Launch of Ring of Gullion walking guides!

Councillor Gillian Fitzpatrick, Vice-Chairperson of the new super council Newry, Mourne and Down stepped up to launch a range of walking guides for the Ring of Gullion area. The 3 walking guides will be available for free from the local Visitor Information Points in Slieve Gullion and Crossmaglen and the Visitor Information Centre in Newry.

The Ring of Gullion offers walking routes to suit every ability from the novice/pleasure walker to the most experienced of hikers. Walks range from 1 mile woodland trails to the 36mile Ring of Gullion Waymarked Way.

These walking guides take walkers on a journey of discovery of this area of outstanding natural beauty and allow them to roam in the area, where Cúchulainn and the Red Branch Knights, the O’Neills and O’Hanlons roamed, battled and died.

Therese Hamill, Ring of Gullion AONB Officer said “These guides are a great way to discover an area which reflects a mix of cultures from Neolithic to the present, while the rolling countryside lends itself to the enjoyment of peaceful walks and a friendly welcome at every stop”.

“For anyone looking for a training ground for long distance walking such as the Camino De Santiago – look no further than the Ring of Gullion as the terrain and landscape would be similar to the final section of the French way from Sarria to Santiago”.

All the guides are free and are supported by Newry Mourne and Down District Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, Outdoor Recreation Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Environment Agency through the Ring of Gullion AONB and Landscape Partnership.

For more information on the range of activities available in the Ring of Gullion area, walking guides and events happening in the area, visit our website www.ringofgullion.org.

The Ring of Gullion has moved to new offices:- Crossmaglen Community Centre, O'Fiaich Square, Crossmaglen, BT35 9AA Tel:-(028) 3082 8590.