Louth walkers invited to Wee Binian Walkers Hillwalking Festival

The Wee Binnian Walkers, also known as “the social club that walks”, are all set for the return of their three day annual Hillwalking Festival from 6-8 September and wish to invite people to them to hike in the stunning landscapes of the Mourne and the Cooley Mountains.

Wee Binnian Walkers, based close to the border area around Newry and Dundalk was founded in 1987 by Veronica McCann. Veronica, a lifestyle tutor with the “Change of Heart” coronary prevention programme, began with eleven women, with the club being formally formed in 1994, following a steady increase of members. Veronica today remains an active hill walker and the club’s honorary president.

Wee Binian Walkers is run by a committee of volunteers, with membership open to anyone over 18 years of age. Its members come from as far north as Antrim and as far south as Dublin. 

The 2024 Hillwalking Festival will see the club offer a variety of graded walks, led by trained and experienced leaders, for all categories of walker across the Mourne and the Cooley Mountains. The festival allows walkers choose the walk most suited to their level of fitness. If necessary, seek advice at registration.

• Grade 1 – Strenuous walk for strong walkers with experience of high level walking.
• Grade 2 – For walkers with a good level of fitness and experience of mountain walking.
• Grade 3 – Suitable for most walkers with a moderate level of fitness.

A full itinerary of activities is planned for the weekend of the festival. Here are some of the details:

Friday 6 September

Slieve Gullion Walk (Grade 2)

Opening the Festival is an ascent of the iconic Slieve Gullion. County Armagh’s highest mountain overlooking South Armagh and North Louth is geologically unique. Part of a volcanic complex called a ring dyke and containing Ireland’s highest surviving chambered graves.

• Registration: Online.
• Meet at Gullion Forest Car Park – BT35 8SW - 12.00pm (Local car parking charges apply)
• Distance: 9km Height Gain: 580m

Rostrevor Stargazing Walk (Grade 2)

An enchanted walk with opportunities for stargazing, overlooking Carlingford Lough, the Cooley Mountains and Eastern Seaboard. Route: Rostrevor, Fiddler’s Green, Cloughmore Stone, Glen Stream, Fairy Glen.

• Registration: Online
• Meet at Kilbroney Car Park at 8pm
• Distance: 7km Ascent: 337m
• NB: Walkers must demonstrate a functioning head torch before joining the walk.

Aprés Hike – Informal get together

Relax after the first day’s walking and get a chance to mingle with fellow walkers. Venue to be confirmed.2

Saturday 7 September

Mourne Wall Walk

Join the club on this premium walk to complete the Mourne Wall Walk over two days.

Saturday Day 1:

• Starting at Silent Valley ascend to Binnian and continue via Long Seefin – Rocky – Donard – Comedagh and Corragh to Hares Gap and down to Meelmore Lodge.
• Eventbrite Ticket Sales Only
• Bus Departs: Warrenpoint Townhall 9.30am
• Distance: 18.6kms | Height Gain: 1533m

Sunday Day 2:

• Starting at Meelmore Lodge – Hares Gap – Bearnagh – Meelmore – Meelbeag – Carn – Muck and Slievenaglogh to finish at Silent Valley.
• Registration: Online
• Bus Departs: Warrenpoint Townhall 9.30am
• Distance: 17.8km | Height Gain: 1234m

High Mournes (Grade 1)

A strenuous walk in the heart of the Mournes with breathtaking views of the Annalong Valley and the Irish Sea. Route: Rourkes Park – Round Seefin, Long Seefin – Rocky – Annalong Valley – Brandy Pad – Slieve Beg – Cove – Slieve Lamagan – Slieve Binnian – Carricklittle.

• Registration: 8:45am
• Bus Departs: 9:30am
• Distance: 18.0km | Height Gain: 1,170m

High Mournes (Grade 2)

A fantastic scenic walk in the heart of the Mournes with breathtaking views of the Annalong Valley and the Irish Sea. Route: Rourkes Park – Round Seefin – Long Seefin – Rocky – Annalong Valley – Brandy Pad – Slieve Beg – Cove – Slieve Lamagan – Blue Lough – Annalong Wood – Carricklittle.

