KILBRONEY PARK

Situated right beside the lovely Fairy Glen is Kilbroney Park once private land that formed part of the vast Ross Estate. Kilbroney Park or the Meadow as its also known locally was made open to the public in the 1970’s and was undoubtedly the right call as keeping such a lovely area private would be such a waste. As you stand at the gate you are given a “Huge Sneak Peak” of the outstanding natural beauty surrounding you. By following the path it will bring you further into the beauty of Kilbroney Park

As you proceed up the path you are brought into an open beautiful area surrounded by tress and in the background the Mourne Mountains stand dominantly. You could say this is the Kingdom of the Mournes. In a season like Spring the park looks beautiful with the Autumn/Winter shades fading away and spring/summer flowers and blossoms beginning to bloom. There are many areas to explore within here, the path will take you to a fork, The path on the left takes you up towards the Caravan Park, Playground, Coffee Shop and Narnia Trail. Straight on takes you on through the park. The walk will take you to the end of the park and as you proceed you see in front of you the waters of Carlingford Lough which is truly a beautiful sight.

Within the Park lies the Narnia Trail but the next post will give more information on what to see there. To get into Kilbroney Park by Car then follow the shore road and it will take you up to the the turn to the park with straight on taking you up to the Caravan Park, the turn on the left will take you into the park and down into the parking area. On a good day the Car Park is bunged

The area leading up to the Caravan park as mentioned is a lovely spot to walk as you see both sides the park as you walk up. When you arrive at the red brick building, you have arrived at the Synge and Byrne Coffee shop. You should pop in for Coffee and a Bun (Maybe Two) go on you know you want to, you cant have an adventure without a treat.

Thanks for reading Kilbroney Park and I hope it will encourage you to visit.

Stay tuned for the Post on the Magical Narnia Trail

THE FAIRY GLEN

This part of the blog will focus on some of the best places to visit and explore in Rostrevor and I thought it would be appropriate to begin with one of the nicest beautiful places to go for a walk. The Fairy Glen is situated beside the stone bridge into the Village and right beside the Fairy Glen. Reflecting on the name it sounds like the place is home to wee winged folk however there have been no official confirmed fairy sightings but you never know. Anyway as you walk, the path keeps you close to the flowing river and you can enjoy a tranquil walk with the calming sound of the flowing water in the background.

The walk by the riverside with Kilbroney Park on the other side of the wall takes you past the Football Pitch where many Epic Battles have taken place, I’m talking about the football of course in case your wondering. The path then brings to a crossroad of sorts with the Straight on Path leading you on further into the glen and the right-side Path taking you up a flight of Stone steps towards the Park. As the path progresses onwards you are treated to a view of the Mourne Mountains which is truly spectacular, river on one side and mountains on the other you are truly spoiled here.

The Fairy Glen is such a lovely place to walk in all seasons from Summer, Autumn, Winter to Spring. The perfect place to walk the dogs, walk with family of friends or if your a passionate photographer then get out your camera and capture everything till the sun goes down. I myself always enjoy a walk in the Fairy Glen with my camera and there is so much you can photograph in the Fairy Glen and so many angles you can capture it from. You never know you might get a picture of one of the Fairy Folk or if you ask nicely she’ll pose for a selfie. Anyway I seem to be digressing so to continue the path moves on towards one of the loveliest spots in the Glen, The Waterfall. It might not be as big as the Torch Waterfall in Kerry but it is still a beautiful sight. to behold.

I remember years ago I used to climb across the rocks of the waterfall as kid and never fell in the River (Good at Climbing I guess) The waterfall also looks truly spectacular when the flow of the water is heavy and the water crashes down the rocks ready to sweep you into the sea should you fall in.

As said before The Fairy Glen is beautiful in all seasons, so here is a picture of it with the spring sunlight shinning through the trees.

The path will continue and lead you to the end of the path at the ForestBrook Estate. But the adventure does not have to end there, if you turn to the right the path takes you further into the woodland and up towards the park.

WHICH IS THE ROAD TO ADVENTURE?

