Some of Ulster’s most famed land marks are the Giants Causeway and the Titanic docks. With the area now being synonymous with the Game of Thrones TV series too, sightseers have even more reason to tour this area . Amongst such larger attractions you will find other little, less obvious gems listed here. Janus figures, extinct volcano’s and buildings that should have been on the Kyber Pass to name a few.
During the second world war 83 lookout points were established to monitor shipping and aircraft activity. Originally large EIRE signs were made avoid any accidental landing in Ireland. Later, numbers were added as navigation aids for pilots.
The hilltop site has 360 degree views and the site has been occupied since the stone age. The fort was built in the sixth or seventh century and destroyed in the eleventh century. It was excavated and rebuilt in 1870.
Usually seen in fields standing alone this fairy thorn was the only known urban one. It was mentioned an article in 1770. Unfortunatly it died recently and was replaced.
Lough Neagh is the biggest lake in Ireland. The eel fisheries here are the biggest supplier of wild eels in Europe. Pollan a fresh water white fish is fished commercailly here. Pollan is also in some other big lakes but its not found any where else in western Europe.
Possibly the last working beetling mill in Ulster. The linen industry was started by mostly French Hugenots who were persecuted in France. They were offered land as part of the Ulster plantation.
In Caldragh Cemetery there are two ancient stone statues. The biggest one is a two faced figure believed to be a Celtic god. The smaller one is known as ‘Lusty Man’ as it is from Lusty island. Known as Janus figures, a Roman god of beginnings, gates, transitions, time, duality, doorways, passages, frames, and endings.
Good views of Lough MacNean and drumlins. The natural history of this area can be traced back as far as 340 million years when it was covered by a tropical sea.
The Ring of Gullion was formed when a volcano collapsed into itself forming a ring dyke. The mountain is named after a legendary Blacksmith, Culann who lived on its slopes.
Bessbrook was a model village built for the linen industry by Quakers. Three of the founding principal’s was no public houses, no pawn shops and therefore no need of a police station.
There was a shortage of metal for armaments in WW2. The gates were taken down for this but were installed at Hillsborough Castle. Richhill has been looking for their return.
