changes in agriculture. in changes

enemy from Scotland and its current location is where it landed. landed. it where is location current its and Scotland from enemy

orm of wrack rights. wrack of orm in the f the in development, pollution and pollution development,

that the legendary giant Finn McCool threw it at Benandonner his Benandonner at it threw McCool Finn giant legendary the that

being granted to local farmers local to granted being damaged through over through damaged

originally picked up. A more romantic story behind this stone however, is however, stone this behind story romantic more A up. picked originally

with permission for harvesting for permission with ered and possibly and ered of being alt being of

stone, a large boulder dropped by the ice many miles from where it was it where from miles many ice the by dropped boulder large a stone,

therefore a valuable commodity valuable a therefore ersity in is in danger in is Mourne in ersity Biodiv

e Stone in Forest is a ‘glacial erratic’ or stranger or erratic’ ‘glacial a is Forest Rostrevor in Stone e The Cloghmor The

ertiliser. Seaweed was Seaweed ertiliser. use as a f a as use

ay. of w of om the coast and spread for spread and coast the om fr

the peregrine falcon. falcon. peregrine the

y the passage of ice. ice. of passage the y shaped b shaped

Local councils are responsible for the recording of public rights public of recording the for responsible are councils Local • fields, seaweed was gathered was seaweed fields,

grouse and birds of prey such as such prey of birds and grouse

profile of the Hare’s Gap is one well known example of a pass a of example known well one is Gap Hare’s the of profile

a dog which is worrying sheep. worrying is which dog a improve the soils in the potato the in soils the improve

priority species such as the red the as such species priority

boulders swept from the mountains. The striking U-shaped striking The mountains. the from down swept boulders

• Dogs must be kept under control. A farmer has the right to shoot to right the has farmer A control. under kept be must Dogs • an average of 20-30 acres. To acres. 20-30 of average an

ovides a home for home a ovides altitude. This pr This altitude.

plain to a depth of many feet and included countless granite countless included and feet many of depth a to plain

• Throughout the Mournes access is permitted on foot only. foot on permitted is access Mournes the Throughout • oday. Farm sizes are small at small are sizes Farm oday. t

Europe due to the soil, climate and climate soil, the to due Europe

uantities of sand and gravel as it melted. This covered the coastal the covered This melted. it as gravel and sand of uantities q

ware of the following facts. following the of ware a emain boundaries which still r still which boundaries

developed areas of heathland in heathland of areas developed

a series of Ice Ages. The ice cut out valleys and deposited vast deposited and valleys out cut ice The Ages. Ice of series a

but walkers, and others who use the hills for recreation, should be should recreation, for hills the use who others and walkers, but were built into walls serving as sturdy field sturdy as serving walls stone dry into built were

areas contain one of the best the of one contain areas

appearance, notably the erosion and deposition that occurred during occurred that deposition and erosion the notably appearance,

people. ‘Observing the Mourne Sense’ code will help enormously help will code Sense’ Mourne the ‘Observing people. clearing the land of its countless granite boulders. The stones The boulders. granite countless its of land the clearing

ed squirrel. Upland squirrel. ed that include the r the include that

Since they were formed climate changes have altered the mountains’ the altered have changes climate formed were they Since

It is of major concern that good relations are maintained with local with maintained are relations good that concern major of is It practices. The earliest farmers began the laborious process of process laborious the began farmers earliest The practices.

oodlands, rivers and fens which are home to priority species priority to home are which fens and rivers oodlands, w oak

esult of centuries old agricultural old centuries of esult slopes of the mountains is a r a is mountains the of slopes and commands spectacular views of the mountains. the of views spectacular commands and

marsh fritillary butterfly. The area also contains some important some contains also area The butterfly. fritillary marsh

T have the status of a public right of way. way. of right public a of status the have T NO The farmland landscape that stretches from the coast up the up coast the from stretches that landscape farmland The et town of Castlwellan was owned by the Annesley family Annesley the by owned was Castlwellan of town et mark

and animals including the European endangered species the species endangered European the including animals and

quarry tracks to reach high ground. In most cases these routes DO routes these cases most In ground. high reach to tracks quarry Do wnshir e) who f who e) ounded the t the ounded o wn in the mid 18th Centur 18th mid the in wn y . The .

