Upcoming events in the Ring of Gullion

Feeding your Senses in the Ring of Gullion 2018

Event takes place on April 21, 2018 until November 10, 2018

Interested in a sensory, historical and storytelling experience through the gentle slopes of Feede Mountain, Jonesborough? Then join experienced local guide Verona and meditation facilitator Ann as they develop your appreciation and awareness of nature walking and listening to stories of the mighty warriors Cú Chulainn and Fionn Mac Cumhaill.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Lúnasa… Bringing it on!

Event takes place on July 28, 2018

Lúnasa announces the beginning of the grain harvest and was recognised as a time for matchmaking. These were days of rent paying and stock taking but also days of pausing, merriment, reflecting and exploring what needs to be done in the coming period. You are invited to come along and enter into a pausing space, a space to reflect and discover what personal gifts need harvesting over the coming season. You will learn how the seasonal cycles can support you in life. This day will appeal to those who are interested in exploring inner sacred spaces through the ancient wisdom of cycles.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Celtic Footsteps of Killeavy

Event takes place on August 4, 2018

Walk in the footsteps of the Celts & visit the sacred sites of Killeavy Old Churches & St Moninna’s Well, with local meditation coach and tour guide, Ann. Begin your meditative journey of discovery in Ann's quirky World War II hut, with a guided meditation before embarking on a gentle guided walk through ancient Celtic sites, learning about healing herbs and local history.

Footsteps in the Forest 4 & 5 August 2018 – Slieve Gullion Forest Park

Event takes place on August 4, 2018 until August 5, 2018

It’s High Summer at Slieve Gullion, and the mythical creatures who live within our Forest are coming together for their annual meeting. Slieve Gullion Forest Park has been chosen to host the annual celebration of the woodland, sea-world and forest folk!

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Serendipitous Session

Event takes place on August 6, 2018

Bring a picnic to the wonderful Giants Lair any lunch time this week and have the added magic of hidden musicians serenading you from surprising places.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Forgotten Forkhill Folklore

Event takes place on August 7, 2018

Forkhill and its surrounding townlands are steeped in mythology, folklore, history, literature and song. You are warmly invited to join local historian, Kevin Murphy, on this guided walk around the village of Forkhill and its neighbouring townlands of Shean, Carrickastickan and Dungooley.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Wisdom from our Collective Mythology

Event takes place on August 8, 2018

Join us in Crossmaglen Community Centre to hear local man, Réamonn Ó Ciaráin, tell the story of the great warrior Cú Chulainn and other mythological heroes. The story of Cú Chulainn dates back to the 7th century AD but still dominates the mythological and imaginative landscape of Ireland.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Charity Cinema Night: Dancing at Lughnasa (1998)

Event takes place on August 10, 2018

Celebrate Lúnasa by stepping back in time during this immersive cinema experience.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Prehistoric Potters

Event takes place on August 12, 2018

Join artist, John Martin, for an exploration of Ireland's prehistoric pots and the stories they tell. Get an appreciation for this ancient art by handling replicas of pots found at prehistoric sides across the Ring of Gullion.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Magical Mountain Hike

Event takes place on August 12, 2018

Come along on an epic walking tour that will take you on a magical journey, following the Footsteps of the Celts, back through time as we discover the highlights of the mystical Slieve Gullion mountain and its surrounds, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Try-It Tuesday: Straw Craft

Event takes place on August 14, 2018

Drop in and have a go at making traditional harvest knots from straw with Straw Craft Ireland. You'll be guided through the necessary techniques, while learning the history and traditions of straw craft in Ireland. Once finished, you'll have a traditional harvest knot to take home. There will also be an exhibition of various items woven in a method of plaiting unique to Ireland from baskets and cradles to mummer's masks, variations of Brigid's crosses and corn dollies.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Michael J. Murphy: The Writer in his Homeland Walk

Event takes place on August 15, 2018

This literary walking tour will be a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the poetry, short stories and recorded folk stories of Michael J. Murphy, south Armagh's foremost writer of the twentieth century.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Slieve Gullion Murder Mystery Experience

Event takes place on August 18, 2018

Join our local guide who will take you to key sites in the story of the murder mystery, bringing the story to life.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Cultured Celts: From Celts to Cloth

Event takes place on August 18, 2018

Cut-Throat Celts are coming to Bessbrook to cut throats and threads! You are welcome to join them to learn all about the history of the model village of Bessbrook, from the Celts to the development of the cloth (linen) industry in the 18th Century.

Plenty of hands-on activities and fun for the whole family.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Booley Site Hike

Event takes place on August 19, 2018

Join Seamus for a guided hike on Slieve Gullion mountain to learn about the ancient summer tradition of booleying and visit the sites used.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Try-it Tuesday: Basket Weaving

Event takes place on August 21, 2018

Join Clive, from Welig Heritage Crafts, to learn how to weave your own traditional potato basket from a selection of willow.

Lúnasa Festival 2018- Wild Wednesdays: Mystery Mammals of Slieve Gullion

Event takes place on August 22, 2018

Join experts, Dave and Josh, to learn about the mystery mammals that call Slieve Gullion home. Our mammals are often elusive, particularly during the day, but they leave plenty of clues that they are around.

Lúnasa Festival 2018 – Historical Hike: The Last Mountain Community

Event takes place on August 26, 2018

Join Seamus, for a guided hike on Slieve Gullion Mountain to learn about the last mountain community, which lived on Slieve Gullion.

Celebrating the life of a Nissen hut

Event takes place on September 9, 2018

This is an opportunity for the local community and visitors to explore this quirky second world war Nissen hut in Meigh village and meet Local Ring of Gullion Ambassador Ann Ward who will showcase its history from its origins on  Greencastle Air-force base to its contemporary use as a peaceful healing space. The evening will include an interactive talk about the history of the hut, music by Colleen Savage and friends and refreshments. Donations towards Southern Area Hospice Service.