A Monumental Heritage

STEPPING STONES INTO THE PAST
Back in the mists of time, some of our remotest areas were bustling! The first known dwelling on this island was found at Mountsandel near Coleraine (7000BC). Fermanagh and Tyrone are especially rich in Stone Age archaeology. Atop a windswept upland or in a lakeside field, await intriguing stones and earthwork. Can you solve the mystery of the 7 Beaghmore Bronze Age circles? Or the curious idols on Boa and White islands in Lough Erne? The Fermanagh lake was popular with Neolithic and early Christian Celts; its shoreline and islands full of burial and dwelling sites.

Even in Belfast, marvel at the enormous Giants Ring on its outskirts. Or Navan Fort near Armagh, stronghold of the Ulster kings, famous in the sagas of Cuchulainn and his Fianna warriors.

There are even more antiquities from the early Christian era. Superb examples of monastic sites, gravestones, abbeys, round towers and Celtic crosses crop up in every county. The perfect round tower on Devenish Island (Lough Erne) is worth the boat trip, as is the church on White Island, overlaying Christian and earlier imagery.

Greyabbey is one of our best monastic sites, set in parkland with a medieval herb garden. Also see: Nendrum Monastery in Down, Armagh friary, Killevy Churches, Ardboe High Cross (Ulster's first), Antrim Round Tower, Dungiven Priory (15th century tomb of an O'Cahan chief). You can even visit St. Patrick's church in Raholp and his grave in Downpatrick. Many of sites are free.

Visit the National Trust website or the Environment and Heritage for further details.

Just Some Ideas

	Finnis Souterrain, Banbridge Finnis Souterrain, locally known as ‘Binder’s Cove,’ is a hidden gem for the intrepid heritage enthusiast.
	Navan Fort, Armagh To the west of Armagh lies Navan Fort, the ancient Emain Macha of Irish legend and the earliest capital of Ulster.
	White Island Lough Erne, Kesh, Enniskillen The main feature of the ruined 12th-century church is its fine Romanesque doorway. The archaic stone figures set into the wall pre-date the church. Passenger ferry from Castle Archdale Country Park.
	Dunluce Castle: Medieval Irish Castle on the Antrim Coast, Bushmills The spectacular castle-crowned crag, on the famous north Antrim coast, was shaped when the sea cut deep into the rock. Dunluce Castle, originally occupied by the MacQuillan family and later the MacDonnells. A defined site from at least 500AD.
	Dromore Motte and Bailey, Dromore Dromore Mound or Dromore Motte and Bailey as it is commonly known is probably Dromore’s most recognisable feature. It was built by Sir John de Courcy after the Norman Conquest in the 13th Century.
	The Bogside Artists , Londonderry/Derry Tom Kelly, Kevin Hasson and Tom's brother William are the three men who created all of the twelve murals that constitute The People's Gallery®
[click here for more suggestions]

A Monumental Heritage

Just Some Ideas

Towns & Cities

Things to do by Region

Places to See

Activities & Interests

Nights Out & Dining

Getting Here & Getting Around