field & farm & field

age and calcium levels. The dunes are home to a variety of plants of variety a to home are dunes The levels. calcium and age

owned by the farming community and pass along farm lanes and lanes farm along pass and community farming the by owned t o the but t but Mountains Mourne the o o the Hill family (Marq family Hill the o uis of uis

ensive ancient heaths with a range of habitats related to their to related habitats of range a with heaths ancient ensive ext

Traditional access routes which lead into the Mournes cross land cross Mournes the into lead which routes access Traditional de v elopment t elopment own owes its name not name its owes own tw o o notable families. Hillt families. notable o

buildings in the landscape. the in buildings

the ancient dunes at Murlough National Nature Reserve contain Reserve Nature National Murlough at dunes ancient the

oximately 600 feet (180m) is privately owned and is farmed. is and owned privately is (180m) feet 600 oximately appr The inland t inland The o wns of Hilltown and owe their owe Castlewellan and Hilltown of wns

easing awareness of the value of these of value the of awareness easing incr

European context, as a home for endangered species. For example For species. endangered for home a as context, European

ead by traditional let. Most of the Land below Land the of Most let. traditional by ead right, but inst but right,

reflected in the many festivals held throughout the area. the throughout held festivals many the in reflected e but there is an is there but e lost at an alarming rat alarming an at lost

and value of the Mourne area, in both a Northern and Ireland Northern a both in area, Mourne the of value and

Most upland areas of the Mournes are not open to the public as of as public the to open not are Mournes the of areas upland Most Ireland in 1177. 1177. in Ireland

The ar The ea is renowned for its poets, writers and artists. This is This artists. and writers poets, its for renowned is ea many of our traditional buildings have been have buildings traditional our of many

y of these areas have designations that reflect the importance the reflect that designations have areas these of y Man

as built by John De Courcey following the invasion of invasion the following Courcey De John by built as castle w castle

Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis and the film ‘Divorcing Jack’. ‘Divorcing film the and Lewis C.S. by Wardrobe by dispersed rural settlements. In the past the In settlements. rural dispersed by

oodland, coastal mudflats, rocky shores and sandy beaches. sandy and shores rocky mudflats, coastal oodland, w

ort, which was occupied for defensive purposes. Dundrum purposes. defensive for occupied was which ort, f biking, fishing and orienteering. orienteering. and fishing biking,

or the Land of in the Lion the Witch and the and Witch the Lion the in Narnia of Land the or inspiration f inspiration the Mourne landscape, which is characterised is which landscape, Mourne the

habitats (biodiversity) including heather, moor, bog, rivers, bog, moor, heather, including (biodiversity) habitats

Dundrum derives its name from the Irish ‘dun droma’, the hill the droma’, ‘dun Irish the from name its derives Dundrum ts including walking, cycling, climbing, horse riding, mountain riding, horse climbing, cycling, walking, including ts spor

Mourne Sw Mourne eep Down to the Sea’. It also acted as the source of source the as acted also It Sea’. the to Down eep erials form an integral part of part integral an form erials traditional mat traditional

The area of Outstanding Natural Beauty contains a rich variety of variety rich a contains Beauty Natural Outstanding of area The

The Mournes offer a wealth of opportunity for a wide variety of variety wide a for opportunity of wealth a offer Mournes The

in the famous song by ‘Where the Mountains of Mountains the ‘Where French Percy by song famous the in farmsteads. Vernacular buildings, built from built buildings, Vernacular farmsteads.

busiest ports on the island today. today. island the on ports busiest wildlife

music and art. The area’s unique landscape was summed up summed was landscape unique area’s The art. and music courthouses, grand houses and traditional and houses grand courthouses,

recreation

flax and granite and boasts one of the largest fishing fleets and fleets fishing largest the of one boasts and granite and flax

culture that have acted as an inspiration for literature, poetry, literature, for inspiration an as acted have that culture These range from churches to schools, to churches from range These

