The Silent Valley

The Silent Valley

Photo taken from the first Dam…

Discovering the Local Culture at Silent Valley - A Guide for Visitors

The Mourne Mountains are a special place. They are home to the largest area of blanket bog in Northern Ireland, as well as the sources of many rivers. The Silent Valley is a particular highlight. It was created in the 1930s to dam the River Croob and provide Belfast with its water supply. Today, it is a beautiful and peaceful place, with a Visitor Centre that tells the story of the valley and its history.

Exploring the Local History

The Silent Valley in the Mourne Mountains is an area of great historical significance and beauty. The valley covers an area of 690 hectares and is located in County Down, Northern Ireland.Originally known as the 'Happy Valley', once extensive work began to build the dam the name was changed to 'The Silent Valley' due to the absense of birds who fled the noise of the ongoing works at the time. Today, this area remains largely untouched by modern development; as such, many of these historical structures are still visible for all to enjoy. The Silent Valley Reservoir has been listed as an Area of Special Interest since 1985, recognising its importance from both a scientific and ecological perspective. However, the primary attraction continues to be its stunning scenery; with rolling mountains, lush forests, and sparkling streams - it truly is the perfect place for visitors to explore nature in all its glory!

Binnian Tunnel at Silent Valley

Built between 1947 and 1951, the Binnian Tunnel slices through County Down's Mourne Mountains in Northern Ireland. Named after Slieve Binnian which it passes underneath, this 2.5 mile feat of engineering diverts water from Annalong Valley to Silent Valley Reservoir – a capacity of approximately 90 million gallons per day! Constructed with drilling and blasting, an impressive 150 person workforce was involved who met at its midpoint 800m below ground almost perfectly in December 1950 - just inches off target! And if you look closely enough when visiting today you can even see the remnants of their shelters atop nearby Mountain.

The Mourne Wall

The Mourne wall, located in the beautiful County Down is a 19th century construction that separates 15 summits from seven mountain ranges. Popularly known as 'The Walls of The Giants', this awe-inspiring structure has been featured extensively in movies and popular culture for its captivating landscape! Measuring 22 miles long with dry stone walls standing up to a height of 8 feet tall in places, it serves as not only a distinct landmark but also conserves many habitats along the way - making it truly remarkable.

Don't miss out on some of the Islands most incredible sights - they're all here in one place, waiting for you!

If you are visiting and want to stay in the area then please consider Fairy River. Situated in the Heart of the High Mournes at the foot of the Mountain Range with direct walking access onto the Mountain Range we're ideally situated for those looking for that extra bit of magic & adventure during their visit

www.fairyriver.co.uk