The Ring of Gullion Hosts National Outdoor Recreation Conference

The Developing and Managing Recreation in Protected Areas two day conference took place last week in Tí Chulainn, Mullaghbane and showcased the Ring of Gullion and South Armagh’s plans to develop the area as a hive for Outdoor Recreation in Northern Ireland.

Delegates from Ireland, England and Spain were treated to site visits to key outdoor recreation sites in the Ring of Gullion area, as well as talks on diverse subjects such as developing sustainable recreation in the Pyrenees and what makes Ireland’s mountains special.

Sport NI brought this high profile conference to south Armagh with the help of a huge array of supporters and funders. The principal conference partners were Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, Tourism NI and Northern Ireland Environment Agency.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Roisin Mulgrew said, “The conference showcased all that is great about south Armagh; the people and the landscape. Attendees and the local community got to enjoy the entertainment on Thursday night which gave the attendees a warm south Armagh welcome to the area.”

Councillor Mulgrew continued, “I hope that this visit has been an eye opener to all the potential the area has to offer. The Ring of Gullion partnership works very hard to provide a programme of events throughout the year to highlight the rich heritage of the area.”

The Ring of Gullion Partnership is working towards developing a Ring of Gullion Outdoor Recreation Forum and is in the process of creating a strategy for the area which will tie into the new Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty action plan.

For more information visit ringofgullion.org