Life

Outdoors: Armagh's Ring of Gullion invites you to leave footprints in the forest

Get down to Co Armagh this weekend and next week where a host of events are taking place
Get down to Co Armagh this weekend and next week where a host of events are taking place Get down to Co Armagh this weekend and next week where a host of events are taking place

GET down to Co Armagh this weekend and next week where a host of events are taking place from lake triathlon, forest and village walks to protecting our native red squirrel.

The Ring of Gullion is hosting a 'footsteps in the forest' event today and tomorrow. Slieve Gullion Forest Park has been chosen as the venue for the annual celebration of 'woodland, seaworld and forest folk'. Even if you haven’t got tickets it is still definitely worth taking the trip this weekend with activities arts and crafts, blacksmithing and dance. Events run from 10am to 7pm.

As well as activities around the mountain, the annual Crooked Lake triathlon takes place today and tomorrow at Camlough Lake. Competitors line up today from 2pm.

Visitors can also try free water-based activities, arts and crafts, a climbing wall and guided walks. A family fun day takes place tomorrow from 11am to 4pm. Next week sees the Bessbrook model village living history archive taking place on June 9 at 7.30pm in Bessbrook Town hall.

The project includes hearing guest speakers talk about the past, present and future of the little village.

June 10 sees building and maintenance of squirrel hides, with volunteers needed to spruce up the red squirrel trail. The forest is a haven for the endangered native red squirrel so boxes are being made from 11am to 3pm. Training and all equipment are provided. Meet at the pond at Slieve Gullion Forest Park centre.

Looking ahead to the summer solstice, a midsummer walk on June 21 from 7-9.30pm is taking place around Bessbrook, leaving from the visitors’ car park at Derrymore House. The walk is free and will take in sights of the industrial and natural heritage of the village.

The storytellers of Ireland are inviting people to a two-day celebration of international and local storytelling. The series of events is taking place from June 24 to 25 at various times in Tí Chulainn Mullaghbane and the Tommy Makem centre, Keady.