自我介绍

Retired building contractor, 5th generation at Crotlieve, in my youth I was a climber - mountaineer, first in the Mournes and Scotland, then travelling to some of the world’s great landscapes, all reinforcing a love of the outdoors, nature, our culture and heritage and I came to realize our own beautiful landscape and remarkable history here in Rostrevor was second to none and the world might come to see. So in 2008 I headed on a new trail and converted my Barn-workshop into a holiday let, incorporating lots of new Eco developments, recycled natural materials, traditional design and craftsmanship, our own ideas of comfort and homeliness (Green tourism gold award), and invited people to come stay and experience our little piece of the world. Most of my life I have been fascinated with our local history, loving and recording our Ancient and rare trees and in the fall collected the seed and grew on about 250 a year, planting my own little woodlands at Crotlieve. From my research on the trees, the living legacy of the famous historic families, I wrote my Tree Trail and with Mourne Landscape Partnership and council it was produced as The Kilbroney Meadow Tree Trail, then with a community group adding art and poetry we published a new book, The Trees of Kilbroney Park. I’ve been writing up our local Rostrevor walking trails, 15 to date and my Fallows trail is being developed for tourism at present, and in September open heritage week I lead a walk and talk tour for the council on General Ross, his taking and burning of Washington and the White house in 1814. Now for guests staying at the Barn I like to include a free walk and talk tour on the General, Or on the Tree Trail in the great meadow Rostrevor.