Official tourism website for Northern Ireland
En

Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Adventure Playpark and Fionn's Giant Adventure

Gradings

  • Four Star Quality Assurance
Four Star Quality Assurance
89 Drumintee Road, Killeavy, County Armagh, BT35 8SW
Children playing around a giant book in Slieve Gullion Forest Park

Book Tickets Online

About

Slieve Gullion - the Mountain of Mystery

Slieve Gullion is Ireland's Mountain of Mystery. Slieve Guillion Forest Park offers walking trails, a scenic drive, an Adventure Playpark, Fionn's Giant Adventure children's story trail and a Courtyard with coffee shop.

Slieve Gullion Mountain

Rising some 576m above the surrounding countryside, the broad slopes of Slieve Gullion dominate the landscape of south Armagh. The mountain itself lies at the centre of a pronounced ring of hills – the Ring of Gullion.

Whether you choose to experience it at a hi-octane pace, embark on a peaceful nature retreat, summit Slieve Gullion – Armaghs’s highest peak – or follow tailor made itineraries as a guide, the Ring of Gullion region offers a host of activities and attractions for families, couples, groups of friends and visitors of any age, who want to get away from it all, explore unspoilt landscapes and enjoy a real sense of well-being.

The area has some of the best biodiversity in the region and has a multitude of protected areas and visitors have the chance to see wildlife on the Red Squirrel Safari.

Slieve Gullion Forest Drive

A 10km drive around the slopes of Slieve Gullion offers visitors spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. And a leisurely walk around the walled garden is a must, as is a 2km walk through the mostly broadleaf mature woodland of Hawthorn Hill.

There is a mountain top trail to two cairns (North, bronze age; and South Neolithic) and the Lake of Sorrows, with stunning views across the Ring of Gullion, Mourne and Cooley mountain ranges and Armagh Drumlins, with over 2,000 years of legend and history awaiting. Cuchulainn, the Red Branch, Fionn Mac Cumhail (Finn McCool) and other heroes have trodden the slopes of this Mountain of Mystery.

Fionn's Giant Adventure - Children's Story Trail

The most ambitious children’s arts project commissioned in Northern Ireland, at Slieve Gullion is open to boys, girls, elves and fairies alike. A must-see landmark cultural attraction, Fionn's Giant Adventure is an innovative magical living storybook. The Trail takes visitors on an unforgettable journey of intertwined fairy house and arts features creating a fantastical childhood land of mystery, dragons, giants, witches and fairies. The art on Fionn's Giant Adventure is all inspired by the rich tapestry of local legend and mythical folklore on over a mile of woodlands Fionn's Giant Adventure is situated beside the Slieve Gullion Adventure Playpark. It is free to walk round and explore. The trail takes you into plenty of nooks and crannies so a backpack carrier or baby sling is recommended for tots. Find out more about Fionn's Giant Adventure (previously known as the Giant's Lair at Slieve Gullion Forest Park) here.

Slieve Gullion Adventure Playpark

The perfect start to any family trip to the Forest Park begins with a stop off at our action-packed Adventure Playpark, which is guaranteed to keep kids of all ages delighted and thoroughly entertained. It includes a specially designed toddler’s area, adventure and play equipment for the older kids, the “Slieve Gullion ZIP” and even a trim trail for the adults. Burn off some energy on the slides, climbing frames and outdoor gym equipment, make a wish on the wishing chair and find your way out of the maze. The Playpark has previously attained the ‘Green Apple Environment Award’ and Best Tourism Partner Initiative at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards.

Slieve Gullion Courtyard

The Slieve Gullion Courtyard, set in the midst of the park is home to an extremely popular café where you can enjoy delicious treats, as well as the wildlife pond – an essential stop off after a busy morning walking or exploring the Adventure Playpark or Fionn's Giant Adenture. Slieve Gullion Visitor Information Centre is located beside the main car park and the Adventure Playpark.

