Silent Valley

Reservoir

At the heart of the Mournes is the beautiful Silent Valley Reservoir, where the River Kilkeel was dammed. An area of Outstanding Natural Beauty features a dam ringed by dramatic Mountain panoramas and the famous Mourne wall located in the U-shaped valley of the Kilkeel river. Nestled between the granite peaks of Slieve Binnian and Slievenagloghy, Silent Valley has served as the principal water source for Belfast since the completion of its reservoir in 1933.

Mourne Panorma

Duck feeding

The place is worth visiting if you want a day out in the park with the family. There is a lovely playground for children and easily accessed unique mountain scenery. 1.5 mile designated Nature Trail entered from the car park, suitable for child buggies and riverside picnics – higher gravel paths lead from this up the mountainside across marked trail to a viewing point above the main Dam, with great mountain views, the leading down and across the Dam itself (2 miles).

Autumn colors

We have spent there couple of beautiful days (2008 and 2012) and kids really liked the place. At least during Autumn period there are not so many visitors and the area deserves it’s name – Silent Valley.

Click for a directions how to get there

Here are our emotions captured in photos – Silent Valley Photo Gallery

Carlingford Lough

Carlingford Lough Panorama

Blooming heather

Wikipedia says: Carlingford Lough (Irish: Loch Cairlinn) is a glacial fjord or sea inlet that forms part of the border between Northern Ireland to the north and the Republic of Ireland to the south. On its northern shore is County Down and on its southern shore is County Louth. At its extreme interior angle (the northwest corner) it is fed by the Newry River and the Newry Canal.

The name is derived from the Old Norse Kerlingfjǫrðr, whch means “narrow sea-inlet of the hag”

Breathtaking view

This is where the “Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the Sea”‘ and together with the Sleve Foy ridge on the County Louth shore of the lough they offer scenic drives, forest parks and many miles of good footpaths and trails to explore. Rambling, hill walking and climbing are popular.

We were there in August 2009 and had a lovely walk with our youngest children. Blooming heather at the hilltops and  and  absolutely breathtaking views made our day. You can see some of the photos we were taking from here:  Carlingford Lough Photo Gallery

Directions, how to get there, are HERE

Slieve Donard

The Great “Irish” Wall of China

Slieve Donard, meaning “Dónairt’s mountain” is a 850 m (2,789 ft) mountain in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is part of the Mourne Mountains and the highest peak in Northern Ireland. Get driving directions from HERE.

The mountain is an easy climb but it still took about 6 hours as I climbed the hills at my own pace. This hike is lovely and very scenic. Most of the walk is along the side of a river with quite a few impressive waterfalls and rapids. The summit provides spectacular views of the coast and as far afield as Belfast, 30 miles north; Dublin, 55 miles to the south; and even The Isle of Man is visible on a clear day. The summit of the mountain is crowned with two prehistoric cairns which have looked down over the beauty of the Mourne region for thousands of years. Another magnificent sight is the Mourne Wall which runs over the hilltops like a Great Wall of China.

Slieve Donard

Slieve Donard is a great experience and whether you are experienced or not its right for you.

Newcastle

Make sure you pick a good day as it was the view from the top which made it so worthwhile. I would recommend hiking boots as the path is not great in places and can be wet and slippy.I would also recommend you bring a good quantity of water and some food as it is a long hike.

Enjoy!

Slieve Donard Photo Gallery