The Ring of Gullion Get Outdoors Extravaganza!

Newry and Mourne District Council and Outdoor Recreation NI have teamed up to encourage the public to get outdoors and try something new on Sunday 22nd September 2013.

The event will showcase some of the excellent outdoor activities that are available in the Ring of Gullion area.  There will be plenty to keep the kids amused, as well as some interesting walks for mum and dad to enjoy around the Hawthorne Woods with the Council’s Biodiversity Officer. For those feeling adventurous there will also be an historic guided cycle to Killeavy old churches with the Mourne Cooley Gullion Geotourism project.

Booking is required for some of the activities, check out the website www.ringofgullion.org to book your space, as activities are booking up fast!

There will also be stands from local outdoor activity providers and an Antique Rock Show- where you can bring along your old rocks, fossils or artefacts to find out more about them. Jumping Clay will also be providing some entrainment for the younger children on the day.  With events happening from 11.30am until 4.00pm make sure to pack a picnic and have a memorable day out all the family will enjoy!

Additional car parking will be available in Murphy’s Bar and Gifted Carpark, Meigh and Dromintee GAA Club, please follow the signs on the day. There will be a free shuttle bus provided to and from Slieve Gullion Forest Park and the additional car parks. The Council would like to thank all the organisations for the use of their car parks.

We would ask anyone going on the ramble to park in these car parks, to free up space in the main car park. The ramble led by the Gap of the North walking group is starting from Slieve Gullion car park at 11.30am and will travel around the forest drive with great views of the surrounding area.

This event is part of the Get Outdoors Weekend. The weekend is held to try and get as many people as possible enjoying outdoor activities across Northern Ireland by offering a range of FREE events. Over the weekend of 21 & 22 September there will be over 60 outdoor activity events on offer with over 4000 people expected to take part.

The Get Outdoors Weekend is coordinated by Outdoor Recreation NI who works with a range of partners to organise the individual events. Aideen Exley, Marketing Manager of Outdoor Recreation NI has high hopes for the weekend and commented, “Get Outdoors Weekend allows everyone to have fun in the outdoors at absolutely no cost! Whether its learning something new on a ‘come and try it’ session, attending an adventurous family fun day or enjoying a gentle or challenging guided walk learning about heritage and wildlife…there is something for everyone”.

Visit www.GetOutdoorsWeekend.com to find out more information about this event and to see a full list of events on offer during this action packed weekend. Some events require pre booking online so be sure to visit the website today.

Get Outdoors Weekend  is organised by Outdoor Recreation NI in partnership with financial partners, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, Sport Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency, Waterways Ireland with support from the Northern Ireland Tourist Board and sponsors ASDA.

The Ring of Gullion Get Outdoors Extravaganza is a free event supported by Newry and Mourne Council, NEIA, and the INTERREG-funded Mourne Cooley Gullion Geotourism project.

Booking is essential for some activities and can be done through the Ring of Gullion website www.ringofgullion.org.

For more information on tours, attractions and places to eat and stay in the Ring of Gullion and South Armagh visit: www.ringofgullion.org, search for Ring of Gullion on Facebook and Twitter or visit www.visitnewryandmourne.com.