Council to Explore Installing Northern Ireland's First Treetop Walk at Castlewellan Forest Park

Castlewellan Forest Park is being investigated as the potential location for Northern Ireland’s first-ever Treetop Walk.

The aim of the innovative project is to create a sustainable visitor experience that provides close-to-nature recreation and showcases the natural beauty of Castlewellan Forest Park while providing an adventurous and educational attraction for both residents and visitors.

The proposed treetop walk would be the first of its kind in Northern Ireland, offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the forest canopy, enjoy breathtaking views, and engage with the park's rich biodiversity from a whole new perspective.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council in partnership with EAK Ireland, a leader in creating nature-based experiences, has agreed to explore the feasibility of constructing a treetop walk on land leased from DAERA Forest Service at Castlewellan Forest Park.

Together, the partners are to begin conducting the necessary assessments to ensure that the project aligns and delivers on sustainable tourism, supporting the local economy and benefitting the local community. As part of the project development, an assessment on the potential impact of the project on traffic and the existing road network will be required, with mitigation measures developed for the area. Early engagement with residents and businesses will also be a key focus during the development of the proposed attraction.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne, said, "Castlewellan Forest Park is one of our district’s most cherished assets, and this exciting proposal has the potential to elevate it to an iconic landmark visitor attraction for Northern Ireland. By working together, we hope to create an innovative, nature-based attraction that will inspire visitors while preserving the park’s natural beauty for generations to come. The proposed treetop walk aligns closely with our goal for enhancing sustainable tourism. It is envisioned as a project that will boost the local economy by attracting visitors from across the region and beyond, while also serving as a model for low-impact, environmentally sensitive development.”

DAERA Minister Andrew Muir said, “I welcome news from Newry, Mourne and Down District Council that they intend to explore the potential to construct a Treetop Walk in Castlewellan Forest Park. This proposal comes in addition to already planned investment in facilities and has the possibility to enhance both Castlewellan Forest Park’s recreational value to the local community and its visitor appeal to this scenic Mournes area and Northern Ireland.”

Tom McArdle, EAK Ireland Treetop Walks said, “We are delighted to announce the proposed treetop walk in Castlewellan Forest Park that we are exploring alongside Newry, Mourne and Down District Council. We have visited many possible new sites across the country and Castlewellan is our preferred venue. The success of our Treetop Walk Avondale in Co Wicklow shows the potential for this type of tourism attraction, and we believe it would bring many benefits to the local area and surrounding region. We look forward to working alongside Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and other stakeholders to bring this world class amenity to fruition.”

David Roberts, Director of Strategic Development at Tourism NI, said, “We welcome this innovative proposal which would add to the high-quality tourism and hospitality offering that we have in the area.

“Northern Ireland is renowned for its natural landscapes and outdoor spaces. The proposed Treetop Walk in Castlewellan Forest Park, already a magnet for people with its activities and trails, would act as an anchor attraction for visitors who can then go on to explore the wider area. We look forward to working closely with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council and partner organisations to further explore this ambitious project.”

At a meeting of the Economy Regeneration and Tourism Committee in October 2024, councillors agreed to sign a letter of intent with EAK Ireland Treetops Walk Ltd to work together on the feasibility of the project and undertake a site visit to Ireland’s current facility at Avondale, County Wicklow.

The next steps in the project will be to establish a business case prior to further consideration by the Council.