Issued by Enniskeen Country House Hotel

30th April 2013

New Mournes Cycling Food Trail on the Tourism Menu!   

Enniskeen Country House Hotel just outside Newcastle in the Mournes has created Northern Ireland’s very first food tour by bike! 

The ‘Mourne Foods Cycle Trail’ has been devised by the Enniskeen Country House hotel, in association with local food producers to showcase the wonderful artisan food in the area and offer visitors an active way to explore a food trail. The Trail offers visitors a self-guided tour by bicycle, with gentle cycling either downhill or on flat ground – electric bikes are available too, so there are definitely no excuses!. The routes are a mix of quiet rural roads, cycle lanes and smooth off road trails, and are suitable for couples and small groups of friends looking for a novel way to spend a day or half day exploring.

Eileen Jeans, Manageress at the Enniskeen Country House hotel commented, “The team here at Enniskeen Country House hotel have often talked about how  great our local food produce and landscapes are here in the Mournes and we’re delighted to be able to bring these assets together showcasing them for visitors. Our key was to collaborate with local food producers and eateries to create an inspirational day itinerary that will help attract tourists into the Mourne area – and so the ‘Mourne Foods Cycle Trail’ was born!”

Members of the Mourne Foods Cycle trail include – Abernethy Butter Company, Murlough Farm free range eggs, Mourne Honey, Dundrum Bay Mussel and Osyter fishery, Patterson’s Mourne Lamb Farm, Grahams Ice Cream, Cookie Jar Bakery, Enniskeen Country House hotel and Newcastle Bike Hire Company.

With the Mourne Mountains as its backdrop, the ‘Mourne Foods Cycle Trail’ pairs up gentle cycling, stunning scenery and simply delicious food! Visitors cycling the trail will get to visit local producers along the route and purchase some of their tasty foods as well as choose to stop off at some of the great local eateries.

The cost to take part in the trail is £28.00 per person which includes hire of a quality bike with small pannier compartment for carrying foods, trail pack, and a complimentary shuttle bus service.

Ellie Harvey from Newcastle Bike Hire added, “The Mourne Foods Cycle trail is a great way to experience our stunning Mourne landscapes and travelling by bicycle allows people to take in a lot more than they do when they travel by car. Stopping off with local food producers, hearing their stories and getting the chance to buy directly from the farmer and storing these provisions in the specially provided bike panniers all adds to the cycling experience.”

As the trail is such a unique offer which provides a good quality visitor experience, it is likely to attract visitors to the Mourne area and motivate them to stay longer.

Northern Ireland Tourist Board, Culture, Heritage & Activity Tourism Officer, Julie McLaughlin commented; ”We’re delighted to see this innovative tourism initiative being developed through the efforts of a passionate group of small private sector businesses who recognise the important role quality, authentic visitor experiences play in developing Northern Ireland’s tourism offer. The trail is a great example of an experiential opportunity for visitors; allowing people to sample a destination through its food and outdoor activity as well as meeting local people. Our research strongly supports the idea that this approach of creating unique visitor experiences not only motivates visitors to come to a destination but also makes them more likely to return again.”

The Mourne Foods Cycle Trail will be open daily from mid May 2013 and advance booking is essential.

For further information or to book call +44 (0)28 4372 3933.