&Bs to self-catering and caravan parks.
More information on a range of accommodation options can be found HERE.
No, unfortunately this event is not suitable for our four-legged friends.
The safety and enjoyment of our festival attendees, staff, and performers are our top priorities. In the event of inclement weather, such as heavy rain, lightning, or severe storms, we may temporarily suspend activities or, if necessary, evacuate the area to ensure everyone's safety.
We closely monitor weather conditions leading up to and during the event and will communicate any changes through this website on www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/footstepsintheforest, social media channels @visitmourne, and on-site announcements. Please check these platforms regularly for updates. In cases where the weather leads to a cancellation on one of the festival days, we will provide updates through our official website and social media channels.
Footsteps in the Forest is designed to showcase the unique assets within the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark. It is designed and delivered under the Geopark Code of Practice for sustainable tourism that promotes the safeguarding and respectful engagement with local communities.
We’re committed to running a sustainable event that minimises any negative impact on the environment, and we encourage visitors to help too! More information about the Council’s Sustainable Development can be found HERE.
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