Charging at District's Forest Parks begins 4 March

Council have published details of a new vehicle charging system they are initiating at their four main forest parks. Kilbroney Forest Park and Slieve Gullion Forest Park are part of the scheme and already charging infrastructure is being put in place to allow the system to operate from 4 March.

A parking permit can be obtained for the next year allowing free parking for each registered household in the district although it will only allow free parking at one of the Council parks.

The ‘Single-Park Permit’ will grant free car entry into just one of the Council’s four Forest and Country Parks that also include Castlewellan Forest Park and Delamont Country Park.

Residents can pick up the permit at the park of their choice from Monday 4 March with the production of valid photographic ID such as their driving licence. This will grant free entry up until 31 March 2025.

Entry to the three remaining parks will require the purchase of a £25 resident ‘All-Park Permit’ or the payment of a daily entry charge, with rates varying by vehicle type.

Non-district residents can pay the daily entrance rate or purchase a ‘Single-Park permit’ (£25) or an ‘All-Park Permit’ (£60). Minibus permits can also be purchased at £65 per park. For pedestrians and cyclists, they can continue to access any of the four Forest/Country Parks with no charge applied.

Council say the revenue generated from the new Parking Permit scheme will be used for the ongoing development and maintenance of the award-winning parks. A 6-month review will be carried out on the operation of the Parking Permit scheme.

More details can be found at www.visitmournemountains.co.uk

Park Charging Terms and Conditions

• Please note that the parking permit scheme is under continuous review and T&Cs may be subject to change.
• The parking permit scheme is under continuous review and T&Cs may be subject to change.
• Collection of District Resident permits requires photographic and addressed ID in the name of the person collecting the permit e.g. driving licence. Alternatively, photographic ID accompanied by a valid utility bill (dated within the last three months) will be accepted.
• Only one free ‘single-park’ permit is permitted per household. Collection of free permits will be recorded so as to prevent duplicate collections.  
• Car parking permits are only applicable to vehicles that seat up to 7 persons.
• Minibus parking permits are only applicable to vehicles that seat 8 to 24 persons.
• Permits are non-refundable.
• Original permits MUST be presented on each entry. Duplicated permits (including photographs or photocopies) will not be accepted.
• Lost, stolen or damaged permits cannot be replaced.
• Permits are valid to 31 March 2025.
• Entry permitted during Park opening hours only.
• Entry is subject to availability in the car park.