• Registration: 8:45am
• Bus Departs: 9:30am
• Distance: 16km | Height Gain: 890m

Mournes (Grade 3)

Explore the inner heart of the Mournes on this less strenuous hike through the Annalong Valley taking time to appreciate the views of the Irish Sea. Route: Rourkes Park – Round Seefin – Long Seefin – Rocky – Annalong Valley – Brandy Pad, Slieve Beg – Cove – Blue Lough – Annalong Wood – Carricklittle.

• Registration: 8:45am
• Bus Departs: 9:30am
• Distance: 15km | Height Gain: 680m

Cooleys (Grade 2)

A beautiful transverse route across the heathery tops of the mountains in this area rich in the folklore of Cúchulainn who walked these hills 2,000 years ago. Dropped off to begin at Clontigora and on to Anglesea, Clermont, Clermont Cairn, Carnawaddy, The Castles with the option of Round Mountain to return to the Lumpers.

• Registration: 8:45am
• Bus Departs: 9:30am
• Distance: 15km | Ascent: 610m

Aprés Hike – Blister Boogie

Join the club for the legendary Blister Boogie, the social highlight of the weekend. Dinner and dance with music by ‘Those Guys’. Admission by ticket only, available via Eventbrite and Walk HQ Venue: Warrenpoint Golf Club, BT34 3LN. Time: 8:00pm | Cost: £30 Saturday 7 September.

Sunday 8 September

From Sea to Summit ascend to Ulster’s highest mountain Donard and return to Newcastle via Slieve Comedagh and the Forest track. Route: Bloody Bridge – Quarry Track – Slieve Carragh – Chimney Rock – Bog of Donard – Donard – Slieve Comedagh – Shan Slieve – Slievenemaddy – Forest Track to Donard Car Park.

• Registration: 8:45am
• Bus Departs: 9:30am
• Distance: 12.4km | Ascent: 1127m

Explore where the Mountains of Mourne sweep down to the sea from the highest Mountain of Mourne Slieve Donard. Route: Bloody Bridge – Quarry Track – Slieve Carragh – Chimney Rock – Bog of Donard – Donard – Thomas’ Mountain – Quarry – Forest Track to Donard Car Park.

• Registration: 8:45am
• Bus Departs: 9:30am
• Distance: 10.7km | Height Gain: 955m

High Mournes (Grade 3)

Leave the sea behind you at Bloody Bridge and wander through the Mournes to return to the sea at Newcastle taking in some of the most spectacular views. Route: Bloody Bridge – Quarry Track to the Bog of Donard – Brandy Pad to col between Comedagh and Donard – descend to the Glen River track back to Donard Car Park. Registration: 8:45am

• Bus Departs: 9:30am
• Distance: 9.6km | Height Gain: 596m

An enjoyable hike through the land of the Táin Bó Cúailigne. From the Long Woman’s Grave the walk takes the 6km ridge walk to Louth’s highest peak Slieve Foy and descend to Carlingford via Barnavave. Route: Maeves Gap Long Woman’s Grave – Foxes Rock – Ravens Rock – Split Rock – Eagle Rock – Barnavave – Deserted Village – Carlingford.

• Registration: 8:45am
• Bus Departs: 9:30am
• Distance: 12.0km | Ascent: 690m

Aprés Hike – Festival Close

Complimentary refreshments. Venue: Warrenpoint Town Hall, BT34 3HN. Time: After Walks

Further information

Festival HQ is the Town Hall, Church Street, Warrenpoint BT34 3HN. All buses depart from and return to the Town Hall. Free car parking is available on The Square public car park and three other car parks within close walking distance. Registration and fees: Walkers must register to join a walk, either in advance via Eventbrite here or on the day at the Festival HQ. See the Wee Binnians’ website for further details. Fees are as follows:

• Two Day £25
• One Day £15
• Mourne Wall Walk £30
• Night Walk £10
• Gullion Walk £10
• Blister Boogie £30

Contact details: Email: [email protected] Website: www.weebinnians.com Accommodation: www.visitmournemountains.co.uk Warrenpoint Tourist Office Tel: +44 (0) 28 4175 2256. 

• Walking boots are essential for all walks.
• Jeans not suitable.
• Weather conditions can deteriorate rapidly. A rucksack with rainwear, spare clothing, a packed lunch, hot drink and at least 1 litre of water is recommended.
• No children under 18.
• No pets.
• Walks are subject to change, at the discretion of the leaders