The Mournes are
visited by many tourists, hillwalkers, cyclists and rock climbers.
Following a fundraising drive in 1993, the National Trust purchased
nearly 1,300 acres of land in the Mournes. This included a part of
Slieve Donard and nearby Slieve Commedagh, at 767 metres the
second-highest mountain in the area.
The Mourne Wall
is among the more famous features in the Mournes. It is a 35 km
dry-stone wall that crosses fifteen summits, constructed to define
the boundaries of the 9,000 acre area of land purchased by the
Belfast Water Commissioners in the late 1800s. This followed a
number of Acts of Parliament allowing the sale, and the
establishment of a water supply from the Mournes to the growing
industrial city of Belfast. Construction of the Mourne Wall was
started in 1904 and was completed in 1922.
A meet and
greet in Donard Park at the above location.
The Meeting
will take place at 9am.
Donard Park is
a public park next to the Glen River, which forms the boundary
along one side.
The park is named after St. Donard, who also gives his name to
Slieve Donard, the mountain.
The park is used as a starting point for ramblers to climb the
nearby Mourne Mountains.
The park was previously owned by the Ansley family until they gave
it over to the people of Newcastle and the local council took
responsibility for maintaining it.
There are
no strict plans for the day some cacher’s might like to take a walk
along the many trails in the Mourne Mountains.
Freshening
Up
With thanks to
the organiser of the Mourn Ramble event arrangements with the local
Council are still in place to grant access to a local sports
facility adjacent to Donard Park.
The Pavilion as its known has separate male and female changing
rooms, each have their own communal shower areas.
Anyone wishing to shower and change before the evening session can
make use of this facility between 1730 and 1830.
The
Watering Hole
To follow on from
the day out an evening venue has now been arranged.
The initial meet will take place in the beer garden of O’Hare’s
Bar at Donard Park at around 17:30 where some much need liquids may
be ingested.
The Loft Restaurant at O'Hare's has been booked for 19:00.
Geocoins
For those
interested in geocoins
Donmoore will have both the
silver and bronze version of the Northern Ireland geocoin for
sale.
you can read more about the coins
here.
They are trackable on geocaching.com and have their own
icon.
Please add
this page to your watch list to receive updated
information.