'Giant Adventures' 2020 Dates Announced

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has announced the return of the flagship Giant Adventures festivals for 2020.

Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey said, “These flagship festivals are key events in our programme of tourism events. We are very pleased that the Festival of Flight, Wake the Giant and Footsteps in the Forest are all scheduled to return to our district in 2020.”

“These festivals act as a catalyst to inspire visitors to visit our area. Investing in these key events, demonstrates the huge commitment that our council makes to attract visitors to experience the beauty of our landscape and coastline.

“The theme of our Giant Adventures demonstrates the scale of our ambition to host world-class events in our district. Each of these events are held at key locations within our area and I look forward to watching these events continue to evolve and extend the visitor season.”

Festival of Flight will take place on Saturday 20 June in Newcastle, Co. Down. This Festival comprises of exciting displays and ground level fun and activities – and it’s all free. Keep your eye on our website www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/FestivalofFlight in the lead up to the event as we announce more details, including the ‘in flight’ entertainment soaring overhead.

Wake the Giant will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August in Warrenpoint, Co Down and promises to be gigantic fun as attempts are made to wake Finn, the 32ft tall giant who has been slumbering since last year. Wake the Giant is inspired by the myth of a sleeping giant reposing on the Cooley Mountains. As part of this Festival, visitors can enjoy theatrical performances, live street theatre, live music, free children’s activities and much more.

Footsteps in the Forest will take place in Summer/Autumn and will include new features for the 2020 festival. The event takes place in Slieve Gullion Forest Park and attracts mythical and magical creatures from across the region as well as the many visitors, who are fascinated to find out who is leaving behind footsteps in the forest.

The development of Giant Adventures since its inception in 2016 has brought a marked increase in visitors to the district, providing a positive economic impact on the local economy.

The Council’s tourism programme will also include three further festivals: the DownTime Festival from 18-21 June in Downpatrick; Strangford Lough Skiffie Festival from 31 July-2 August in Killyleagh; and the Strangford Lough and the Narnia Festival from 20-22 November in Kilbroney Park, Rostrevor.

For more details on the Giant Adventures series and other tourism events taking place in 2020 check the Council website regularly and follow on social media.

www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/GiantAdventures

Facebook @VisitMourneMountains

Twitter @VisitMourne for all the latest news, event details and announcements.