The coastal port of has a rich industrial history of fishing, of history industrial rich a has Kilkeel of port coastal The

e a special place with a distinct landscape and landscape distinct a with place special a e The Mournes ar Mournes The

elict vernacular buildings within the AONB. the within buildings vernacular elict der

r eserv oir . No . ys few quarries operate in the hills. the in operate quarries few ys w ada

e are approximately 400 listed buildings and 900 and buildings listed 400 approximately are e buildings. Ther buildings.

culture

engaged in the building of the and the Silent Valley Silent the and Wall Mourne the of building the in engaged

. . weathering of years village of Rostrevor and the resort town of Newcastle. Newcastle. of town resort the and Rostrevor of village

The area also has a large number of historic and traditional and historic of number large a has also area The

decline in the 20th century, local skills and surplus stone men were men stone surplus and skills local century, 20th the in decline away by millions of millions by away lif e for residents in the towns of , the picturesque the Warrenpoint, of towns the in residents for e

local economy. When the commercial stone industry began to began industry stone commercial the When economy. local e okwsworn was rock ter sof al of the railways in the mid 1800s. This changed the way of way the changed This 1800s. mid the in railways the of al arriv

Dundrum.

pr

osper

ous ar ous softness by the Linen Industry. Industry. Linen the by softness ea with granite, fish, and potatoes fuelling a thriving a fuelling potatoes and fish, granite, with ea ed when this when ed appear y of the coastal towns and villages flourished with the with flourished villages and towns coastal the of y Man

ought castles like those at Greencastle and Greencastle at those like castles ought Normans br Normans

houses. In the late nineteenth century Mourne was a bustling, a was Mourne century nineteenth late the In houses.

through the mountain range. Mourne water was prized for its for prized was water Mourne range. mountain the through original shale. They only They shale. original

origin of many monuments and during Medieval times, the Anglo the times, Medieval during and monuments many of origin

granite across the returned with coal and slate to roof local roof to slate and coal with returned Sea Irish the across granite

eet wide it took 18 years to build and connects 15 summits 15 connects and build to years 18 took it wide eet 3 f 3 overlaying layer of the of layer overlaying populations of over 5,000. 5,000. over of populations

e.g. Dolmen. The early Christian period was the was period Christian early The Dolmen. Legananny e.g.

export trade in dressed stone possible. The ‘Stone Boats’ that carried that Boats’ ‘Stone The possible. stone dressed in trade export chment area. At 22 miles long, 8 feet high and an average of average an and high feet 8 long, miles 22 At area. chment

cat were left hidden beneath an beneath hidden left were towns of Kilkeel, Newcastle and Warrenpoint support Warrenpoint and Newcastle Kilkeel, of towns

over 350 ancient monuments in Mourne dating from 4000BC from dating Mourne in monuments ancient 350 over

cutting wedges used made an made used wedges cutting

water a day. The Mourne Wall marks the extent of the water the of extent the marks Wall Mourne The day. a water plete, the mountains we know today know we mountains the plete, com rural districts and inland and coastal settlements. The three The settlements. coastal and inland and districts rural

e number of historic monuments and artefacts. There are There artefacts. and monuments historic of number e a larg a

and an improvement in the type of type the in improvement an and

gallons (130 million litres) of litres) million (130 gallons ‘roof cavity’ left in its place. Their formation Their place. its in left cavity’ ‘roof small villages, industrial and industrial villages, small

esult of this long period of human habitation the area has area the habitation human of period long this of esult As a r a As

centur y better means of transport of means better y the supply of up to 30 million 30 to up of supply the sides of the descending block and filled the filled and block descending the of sides ranging from large towns to towns large from ranging

stone. Late in the nineteenth the in Late stone. om Reservoir in 1957 allowed 1957 in Reservoir om

Cr molten granite welled up in stages around the around stages in up welled granite molten contains 24 settlements 24 contains

hills. hills.

local skills in splitting and ‘dressing’ and splitting in skills local eservoir in 1933 and the Ben the and 1933 in eservoir

R o the earth’s crust. As it did so, did it As crust. earth’s the o deep int deep o its character. The area The character. its o t

of cattle and goats were the first domestic livestock to roam the roam to livestock domestic first the were goats and cattle of

ve rise to great to rise ve st door

eps. This ga This eps.

