Visit Mourne is full to the brim with exciting experiences. So why not give your loved ones a memorable story to tell this Christmas by gifting a a unique experience in Visit Mourne.
Whether you’re planning a relaxing break or your next adventure, give the gift of experiencing the wonders of Visit Mourne this Christmas.
Treat the Foodie in your Life to a Gourmet Gift
Treat the foodie in your life to a deliciously tantalising gourmet gift this Christmas with a Secret Dining experience from celebrity chef Paul Cunningham (Great British Menu).
In this extraordinary dining experience, guests will be whisked away to an exclusive destination within #VisitMourne and treated to a fabulous night of locally produced drinks and an eight course, 20 mile tasting menu.
Experience Dates : 22 January, 12 February & 5 March.
For more information and to book online, follow the link. https://bit.ly/VMSecretDining
Gift a Booley and Butter Experience
Give your loved ones a memorable story to tell this Christmas by gifting a Booley and Butter experience.
Awaken the traditions of a 6000 year old mountain community in the magical Ring of Gullion and step back in time as Brian Hoey - expert mountain leader, tour guide and seasoned forager - weaves the Neolithic, the Celts and his own ancestors into one continuous epic saga.
Experience Dates: 26 February, 12 March & 26 March.
For more information and to book online, follow the link. https://bit.ly/VMBooleyandButter
Stamp, Clap and Dance into 2022
Stamp, Clap and Dance your way into 2022 with a Dancing at The Crossroads gifted experience this Christmas.
Join elite former principal Irish dancer of Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance - Josephine Brennan King - for a high-octane experience that celebrates the centuries-old story, culture, and heritage behind Irish dancing.
Experience Dates: 21 January, 26 February & 16 March.
For more information and to book online, follow the link. https://bit.ly/VMDancingattheCrossroads
Learn the Ancient Craft of Woodturning
Give the gift of learning the ancient craft of woodturning this Christmas with the Neolithic Pendant Experience.
Learn how to use the lathe, sand and polish to create your very own Celtic pendant from native Irish trees in the home of woodturner, storyteller and musician Pádraig Carragher of Bluebell Lane Glamping, located in the shadow of the heather clad Slieve Gullion mountain.
Neolithic Pendant Experience dates: 12 February, 12 March & 26 March.
For more information and to book online, follow the link.
https://bit.ly/VMNeolithicPendantExperience
Learn Heritage Irish Lace-making
Give the gift of learning the beautiful art of heritage Irish Lace-making followed by luxury afternoon tea at the Cottages to Castles experience this Christmas.
Join Rosie Finnegan-Bell, a fourth-generation Lace-maker, at the award-winning Killeavy Castle Estate on the slopes of the stunning Slieve Gullion for a truly special feel-good experience where she will share with you the incredible richness of the local lace tradition.
Cottages To Castle Experience Dates: 27 February, 12 March & 26 March.
For more information and to book online, follow the link. https://bit.ly/VMCottagesToCastles
Learn the Craft of Dry-stone Wall Building
Give the gift of learning millennia old traditions behind the 5,000 year old craft of dry-stone wall building at the Mourne Stone Walling - A Granite Kingdom experience.
After taking in the majestic surrounds of the Mourne Mountains on a woodland wander, learn to measure and gauge using local language - coggle and skim the skelfs and spalls - by physically building part of a stone wall yourself.
Experience Dates: 29 January, 26 February & 26 March.
For more information and to book online, follow the link.
https://bit.ly/VMMourneStoneWallingAGraniteKingdom
Gift an Evening of Song
Gift an evening of song at the Sing for your Supper experience in the stunning landscape of the Ring of Gullion.
Join traditional Irish singer, songwriter, and ambassador for the arts, Colleen Savage, and acoustic guitarist and storyteller, Pádraig Carragher, and learn how to sing a local traditional song in return for a hearty bowl of homemade vegetable stew served with locally made Mac’s Armagh craft cider.
A musician yourself? Bring your instrument, take to the floor and share with us a tune or a song - or even a yarn or two!
Experience Dates: 29 January, 26 February & 26 March.
For more information and to book online, follow the link. https://bit.ly/VMSingForYourSupper
Step Back in Time this Christmas
Treat yourself or someone special to a step back in time this Christmas with a unique Ceili & Craic in the Mournes experience.
Fall in love with the ancient traditions and hear the music, stories and poetry of the mountains. Sing our songs around a turf fire. Learn to play 'the bones' and lilt and keen.
