New venue is proposed for cable car ride in Rostrevor

New venue is proposed for cable car ride in Rostrevor

4 June 2025

ONE month after the controversial plan to build a new gondola ride into the Mournes as part of a £44m investment was aborted, a new location for the flagship tourism project has been identified.

With criticism continuing of Newry, Mourne and Down Council’s decision to press ahead with the plan for a cable car ride from Newcastle’s Donard Park to a proposed visitors centre at a disused quarry on Thomas’s mountain, without permission from the National Trust, the local authority has now switched attention to Kilbroney Forest Park in Rostrevor.

The decision — taken without public consultation — came out of the blue last week and within hours of the announcement, an online petition opposing the plan was launched and has passed 700 signatures.

Politicians are split over the alternative proposal, the full costs of which are not known at this stage, while Colum Sands of Rostrevor Action Respecting our Environment group said “the proposal to make a last minute switch for the cable car from one highly sensitive area to another smacks of desperation from a handful of council officials.”

He added: “The white elephant plan poses a risk to the environment and may well see millions of pounds squandered.”

The gondola proposal was at the heart of the Mourne Mountains Gateway Project which was being financed by the Belfast Region City Deal (£30m) and local ratepayers who were being asked to contribute £14m.

Given the council’s decision to now switch attention to Kilbroney forest park which it owns, there is mounting concern that the £30m City Deal funding has been lost to Down District.

The council says it is “exploring a transformative visitor experience at Kilbroney Forest Park” and  revealed that following the National Trust’s decision to refuse a lease of lands at Slieve Donard and spending over £1m in ratepayers money progressing the failed scheme, the organisation is now “actively working” with all partners to secure the £30m City Deal investment in the area.

The council insists that having considered project options submitted to the organisation against the City Deal aims and objectives it is now, with the full agreement of its City Deal partners, “actively exploring” a proposal to deliver the Mourne Mountains Gateway project in Kilbroney Forest Park.

The local authority says the initiative is supported by the Warrenpoint, Burren and Rostrevor Chamber of Commerce, who described it as “a game-changer for tourism” in the region and, with the imminent opening of the Narrow Water Bridge, would create a “compelling tourism offering in the district, while also encouraging visitors to continue their journeys into the heart of the Mournes and beyond”.

Council officials insist “environmental sensitivity” will continue to be a core principle of the proposal. 

“The cable car route is yet to be determined but it will not pass through the ancient oak woodland and development would be carried out in a sustainable manner that protects the park’s natural assets,” it’s insisting.

“Crucially, the project would be designed to promote accessibility, allowing people of all abilities to experience the breathtaking landscapes and biodiversity of the area. Building on UNESCO Global Geo Park status, it will spotlight the rich history and geological uniqueness of the Mourne Mountains, enhancing appreciation and stewardship of this treasured environment.”

As part of the drive to sell the new proposal to ratepayers, the council says the forest park proposal will reinvest in the protection, maintenance and enhancement of the park for future generations.

“We look forward to working closely with community stakeholders, environmental experts, Belfast Region City Deal and tourism partners to develop the Kilbroney Park proposal to ensure it reflects the shared ambition for a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future,” said a council spokesperson.

The local authority says retention of the funding requires the agreement of all City Deal partners and any proposal must meet its objectives to “enhance the attractiveness of Northern Ireland as a world-class visitor destination”.

The council says this requires investment in projects of sufficient scale and nature, which are capable of attracting visitors from outside the province to the region and encouraging visitors to stay longer and spend more. 

In addition, it says the investment must deliver “significant economic, social and environmental benefits” around the region, so that communities in all parts of Northern Ireland benefit, all year round.

Sinn Fein South Down MLA Sinead Ennis said the proposed investment could help Kilbroney Park become the number one adventure tourism destination on the island of Ireland and that the ambitious project could have “huge social and economic benefits for the area”.

Her party colleague, Cathy Mason, has called for a fresh cash injection to boost tourism in Newcastle following the loss of the £44m gondola proposal.

She said there needed to be “immediate and focused investment” in the area’s local tourism infrastructure, in particular, the planned new leisure centre in Newcastle.

Mrs Mason such a cash injection was vital to ensure the resort “remains a vibrant and attractive destination” for both residents and visitors.

“While the gondola has been the subject of much discussion and debate, Newcastle cannot afford to wait,” Mrs Mason continued.

“The local council must act now to invest in projects that will have a real and immediate impact on our local economy and quality of life.”

South Down Alliance MLA Andy McMurray said while his party appreciated the council’s efforts to keep the City Deal money within the district, it awaited further information around what was being proposed for Kilbroney.

He added: “The same concerns remain regardless of where it is proposed that the gondola will be built. One concern is the ultimate financial cost of the project, which so far remains unknown. Another is the potential environmental impact of bringing hard infrastructure into the outstanding natural beauty we enjoy in our area.”