Footsteps in the Forest Returns to Slieve Gullion with a Spooktacular Halloween Experience

Cuirfear fáilte roimh chónaitheoirí agus cuairteoirí teacht chun spiorad na Samhna a cheiliúradh ag an fhéile ‘Coiscéimeanna na Coille’ i bPáirc Foraoise Shliabh gCuillinn. Beidh an fhéile ar siúl go ceann tréimhse is faide i mbliana ón Luan 21 Deireadh Fómhair go dtí an Mháirt 29 Deireadh Fómhair.

Beidh meascán de shiamsaíocht scáfar, féiríní spraíúla, carachtair mhealltacha, ábhair iontais a chuirfeadh an ghruaig ina seasamh ar do cheann, agus eispéiris thumthacha scéalaíochta ar siúl! Is deis iontach í seal a chaitheamh i dtírdhreach uaigneach álainn na páirce agus taitneamh a bhaint as spraoi na Samhna.

Déanfar ceiliúradh ar an fhéile Ghaelach ‘Samhain’, a cheanglaíonn deireadh aimsir an fhómhair le tús an gheimhridh. I rith na féile naoi lá seo, déanfar Páirc Foraoise Shliabh gCuillinn a chlaochlú ina saol osnádúrtha.

Tá Oíche Shamhna á ceiliúradh le fada an lá ar fud na hÉireann, agus tá na nósanna a bhaineann le Samhain báite go domhan i ndúchas na tíre. Tabharfaidh Coiscéimeanna na Coille eispéireas na Samhna chun beatha trí charachtair i gcultacha, soilse iontacha, agus scéalaíocht mhiotasach.

Rachaidh cuairteoirí ar chonair threoraithe shoilsithe. Tabharfar cuairteoirí ar thuras a aistreofar ó bhunús Fhéile na Samhna iad go dtí Oíche Shamhna mar a cheiliúrtar í sa lá atá inniu ann. Chun gné mhistiúil a chur leis an eispéireas, reáchtálfar an ócáid ??san oíche chun samhlaíocht a spreagadh agus le daoine ag gach aois a chur faoi gheasa.

Dúirt Cathaoirleach Chomhairle Ceantair an Iúir, Mhúrn agus an Dúin, an Comhairleoir Pete Byrne, “Is í Coiscéimeanna na Coille an chuid dheiridh d’Fhéile Oll-Eachtraí 2024. Is críoch thar barr í dár gclár imeachtaí agus bealach iontach chun ceiliúradh agus ceangal a dhéanamh leis na seantraidisiúin.”

Lean an Cathaoirleach, an Comhairleoir Byrne, leis: “Tá lúcháir orainn go mairfidh féile na bliana seo naoi lá, clár níos faide ná mar a bhí againn in 2023. Beidh rud éigin sultmhar i gclár na Samhna do gach aoisghrúpa, idir thaispeántais soilsithe agus iontais scanrúla. Tá muid thar a bheith sásta leis na himeachtaí atá curtha ar fáil ag an Chomhairle go dtí seo i mbliana. Bhí ‘Wake the Giant’ agus an fhéile ‘Eats and Beats’ níos fearr arís ná mar a bhí muid féin ag dúil, agus tá súil againn gur bhain cónaitheoirí agus cuairteoirí an-taitneamh astu. Is ábhar bróid iad an tallann, an bia, an ceol agus na heispéiris a chuirtear ar fáil ar fud ár gCeantair agus tá mé cinnte go mbeidh Coiscéimeanna na Coille ina imeacht iontach eile.”

Cuirfear tús le Coiscéimeanna na Coille gach tráthnóna ag 5.00in agus beidh an imeacht ar siúl gach 45 bomaite go dtí an seisiún deiridh, a thosaíonn ag 8.45in. Beidh an suíomh níos gile agus coinnítear an ceol níos ísle ar 5.00in agus 5.45 gach oíche chun turais inrochtana a chur ar fáil. Beidh turais Ghaeilge ar siúl Dé Máirt 29 Deireadh Fómhair.

I mbliana, beidh ticéid theaghlaigh ar fáil Dé Luain 7 Deireadh Fómhair ar 11rn ar shuíomh gréasáin Visit Mourne: visitmournemountains.co.uk. Ligfear isteach carr amháin, ní duine amháin, le gach ticéad teaghlaigh (2 thicéad ar a mhéad do gach áirithint).

