Go where Ireland takes you

Question: Tell me about bouldering?

Answer: We've been doing it as a family for years, mainly during the summer months. It's great in that, it's something the whole family can enjoy. It involves clambering over boulders from the start of the river at Bloody Bridge, over rock pools and waterfalls towards Slieve Donard. In terms of it being a family sport, it's not very common, but many of the schools from the area and beyond organize days out bouldering for the kids.

Question: Bloody Bridge and Silent Valley are interesting place names, could you tell me a little about their origin

Answer: Bloody Bridge is named after a famous battle, or infamous battle rather, back in the 1600's. Well before my time. Silent Valley has its name because there's not a noise, not a sound in the place. The valley runs for three miles and at its base is two dams which provide clean drinking water for as far away as Belfast. The dams were built back in 1904 and are a great feat of engineering.

Question: What is the best way to get to the Mourne Mountains from Dublin and Belfast?

Answer: From Dublin, it's no more than an hour and a half by car. There's a motorway direct from Dublin. You go straight towards Newry then onto Warrens Point and the next town is Kilkeel, which is a jumping off point for the Mournes. From Belfast, you just get on the M1 motorway and its an hour south to Newcastle.