Two unique experiences have recently been added to the array of giant adventures to be found in and around Northern Ireland’s Mourne Mountains.
Situated in the southeast corner of Northern Ireland, the Mountains of Mourne in County Down famously ‘sweep down to the sea’, casting a spell on all who venture to their peaks, valleys and pristine natural environment.
This is the granite kingdom that inspired C.S. Lewis’s world of Narnia, the filmmakers of Game of Thrones®, and which has been the muse of songwriters, poets and musicians for centuries. Its myths, legends, culture and landscapes are sure to inspire you too.
There are innumerable ways to embrace the giant spirit and beauty of the Mournes – scale its highest peaks, ramble in its foothills, explore the rippling shores of Strangford Lough or discover its activity trails, adventure parks, artisan food producers, craft breweries and distilleries.
Deep connections to St Patrick, world-class golf courses, forest parks, golden beaches and sand dunes that touch the Irish Sea also await, while you can mountain-bike the spectacular Mourne Loop, enjoy secret dining with a Great British Menu chef or make your own Celtic pendant with woodturner, storyteller and musician Padraig Carragher.
Your next giant adventure in the Mournes could also be with the newly added experience of the ancient art of dry stonewalling, the 5,000-year-old craft behind the building of the landmark Mourne Wall. Running for 22 miles over 15 summits, Northern Ireland’s biggest listed building was erected 100 years ago to keep livestock away from the rivers and reservoirs in the mountains.
Experience the skill and hard graft behind its creation on the Mourne Stonewalling – A Granite Kingdom at The Green Holiday Cottages close to the fishing village of Kilkeel.
Following a woodland wander with proprietor Jenny Hanna, see how her husband Mark has restored original drystone walls with Mournes granite first used at the cottages over 300 years ago.
Work alongside Mark and become part of a timeless tradition as you learn to measure and gauge using the local language. Coggle and skim the skelfs and spalls and physically build part of a stone wall yourself. Then finish up with a Mourne builder’s lunch served in a biscuit tin.
Half an hour away in Downpatrick, join Josephine Brennan King, elite former principal Irish dancer of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance, for a high-octane experience that celebrates the centuries-old story, culture, and heritage behind Irish dancing.
The new Dancing at the Crossroads experience will give you insights into how the old masters historically taught Irish dancing and how communities socialised by dancing at crossroads after the harvest.
Learn steps from the old sean nós style dancing and the iconic steps of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. Finish off with an Irish hooley party culminating in a choreographed Irish dance-off by the crossroads at historic Down Cathedral. Leave with an Irish dancing medal, a certificate as a memento, and a memory of the Mountains of Mourne that will last a lifetime.
The new experiences are part of Atlantic CultureScape, a European project in the Atlantic Area designed to develop intangible cultural experiences that are authentic, immersive and rich in stories.
