Gyles Quay was very popular in the 1970s and 1980s and it was packed out with people during the Summer and at weekends. The beach here is a mixture of sand and stone and safe for swimming. A row of pretty coastguard cottages are still standing and in use as private residences.

To help curb this smuggling a coast guard watch station was constructed in 1823. In the 19th century its location made it convenient for illegal smuggling of wine and tobacco. Gyles Quay is a small seaside village and was named after Ross Gyles who built a wooden pier there in 1780 which was replaced with the present day stone pier in 1824. Initially he focused mainly on local GAA hurling but these days it's mostly wildlife and nature and whatever else gets in front of the camera. Armagh and he started photography around fifteen years ago. It was taken by Michael Rice aka Michael is from Killean, Co. If you're interested in joining us in one of our guided hikes send me a message on our instagram page photo of the week is this atmospheric shot from Gyles Quay. I should add if going into the Mournes to search for the Aurora please ensure you tell someone where you’re going and what time you’ll be back, bring some safety equipment such as a group shelter and dress for the conditions. There is so much has to come together to make it happen, your availability, sky conditions, is your camera kit ready to go, but all of this makes it even more rewarding. We were truly awarded last night, I could hardly take a picture I was so in awe of the light show that stood high in the sky. Apart from good camera equipment the one thing that will make you successful in capturing the Aurora is good clothing, and some sort of cover from the elements. Knowing that the air was cooling and condensing into cloud as it rose over the peaks plays a big advantage in finding the perfect location when magic starts to happen. As a local full time mountain guide in the Mournes, I have a deep connection with the weather and knowledge of the area. “After spending 3 hours sitting through the rain at Spelga Dam waiting for an opening myself and good friend Robert McKee from RBM Photography moved to a new location that I knew the airflow wouldn't be effecting therefore giving us a clear sky. Robbie had this to say about the experience. It was taken by Robbie Marsh aka Mourne Mountain Adventures.

You can follow Rad on Instagram fabulous photo of the week is this shot of the Aurora Borealis taken on the 5th November from the Mourne Mountains on a Sony A7iii using a Sony 14mm FE1.4/14GM lens (Camera Settings: 13” F1.8 ISO640). He likes to express his feelings and his gratitude through his photography. Rad has lived in Kilkeel since 2008 and fell in love with the Mourne Mountains the first time he saw them about 15 years ago. Ended up with one gem though a victory for the clumsy photographer in the Irish wilderness! Spent 20 minutes dancing like a confused leprechaun, taking 50-60 pics, only to find out I'm a master at being out of frame. Five minutes later, me and me loyal dog arrive, clueless where to pose. I plopped the camera on a rock, focused on the ridge 300 yards away, set it to shoot intervals, and sprinted like my life depended on it. I thought, 'I gotta snap this magic,' but no tripod in sight. While I was going down I glanced back, and there's the stunning wolf moon playing hide and seek behind the mountain.

I went for a wee hike in the Western Mournes, roamed around for an hour or two, and as the sun packed its bags, I decided to head back. Our photo of the week was taken by Rad Szopinski who got this wonderful moon selfie with his dog in the Mournes earlier in the week.

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