Mourne Stone Walling – A Granite Kingdom

Overview

Neighbouring the small fishing town of Kilkeel, in an oasis of natural woodland with uninterrupted views of the majestic Mourne Mountains, lies a once derelict 18th Century corn and flax mill, renovated in 2008 into luxury cottages by Mark and Jenny Hanna. A builder by trade Mark has explored and honed the craft of dry-stone wall building. Handed down over generations, this long-standing rural farming tradition dates back to the Neolithic Period of more than 5,000 years ago.

Witness how Mark has restored original dry-stone walls back to their mid-18th century glory, with granite direct from the Mourne mountains and created new boundaries with repurposed stone from the original buildings. Learn how stone-wall building is inherent to life in the Mournes, where the renowned 35-kilometer Mourne Wall remains the longest continuous length of dry-stone wall in Britain and Ireland.  Work alongside Mark to gain an appreciation for the beauty, physical hard graft, judgement and precision required of this craft.  Speak the local language as you coggle butts and spalls to create your own piece of history.

• Stone Wall Building | become a dry-stone wall builder with Mark | learn the age-old inter-generational craft
• Special touches | woodland walk and forage with Jenny Hanna upon arrival | a Mourne builder’s tea break
• Location | in the Kingdom of Mourne| secluded riverside setting by the Kilkeel River
• Family Story | hear about the Hanna family story and their passion for this area | inheritance of this craft
• Irish Story Telling | owner Mark will delight you with stories, insights, local banter and poetry
• Meet the Goats | meet the lively resident Pygmy goats who love to walk along the stone wall cap stones