Anyway I hope this post will encourage to journey into the Fairy Glen and maybe spot a fairy or two. Stay tuned for the next post on Kilbroney Park. For another look at the Fairy Glen then check out the Video below

CS LEWIS AND ROSTREVOR

I hope you have enjoyed reading about Rostrevor’s fascinating history, so much fascinating heritage all in one little corner of the world and we’re all very proud of that. The Next set of Blogs will be focusing on all the wonderful places to explore and visit in Rostrevor but before moving away from History I felt you might like to read about a certain Famous Author that visited Rostrevor.

As the the title gives away (Spoiler Alert) Well renowned Author CS Lewis famous for his Book series the Chronicles of Narnia visited Rostrevor and was completely overwhelmed by its beauty. The Narnia Stories are well known especially since many of them have been made into successful feature films however the most iconic Narnia tale is “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” and Rostrevor has paid tribute to this. I seem to be digressing so to continue CS Lewis fell in love with Rostrevor and it is within Rostrevor he envisioned Narnia. He speaks of this in these immortal words

“That Part of Rostrevor which overlooks Carlingford Lough is my idea of Narnia”

Indeed if you were to visit that area then you would understand so to give you an idea here is a picture of the said area. Used a picture with it in the snow to make it all the more magical

Given that “The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe” set’s Narnia in a blanket on snow, the snow truly adds to the ambiance of the picture. CS Lewis himself also dreamed of seeing Ireland (Or Northern Ireland as it has been termed down here) or more accurately Ulster in the snow as it inspired him greatly as the quote below emphasizes.

“I yearn to see County Down in the Snow, one almost expects to see a march of dwarfs dashing past. How I long to break into a world where such things were true “

Rostrevor has never forgotten its connection with such a imaginative and phenomenal author and is the last few years has paid tribute to him by creating the Rostrevor Narnia Trail situated within Kilbroney Park. There will be a more detailed upcoming post about this spot as I highlight all of Rostrevor’s Beauty Spots. In the Meantime here is a photo of the Entrance to the Narnia Trail in the snow. Old Cs Lewis would have loved this.

GIANT MURPHY

Yes believe it or not Rostrevor had its very own giant and no not the Beanstalk Dwelling Type. Rostrevor’s very own Giant was a man named Patrick Murphy. Patrick Murphy was from Killowen and born around 1832. sadly he did not have an easy life as he was once of usual height but at age 20 he all of sudden grew very tall due to some form of medical problem. it was said that he was 8 feet 1 but it is possible this was an exaggeration

Sadly for Patrick his disposition brought him the wrong kind of attention and ended being brought into the circus business and dragged and paraded all around Europe branded as the world tallest man. One has to feel great sympathy for the poor fellow to be so unfairly extorted due to just being different. He finally passed away after catching typhoid and died in Marseilles. He was however brought home and laid to rest in Kilbroney Graveyard. His life was a very miserable one and not one to be celebrated. People from far and wide however still come to visit his Grave to admire it.

ROSTREVOR HISTORY: ST BRONAGH’S BELL

Another fascinating part of Rostrevor History is the story of Saint Bronaghs Bell. In the Rostrevor, Graveyard is the remains of the ancient church. Here through the influence of Saint Patrick, a Woman named Bronagh set up a monastic community during the 6th century. St. Bronagh’s feast day is the 2nd of April and she is referred to in O Cleary’s Calendar of Irish Saints. Another fact very relevant to this story is that her convent was built to help sailors brought onto the beach by the terrible seas. St Bronagh went to earn her reputation as a saint by refusing to submit to a Viking Chief he cleft her through the skull and where her blood fell a holy well of pure spring water sprung up. This well is still present today in the Kilbroney Churchyard where people still go as people can use the water as a cure for eyesight

Many years after the convent was destroyed, a bell could be heard ringing on stormy nights. Legends stated it was a friendly warning to sailors. The source of the bell was unknown and there were some who suspected it to be something unknown such as fairies. The mystery was finally resolved when a terrible storm tore through the countryside in 1839 causing utter destruction to anything in its path, not unlike the storms we have today.

During the storm, a tree in the Kilbroney Graveyard was brought down and a bell was found within the trunk. Everyone believed the bell belonged to St. Bronagh and was used to summon the nuns to prayers. How it exactly got there is one of those mysteries we may never know. Today the Bell can be seen in its wonder in The Star of the Sea Church in Rostrevor where its beautiful sound can still be heard.