Join us for this unique immersive experience in three atmospheric venues across Visit Mourne.
Experience Dates: 6 January, 23 January & 25 February.
For more information and to book online, follow the links.
6 January - Women's Christmas Ceili & Craic at Mary Margaret's pub, Hilltown. https://bit.ly/VMWomensCeiliandCraic
23 January - Ceili & Craic in the Mournes at the Rostrevor Inn, Rostrevor https://bit.ly/VMCeiliandCraicRostrevor
25 February - Ceili & Craic in the Mournes at Denvir's Coaching Inn, Downpatrick. https://bit.ly/VMCeiliandCraicDownpatrick
Gift an Uplifting Showcase of the Irish Harp
Gift an uplifting and spectacular showcase of the Irish harp at The Ancient Sounds of Ireland experience in the magnificent surrounds of Down Cathedral with talented young harpist, Maria Boyle.
Experience the therapeutic effects of the ancient sounds and the harps bell like tones echoing through the historic cathedral. Learn to play some basic harp techniques and enjoy clapping out the rhythms of Irish tunes awed by the magical quality of the Irish Harp.
Experience Dates: 30 January, 27 Feb & 27 March.
For more information and to book online, follow the link. https://bit.ly/VMAncientSoundsOfIreland
Treat the Aspiring Creative in your Life
Looking for unique gift inspiration this Christmas? Why not treat the aspiring creative in your life to a Fused Glass Ogham Experience at White Rock Glass Studio with professional artist Tracey Mc Verry.
Surrounded by the wild and dramatic scenery of the Fews Mountains, you’ll enjoy a warm welcome from Tracey at her safely nestled 5th generation family home and glass studio.
Overlooking the National Trust’s ancient Ballymoyer Woodland, you will feast your senses whilst creating your own bespoke piece of fused glass artwork inspired by ancient OGHAM text in a professional artists studio.
A uniquely special gift!
Expereicne Dates: 29 January, 19 February & 19 March.
For more information and to book online, follow the links.
29 January https://bit.ly/VMFusedGlassOghamJan
19 February https://bit.ly/VMFusedGlassOghamFeb
19 March https://bit.ly/VMFusedGlassOghamMar
#VisitMourne #EmbraceAGiantSpirit #FillYourHeartWithIreland #Atlanticcultureni
Booley and Butter Forgotten Traditions of the past – with Artisan and Foraged Lunch ‘ploughman style’ Awaken the Traditions of a 6000 year old Mountain Community in the Magical Ring of Gullion During this four hour experience, step back in time as 7th generation farmer Brian weaves The Neolithic, The Celts and his own Ancestors into one continuous Epic Saga. “The “Butter and Booley Tour” has it all, beautiful surroundings, informative and friendly hosts and mouth-watering foraged treats to accompany the butter you make along the way! A step back in time to one when everything happened at a slower pace certainly made for a relaxing and enjoyable day, thank you Brian and Lorraine, I can’t wait to go back”! Paula, TripAdvisor
Stamp, Clap and Dance your way into the Centuries-old tradition of Irish Dance in ancient Downpatrick. Join Josephine Brennan King, elite former Principal Dancer, and Dance Captain from “Lord of the Dance” for a full immersion into the story and tradition of Irish dance at Denvir’s Inn.
Reconnect with your inner creative in this fully immersive, fused glass experience at White Rock Glass Studio with professional visual artist Tracey Mc Verry.
A unique and fun-filled leap into the heart of our ceili traditions in the Mournes. Stories, songs, lost arts and much, much more.
Pick up the thread of living history and experience this wonderful 200 year old tradition. Join Rosie Finnegan-Bell, a fourth-generation Lace-maker, at the awarding winning Killeavy Castle Estate on the slopes of the stunning Slieve Gullion for a truly special feel-good experience where she will share with you the incredible richness of the local lace tradition. See exquisite antique lace and patterns and watch how the lace is made before trying your hand at making your very own piece of lace under Rosie's expert guidance. Relax further with luxury Afternoon Tea in this truly gorgeous setting.
Come and share in an evening of song at Sing for your Supper in the stunning landscape of the Ring of Gullion.
Turn you're hand to the craft of woodturning. Enjoy a 3 hour immersive experience in the heart of The Ring of Gullion making you're very own wooden Celtic Ogham pendant.
Celebrate the history and stories of Down Gaelic Games in the company of 1991 and 1994 Down All Ireland Winners, DJ Kane and Ross Carr, football rivals, teammates and best of friends.
