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The Mourne Mountains are a resource that are used and managed by the farming community as well as being utilised by many for recreation and training. This year, with the support of OFMDFM and the kind permission of the Mourne Mountain Trustees, Newry and Mourne Council are supporting this years Mourne Mountain Adventure as an Olympics Legacy Initiative, building on the inspiration and power of sport, using it as a catalyst for positive change and inspiration.
Speaking about the event the Mayor of Newry and Mourne, Councillor John McArdle said “Newry and Mourne District Council believe it is important that our youth are encouraged to use and explore this magnificent resource in a responsible manner. We are blessed to have this resource on our door step but our communities need to use it responsibly, taking care of it and themselves when they are in this challenging environment. This year the Expedition phase of the Mourne Mountain Challenge will start in Kilbroney Park with the first leg finishing at the Silent Valley and we hope that teams from across Ireland coming to the area for the event will return with their families and help boost the local economy.”
Following the success in 2012 of the Mourne Mountain Adventure plans are well underway to deliver a twin format of Adventure and Expedition levels on 27 and 28 April 2013, currently with 76 teams of six youths between13 years – 18 years. Both the Expedition and Adventure levels will have 3 phases each including a hike in the Mourne Mountains, Dundrum Bay rib crossing and the Ballykinler Training Centre challenge in addition to overnight camping in Kilbroney Forest Park and Tollymore Forest Park respectively.
Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service Station Commander, Mark Fell said; “The Mourne Mountain Adventure is an excellent event for our Cadet Firefighters to be involved with as it supports our work in community safety education. We are entering seven teams of Cadets from Glengormley, Newry, Cookstown and Bangor and each team is very excited about the challenges ahead of them in this event. These young people are not only ambassadors for their community but also for NIFRS and the work that we do in protecting our community.
I am also pleased that our Specialist Rescue Team is involved in the event and personnel will be on hand to provide safety advice and support throughout the demanding course. I wish our Cadet Firefighters and all those involved good luck in the event. This event is quite timely for us as we renew our gorse fire appeal. Every year we attend gorse fires in the Mournes area and this year we are asking the public not to start deliberate fires in the countryside, to keep vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour or fires immediately.”
Sergeant Kenny Gracey of Newry City Neighbourhood Policing Team commented: "We have been involved in the Mourne Mountain Adventure for a few years and it has been such a rewarding project, for both ourselves and the young people involved. The project provides the opportunity for young people to develop cross community relationships as well as challenge themselves. It also provides us with the opportunity to get to know the young people in our own communities and listen to the issues and concerns they face and find ways that we can work with them to tackle their problems."
Teams from across Northern Ireland in addition to two Dublin based teams participated last year and it is anticipated that there will be an increased interest in what was an exceptional opportunity for our youth to enjoy team building, physical exercise and mental challenges whilst enjoying the great outdoors in the beautiful Mourne Destination.
The Adventure is being organised by seven main sponsors; Newry & Mourne District Council, Down District Council, The National Trust, NIFRS, PSNI, MOD and NI Water and many other multi agency support services who will co-ordinate the training and delivery of this exciting outdoor event.
This April will see more almost 500 teenagers from across Northern Ireland, including teams from Newtownhamilton High School, RBAI, Downpatrick Scouts, Glenavy Youth project to name a few will be taking part in the challenge that will see them trek through the Mournes before travelling via Rigid Inflatable Boats from Dundrum Bay to Ballykinler beach. Along the way they will be pushed to complete a series of challenges that will test decision-making, stamina and teamwork.
The event is supported by a number of stakeholders including volunteer organisations, local authorities, uniformed and emergency services, and funding sourced from OFMDFM this year alongside the kind permission of the Mourne Mountain Trustees . It will involve schools and youth organisations from across the community.
Patron of the event is Noel Hanna, a Dromara man who has climbed the highest peaks of each of the world’s continents (including Mount Everest on numerous occasions) and holds the world record for descent from each peak to sea level. Speaking at the Mourne Mountain Adventure recent training day at Castle Ward he said; “I’m very happy to support this event and encourage young people to get up off the sofa and enjoy a bit of adventurous training.
“You can’t underestimate the sense of accomplishment that comes with pushing yourself beyond your normal limits and hopefully the challenge will inspire some of the participants on to greater heights.
“There has been a great response from various organisations across the province, and we now reaching the 500th young person signed up to take part in the challenge on 27 and 28 April,” he said.
The first phase of the Adventure and Expedition levels will take place from Tollymore Forest Park and Kilbroney Forest Park respectively and thereafter the teams will have to navigate their way through a series of unmanned checkpoints in the forest parks and complete a command task that will test ingenuity and team working skills. At this point the Adventure teams make their way to Donard Park and onto Phase two. Meanwhile the Expedition teams continue to Silent Valley for an overnight camp and onward to Donard Park and Phase two.
All teams will arrive at Dundrum Bay where phase two of the Adventure/Expedition will see them briefed by HM Coastguard and Mourne Underwater Search Team (MUST). They will then set off in Rigid Inflatable Boats across the bay to Ballykinler Beach and on to the third phase. Once on the training area they will complete a series of challenges before making their way to Ballykinler Training Centre for a change of clothes, a hot shower, a hot meal and an awards presentation for all participants.
Good luck to all those taking part and we look forward to seeing you all at the finish line!
