Developing and Managing Recreation in Protected Areas Conference

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Ring of Gullion Partnership, Tourism NI, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and Sport NI are holding a two day conference in the Ring of Gullion on Thursday 22 and Friday 23 June on the Development and Management of Recreation in Protected Landscapes.

The conference will be held at the Tí Chulainn Cultural Activity Centre, located in the heart of the Ring of Gullion Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick said, “This conference will appeal to a range of groups and individuals such as policy makers, elected members of government, activity tourism providers and community based community associations.”

Councillor Fitzpatrick continued, “Newry, Mourne and Down District Council is excited to be sponsoring this conference with our partners Tourism NI, Environment Agency and Sport NI. The Ring of Gullion and this conference offers visitors a chance to explore an exceptional countryside rich in geology, archaeology, wildlife and folklore.”

The Keynote speaker, Terry Robinson is the Chair of the UK and Ireland Outdoor Recreation Network which enourages government and non-government organisations in the UK and the Republic of Ireland to work collaboratively.

Dr Eduard Ingles Yuba, a lecturer at the National Institute for Physical Education in Catalonia and is responsible for the outdoor education programme there will also be speaking. Eduard will share his experience in the Pyrenees and the framework that he has developed for sustainable management.

The conference will focus on outdoor recreation in the Ring of Gullion Area with talks from Darren Rice on the exciting European project ASCENT, focusing on European Upland projects including Slieve Gullion. The development of Derrymore Estate and Camlough Lake will also be discussed.

Site visits have been organised to interesting projects throughout the area. There will be a conference dinner to enable attendees to network with colleagues and enjoy a south Armagh welcome with music from the Ring of Gullion Traditional Arts Partnership and members of the local band Bóthan.

The conference costs £25 and covers two days including site visits, lunch and dinner.

For more information and to book a place visit ringofgullion.org.