1 Sep 2008 - Mourne bagging
Climbing in the Mournes, Co.Down, Northern Ireland
Four of us went over in August at the invitation of the Mid-Ulster
Walking Club, some of whom have walked with our club in the recent
past. The Mournes are situated just south of Belfast and are a range of
small mountains of great character with wonderful sea and land views.
There are 13 major hills over 500 metres in height in an area of 140
square kilometres, with many other smaller connecting hills in between.
The highest hill is Slieve Donard (853m.), which we did on our first
day from the adjacent town called Newcastle. Its a substantial seaside
town with plenty of eateries and drinkeries (and a youth hostel) and is
where the artist and song-writer, Percy French was born and composed
his famous old song "The Mountains of Mourne".......sweep down to the
sea!!!.
On our second day the storm of the previous evening had abated and the
weather was fine and clear. We did three more, Slieve Bearnagh (739m.),
Doan (594m.) and Slieve Meelmore (738m.) - see photos, (do they remind
you of Arran?). Navigation is very simple for most of the hills, since
there is a substantial stone wall called "The Mourne Wall" and other
equally substantial stone walls, running all over the main hills and
tops. The Mourne Wall connects 18 hills, runs for 22 miles, is fully 8
feet high in places and 4 feet thick! Little chance of getting lost
here then! This is the great value of the Mournes since they can
provide a challenging A+ walk (depending on how many hills you want to
take in), or pleasant A, B or C walks, all within the same area.
Four of us went over in August at the invitation of the Mid-Ulster
Walking Club, some of whom have walked with our club in the recent
past. The Mournes are situated just south of Belfast and are a range of
small mountains of great character with wonderful sea and land views.
There are 13 major hills over 500 metres in height in an area of 140
square kilometres, with many other smaller connecting hills in between.
The highest hill is Slieve Donard (853m.), which we did on our first
day from the adjacent town called Newcastle. Its a substantial seaside
town with plenty of eateries and drinkeries (and a youth hostel) and is
where the artist and song-writer, Percy French was born and composed
his famous old song "The Mountains of Mourne".......sweep down to the
sea!!!.
On our second day the storm of the previous evening had abated and the
weather was fine and clear. We did three more, Slieve Bearnagh (739m.),
Doan (594m.) and Slieve Meelmore (738m.) - see photos, (do they remind
you of Arran?). Navigation is very simple for most of the hills, since
there is a substantial stone wall called "The Mourne Wall" and other
equally substantial stone walls, running all over the main hills and
tops. The Mourne Wall connects 18 hills, runs for 22 miles, is fully 8
feet high in places and 4 feet thick! Little chance of getting lost
here then! This is the great value of the Mournes since they can
provide a challenging A+ walk (depending on how many hills you want to
take in), or pleasant A, B or C walks, all within the same area.