Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark

UNESCO Site · Northern Ireland, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Area 1,894 km²

Time zone Europe/London

Official website www.unesco.org/en/iggp/geoparks/mourne-gullion-strangford

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Featured Lists

Sarahj2107 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark Essentials

This UNESCO Global Geopark encompasses the granite peaks of the Mourne Mountains, the volcanic Ring of Gullion, and the glacial landscape of Strangford Lough. Highlights include Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest summit, and the 18th-century Castle Ward, known for its dual-style architecture and Game of Thrones filming sites. The region is deeply connected to Saint Patrick, with his reputed burial place at Down Cathedral and the medieval ruins of Inch Abbey. Prehistoric heritage is preserved at the Legananny Dolmen and Ballynoe Stone Circle, while coastal landmarks like the Saint John’s Point Lighthouse mark the Irish Sea border.

15 places

Ardfern / CC BY-SA 3.0

Historic Churches & Cathedrals

Discover the spiritual heritage of the Mourne, Gullion, and Strangford region, featuring sites ranging from early Christian foundations to grand 19th-century cathedrals. This list highlights diverse architectural styles, including the distinctive local granite construction common to the Mourne Mountains. Explore atmospheric ruins, historic parish churches, and significant landmarks associated with Saint Patrick that define the area's long cultural and religious history.

11 places

Peter Clarke / CC BY-SA 3.0

Historic Sites & Castles

This collection spans millennia of history in County Down, from the Neolithic Ballykeel and Legananny Dolmens to the 18th-century architecture of Castle Ward. The region features Anglo-Norman motte-and-bailey structures like Clough Castle and well-preserved 15th-century tower houses such as Audley’s Castle and Kilclief Castle. Notable sites include the medieval ruins of Inch Abbey and Dundrum Castle, alongside the Ballynoe Stone Circle. Several locations, including Castle Ward and Audley's Castle, served as prominent filming sites for Game of Thrones.

13 places

Ardfern / CC BY-SA 3.0

Natural Wonders

This selection highlights the diverse geography of County Down, encompassing the Mourne Mountains, the Ring of Gullion, and Strangford Lough. It features Slieve Donard, the highest peak in Northern Ireland at 850 meters, alongside the distinctive granite tors of Slieve Bearnagh. Coastal highlights include the dunes of Tyrella Beach and the shores of Strangford Lough at Delamont Country Park. The list also covers significant green spaces like Rowallane Garden and Castlewellan Forest Park, known for its Victorian arboretum and lake.

9 places