18 Education Jan/Feb 2013

The north of Ireland has some of the most diverse rocks and landscapes in a relatively small area of anywhere in the world. Some of them are well-known such as the Giant’s How To: Make a Volcano Causeway and the , but others have up until now, been the exclusive domain of You will need: geologists. Why not take the time to explore some of these hidden landscapes and you might be 1 bag of flour | Water | 1 cup of surprised by what our small country has been through in the past 1.8 billion years! vegetable oil | White vinegar | and the surrounding area have been subject to a violent and Bicarbonate of soda (or baking destructive geological history and maybe powder) | Red food colouring | for this reason there are lots of associated Washing-up liquid | A small myths and legends. One of the best- drinks bottle (empty) | A tray | Slieve Gullion known stories involves the most famous of all Irish legends, the giant Finn McCool. A large bowl Finn McCool was said to be captivated by a beautiful young woman on Slieve Instructions Gullion called Calliagh Berras. She claimed to have lost her gold ring in the nearby lake and asked Finn to retrieve it for her. He searched for the ring and eventually found it, only to discover that Calliagh Berras had put a spell on the lake and that he had been transformed into a wizened old man. Finn’s men later found Calliagh Berras and managed to persuade lieve Gullion Forest Park just outside Gullion gives us the outline of the her to change him back, but even though is one of the best-kept secrets chamber, so if you imagine the size of he returned to his former self, his hair remained grey. The lake on Slieve Gullion 1. In the large bowl, mix together your flour, Sfor a family day out. There are great the ‘volcano’ that must have been here, it vegetable oil and enough water to make a still bears the name of Calliagh Beras, and facilities, including lots of parking, picnic really would have been a ‘super-volcano’. ‘dough’. Turn your dough out onto the tray the adjacent tomb is said to be her house! tables, a duck pond, a short nature trail To get the best views, you’ll need to follow and give it a bit of a knead. and a coffee shop. However, undoubtedly the trail to the summit of Slieve Gullion Directions the newly constructed adventure which is easily accessed from the scenic Slieve Gullion Forest Park can be reached playground is what steals the show, with drive. From here on a clear day, you can from the Newry By-Pass (A1). Follow the play equipment for children of all ages, as see the entire , as well as B113 Road. Pass through the well as an adult ‘play area’ for those that the Mourne Mountains and the Cooley village of , and one-mile past the want to burn off some calories. Peninsula, all of which are made up Meigh crossroads, the tarmac entrance But while you are there, take the time to of once molten rocks that would have drive leading into the Forest Park is have a look at the landscape around you. formed over 55 million years ago. You signposted to the right hand side, on a left Slieve Gullion is at the centre of the Ring can also see the drumlins of that bend in the road. Entrance and parking of Gullion, the remains of an ancient formed as a result of slowly moving ice are free. violent ‘volcano’ that would have erupted sheets (or glaciers) during the last Ice Age. Article contributed by Dr Kirstin 2. Shape the dough around your small over 55 million years ago. The best place The majority of the island of Ireland was Lemon, Landscape Geologist, drinks bottle to make it look like a to see this is along the 10km scenic drive completely covered by ice sheets during Geological Survey of Northern volcano, making sure that the hole of the through the forest that is accessed from the last Ice Age, some of which were up to bottle is sticking out the top and that no Ireland. dough goes into the bottle. the main car park, and offers breathtaking 1km thick. It really makes you think what views over the Ring of Gullion on a good a ‘bad winter’ really is! The last Ice Age day. ended a mere 13,000 years ago, but the The Ring of Gullion was produced ice sheets have had a significant impact when the magma chamber that fed the on the Irish landscape. Ice sheets act a bit volcano with molten rock from beneath like giant sheets of sandpaper; they gather the surface, was no longer able to support up material as they slowly creep across the the weight of the volcano above. As the landscape and this has a scouring effect chamber collapsed, it created a number on the ground beneath, removing material of cracks around its edge, that molten and shaping the landscape as it goes. rock was then able to squeeze into. This In fact, the majority of the landscape molten rock has now hardened and forms features that you see from here were 3. Fill the bottle two-thirds with water. Add the ‘ring’ of rock that we see today. It is shaped by the ice sheets including the in a couple of drops of washing-up liquid, mind boggling to think that the Ring of Ring of Gullion. half a teaspoon of red food colouring, and two teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda. As well as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, there are loads of attractions and activities for a fantastic family day out around the Newry and Mourne area. teeped in history, Newry and Mourne for unspoilt breathtaking views and walks. café and restaurants, all set in the quirky boasts a number of stunning castles You can get your boots on to make the trek courtyard. as well as the commanding cathedral S up to Cloughmore stone above Rostrevor Eating in the city offers plenty of family- in the city centre. The beautiful Narrow from Kilbroney Park, which offers friendly options – head to Sapori Italiani Water keep and castle, which lies on the incredible views of the surrounding forest. for traditional Italian fare – kids will love Co. Down bank of the , is If you fancy a less strenuous stroll, take a well worth a visit as is Bagenal’s Castle, a walk along Cranfield Beach – a long south being able to see their pizzas being created sixteenth century fortified building which facing Blue Flag beach that offers water- through the open kitchen or try Art Bar houses Newry Tourist Information Centre based activities in the summer months. Funkel, a bar/bistro that serves tapas-style 4. To make your volcano erupt, add in the and Newry & Mourne Museum. Slieve Gullion has recently undergone food, making it a fun and lively meal, vinegar. As you add in the vinegar it will If you are lucky with the weather, the an extensive regeneration to provide perfect for introducing your kids to a whole react with the bicarbonate of soda and Newry and Mourne area is unbeatable a fantastic play park, walks and a new range of dishes. ‘erupt’ out of the bottle.