Walkers Put Their Best Foot Forward In The Ring Of Gullion

Walkers Put Their Best Foot Forward In The Ring Of Gullion

The Ring of Gullion team in partnership with the Gap o’ North Hillwalking Group recently welcomed walkers from across the island on a walking tour of south Armagh. The walk started at Tí Chulainn Centre, Mullaghbane and introduced walkers to the rich cultural heritage and outstanding natural beauty of the area.

Paula Mulkerns and Margaret McNamee from the Gap o’ the North Hillwalking Group took the group on the Poet’s Trail, a circular route around Mullaghbane countryside stopping at many interesting stops on the way. The walkers also got to listen to some of the poetry of the local oral Irish poets, for which the area is famous.

This tour followed one of the three Poet’s Trails, which are spread out across the Ring of Gullion. These trails each start in Creggan, Mullaghbane and Forkhill. The trails are moderate road walking routes along some main and quieter back roads.  Each route passes lots of interesting heritage sites including Creggan Churchyard, Ballykeel Dolmen and sites interpreting the rich cultural history of south Armagh.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Mickey Ruane said, “We are delighted to have worked with the Gap o’ the North Hillwalking Group to offer this walking tour. They have done a great job at showcasing this area and its rich culture. It’s been said of south Armagh that you can ‘kick any stone’ and it will tell a story.  We hope that the walkers have enjoyed some of the stories told as part of this tour and come back again for more!”

Gap o' the North Hill Walking Club walk every second Sunday starting from the Gap o' the North pub in Jonesborough at 10am. There is a strong local focus on the Cooleys and the Ring of Gullion with occasional trips to the Mournes and further afield. http://gaponorth.co.uk/

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