When travel restrictions were put in place during lockdown, one positive was that more people were getting out and about in their localities and re-discovering “local treasures”.
So, over the summer, we asked Irish Country Living readers to send us their favourite places in their own backyards – and we were overwhelmed with the response.
Over the coming weeks, we will publish some of the top entries, but we’ll start with our winner, Rebecca McConnell from Co Down, who tells us all about “Yellow Water”. Rebecca wins a two-night stay for two adults and two children in their choice of any of the six Só Hotel locations across Ireland, including full Irish breakfast each morning and dinner on an evening of their choice.
Congratulations Rebecca and special thanks to everybody who took part.
The winning entry: Yellow Water
Yellow Water is such a hidden gem in the Mourne Mountains – it doesn’t even have a brown sign! A friend told me about it a few years ago and I’ve been telling others since. It’s such a picturesque, peaceful place to visit.
Hidden gem “Yellow Water” in the Mourne Mountains is the worthy winning entry for our Local Treasures competition. \ Rebecca McConnell
Driving from Hilltown, Co Down, take the Leitrim Road, which some diehard Game of Thrones fans may have travelled on to reach Leitrim Lodge, where some episodes of the show were filmed. Drive past the car park for a few miles and you might see reindeer out for a walk - even in July! They reside at Santa’s cottage, which has a beautiful wildflower garden in the summer and is open during the festive period for tea with the man himself.
A few more miles down the road and a small car park will appear on your left hand side. There aren’t a lot of spaces, so park on the road carefully if none are available in the park. As you get out of your car, you will hear the gentle flow of the river and you will notice the colour is unusual – yes, it’s a little bit yellow!
A path across the wooden bridge leads up to another bridge – cross and you can walk through the forest towards Leitrim Lodge or turn right and you can reach Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor. There is also a third option – walk upwards and find large stone boulders and a waterfall. Depending on when rain last fell, the force and therefore sound can be quite dramatic. Beneath it is a large pool, which people dive into on a good day.
The path towards Kilbroney Park is suitable for bikes and walkers alike. After a while, the large trees create a cathedral-style walkway as you step into a different world and the magnitude of the forest will make you feel like Stuart Little. Enjoy the silence, except for the rustle of the leaves, and marvel as you look up at the height of the tree tops.
After a while, the trees stop for a spell and if it is sunny, you can bask in the rays as a view of the Carlingford Lough makes an appearance, along with the Cooley Mountains. It is about a three mile walk to Kilbroney Park from Yellow Water car park. When you return, there are picnic tables in the car park to enjoy a cuppa after the walk, as you listen to the river flowing.
If you are exploring the Mournes this autumn, definitely take time to discover Yellow River. If you are in Co Louth, you can take the Carlingford ferry across the Lough and make a stop at the river that way. You won’t be disappointed!
About our winner: Rebecca McConnell
Winner Rebecca McConnell lives on a dairy and potato farm in Rathfriland, Co Down
I live on a dairy and potato farm in Rathfriland, Co Down with my mum and brother. I am a freelance PR consultant, running Purple Rain PR since February 2011 and I have had the pleasure of promoting businesses over the years, some of which are in the farming and food industry.
During the lockdown, I worked from my living room and saw the IFJ competition on social media and decided to enter. I am always telling people about Yellow River, as even the locals don’t know about it!
In my spare time, I enjoy long walks with my collie-kelpie dog Peppa and my Canon camera.
Read more
Reader writes: the Abbey at Holy Cross
'We are stopping and realising what's on our doorstep'
When travel restrictions were put in place during lockdown, one positive was that more people were getting out and about in their localities and re-discovering “local treasures”.
So, over the summer, we asked Irish Country Living readers to send us their favourite places in their own backyards – and we were overwhelmed with the response.
Over the coming weeks, we will publish some of the top entries, but we’ll start with our winner, Rebecca McConnell from Co Down, who tells us all about “Yellow Water”. Rebecca wins a two-night stay for two adults and two children in their choice of any of the six Só Hotel locations across Ireland, including full Irish breakfast each morning and dinner on an evening of their choice.
Congratulations Rebecca and special thanks to everybody who took part.
The winning entry: Yellow Water
Yellow Water is such a hidden gem in the Mourne Mountains – it doesn’t even have a brown sign! A friend told me about it a few years ago and I’ve been telling others since. It’s such a picturesque, peaceful place to visit.
Hidden gem “Yellow Water” in the Mourne Mountains is the worthy winning entry for our Local Treasures competition. \ Rebecca McConnell
Driving from Hilltown, Co Down, take the Leitrim Road, which some diehard Game of Thrones fans may have travelled on to reach Leitrim Lodge, where some episodes of the show were filmed. Drive past the car park for a few miles and you might see reindeer out for a walk - even in July! They reside at Santa’s cottage, which has a beautiful wildflower garden in the summer and is open during the festive period for tea with the man himself.
A few more miles down the road and a small car park will appear on your left hand side. There aren’t a lot of spaces, so park on the road carefully if none are available in the park. As you get out of your car, you will hear the gentle flow of the river and you will notice the colour is unusual – yes, it’s a little bit yellow!
A path across the wooden bridge leads up to another bridge – cross and you can walk through the forest towards Leitrim Lodge or turn right and you can reach Kilbroney Park in Rostrevor. There is also a third option – walk upwards and find large stone boulders and a waterfall. Depending on when rain last fell, the force and therefore sound can be quite dramatic. Beneath it is a large pool, which people dive into on a good day.
The path towards Kilbroney Park is suitable for bikes and walkers alike. After a while, the large trees create a cathedral-style walkway as you step into a different world and the magnitude of the forest will make you feel like Stuart Little. Enjoy the silence, except for the rustle of the leaves, and marvel as you look up at the height of the tree tops.
After a while, the trees stop for a spell and if it is sunny, you can bask in the rays as a view of the Carlingford Lough makes an appearance, along with the Cooley Mountains. It is about a three mile walk to Kilbroney Park from Yellow Water car park. When you return, there are picnic tables in the car park to enjoy a cuppa after the walk, as you listen to the river flowing.
If you are exploring the Mournes this autumn, definitely take time to discover Yellow River. If you are in Co Louth, you can take the Carlingford ferry across the Lough and make a stop at the river that way. You won’t be disappointed!
About our winner: Rebecca McConnell
Winner Rebecca McConnell lives on a dairy and potato farm in Rathfriland, Co Down
I live on a dairy and potato farm in Rathfriland, Co Down with my mum and brother. I am a freelance PR consultant, running Purple Rain PR since February 2011 and I have had the pleasure of promoting businesses over the years, some of which are in the farming and food industry.
During the lockdown, I worked from my living room and saw the IFJ competition on social media and decided to enter. I am always telling people about Yellow River, as even the locals don’t know about it!
In my spare time, I enjoy long walks with my collie-kelpie dog Peppa and my Canon camera.
Read more
Reader writes: the Abbey at Holy Cross
'We are stopping and realising what's on our doorstep'
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