Lough Neagh offers the visitor some of the finest ancient treasures in Ireland. Get
a sense of Ireland’s monastic past by visiting Ardboe Cross or the round tower on
Ram’s Island. Alternatively, visit Coyle’s Cottage and experience the living conditions of
the Lough Neagh fishermen of old.
Round Towers Bellaghy Bawn
Lough Neagh is home to several fine examples of ancient Bellaghy Bawn and Village were built on behalf of the
round towers. Antrim round tower is the remnant of a Vinter’s Company of London following the Plantation of
10th Century monastic site and is complete with a conical Ulster in 1610. The Bawn still retains one of its flanker
cap. Rams Island round tower stands on top of a steep towers and significant remains of the original complex.
eminence near the east shore of the island. It is The dominating feature in the Bawn today is a large
constructed from fairly small rounded stones which may century house, refurbished by Fredrick Augustus Hervey,
well have come from the island's shores, and is forty three Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry. There are exhibitions
feet high. Both towers are well worth a visit and will on local natural history, and on poetry by local Nobel
provide you a real sense of Ireland’s ancient past. Laureate, Seamus Heaney and other contemporary Irish
writers. A wonderful place to visit for those who are
Contact Antrim Tourist Information Centre
interested in built and cultural heritage.
Tel: 028 9442 8331. Visit: www.antrimtown.co.uk or
www.ramsisland.org alternatively contact the River
Contact Bellaghy Bawn Tel: 028 7938 6812
Bann & Lough Neagh Association on
or visit: www.ehsni.gov.uk/bellaghy
Tel: 07715368050
Mountjoy Castle
Coyles Cottage
No tour around the Western Shores of Lough Neagh is
This 300-year-old fisherman’s cottage situated on the
complete without a visit to Mountjoy Castle. The castle
Western shores of Lough Neagh is in the town land of
remains stand on a hill overlooking the vastness of Lough
Aneeterbeg in Ardboe. It was built primarily of mud walls,
Neagh. It was built by Lord Mountjoy in 1602 and partly
supported by corners built of stone which were all
burned in 1643. The well preserved castle played an
whitewashed to help withstand the weathering. The
important role in the early plantation of Ulster and also
thatch is a local Lough-shore reed which was used because
one garrisoned English troops during the early 17th
of its durability. The cottage is also the starting point for
Century. The castle is of important local and national
the Gort Moss Walk which features a number of ramparts
significance as highlighted by the interpretation boards
and pathways meandering through and over flat cut bog
on site.
land rich in flora and fauna.
Contact Dungannon Tourist Information Centre
Contact Coyles Cottage Tel: 028 8673 7564 / 028 8673
Killymaddy Tel: 028 8776 7259
7870 Email: mhs@coylescottage.com or visit
www.coylescottage.com
www.discoverloughneagh.com 17
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