Mourne Gullion Strangford UNESCO Global Geopark

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.

Mourne Mountains

The Mourne Mountains, also called the Mournes or Mountains of Mourne, are a granite mountain range in County Down in the south-east of…

Slieve Donard

Slieve Donard is the highest mountain in Northern Ireland and the wider province of Ulster, with a height of 850 metres.

Castle Ward

Castle Ward is an 18th-century National Trust property located near the village of Strangford, in County Down, Northern Ireland, in the…

Down Cathedral

Down Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of the Holy and Undivided Trinity, is a Church of Ireland cathedral located in the town of Downpatrick…

Ring of Gullion AONB

The Ring of Gullion is a geological formation and area, officially designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, located in County…

Inch Abbey

Inch Abbey is a ruined Cistercian monastery on the outskirts of Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland.

Killyleagh Castle

Killyleagh Castle is a castle in the village of Killyleagh, County Down, Northern Ireland.

Castlewellan Forest Park

Castlewellan Forest Park is located in the town of Castlewellan in County Down, Northern Ireland.

Dundrum Castle

Dundrum Castle, a ruin standing over the town of Dundrum, County Down, Northern Ireland, must not to be confused with Dundrum Castle in…

Legananny Dolmen

Legananny Dolmen is a megalithic dolmen or cromlech nine miles southeast of Banbridge and three miles north of Castlewellan, both in County…

St. Patricks Grave

Located in the grounds of Down Cathedral, this site is marked by a massive granite monolith installed in 1900. It is traditionally believed to be the final resting place of Saint Patrick, Saint Brigid, and Saint Columba.

Silent Valley

This mountain park contains a large reservoir built between 1923 and 1933 to supply water to Belfast. It features a section of the 22-mile Mourne Wall and the remains of the temporary village built for the dam's workers.

Exploris Aquarium

Exploris is a public aquarium situated in Portaferry, Northern Ireland.

Saint John's Point (Co. Down) Lighthouse

Notable for its distinctive yellow and black horizontal stripes, this is the tallest onshore lighthouse on the Irish coast. Designed by George Halpin and first lit in 1844, the tower stands 23 meters high.

Ballynoe Stone Circle

A large Neolithic stone circle comprising over 50 upright stones surrounding a central burial mound. The site dates back to approximately 3000 BC and features alignments with the winter solstice sunrise.