The Mourne Mountains also influenced C. S. Lewis to create the mythical world featured in his The Chronicles of Narnia series. [64] [65] Helicopter crash [ edit ] The Mournes are fabled in Northern Irish legend and adored today. Even out of season in November, I climbed Slieve Binnian alongside a steady stream of hikers and struggled to book last-minute accommodation around Newcastle. Visiting the Mourne Mountains is popular all year round amongst domestic and international travellers!

Tollymore Forest Park is 2 miles inland from Newcastle and sits at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. The four best walks in the Mourne Mountains Climbing Slieve Binnian.Reaching a height of 2,789 feet (850 metres), Slieve Donard is the highest of all the Mourne Mountains and it sits at the northeastern edge of the Mournes, overlooking Newcastle and Dundrum Bay. Views that’ll take your breath away Yes, scientists have linked the Mourne Mountains to a higher density of gold. How were the Mourne Mountains formed? This series of 1:25,000 scale paper maps is for outdoor enthusiasts and includes all features associated with land-based outdoor pursuits. OSNI activity maps are double sided and printed on water resistant paper. Lough Erne Activity map Get up close and personal with our local wildlife as you make your way between the contrasting shorelines of Strangford Lough and the Irish Sea. Crag features: Ben Crom is situated high at the end of Silent Valley, and boasts some of the best crags in the Mournes. The Main Face offersmany fine climbs mainly in the HVS-E3 range while other buttresses lower downgive numerous shorter routes. Single and multi pitch (10-90m).

Crag features: The best of the Binnian tors, home to some desperate slab lines as well as good climbs in the lower to middle grades. Alsothe best concentration of bouldering in the Mournes.

From the rugged granite peaks of the mountains to the picturesque coastline below, the Mournes region is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This guide map has information about climbing, rambling or relaxing in the area. After a short distance, the wall ends abruptly and is replaced by a fence. Continue beside the fence until the wall reappears. Cross the fence just before the reinstated wall and follow a path north through peat hags. The path is firm underfoot and generally quite dry; there are a few soggy patches but they are easily avoided. After about 450m the path joins an old bog road. These maps are a complete navigation guide to Lower and Upper Lough Erne, with easy-to-follow hydrographic information. Strangford Lough Activity map

The circular route follows the length of the Mourne Wall, scaling fifteen mountains en route. Expect lots of ascents and descents, which demand a high level of cardiovascular fitness and mental grit. This is a challenging yet rewarding walk, some of which crosses open hill side with no waymarking so please ensure you are adequatley prepared. There is little accommodation available along the route so please ensure to make arrangements prior to setting off. Kilbroney Church is the location of the legend of St Bronach’s Bell. The story recalls an invisible bell that rang in the churchyard during storms, continuing St Bronach’s work of caring for troubled sailors. The apparently supernatural origin of the noise was explained in 1795 however, when an ancient oak tree blew down, revealing a 9th-century church bell that had been hidden in its branches during the reformation. The Mourne Mountains are a mountain range that includes Slieve Donard, the highest mountain in Northern Ireland. Needless to say, there is a lot of competition when choosing the best four walks in the Mourne Mountains. I have tried to select four walks that vary in scenery, time, physical and technical difficulty. Slieve Donard Summit Hike

Built Heritage of Mourne AONB

Aside from grasses, the most common plants found in the Mournes are heathers and gorse. Of the former, three species are found: cross-leaved heath, bell heather, and common heather. Of the latter, two species are found: common gorse and western gorse. Other plants which grow in the area are: common cottongrass, roseroot, harebell, marsh St John's-wort, wild thyme, wood sorrel and heath spotted orchid. Kirk, David (2002). The Mountains of Mourne: A Celebration of a Place Apart. Belfast: Appletree Press. ISBN 0-86281-846-X. The Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beautyoffers a sharp contrast between mountains and waters. Marvel at how the Mourne Mountains sweep down and meet the Irish sea in Newcastle. Walk the sands of the blue flag CranfieldBeach, or take in the sea air along Newcastle’s seafront promenade. It provides a detailed guide for many outdoor activities and highlights local amenities and services such as filling stations and bus stops. The map includes Slieve Croob, the Murlough Nature Reserve and Castlewellan Forest Park. Glens of Antrim Activity map a b Viney, Michael (13 May 2017). "The link between gorse fires, farming and a disregard for nature". The Irish Times.