completion of the Silent Valley Silent the of completion ast block of ancient shale subsided shale ancient of block ast a v a make a significant contribution significant a make

ocess of clearing land for agriculture while their roving herds roving their while agriculture for land clearing of ocess pr

millstones, lintels, window sills and sills window lintels, millstones,

the gr the eater area. The area. Belfast eater They developed 50 million years ago when ago years million 50 developed They its towns and villages also villages and towns its

Mournes to make a home for himself. Early settlers began the began settlers Early himself. for home a make to Mournes

building material and for use as use for and material building

water for most of Co. Down and Down Co. of most for water ‘young’ mountains made of hard granite. hard of made mountains ‘young’ rural countryside and coastline, and countryside rural

Since the last Ice Age man has altered the land around the around land the altered has man Age Ice last the Since

granite was being used widely as a as widely used being was granite oviding long association with pr with association long Mourne mountains are comparatively are mountains Mourne its mountainous landscape, mountainous its

buildings By the eighteenth century Mourne century eighteenth the By The Mourne mountains have a have mountains Mourne The While the AONB is renowned for renowned is AONB the While e did the Mournes come from? The from? come Mournes the did e Wher

industry ancient monuments and traditional and monuments ancient water villages and towns geology

AONB management welcometo The designation of Mourne as an Area of Outstanding Natural The Mourne Mountains Beauty (AONB) by the DOE in 1986 brought with it a commitment to safeguard the natural beauty, wildlife and historic heritage of mountains some mountain names explained the area whilst promoting its enjoyment by the public. The Mournes is one of 9 AONBs throughout . The mountains of Mourne and , together with the Nearly all the names for Mourne summits are derived from Irish. surrounding countryside and coast is one of the most picturesque ‘Slieve’ simply means ‘mountain’. Mourne Heritage Trust is an independent body that was landscapes in Ireland. The Mourne mountains contain twelve peaks established in 1997 as management body for the AONB. The over two thousand feet tall and include , Northern Slieve Donard (850m) After Domangard, a holy man who built a Trust undertakes projects to protect and enhance the natural and Ireland’s highest mountain. Uniquely for a mountain range, most of prayer cell on the mountain’s summit. built environment. It carries out environmental monitoring, the high summits are grouped together in a compact area only seven (767m) Mountain of watching provides visitor information, promotes access and enjoyment of miles broad. The mountains tower above the surrounding drumlins (as in look-out). the Mournes and sustainable tourism. For further information and coastal plain and remain uninhabited, peaceful and unspoiled; view our website www.mournelive.com qualities which today are valued more and more by those who come (747m) Mountain of the little horns (peaks). to enjoy them. Binnian has a long summit ridge with several tors (rocky outcrops) that resemble an array of little horns. Other Sources of Information Tourist Information Centres (739m) Gapped or broken mountain. Probably Newcastle, 10-14 Central Promenade - Tel. 028 4372 2222 a reference to the gap between Bearnagh’s Kilkeel, 28 Bridge Street - Tel. 028 4176 2525 , 200 Road - Tel. 028 4062 3322 twin summits. , 53a Market Street - Tel. 028 4461 2233 Newry, Bank Parade - Tel. 028 3026 8877 Slievelamagan (704m) A mountain crawled up using hands and coast The coast provides not only wonderful scenery for visitors but Warrenpoint Town Hall - Tel. 0241 752256 feet. ‘Lamagan’ has a long steep ascent! also provides a source of raw materials for the local community The Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is much including sand and gravel. In the past the coast was also used Websites Slieve Meelbeg (704m) and Slieve Meelmore (681m) more than mountains. It is also made up of a wide range of hill, www.mournelive.com as a major transportation route not only to export materials like Mountains of the small (beg) and large (more) animals. Note the lowland and coastal landscapes providing stunning scenery. EHS - www.ehsni.gov.uk granite, but to import contraband. Smugglers brought brandy, Mourne activity breaks - www.mourneactivitybreaks.co.uk contradictions between the mountain names and their heights. wine, silk, tobacco and tea ashore along the coast avoiding the Countryside Recreation Directory - www.landwaterair.co.uk The Mourne coastline is made up of sandy beaches and dunes customs and revenue men. These goods were taken over the - www.nationaltrust.org.uk (524m) The stooped peak. From many angles Ben Forest Service - www.dardni.gov.uk Crom’s triangular summit has a stooped profile. such as those at Murlough and Cranfield. Mudflats and mountains via the Brandy Pad to Hilltown and the surrounding Tourist Board - www.nitb.com saltmarshes provide an ideal location for birds and other wildlife area. Today there is a thriving port at Warrenpoint, a large Banbridge District Council - www.banbridge.com Slievenaglogh Mountain of the rocks. Two mountains carry this such as those at Dundrum Bay, Mill Bay and the fjord inlet of fishing harbour in Kilkeel and smaller commercial harbours at Newry and Mourne District Council - www.newryandmourne.gov.uk name: at Silent Valley (445m) and east of Hare’s Gap (586m). - www.downdc.gov.uk . and Newcastle. Leaflets Water Service - The Silent Valley Mourne Heritage Trust - Fact sheets on a variety of topics including natural history, built heritage and tourism Forest Service - Castlewellan Arboretum, , Maps 1:50,000 OSNI Sheet 29 The Mournes 1:25,000 OSNI The Mournes 1:25,000 OSNI Slieve Croob Mourne Heritage Trust 87 Central Promenade NEWCASTLE Co. Down BT34 OHH Tel. (028) 4372 4059 Fax. (028) 4372 6493 e-mail. [email protected] www.mournelive.com Photography Marty Johnston, National Trust - David Thompson, Ernie Wilson and Steve Murphy 1 2 3 465

