Parking Permit Details Announced Ahead of New Charging System at Council’s Four Main Parks

Each registered household in the district can obtain a ‘Single-Park Permit’, granting free car entry into one of the Council’s four Forest and Country Parks when a new charging system gets underway from 4 March.

 

Residents can simply pick up the permit at the park of their choice from Monday 4 March with the production of valid photographic ID such as their driving licence. This will grant free entry up until 31 March 2025.

 

Entry to the three remaining parks will require the purchase of a £25 resident ‘All-Park Permit’ or the payment of a daily entry charge (rates vary by vehicle type). 

 

Non-district residents can pay the daily entrance rate or purchase a ‘Single-Park permit’ (£25) or an ‘All-Park Permit’ (£60). Minibus permits can also be purchased at £65 per park. For pedestrians and cyclists, they can continue to access any of the four Forest/Country Parks with no charge applied. 

 

The four Forest and Country Parks — Kilbroney Forest Park, Delamont Country Park, Castlewellan Forest Park —and Slieve Gullion Forest Park attract a substantial number of visitors per annum and an increasing number of visitors from outside the district.

 

All four parks play an increasingly important role in driving economic development through tourism and of supporting local communities and businesses. It is important that residents can continue to access their local park, which is why it was important for the Council to introduce a permit scheme.

 

The revenue generated from the new Parking Permit scheme will be used for the ongoing development and maintenance of these award-winning parks.

 

The Council has agreed to undertake a 6-month review on the operation of the Parking Permit scheme. 

 

The full details, including a list of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ can be found at: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/parking

 

 

• Please note that the parking permit scheme is under continuous review and T&Cs may be subject to change.

 

• Collection of District Resident permits requires photographic and addressed ID in the name of the person collecting the permit e.g. driving licence. Alternatively, photographic ID accompanied by a valid utility bill (dated within the last three months) will be accepted.

 

• Only one free ‘single-park’ permit is permitted per household. Collection of free permits will be recorded so as to prevent duplicate collections.  

 

• Car parking permits are only applicable to vehicles that seat up to 7 persons.

 

• Minibus parking permits are only applicable to vehicles that seat 8 to 24 persons.

 

• Permits are non-refundable.

 

• Original permits MUST be presented on each entry. Duplicated permits (including photographs or photocopies) will not be accepted.

 

• Lost, stolen or damaged permits cannot be replaced.

 

• Permits are valid to 31 March 2025.

 

• Entry permitted during Park opening hours only.

 

• Entry is subject to availability in the car park.

 

For more information please visit: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/parking