Photo Diary: Chasing Fall (Tollymore, 2024)

Throughout the month of October, I found myself consistently checking the weather forecast to find a suitable time to get away for the weekend. Ever since my very first fall in Northern Ireland, I’ve been searching for places to truly experience the splendor of autumn, and Tollymore Forest has always topped my list. For years, something always comes in the way, and I wasn’t able to go for some reason or another. But this autumn (2024), everything aligned, and my dream autumn forest walk finally came true. Below is a collection of all the sights I want to commit to memory in my favorite season of all:

Tollymore Forest Park is the first state park in Northern Ireland and (in my own opinion) one of the most magical places to explore on the island. This 630-hectare forest park is located in the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, specifically at the foot of the Mourne Mountain Range, where Northern Ireland’s highest peaks can be seen. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, it’s no secret that Northern Ireland served as the backdrop and filming location for many scenes in the show, and Tollymore is no stranger to it. In fact, there is a dedicated tour of the forest that highlights all of these significant locations where you can see the places they used for the show: the forest around Winterfell, the south (and probably the north) of The Wall, as well as where the Starks found the direwolve pups. Beyond this, the park is filled with lush greens and winding footpaths that make it feel almost like you’re exploring an endless forest in a fairyland.

We chose the Red Trail for this walk, which is also known as the River Trail, as it winds through the forest while following the Shimna River up to Parnell’s Bridge and then back along the other side. It was three miles of walking on crunchy, freshly fallen leaves while listening to the sound of water – a truly healing experience for my mind. I took a lot of videos with my phone, capturing the sound of water in the background. We were also lucky with the weather: the sun was shining gently, and the air was crisp. It was a bit windy, but that also meant there were a lot of leaves on the ground. There was that distinct after-rain feeling that I deeply love. It was so nice to get lost in that sea of trees for once. Everything was just lovely.

Overall, this autumn walk was everything I thought I would be. Forest walks (or just general walks in nature) is something I’ve been doing regularly every since I moved here to Northern Ireland. It’s not lost on me that it is a luxury I can easily afford. Being amidst nature constantly has done wonders in my mental health. I encourage you to do this as well. 🍂

On another note

A couple of wonderful things in this trip:

• Finding a random pub that feels cool, homey, and ‘quiet’ enough to read books, with a killer view. Plus, the most gorgeous garlic (potato) cubes we’ve tasted to date. (Visit: The Mariner at Newcastle, Co. Down)
• That lovely Smoked Cod and Leek Risotto after a chill day of walking and exploring. I’ve only tasted a handful of really good risottos and three of them are from this restaurant. Never fails. (Visit: Mourne Seafood Bar at Dundrum, Co. Down)

📍 Tollymore Forest Park
Bryansford Rd, Newcastle BT33 0PR
October 19, 2024

Related: Autumn in the Estate, Revisited

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