Chomh maith leis an fhéile Coiscéimeanna na Coille, beidh clár spreagúil imeachtaí fá choinne Oíche Shamhna ar siúl a dhéanfaidh cultúr agus oidhreacht an cheantair a cheiliúradh. Cuirfidh na himeachtaí seo leis an réimse iontach atá ar fáil cheana féin do mhuintir na háite agus do chuairteoirí le sult a bhaint as an fhómhar sna Beanna Boirche agus i bhFáinne Cnoc Shliabh gCuillinn. 

Tugann Páirc Foraoise Shliabh gCuillinn deis iontach do dhaoine taithí a fháil ar chonairí ciúine coillearnaí, radharcanna iontacha trasna Fháinne Cnoc Shliabh gCuillinn, thar na Beanna Boirche, Leithinis Chuaille agus Droimníní Ard Mhacha agus tá áiseanna den scoth ar fáil do shiúlóirí agus do theaghlaigh.

Le smaointí a spreagadh ar áiteanna le stopadh, le hithe agus le tuilleadh rudaí a dhéanamh agus tú anseo sna Beanna Boirche agus i bhFáinne Cnoc Shliabh gCuillinn, agus le haghaidh sonraí ar Oll-Eachtraí téigh chuig www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/giant-adventures/footsteps-in-the-forest

Lean leathanaigh meán sóisialta a bhaineann leis na Beanna Boirche agus Fáinne Cnoc Shliabh gCuillinn @VisitMourne le haghaidh meabhrúchán agus uasdátaithe.

Residents and visitors are invited to a true celebration of the Samhain spirit at the Footsteps in the Forest festival in Slieve Gullion Forest Park in an extended programme running from Monday 21 October to Tuesday 29 October.

Featuring a blend of eerie entertainment, tantalising treats, captivating characters, spinetingling surprises and immersive storytelling experiences! It is the perfect opportunity to experience the park's hauntingly beautiful landscape while enjoying some festive Halloween fun.

Celebrating the Gaelic festival of Samhain, which marks the harvest season's end and the beginning of winter, the nine-day festival will see Slieve Gullion Forest Park transformed into the 'otherworld'.

Historically celebrated throughout Ireland, Samhain is steeped in tradition that to this day shapes the holiday we now know as Halloween. Footsteps in the Forest will bring this fun and immersive Halloween experience to life through costumed characters, spectacular illuminations, and mythical storytelling. 

Visitors will go along a guided illuminated trail that will take them on the journey from the origins of Samhain to modern day Halloween. To bring a mystical quality to the experience, the event will be held in the evening enthralling and capturing the imaginations of all ages.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “Footsteps in the Forest is our final instalment in our Giant Adventures Festival line-up 2024. A fantastic end to our programme of events and a great way to celebrate while keeping in touch with traditions of the past.

Chairperson, Cllr Byrne continued, “We are delighted that this year’s festival will extend over nine-days, a longer programme than in 2023. The Halloween programme will have something for all ages to enjoy, from illumination displays to spooky surprises. We are delighted with the events that the Council has delivered so far this year. Wake the Giant and the Eats and Beats Festival surpassed our expectations, and we hope that residents and visitors thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The talent, food, music, and experiences that are offered throughout our District are something to be proud of and I am certain Footsteps in the Forest will be another wonderful event.”

The event will start each evening at 5pm with six guided trails that will run every 45 minutes until the last show at 8.45pm. An accessible tour will take place at 5pm and 5.45pm each evening with a brighter setting and lower music. Irish language tours will take place on Tuesday 29 October.

This year, family tickets will go live on Monday 7 October at 11am on the Visit Mourne Mountains website: www.visitmournemountains.co.uk. Each family ticket will admit one car, not one person (Max tickets per booking is 2).

In addition to the Footsteps in the Forest festival, there will be an exciting programme of Halloween events that will also celebrate the district’s culture and heritage. These events will add to the fantastic offering already in place for both locals and visitors enjoying their autumn in the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion. 

Slieve Gullion Forest Park offers the unmissable opportunity to experience tranquil woodland trails, stunning views across the Ring of Gullion, Mourne Mountains, Cooley Peninsula and Armagh Drumlins and top-class facilities for walkers and families.

For ideas of where to stay, eat and for even more things to do during your time here in Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion and for Giant event details please go to www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/giant-adventures/footsteps-in-the-forest

Please follow the Mourne Mountains & Ring of Gullion social media pages for reminders and updates @VisitMourne.