TheWee Social Club Binnian that walks. Walkers

ANNUAL WALKING FESTIVAL 2018 FRIDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER - SUNDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2018

A weekend of graded walks • The Mournes • The Cooleys • • Introducting a NEW Friday Night Walk

FESTIVAL BASE Town Hall, Church Street, Warrenpoint, Co Down,BT34 3HN.

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All buses depart from and return to the: Registration Centre, Town Hall, Church Street, Warrenpoint BT34 3HN.

• All walkers must register at Meelmore - Slieve Bernagh - Slievenaglogh - registration desks Slieve Commedagh - (’s highest mountain) - Donard car park. • Online registration will also be available A strenuous walk in the High Mournes with • Walks may be subject to change at any spectacular views of the Co Down coast and time and at the discretion of the leaders on a clear day, the Isle of Man and Scotland.

FRIDAY 21ST SEPTEMBER 2018 GRADE 2 - HIGH MOURNES Festival Opening and Registration: 12 noon Distance: 12.9km Height Gain: 1011m - Bus departs 12.30 for Grade 2 walk. Happy Valley - Slieve Meelbeg - Slieve Meelmore - path to Hare’s Gap - Slievenaglogh GRADE 2 - LOW MOURNES - Slieve Corragh - Slieve Commedagh - Distance: Approx 9km Height Gain: 537m Slievenamaddy - Donard forest - Donard car Killowen Old Road - Ballyedmond Wood - park. Slievemeen - Slieve Martin - Cloughmore A most enjoyable walk with beautiful views Stone - Cloughmore Trail - Fiddler’s Green - over the Mournes, the Co Down Coast and on Kilbroney Lower Carpark. a clear day, the Isle of Man and Scotland. A short, but fabulously scenic, walk with spectacular views of the Low Mournes and Carlingford Lough. GRADE 2 - THE COOLEYS Distance: 14km Height Gain: 478m NIGHT WALK Carlingford - Tain trail - Glenmore - Windy Gap - Slieve Trasna - The Castles - Round Distance: 7k Height 337m Mountain - Lumper’s car park. Registration at 19.30 - Bus departs at 20.00. A beautiful introduction to the heathery NB: Walkers must demonstrate a functioning mountains of Cooley, rich in the folklore of head torch and spare batteries before Cuchulainn who walked these hills over 2,000 boarding the bus. years ago. Rostrevor - Fiddler’s Green - Cloughmore Stone - Glen stream - Fairy Glen A enchanted walk, with opportunities for GRADE 3 - GAP OF THE NORTH stargazing, overlooking Carlingford Lough, the Distance: 7k Cooley Mountains and Eastern Seaboard. NB Registration: 11.30 Bus departs 12.00 Be prepared for folklore, truth and humour as SATURDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER 2018 we walk through time from King Bruce’s grave Registration 8.45am. Bus departs at 9.30 in Faughart, through the Gap of the North. We for ALL 3 main walks take in famous sites including Norman Motte, St Brigid’s Stream, The Battle of Moiry Pass, GRADE 1 - HIGH MOURNES Moiry Castle and Kilnasaggart Standing Stone. Distance: 14km Height Gain: 1336m Happy Valley - Slieve Meelbeg - Slieve

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SUNDAY 23RD SEPTEMBER 2018 GRADE 3 - SLIEVE GULLION Registration: 8.45am - Bus departs at Distance: 9 km Height Gain: 580m NB: Registration at 10.30am - Bus 9.30am for ALL 3 main walks departs 11.00am GRADE 1 - HIGH MOURNES Killeavy Old Church - Ballard - North Cairn - Distance: 12.2km Height Gain: 831m South Cairn - Slieve Gullion Forest Park. Ott car park - Slieve Loughshannagh - Doan - County Armagh’s highest mountain is a huge Dam - - Carricklittle. heather clad bulk overlooking the South A strenuous walk in the heart of the High Armagh and North Louth countryside. It is Mournes with breathtaking views of the Silent geologically unique, being part of a volcanic Valley and it’s reservoirs and the Irish Sea. complex called a “ring dyke”. We will visit Ireland’s highest and one of the largest, surviving chambered graves. GRADE 2 - HIGH MOURNES Distance: 11.5km Height Gain: 746m Ott car park - Doan - Ben Crom Dam - Slieve Binnian - Carricklittle. IMPORTANT INFORMATION A fantastic scenic walk in the heart of the High Mournes with breathtaking views of the Silent Choose the walk most suited to your Valley, Annalong Valley and Irish Sea. fitness.If necessary seek advice at Registration. Weather conditions on the hills can deteriorate rapidly. All walkers should carry a rucksack with rainwear, spare clothing, a packed lunch, hot drink and at least 1 litre of water. • WALKING BOOTS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR ALL WALKS • STRICTLY NO JEANS • NO CHILDREN UNDER 18 YEARS • NO DOGS

GRADE 1 WALKS - For stronger walkers with good experience of high level walking. GRADE 2 - THE COOLEYS GRADE 2 WALKS - For walkers with a good level of fitness and experience of mountain walking. Distance: 14km Height Gain: 600m GRADE 3 WALKS Carlingford - Forest track - Two mile river - Suitable for most walkers with a moderate level of fitness. - Slieve Foye - Barnavave - Paddy’s Top - Grange. Experienced leaders will be available for all walks. A craggy mountain dominating the Carlingford landscape with a famous ridge stretching 2 km from Head at 589m to the toe at 384m with view of the Wicklow Mountains and the Isle of Man.

Sponsored by: JACKSON SPORTS BELFAST

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REGISTRATION FEES

Friday 3 DAYS 2 DAYS 1 DAY Night Walk £30 £22 £12 £10

Apres Walk & Evening Entertainment The enjoyment continues after the walks. Groups meet in the following venues:

Friday 21st September 2018 Informal social gathering at 8.00pm in Whistledown Hotel, 6 Seaview, Warrenpoint BT34 3HN. Everyone welcome.

Saturday 22nd September 2018 Blister Ball in Whistledown Hotel: Dinner at 8.00pm sharp. Dancing to Live Music. ADMISSION BY TICKET ONLY. Tickets cost £27 and are available at our Festival Registration desks or online.

Sunday 23rd September 2018 Festival closure in Warrenpoint Town Hall: Complimentary tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes. Free Draw courtesy of Wee Binnian Festival sponsor Jackson Sports Belfast.

Accommodation www.visitmournemountains.co.uk www.weebinnians.com Wee Binnians Walking Festival Facebook

For further information contact Club Secretary ROI Tel: 00353 868434440 NI Tel: 0044 7592393801

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Sponsored by: JACKSON SPORTS BELFAST

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