Towards a multi-purpose model for the proposed Mourne National Park

Abstract

The introduction of a national park in Northern Ireland has recently moved a step closer with the proposed designation of the Mourne Mountains. Nevertheless local stakeholders remain divided as to the need for a national park, and controversy continues as to the likely impacts of a Park for local landowners, users and communities. To date, not only has the Northern Ireland Assembly failed to respond to a Report to the Minister but the model of national park to be introduced has not been discussed. In the absence of any such details, landowners, in particular, still fear a restrictive model of national park. Through an evaluation of current challenges for the Mourne area, a review of different national park models, and findings from surveys and interviews conducted with local residents and stakeholders, this paper recommends a sustainable development model.

Keywords:

• National Parks
• sustainability
• the Mourne mountains
• Northern Ireland

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the two anonymous referees for their helpful comments, Dr Mary Cawley (NUI, Galway) for providing some useful background literature, and Maura Pringle (Queen's University Belfast) for her preparation of the maps.