Mountaineering Ireland welcomes the decision of The National Trust not to lease their lands at Thomas’ Mountain to Newry Mourne and Down District Council for the construction of a large-scale Visitor Centre and Gondola cable car ride.
Mountaineering Ireland has been fundamentally opposed to this development from the start on the grounds that large-scale tourism infrastructure should not be built on mountain land covered by our highest nature protective designations – Area of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Mountaineering Ireland recognises that there are merits to a ‘Mourne Gateway’ centre or centres to support sensitive and responsible use and care of the mountain environment, promoting and explaining the rich natural, built and cultural heritage of Mourne. However, we believe they should be positioned at the entry points, like Donard Park, and not within the fragile environments themselves, and not behind a high cost pay barrier like a gondola ride.
The tourism climate has changed since this project was proposed for inclusion in the South East Coast Masterplan in 2012. Visitors want to tread more lightly on the earth. Tourism is evolving from a quick, voyeuristic experience into a more active and empathetic immersion in a community and environment.
Mountaineering Ireland looks forward to working with the Council and other key stakeholders to look at alternative proposals that will meet the Belfast Region City Deal criteria, securing the investment in a sustainable development that enhances nature and supports the local community and visitors to this special area.
Read Dawson Stelfox's Irish Mountain Log article on the proposed Mourne Gondola
here.