The Festival is the ideal time to come and discover the delights of the area, sample some of the excellent local cuisine and accommodation, enjoy traditional music and most importantly participate in some wonderful walking.

The Mountains are unique because their peaks are grouped together, stretching 24 kilometres from Newcastle to Rostrevor, sweeping down to the sea at both places and the inspirations for the Percy French song the "Mountains of Mourne". Unlike the rest of County Down, the Mourne Mountains are made of granite, formed 56 million years ago. The highest mountain within the Mournes and Northern Ireland is Slieve Donard at 849 metres.

The Mournes are also famous for the Mourne Wall, a 35 kilometre dry stone wall that crosses fifteen summits and constructed to define the boundary of the 36sqaure kilometres purchased by the Belfast Water Commissioners in the late 1880’s.

The AONB not only includes the mountain but also the hills, lowland and coastal landscapes. Although relatively small in area the Mourne AONB combines the stunning scenery of mountain, coast, farmed drumlin and hill country with a diverse range of habitats.

Aside from the grasses the most common plants found are heathers, along with other plants such as Bog Cotton, Roseroot, Wild Thyme and Heath Spotted Orchids.

The area is also home to Peregrine Falcons, wrens, buzzards and in 2008 red kites were successfully re-introduced into the Mournes.

The area has along history of human settlement with over 350 ancient monuments, some dating back to the Mesolithic (7000-3500BC).