Carnmoney (from Irish Carn Monaidh, meaning ‘cairn of the bog’) has a wealth of history and is a honey pot of wildlife with grassland, wetland, wildflower meadows and ancient woodland.

We walked Carnmoney Hill last Sunday and it turned out to be a bit of a gem.  For a map and statistics go to  https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=17385503

https://www.wikiloc.com/wikiloc/view.do?id=17385503

This 203-acre site is home to badgers, foxes and Irish Hare has an abundance of ancient features including a network of prehistoric engineered, underground tunnels called souterrains.  Dunanney Rath is here and the remains of Victorian limekilns and a water well.

Dunanney is an early Christian rath, or fortified settlement and provides evidence of human habitation on the hill some 1,200 years ago.   As you stand at the rath it is difficult to appreciate this span of time but just imagine a group of people, 1,200 years into the future, standing and gazing at the remains of where you lived – it helps to get you into the zone.  In ancient times, fairs and festivals were held at Dunanney, with wonderful views over Belfast Lough. The fort may date to Celtic times (around 500 BC). There are several other raths that exist in and around Carnmoney Hill.

There are three walking routes ranging in difficulty and well sign posted. I would consider them easy for an experienced walker.  If you click the link to Wikiloc you will see that we followed part of the blue route but then had a wander around.

On Carnmoney Hill you are never far from the city but it is a beautiful spot to enjoy a short walk. For more information go to

http://belfasthills.org/visiting/carnmoney/