Meelmore Lodge | Local Events

Local Events

The Mourne Mountain Marathon is a competitive event for teams of two. At the start of each day, teams are presented with a course of varying numbers of control markers, which are identified by 6-figure map references. They must visit each control in the prescribed order but may choose their own route between each marker. A feature of the event is the overnight camp at which all teams must be self-sufficient with everything being carried throughout the two days of competition.

The precise location of the start and finish changes from year to year and is published on main website during the first week of September.

The Celtic Fusion International Musical Arts Festival is more than just one day. It is a music festival infused with Celtic traditions comprising music, drama, art, and dance from around the globe. The main focus is music and with traditional music now taking many forms in regards to how it is interpreted, the festival in its essence presents many of these individual styles as well as traditional ones. With contemporary and traditional art forms and with national and international flavours, Celtic Fusion has events to suit the expert and the untrained, the purest and the progressive and the whole family or independent traveller. One of the festivals great strengths is the mix of local, national and international talents, giving the whole ten days great diversity.

The festival takes place over a ten day period and includes musical concerts, exhibitions, stand up comedy, drama and family fun entertainment. Celtic Fusion has the unusual ability to move between the towns in Down District with the key town being Castlewellan.

Over the past four years over 50 artists and their bands have performed at the festival in a wide range of venues across Castlewellan, Newcastle, Downpatrick, Ballynahinch and Saintfield. The Fusion Awards in 2005 commemorated artists who had previously performed at the festival. Voted by the public Frances Black won the Best Overall Artist award.

The festival this year took place from 14th - 22nd July 2007 and featured an exciting line-up of artists and bands, including Paul Brady, Mary Black, Kate Rusby, Altan, Marian Bradfield, Cora & Breda Smyth and Flook.

The Mourne Heritage Trust gives a comprehensive top ten guide for events including: The International Mourne Walking Festival, Celtic Fusion, The Kingdom of Mourne Festival and the Mourne Mountain Marathon.