Follow the Smugglers

Contraband, ponies, and mountain paths

Two centuries of contraband through the High Mournes. The trails they wore into the mountainside are still there.

Stories in This Series

3 stories exploring follow the smugglers. Each one leads to a real place you can visit.

The name came from a massacre. The bridge is where the smugglers began their climb into the mountains.

A hidden path through the High Mournes, worn smooth by two centuries of illicit trade under moonlight.

Hilltown was the smugglers’ distribution hub. The pubs are still there. The stories haven’t stopped.

Keep Exploring

Every series reveals a different layer of the Mourne landscape.

Fionn, Faeries & the Mourne Wall

Secret spots the guidebooks miss

Stories shaped by tide and salt

These aren't just tales — they're places you can walk, touch, and explore. Start planning your visit.