By Donal McMahon
A South Down forest park has taken a significant step forward to being Northern Ireland’s first tree top walk attraction.
Castlewellan Forest Park is promoted on Tourism NI’s website as having one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe with incredible panoramic views
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council’s (NMDDC) economy, regeneration and tourism committee agreed on Thursday (June 12) to approve an outline business case for the major tourism development.
Committee chairperson, Oonagh Hanlon (Sinn Fein), in open session said:”The Castlewellan Tree Top Walk, it was agreed to approve the outline business case in the officer’s report.
“To approve the allocation of budget in the capital programme as per the preferred option. To approve the procurement and appointment of an integrated consultancy team to progress the design and development of the infrastructure enabling works.”
None of this week’s committee reports were made available to the public or media with the discussions held in confidential session.
However, a previous committee outlined a familiarisation visit with key stakeholders to view a similar tourist attraction at Avondale in Co Wicklow, which at the time it opened in 2022 was lauded as the first of its kind in Ireland and the UK.
It comprises a self guided 1.4km treetop walk with a viewing tower at the end, 38m above the forest floor with 360 degree panoramic views.
The Wicklow attraction also provides a giant slide to be taken to the base of the tower. It is anticipated the South Down Tree Top Walk will form a future part of Castlwellan’s wider Touring in the Trees site which will operate under the same terms and conditions and opening hours as the existing caravan parks.
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