Blog (April 2023) - Visit Mourne Mountains

This May we are so lucky to have three bank holidays to take some time off to be with our friends and family, so let us show you how to enjoy every moment, even on a budget!

The Mourne Mountains, Ring of Gullion and Strangford Lough areas are home to expansive woodlands and dedicated parks. Whether you want to escape to the forest, spend a fun family day out in one of our many adventure play parks, or enjoy an event, you’ll be well catered for in Counties Down and Armagh. 

Spring is a great time of the year, the weather improves and the daylight lengthens, and as we celebrate Gardening Week in early May, gardening enthusiasts will love this wee corner of the world.

Saturday 29 April – Saturday 6 May

The first of May marks the beginning of the ancient festival of Bealtaine,  Féile na Bealtaine, and is the halfway point between the spring equinox and summer solstice.  Bealtaine, translating as month of May, is still used in the Irish language today and is said to derive from Old Irish meaning, bright fire.  

A night in gaol to remember!

Downpatrick Gaol was opened in 1796 and until its closure in 1830, was the holding place for many thousands of prisoners before their transportation to Australia but for us, our evening in gaol was one to remember and we didn’t want to leave!