The Cailleach Beara

Follow in the footsteps of Flynn the mischievous fairy, who has one important job – not to allow anyone to wake Slieve Gullion; It might look like a mountain but it’s really a sleeping giant! Drop in for a cup of dandelion tea, grab a seat at the Giant’s Table, stroll along to the Ladybird House and sneak a peek at local witchy trickster, The Cailleach Beara. Fionn's Giant Adventure is, without a doubt, the premiere outdoor attraction for children from far and wide, capturing a genuine sense of enchantment and mystery in the beautiful setting of Slieve Gullion Forest Park.

Parking at Slieve Gullion Forest Park

The on-site car park can accommodate 120 cars (8 disabled parking bays). There is space for four 50 seater buses. Find out more about parking at Slieve Gullion Forest Park here.

What are you waiting for, come enjoy and experience an ancient landscape.

 

 

 

 











 

 

Book Tickets

Facilities

Attraction Facilities

  • Gift Shop
  • Guided Tours Available
  • Open Evenings
  • Open Mondays
  • Open Sundays

Catering

  • Picnic Area
  • Tea-room/Cafe onsite

Children & Infants

  • Baby changing facilities

Establishment Features

  • Accept coach parties
  • Toilets

Leisure Facilities

  • Wifi

Parking & Transport

  • On site parking

Payment Methods

  • All major credit/debit cards accepted
  • Euros accepted

Provider Preferences

  • Free (parking charges may apply)

Guide Prices

Access to Slieve Gullion Forest Park on foot or by bicycle is free. Charges apply for the parking of vehicles. Find out more www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/parking

Explore More

Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark, Northern IrelandMourne Gullion Strangford Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark and recognised Area of Outstanding Beauty that seamlessly blends stunning landscapes, rich geological history, and vibrant cultural heritage.

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating

Tripadvisor Traveller Rating - 145 reviews145 reviews

Add Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Adventure Playpark and Fionn's Giant Adventure to your Itinerary

Close window

Call direct on:

Tel+44 (0) 33 0137 4046

Map & Directions

Opening Times

Season (1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2024)

* March & October 9:00 - 18:00
April & September 09:00 - 20:00
May to August 09:00 - 21:00
November to February *09:00 - 17:00
*closed Christmas Day

What's Nearby

  1. Slieve Gullion Forest Park is in the heart of the Ring of Gullion. The Ring of Gullion is…

    0 miles away
  2. This unusual megalithic monument is set on the eastern edge of a low ridge, overlooked by…

    0.97 miles away
  3. The site contains two early churches situated back to back. Even earlier, it was the…

    1.87 miles away
  4. Kilnassagart Inscribed Stone, in the south of County Armagh, is regarded as being one of…

    2.83 miles away
  5. South of the County Armagh village of Jonesborough lie the ruins of Moyry Castle, built…

    2.88 miles away
  6. This Neolithic burial site, dated between 4000 and 2500 BC, has a huge capstone,…

    3.3 miles away
  7. This monument is an extremely well preserved Neolithic burial site with three chambers. …

    3.37 miles away
  8. Known locally as the ‘King’s Ring’, this court tomb has a prominent position in the…

    3.43 miles away
  9. Excellent example of a tower-house and bawn built about 1568 at a point where the Newry…

    5.09 miles away
  10. Bagenal’s Castle located in historic Newry is a 16th century fortified house and…

    5.17 miles away
  11. This is undoubtedly the most commanding building in Newry and is arguably the most…

    5.22 miles away
  12. A National Trust Property, Derrymore House is an elegant thatched cottage that stands…

    5.56 miles away
  13. This 18 arch viaduct, close to Newry, is a prominent feature of the south Armagh…

    6 miles away
  14. Our play farm offers a huge indoor soft play area with four dragon slides and a massive…

    6.84 miles away
  15. The court tomb at Annaghmare is one of the best preserved examples of its type, with many…

    8.6 miles away
  16. Kilbroney Park Forest features riverside walks and an arboretum. There is a two-mile…

    8.72 miles away

Explore More

Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark, Northern IrelandMourne Gullion Strangford Geopark is a UNESCO Global Geopark and recognised Area of Outstanding Beauty that seamlessly blends stunning landscapes, rich geological history, and vibrant cultural heritage.

Virtual Tour

Map & Directions

Road Directions

Directions from Town: On B113, 5 miles southwest of Newry.

Back to Top

Tourism Northern Ireland

Don't Miss