ANCIENT MONUMENTS PLACES TO VISIT

1 Drumena Cashel D4 Forest and Country Parks Brief Description: Drumena is an irregularly shaped stone fort (or cashel) 132’ x 108’ with 9- 12’ thick walls. Circa: Likely dates from the Early Christian Period. Location: 2 miles south- • Tollymore Forest Park D5 west of Castlewellan on the A25 to Kilcoo situated opposite Lough Island Reavy reservoir. • Castlewellan Forest Park E5 TO • Donard Wood D5 2 E6 F Brief Description: Built by to control access into from the West and • B2 F South Location: Dundrum Circa: 1177. • Silent Valley C4 • D5 3 Green Castle A3 N FINNIS • Murlough National nature Reserve D6 4 Goward Dolmen Chambered Grave D3 5 Kilfeaghan Portal Tomb B3 Museum/Visitor Centres 6 Legananny Dolmen E4 Brief Description: This ancient burial site featuring a series of balanced stones is not unlike a Drumkeeragh VC • Silent Valley Visitor Centre C4 tiny part of Stonehenge Location: On the southern fringe of the Slieve Croob Mountain Range Forest • Annalong Corn Mill B4 Circa: period dating back to 4000BC. 7 Maghera Church D5 Brief Description: It marks the site of the an early 6th Century monastery founded by St 23 Donard (who gave his name to the highest peak in the nearby Mourne Mountains). The church itself was built in the 13th Century and is surrounded by a graveyard. Location: Maghera Village Circa: 13th Century. 12 8 Narrow Water Keep B1 Brief Description: Narrow Water Castles solitary stone tower was home to a garrison in the 1560’s. The town is surrounded by an outer wall (‘bawn’) Location: On the at the 10 landward end of Carlingford Lough Circa: Originally built in 13th Century. 6

9 Slidderyford Chambered Grave D6 30

10 Binder’s Cave Souterrain E4 B7 Brief Description: Finnis Souterrain known locally as ‘Binders Cove’ dates back to the 9th Century and is thought to have been a place of refuge against attack. Binders Cove consists of a main passage 30 metres long and two side passages each six metres long. The site is open to the public.

