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Mountains of Mourne, County Down

Mountains of Mourne
The Mourne Mountains, or The Mournes, are a range of mountains that lie in County Down in the south east of Northern Ireland. The granite range is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and has been proposed as the site of Northern Ireland’s first national park. Part of the range is currently owned by the National Trust.

Slieve Donard is the highest peak in the range at 2,786 feet and is popular with climbers. The Mournes are home to the Mourne Wall which runs along the range, traversing 22 miles and 15 mountains. Constructed from natural granite stone using traditional dry stone walling techniques, the wall is on average eight feet high and three foot thick. The Belfast Water Commissioners built the wall between 1904 and 1922. It encloses the area around Silent Valley Reservoir and protects the water from the sheep and cattle that graze on the slopes.

All manner of outdoor activity is on offer in the region, making it a perfect destination for those who love to walk, climb, cycle, ride horses, play gold or enjoy the area’s excellent fishing. A host of accommodation is available in the Mournes, including hotels , hostels and self catering cottages.

More British Natural features?

Other County Down Naturals

Slieve Donard
Lough Neagh
River Bann
Ards Peninsula
Holywood Hills
Strangford Lough

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Normans Invade Ireland - 1169, Great Exhibition opens - 1851, TUC meets to agree on a General Strike - 1926, Sutton Hoo Dig Begins - 1939, Betting Shops Legal - 1961, Last UK Concert by Beatles - 1966, Tony Blairs 'New Labour' sweeps to power - 1997, Millennium May Day Protests - 2000
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