CO DOWN hosts the Mourne International Walking Festival next weekend, Friday to Sunday June 24 to 26.
This year the event will be based in the Mourne Golf Club, Newcastle, with a range of waymarked lowland routes between 10km and 40km and a range of high-level routes within the Mourne Mountains led by experienced guides.
An added attraction to this year’s festival, there is a chance to take in some of the fabulous surrounds of Slieve Gullion forest park with a 12km walk or a free family magical trail.
Walking in glorious countryside by day is rounded off with lots of evening socialising. The highlight of the weekend is the Kneesup Shindig with a hot buffet and dancing into the small hours.
Cost of the Kneesup Shindig, including hot supper and entertainment is £12/€15 (under-16s £6/€10).
Pre-booking groups can get group discounts for 10 or more people.
For further information on the walks, costs of taking part or copies of the festival leaflet visit www.mournewalking.co.uk or contact Newcastle tourist information centre on Tel: 028 4372 2222.
VISIT ULSTER GARDENS
THE Ulster Gardens scheme’s series of open garden even takes place today and tomorrow in Co Antrim.
In Ballymena, the garden of Hilary and Jim Rafferty is open to the public. This serene five acre country garden was featured in the BBC’s Greatest Gardens with Helen Dillon and Diarmuid Gavin in 2015. Woodland plantings of beech, oak, spruce and silver birch are linked by stone paths, approximately half a mile in total, with seating at points of special interest.
Admission is £3. All funds raised by the Ulster Gardens Scheme are used for work in National Trust gardens in Northern Ireland.
The location is: The Mill House, 140 Ballynashee Road, Glenwherry, Ballymena, BT42 3EW and the garden is open from 2pm to 5pm.
Full details of open gardens are in the Ulster Gardens Scheme leaflet available from National Trust regional Office, contact 028 9751 0721 or visit www.ulstergardensscheme.org.uk.
