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People from the Mournes and Slieve Croob
feel strongly about their culture and heritage and are justifiably
proud of the area’s tradition of nurturing the finest
produce, from both the land and the sea.
Agricultural and fishing ways of life
in the region present an interesting combination of old
and new practices. Distinctive traditional skills, crafts
and customs related to the natural landscape her survived
in this once isolated area.
In the past the Mourne area had to be
almost self-sufficient by trading livestock and agricultural
produce through the fairs. Other essential needs were supplemented
by goods bough from the peddler, the travelling tinker and
the smuggler.
Times of course have changed. Mourne and indeed Northern
Ireland have not been self reliant for decades. However
with increasing awareness of health, food quality and environmental
issues it is important that the benefits of producing, consuming
and promoting the local produce of the area are understood
and appreciated.
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