ROSTREVOR HISTORY: TOM DUNN

It would be rude to write a blog about Rostrevor and not provide an insight into the Village’s heritage and even wiser to start with one of the greats Tom Dunn (b. 1736 – b. 1798). Sadly you will not encounter his name in any of the History Books as his many acts of bravery and sacrifice were ignored due to his being one of the poor. 221 years since his passing and his native Parish of Kilbroney still remember him with pride and fondness as a man who paid the ultimate price for the love of his fellow man

Tom Dunn a Hedge School Master found his inspiration through the message of Wolfe Tone and a book called “The Rights of Man” by Thomas Paine. In the evening when work was done young and old would gather with Tom to listen to him read and translate them into Irish, the language of the peasantry. For the first time, the oppressed and downtrodden heard words such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. They were introduced to such empowering notions that all men were brothers, all were created equal and that all were entitled to the pursuit of happiness.

Tom Dunn went onto inspire many others including the United Irishmen who in the evening after Tom’s classes would assemble in his barn and construct pikes with heads forged in the Village Smithy and young ash plants from the forest. Tragically in 1797, A brutal and terrible disarmament took place in the United Irish Men strongholds in which Tom Dunn’s barn was raided and he was captured, imprisoned and flogged. Dunn refused to reveal the names of his colleagues and after 260 lashes died of his wounds at 62.

“I will suffer any torture, even face death itself, rather than be a traitor to my country and my people. For what would it avail me to live a few years on the money obtained, by selling the lives of innocent men, and go to my grave, disgraced for all time”

These words sum up how noble and brave Tom Dunn was and what he stood for. The Late Cardinal Tomas O Fiaich in his own words declared Dunn epitomized “The nobility of the common man”

Tom Dunn may be gone but his memory and legacy live on. The Rostrevor Tom Dunn Society every year celebrate his legacy with Dunn Night which in traditional costume they feast and recite the oath of the United Irishmen and other Dunn readings. The society also gathers and say prayers by his grave. For us, as a community, we are glad we could do Tom Dunn proud

This information was provided by Siubhain o Dubhain in her piece “Tom Dunn Hedge School Master and Patriot”

GROWING UP IN ROSTREVOR

I decided that my first proper official post here would be one on what Growing up in Rostrevor personally means to me. Firstly I love living here because it is such a beautiful place filled with delightful places to eat, drink socialize, explore and so on and so forth but you understand the idea. Most of my family live in Rostrevor and some quite close to my house so it feels good to be so close to the people I love the most.

How you ask can I elaborate on how much I loved growing up in Rostrevor, well aside from the Family aspect, it is the place itself which completes it. Rostrevor is filled with lovely places to explore from parks to mountains so you are spoiled for choice if it is an adventure you desire. There will be further posts elaborating on some of Rostrevor’s beauty spots but two I would like to briefly mention are Kilbroney Park and the Fairyglen. They are two nice places to walk in and when you are a child it is places like that which inspire excitement and awe.

As a Little One, I always remember going for walks with my parents around the park and glen and always enjoying exploring the forest. Places like these can inspire imagination and you think about your favorite books and films. As someone who loved Fairy Tales and Disney Movies as a child, walking through the woods and Glen really inspired the imagination. I just loved it, being able to explore such nice places as a child make you truly appreciate what’s around you and the beauty of these local surroundings. I also remember going for late night walks when it was really dark and the park looked quite twisted and spooky as if something was going to jump out at you. Even Today I still love to walk through the beauty of the Park/Glen with the dogs Molly and Ziggy who love to get out explore and chase the odd squirrel or two. There is something about walking through the woodland which gives one a feeling of relaxation and tranquility. It’s the beauty of the surroundings in my opinion

Little Anecdote although I’m not sure you will call it that. When I was 5/6 I wandered out of the house to the Park looking for Bambi. I still haven’t found him yet but maybe next time. But overall living in Rostrevor to me personally is a delight as there is no shortage of lovely people, places to explore and places to eat and drink. Stay tuned for more posts on the best places to explore in Rostrevor and the nicest places for a meal/drinks

WELCOME TO MY BLOG

Hello and welcome to my Blog Page on My home Village of Rostrevor, I will be keeping this page updated very frequently with all things Rostrevor related such as nice places to visit, explore and of course the best spots to have a delicious meal and a pint. I will also be posting some personal blogs on living and growing up in such a beautiful place.

Stay Tuned