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The lure of the Ring of Gullion has just got stronger with the Slieve Gullion Pathway officially completed and launched at the weekend as well as a new bus route to the area.
The launch was an opportunity to present the flagship project which is a follow on from the installation of the award winning Slieve Gullion Adventure Playpark.
The facility makes Slieve Gullion even more accessible to visit for a day out for families, walkers, hikers, explorers and overseas visitors.
New signage and interpretation panels will also being installed on the Slieve Gullion site.
The Slieve Gullion Pathway is part of the CASA Project. This is a partnership between Castleblayney and South Armagh. The development undertaken has been made possible through European funding received and administered by Special EU Programmes Body. £1.3million of funding has been allocated to the whole project.
The new Rambler Bus Service will run from Newry Buscentre to Slieve Gullion Forest Park, starting on 2nd of July 2013 and operate from Tuesday to Sunday until 1st of September 2013, with three return trips daily.
Slieve Gullion Rambler 443 Bus Times
Tuesday to Saturday
Departing Newry Bus Centre 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm
Departing Slieve Gullion Forest Park 11am, 2pm and 5pm
Sunday
Departing Newry Bus Centre 10.30am, 1.30pm and 5.30pm
Departing Slieve Gullion Forest Park 11am, 2pm and 6pm
Speaking at the event and launch of the bus route Danny Kennedy said: “The Ring of Gullion is an area of outstanding natural beauty which has many different attractions for people of all ages. Families can enjoy the Slieve Gullion Forest Adventure Park, hikers can spend time walking the variety of walking routes while nature lovers can sample the delights of the stunning scenery.
“This new service has been introduced by Translink with support from my Department’s Rural Transport Fund and will enable tourists and locals alike to hop on a bus and see at first hand this beautiful area. This fund continues to make an important contribution to reducing social exclusion by providing transport in rural areas and helping to boost tourism.”
Finishing he said: “Today is a good day for tourism in Armagh. Alongside the start of the new Rambler Service, a new footpath and guide have also been launched. Ensuring easy access for visitors to this beautiful scenic site.”
Mayor Councillor Mickey Ruane said, “The Ring of Gullion has seen a number of tourism projects being implemented over the past few years, we have a fantastic product in the Ring of Gullion and now we aim to sell it. Todays event is all about launching the Ring of Gullion for this years summer season, and I have no doubt that everyone who visits the Ring of Gullion this summer will return again and again as it truly is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with lots to see and do. The Ring of Gullion and South Armagh are definitely open for Tourists!.”
Programme Manager, Eimear Bush for Special EU Programmes Body said at the event, “The Slieve Gullion Pathway is a fantastic opportunity for people to explore the Ring of Gullion AONB area and to enjoy the splendour on offer. There is now a trail to the summit for people to walk the mountain safely and to attract visitors to sample the beauty. This is a huge asset which will benefit the local tourism economy.”
“SEUPB are proud to have funded such a development as part of the overall CASA project. A £1.3m grant was allocated as part of the Interreg IVA Cross Border Programme to boost the Castleblayney and South Armagh economy.”
If you are interested in finding out more information the Ring of Gullion and what you can see and do there, visit www.ringofgullion.org follow us on Twitter and Facebook or call into the Slieve Gullion or Newry Tourist Information Offices.”
