|
Car Hire: In The Mourne Mountains |
Written by Mark Lauterwein
Thursday, 27 March 2008
|
A stone's throw from Belfast, the Mourne Mountains offer a dose of wilderness for those visitors wanting a respite from the province's rejuvenated capital. Already designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the area is set to become Ulster's only national park. The 12 peaks of the Mourne hills cluster together over a few square miles and the central area of the range is free of roads. This lends the place an air of wild isolation even though it is really not remote enough to lose oneself in. Slieve Donart, at 2700 feet, is the highest of the Mourne peaks. The path to the summit is badly eroded and has been replaced at certain points with large concrete slabs. The tops forms a small plateau marked with a massive cairn pointing out over the Irish Sea: the views are stunning. The Mourne Mountains are formed from granite and are located around 40 miles south of Belfast. Cheap car hire in Belfast makes a weekend away here a very viable option. The region is frequented by many tourists, hikers and mountain bikers. In 1993 the National Trust acquired around four square miles of the area. Amongst other things, the National Trust is involved in maintaining the famous 30 mile dry stone wall which can be well viewed both from Slieve Commendagh (the second highest Mourne Peak) and Slieve Donard. Car hire gives the traveller a freedom to choose which excursions are of most interest to him. Downpatrick, for example, is Down's county town and has an old association with St. Patrick. The remains of the saint are said to be buried in the grounds of the cathedral. The church visible today dates only from 1790, but was built over the ruins of an earlier one. Less than two miles north of here, at Saul, St Patrick (who, lest we forget, was British) first came to the Emerald Isle and built his first church. 25.3.2008 Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
About The Author:
Mark Lauterwein is a UK based writer.
Mark Lauterwein is a UK based writer.
| Comments On This Article: |
Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.
You are welcome to publish this article free of charge on your website, newsletter, or e-zine, provided:
- You don't change the article in any way
- You include the entire article, including the "about the author" box
- All hyperlinks must remain intact, including email addresses, and the link to ArticleBlast.com at the bottom
- In doing so you agree to indemnify the article's author, and ArticleBlast.com and its directors, officers, employees and agents from and against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities which arise out of its use
- It is also recommended that you provide a courtesy copy of your publication to the author of the article
