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We planted 60,000 native trees to connect existing fragments of ancient woodland. The wood is now rich in ground flora too: enjoy bluebells, primroses and dog violets in spring, and cornflower and red campion in summer.
- Carnmoney Hill
- Dunanney Lane
- Heading Up The Carnmoney Hill
- Dunanney Farmhouse
- The Victorian Water Fountain
- Visiting Carnmoney Hill
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Plants and Flowers
Carnmoney Hill lies 6 miles north of Belfast. It rises to a height of 761ft allowing beautiful views over the city, shoreline and Belfast Lough. The hill is a mixture of ancient woodland, flower meadows and marshlands. The eastern third of the hill is owned by Newtownabbey Borough Council and is a popular walking and hiking area with trails and paths suiting different abilities. The Woodland Trust have planted 60,000 native trees on the slopes of Carnmoney Hill including rowan, silver birch,...
Birds and Wildlife
The hill is also home to hares, foxes and badgers as well smaller animals. The abundance of butterflies, dragonflies and insect life attract a wide range of birds such as chaffinch, bullfinch, robins and blue-tits and bigger birds – long-eared owls, sparrowhawks and buzzards.
We began our walk on Dunanney Lane just off the O’Neill Road in Newtownabbey, County Antrim. The area is said to be named after the Celtic goddess Aine. Dun Aine in Irish meaning Aine’s fort. Aine is the goddess of summer, love and fertility. She is associated with crops, animals and agriculture. The gorgeously scented wildflower Meadowsweetis said...
Not far up Dunanney Lane is a limekiln, a common sight throughout Ireland and part of our industrial heritage. A kiln is a furnace or oven for burning, baking, or drying something, especially one for firing pottery, calcining limestone, or baking bricks. As the kilns were double-chambered and had to be accessed both at the top and the bottom they a...
Remains of the House
Further up the lane are the ruins of an old farmhouse known as Dunanney Farmhouse. This dwelling place on the slope of the hill has far reaching views to the north and east. While the walls have tumbled down, the location of the rooms, windows, hearth and outbuildings are still clearly visible. The farm is recorded on an Ordnance Survey map of 1833. It was originally a one-storey, two-roomed habitation. Over the years extra rooms were added and an upstairs level. Sheds and barns and a separat...
Keeping to the path as it slopes down through the woodland, you come across a surprising sight – A Victorian brick-built water fountain. In past times the hills in this district were more widely populated than today. Many families lived in the local caves which have since been filled in. This well channelled one of the local mountain streams, provi...
The paths on Carnmoney Hill are well laid out but suitable footwear is recommended especially in the winter months as the pathways can be muddy and slippery in places. There is a small carpark off the O’Neill Road, Dunanney Lane entrance (next to the garage) with room for 4-6 vehicles. For an unspoilt nature walk with magnificent views it is a good...
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57,000 native trees;in time to come the young trees will. bolster the fragments of irreplaceable ancient woodland, providing an extended habitat for the Hill’s wild inhabitants. It is a Hill for all seasons,providing year-round enjoyment.
conservation of the wood for over 20 years, and they have planted many trees throughout Rathfern Wood and have fenced off the field in the northern wood, now being grazed by stock from Fernlea Farm.
Nov 14, 2011 · The Woodland Trust has planted more than 57,000 young native trees, which link and buffer the fragments of ancient woodland, providing an extended haunt for Carnmoney’s precious wildlife.
A walk to the summit of Carnmoney Hill will introduce you to a range of habitats including ponds, ancient woodland, new planting and open meadows. Views from the summit include Belfast Lough, Cavehill and even the Mournes on a good day.
People also ask
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Why should you visit Carnmoney Hill?
Carnmoney Hill provides a vital wildlife haven in the middle of an otherwise urban landscape. The hill consists of a number of habitats such as wetland, long established woodland, newly planted areas and open farmland which are home to animals such as badgers and foxes.
