Downpatrick couple’s bid to make venue attraction

Downpatrick couple’s bid to make venue attraction

11 January 2017

A NEW events venue designed to attract local and international visitors to one of the district’s most stunning locations has been unveiled.

There are four main strands to the new business venture located at Finnebrogue, just outside Downpatrick, and they include farming, fishing, Nordic tipis and firewood.

Ed and Rachael Lindsay are the helm of the new business venture and alongside Ed’s father Nick, the couple have dreamt of combining their resources and skills to ensure a sustainable future for their 200 acre lakeside farm.

“We wanted to look at how we could sustainably make use of all that’s readily available at Finnebrogue Woods,” explained Ed.

“That’s when we realised that the woodlands, the lake and the Dexter herd would create the most wonderful back to our tipi weddings and cultural and corporate events which we had already been facilitating the length and breadth of the country for the past 10 years.

“The importance of preserving Finnebrogue Woods as a place of outstanding natural beauty is paramount.

“Our ethos is to develop our events business organically, within a relatively small area of the woods that has the widest viewpoint, so that the wider landscape can be enjoyed without being impacted upon.”

With experience of facilitating weddings throughout Ireland, the Lindsay family hope to attract people from not only Northern Ireland to Finnebrogue, but further afield.

“We are very excited and honoured that one of our first weddings next season will welcome a group of 30 visitors from South America,” Rachel revealed.

Newry, Mourne and Down Council chairwoman Gillian Fitzpatrick said the Lindsay family have embraced the concept of farm diversification to create an integrated approach involving an amazing events venue which will attract new local and international tourists to the Strangford Lough area.

“With longstanding business experience, the Lindsay team are clearly embarking on a well thought out venture which will inevitably stimulate further local investment. It is a wonderful example of how thinking resourcefully and creatively can really pay off,” she added.

Finnebrogue Woods’ opening wedding reception was held last August with bride Sarah Hansen describing the the picturesque location as “simply breath-taking,” with Ed and his team “phenomenal from start to finish.”

The Lindsay family have been running Blue Moon Event Design and Magnakata over the past ten years and during this time Ed has set up more than 1,000 tipis at various locations. Now he will be able to offer guests the option of having their wedding ceremony at Finnebrogue Woods. 

The firm has invested in high-grade drainage at its tipi site so guests will never need to wear their wellies and special flooring to accommodate high-heeled ladies has also been provided. The Lindsays say all events will be managed to ensure minimal impact on the local natural environment.

The farm will use non-intensive, high welfare approach to developing its Dexter herd, while the firewood it supplies is predominantly sourced from wind-blown trees and thinning. The wood is dried naturally for a minimum of a year before being sold locally, while the lake is stocked and managed to provide sport for a local angling club.

Tipis where the woods will really come to life, with weddings and cultural and corporate events planned at a carefully managed lakeside site, within the woods.

The new business will be hosting a formal launch event in the spring.