Tyrone to feature on RTE ‘Tracks and Trails’ TV series

RTE production, Tracks & Trails is back for an 11th series on RTE 1, with Northern Ireland featuring in Episode 3 tomorrow at 7:30pm.

Presented by Professor Diarmaid Ferriter, the historian will explore the Sperrin Mountains and the Gortin Glen Forest Park in County Tyrone.

The new series is bursting with beautiful hikes and walks into the wilds of Ireland on newly developed and lesser travelled routes picking up relatable insights as they go.

Working with the Republic of Ireland Tourism NI Office on production, the Irish historian and broadcaster, travels to Ulster to complete two trails, one in the Sperrin mountain range in County Tyrone and the other along the scenic Monaghan Way.

Tracks & Trails will bring the viewer to the Gortin Glen Forest Park; an area beloved by locals for generations while meeting some interesting guests along the way. This includes the company of local musician and writer Declan Forde and historian Dr Patrick Fitzgerald as they walk and talk about the people there and their deep connections with the land.

The area has many walk options and Diarmaid is following a trail which takes in the forest park, a waterfall, spectacular views across the Sperrins and of course no visit to Northern Ireland would be complete without an encounter with a giant, and one is firmly perched at the top of Mullaghcarn Mountain, namely ‘Darach: The Guardian’, part of the Sperrins Sculpture Trail by renowned artist Thomas Dambo.

Diarmaid is a lover of poetry and he finds plenty of opportunity to recall lines of verse that link with the landscape and with periods of history. The route itself changes constantly and includes forest paths, wide pathways, proper mountain paths but is well waymarked. This 12km loop is a challenging and beautiful hike with sweeping views and a variety of terrain underfoot.

Spanning 40 miles, the Sperrins mountain range is the largest in Ireland, best described as wild, untouched and beautiful. Walkers can expect undulating hills covered in heather, quiet valleys, boggy uplands and a land teeming with wildlife.

Gortin Glen Forest Park is made up of a network of 5 waymarked trails of varying lengths and takes in part of the Ulster Way Walking Route. Other offerings and facilities include a large destination playpark, trim trail, BBQ, picnic area, and toilets. The Forest Park can also be explored via a five-mile scenic drive which has a number of vista parks that vehicles can pull in to enjoy the magnificent scenery.

Tracks & Trails (Series 11) begins Friday, April 5 7.30pm RTE1 and every following Friday for 6 Episodes covering Waterford, Offaly, Ulster, Kerry, Kilkenny and Tipperary presented by well known faces.