E 5 E

TO B175 TO CYCLING TRAILS DOWNPATRICK

There are 7 circular waymarked cycling routes available throughout the AONB. TO TO • Newcastle/Lough Island Reavy (25m/40km) • Slieve Croob (25m/40km) BANBRIDGE A2 • Legananny (20m/32km) • Cranfield/Greencastle (12m/19km) • Knockchree (18m/28km) • Head Road (16m/26km) • Rostrevor (17m/27km) Castlewellan TO Cycle route cards are available from Mourne Heritage Trust. A50 Forest Park CLOUGH 2 Dundrum Bay A25 DUNDRUM PT MOURNE SENSE CASTLEWELLAN 37 The Mournes are a ‘working countryside’ from which people derive a livelihood. Thoughtless behaviour causes problems for farmers, local residents and visitors when gates are left open, cars block lanes and Lough Island A25 country roads, when rubbish is left behind and when dogs are not kept under control. Using a little Reavy Reservoir A50 Mourne sense helps everybody to enjoy the area with the minimum disruption and danger to wildlife and TO 9 Nature livestock. Please: RATHFRILAND Reserve • Park sensibly; A25 1 NT • Leave gates, walls and fences as you found them; 7 PT • Take your litter home; • Keep dogs under control; A2 D • Be careful with fire; B180 D • Dress appropriately and bring extra food. PT B180 Mountain Rescue – Tel: 999 Tollymore Forest Park 4 NEWCASTLE TO B180 RATHFRILAND PT PT 13 Donard Wood

B8HILLTOWN 32 35 28 Fofanny 22 Dam 34 14 27 19 24 20 10 NT 15 6 PT Lough Ben Crom Shannagh Reservoir Bloody 7 Bridge Spelga Dam KEY 3 25 4 2 Land above 600m 16 17 29 Silent Valley 1 Reservoir Land above 300m C B27 C A2 Land under 300m 33 Annalong 21 Wood 36 Forest/Woods 8 31 18 AONB Boundary

Mourne Wall Crocknafeola PT Wood VC

9 8 B7 TO ANNALONG NEWRY Rostrevor A2 Forest

WARRENPOINT VOR ROSTRE Kilbroney 26

Park PT B27

11 B A2 B A2 A2 5 A2 KILKEEL MOUNTAINS

Mill 1 Altataggart Mountain C3 20 Slieve Beg C5 Bay 2 Ben Crom 524 C4 21 Slieve Binnian 747 C4 Carlingford Lough 3 Carn Mountain 588 C4 22 Slieve Commedagh 767 D5 4 Chimney Rock Mountain 656 C5 23 Slieve Croob 534 F4

Greencastle 3 5 Clonvaraghan Mountain E5 24 Slieve Donard 850 C5 Point 6 Cove Mountain 655 C5 25 Slievelamagan 704 C4

7 Doan 594 C4 26 Slievemartin 485 B2 Green Island 8 Eagle Mountain 638 C3 27 Slieve Meelbeg 708 C4 P PARKING 9 Finlieve 578 C3 28 Slieve Meelmore 704 D4 Cranfield 10 Hen Mountain 354 C3 29 674 C4 P = Parking Blockhouse Point Island 11 Knockshee 347 B3 30 Slievenaboley Mountain 324 E4 PT = Parking with toilets 12 Legananny Mountain 429 E4 31 Slievenaglogh 445 C4 WALKS A 13 Luke’s Mountain 391 D4 32 Slievenaglogh 586 D4 A Tracks / Paths 14 Millstone Mountain 460 D5 33 Slieve Roe 364 C2

BUSES 15 Ott Mountain 619 C4 34 Spelga 472 D3 Long Distance Routes • Way • Lecale way • Newcastle Translink have a variety of scheduled services on offer and during the summer Challenge Trail • Drumee Countryside Path (10km) • Burrenreagh 16 Pigeon Rock Mountain 533 C3 35 Thomas’s Mountain D5 Countryside Path (10km) • Castlewellan (3.5km) months there are also 3 Rambler Services that offer opportunities to 17 Rocky Mountain 525 C5 36 Tievedockaragh 473 C3 experience the best of the Mourne countryside: Coastal Walks • • Bloody Bridge • Mourne Rambler • Kilkeel Rambler • South Down Rambler Details available from Down District Council, Banbridge District Council, 18 Shanlieve 626 C3 37 Tullynasoo Mountain D4 For further information contact (028) 9066 6630 or visit www.translink.co.uk. Newry & Mourne District Council and Mourne Heritage Trust 19 Slieve Bearnagh 739 C4 1 2 3 465