The government of Northern Ireland is gearing up to establish a geopark in the Newry-Dundalk region.

Regional development minister Conor Murphy launched the Newry - Dundalk Twin City Region - Supporting the Implementation of Cross-Border Collaborative Frameworks report with John Gormley, the minister for the environment, heritage and local government in the south, at the Carrickdale Hotel.

The plan aims to stimulate the local economy and deliver sustainable development using the region's resources.

Mr Murphy commented: "This report advises that there are local resources, such as the magnificent landscape that surrounds us today, which can almost immediately offer new economic benefits in the form of geo-tourism if used imaginatively."

The document recommended that a cross border geopark based on the Cooley, Gullion and Mourne Mountains could draw visitors to the border region while helping the economic potential of Northern Ireland.

From May 16th visitors to the Giant's Causeway coast of Northern Ireland will be able to see the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge from the water, before heading onwards to Rathlin Island to view the Bull Lighthouse as part of a guided boat tour.