The Mourne Moutnains and Ring of Gullion is full to the brim with exciting experiences. Whether you’re planning your next short break or your latest solo adventure, our forests, mountains, and shores are home to some of the most unique experiences around and we want to share them with you. So come and say hello and we’ll show you our giant spirit.
Secret Dining Experience
Join celebrity chef Paul Cunningham (Great British Menu) at one of his Secret Dining experiences. 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, twenty mile tasting menu.
Secret Dining Experience Dates: 12 February & 5 March.
For more information and to book online, visit the website.
Booley and Butter Experience
Awaken the traditions of a 6000-year-old mountain community in the magical Ring of Gullion at the Booley and Butter experience. Step back in time as Brian Hoey - expert mountain leader, tour guide and seasoned forager - weaves the Neolithic, the Celts and his ancestors into one continuous epic saga.
Booley and Butter Experience Dates: 26 February, 12 March & 26 March.
For more information and to book online, visit the website.
Dancing at The Crossroads Experience
Stamp, Clap and Dance your way into 2022 with a Dancing at The Crossroads experience. 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.
Dancing at The Crossroads Experience Dates: 26 February, 16 & 26 March.
For more information and to book online, visit the website.
Neolithic Pendant Experience
Learn the ancient craft of woodturning at 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, visit the website.
Cottages to Castles Experience
Learn the art of heritage Irish Lace-making followed by luxury afternoon tea at the Cottages to Castles experience. 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, visit the website.
Mourne Stone Walling - A Granite Kingdom Experience
Learn the 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.
Mourne Stone Walling - A Granite Kingdom Experience Dates: 29 January, 26 February & 26 March.
For more information and to book online, visit the website.
Sing for your Supper Experience
Enjoy 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!
Sing for your Supper Experience Dates: 26 February, 12 & 26 March.
For more information and to book online, visit the website.
Ceili & Craic in the Mournes Experience
Step back in time as 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. This unique immersive experience takes place in three atmospheric venues across Visit Mourne.
Ceili & Craic Experience Dates: 25 February.
For more information and to book online, visit the website.
The Ancient Sounds of Ireland Experience
Enjoy a spectacular showcase of the Irish harp at The Ancient Sounds of Ireland experience. Join talented young harpist, Maria Boyle, in the magnificent surrounds of Down Cathedral and 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.
The Ancient Sounds of Ireland Experience Dates: 27 February, 13 & 27 March.
For more information and to book online, visit the website.
Fused Glass Ogham Experience
Join professional artist Tracey Mc Verry at the Fused Glass Ogham Experience at White Rock Glass Studio. Surrounded by the wild and dramatic scenery of the Fews Mountains, you’ll enjoy a warm welcome from Tracey at her safely nestled fifth 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.
Fused Glass Ogham Experience Dates: 29 January, 19 February & 19 March. For more information and to book online:29 January, 19 February & 19 March.
Cranfield Alpacas Experience
Start 2022 with a unique wellness experience at Cranfield Alpacas. Designed to help you beat the winter blues and welcome in the spring feeling positive and energised, choose from a range of experiences all in the company of the gorgeous and cuddly alpacas. Create a spring bird nesting wreath, enjoy a chilled out walk to the beach or a soothing stroll around the paddocks, or simply fall in love with the alpacas, and enjoy delicious local artisan drinks and nibbles.
For more information and to book online, visit the Cranfield Alpacas website.
Brigid Saint or Goddess? Experience
Immerse yourself in the ancient and cultural heritage of Visit Mourne at the ‘Brigid Saint or Goddess?’ experience this February and March. ️ Sit back and relax in the welcoming surrounds of the Saint Patrick Centre, Downpatrick as you watch a demonstration of Saint Brigid cross-making by expert local tour guide Brigid Watson. Then try your hand at making your own cross making followed by a visit to the nearby grave of Saints Brigid, Patrick and Colmcille. You will also have the opportunity to visit the Saint Patrick exhibition.
‘Brigid Saint or Goddess?’ Experience Dates: 1 & 26 February & March 20
For more information and to book online, visit the Sustainable Journeys Ireland website.
Patrick and the Pagan Hills Experience
Join Duane Fitzsimons, local historian, tour guide and storyteller on an immersive Patrick & the Pagan Hills experience and journey through one of Ireland’s most ancient landscapes. Travel along old and ancient lanes which Patrick would have roamed on a route dotted with Neolithic reminders from the Pagan era and experience the stunning vista of Strangford Lough. Enjoy a locally sourced picnic and an interactive re-enactment of Saint Patrick’s arrival and his first conversion to Christianity.
Patrick and the Pagan Hills Experience Dates: 30 January, 19 February and 12 March. For more information and to book online, visit the website.
Stone Mason of Mourne Experience
Join Mountain Leader and Tour Guide, Peter Rafferty as he takes you back 150 years to a time when the “hard work wasn’t azy and them that did it weren’t lazy” at the Stone Mason of Mourne Experience. Visit a 19th century Irish cottage and see the living conditions of the time before making your way along tracks once used by horse and cart to draw precious Mourne granite off the mountain to pave the streets of faraway cities. Try your hand as a Stone Mason using traditional tools and enjoy a traditional packed lunch and sample a drop of “the quare stuff” to warm your heart while taking in the views of the Mournes.
For more information and to book, visit the website.
Down Gaelic Games Experience
Enjoy a cultural taste of the centuries-old Gaelic games tradition in historic County Down at The Down Gaelic Games experience. Get to grips with the fast-paced skills of soloing and hand passing, puck a hurl and strike a slither in the company of 1991 and ‘94 Down All Ireland Winners, DJ Kane and Ross Carr. Return to Denvir’s Coaching Inn for a relaxing evening of Irish hospitality and leave with fond memories and an impressive set of Gaelic skills.
For more information and to book online, follow the link Down Gaelic Games Experience Dates: ️ 26 February, 5 March & 18 March
Enchanted Witch's Wander Experience
Join Hazel, the Good Witch on the Enchanted Witch's Wander experience at Montalto Estate.
Experience the Estate as you have never seen it before as Hazel takes you on a magical guided walk as dusk descends. You never know, she might even teach you a little magic too after you do your 'enchantment exercises', of course; everyone needs a warm up!
For more information and to book online, visit the Montalto Estate website
Plan Your Trip
Luckily for visitors, Visit Mourne has lots for you to see. Planning ahead can make your visit to our region that little bit easier. We can give you the best advice, maps, and guides to help you get the most out of your time here.
Visit our plan your trip section for information on where to stay, eat and for even more things to do during your stay here.
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During this four hour experience, step back in time as Brian weaves The Neolithic, The Celts and his own Ancestors into one continuous Epic Saga.
Learn the age old craft of Mourne Stone Wall building using Mourne Granite.
Come and share in an evening of song at Sing for your Supper in the stunning landscape of the Ring of Gullion.
A chilled out walk to the beach with your alpaca, followed by local organic artisan health drink & soup
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.
A unique and fun-filled leap into the heart of our ceili traditions in the Mournes. Stories, songs, lost arts and much, much more.
Walking with Duane Fitzsimons, local historian, tour guide and storyteller. This is the place he calls home but it is no ordinary place though, it is the Home of Saint Patrick.
A special valentines alpaca experience. Fall in love with our gorgeous alpacas and get cosy with local, artisan hot chocolate.
Create a spring bird nesting wreath as well as meeting and feeding our gorgeous cuddly alpacas.
