Louise, Summer and Jim Campbell from Kilkeel 

Hundreds of families from across the province headed to NI Water’s ‘Music in the Park’ event held on Sunday 22nd July at the Silent Valley Mountain Park in Kilkeel.

With a wide range of jazz music from Manouche to listen to, the creative talents of Babcock and Bobbin and face painting for the kiddies, there was no better way to spend a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Whether you enjoyed the event or missed it, why not come along to our next extravaganza on Sunday 19th August for a family fun event. Let us entertain the kids while you relax in the beautiful surroundings of the park.

The Silent Valley Reservoir was built to gather water from the Mourne Mountains and is the main water supply source for most of County Down and a large part of Belfast.

Ringed by mountains, 'The Valley', located within the Mourne Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, houses beautiful parkland, lakes and a pond. It attracts around 50,000 visitors per year most of whom come to enjoy the peace and solitude of this mountain area with its unique landscapes and varied wildlife.

Northern Ireland Water has provided a number of visitor facilities at the site including an information centre, conference centre and education centre - all housed in two old colonial style bungalows and enjoying delightful views over the parkland.

Three new walking routes within the Silent Valley were launched in 2014: the all-ability loop, the reservoir loop and the viewpoint loop. These demonstrate the history and heritage of the site, such as the Mourne Wall and the Binnian Tunnell.

Drivers are required to obey the one-way traffic system which leads to a single large car-park at the south end of the reservoir grounds.

With the recent exceptionally dry weather and low water levels Silent Valley has provided a unique spectacle with roads and a stone bridge being uncovered for the first time in decades!

Silent Valley Mountain Park is open daily from 10am until 6:30pm (Summer) and 10am until 4pm (October to April) with admission only £4.50 per car. For further information please visit niwater.com