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Next walk: Sunday, 3rd September :

Pierce’s Castle, The Mournes

🏰 But don’t be expecting any fairy tale castles…handsome Princes…or needy Princesses…

Pierce’s castle gets its name from a rocky outcrop of granite which resembles a castle…

🤴👸And what of our walkers???  Well… come along and check for yourself!

🏰 We will have 2 Groups out, with walks varying in pace and distance.

🏰 New walkers are very welcome, but must walk with our C Group for their first walk.

All Walkers will need:

🥾 deep thread walking boots
🧥a wind/water proof jacket
🥪a packed lunch
💦plenty of water
🕶️ shades/ sunscreen (hopefully 🤞🏻)

Expect to be out around 3.5/ 4 hours on open hillside with rough terrain in places.

⛅️Rumour has it better weather is on its way!

Meet at Gap o’ the North Pub, Jonesborough @10 am for walk info and safety briefing.

🏁There is limited parking at our starting point so we will be car pooling.

All those members heading to Achill in October, there are only 3 walks before we go and we expect to see you out on the hills before then!

During the 18^th Century the coast around Newcastle was a favourite spot for landing contraband shipped from the Isle of Man. Brandy as well as tea, coffee, tobacco, soap and wine were all loaded onto pack ponies which then trekked from Bloody Bridge River, through the Mournes to their destination in Hilltown.

We will be following in the footsteps of the smugglers on our next walk Sunday, 19th March.

As we will be travelling by bus, places must be pre- booked, at a cost of £10.

Hilltops, history and heritage on this walk!

An iconic image of an iconic figure, Michael J Murphy, Dromintee native, writer, photographer and folklorist, pictured here taking in the views of Slieve Gullion from Dhaackilemore.

Fancy taking in the same view… maybe even recreate the image???

Then join us, on Sunday, 5th of March when we will follow in his footsteps on a local walk that has it all: hilltops… history… and heritage.

Meet at the Gap O’ the North Pub, Jonesborough @ 10am.

New walkers most welcome, but all walkers must have:

🧥 water/wind proof jacket

🥾 deep thread walking boots

🥪 packed lunch with a warm drink

🧤 hat and gloves

This walk is over open countryside, with few defined paths, so expect in parts rough ground, briars and whins….but the views are amazing

We’ll be taking in a bit of “Maritime History” on tomorrow’s walk, Sunday 21st of January, as we will be stopping off at Victoria Lock the final junction between Newry Canal and the sea at Carlingford Lough. From there we will  be heading up into Fathom Woods above, which offers fantastic views out across Carlingford Lock into Warrenpoint and beyond.

If you fancy joining us, you will need as a minimum:

🥾 deep thread walking boots

🥪 a packed lunch and hot drink

🧥 a water/windproof jacket

In addition we recommend walking poles- save the old knees!!

When scouted by our Leaders during the week the route was very wet, with a lot of water running down from the mountian side, so expect wet and slippery conditions in places.

We will have 2 Groups out, both walks around 3 hours. New walkers are very welcome but they must in line with Club Policy walk with our C Group for their first walk.

Meet at the Gap O’ the North, Pub Jonesborough for 10 am, for registration and safety briefing.

To find out more about the history of the Canal and lock, get out the link below.

https://www.ringofgullion.org/living-history/built-heritage/built-heritage-in-the-ring-of-gullion/