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 Rams’s Island. Alternatively, visit Coyle’s Cottage and experience the living conditions of the Lough Neagh fishermen of old.
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For an introduction to ancient treasures on Lough Neagh, watch our DVD clip!
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Lough Neagh is home to several fine examples of ancient round towers. Antrim round tower is the remnant of a 10th Century monastic site and stands 28m high complete with conical cap. Ram’s Island round tower stands on top of a steep eminence near the east shore of the island. Both towers are well worth a visit and will provide you a real sense of Ireland’s ancient past.
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This 300 year old fisherman’s cottage situated on the Western shores of Lough Neagh is in the town land of Aneeterbeg in Ardboe. It was built primarily of mud walls, supported by far corners built of stone which were whitewashed to help withstand the weathering. The thatch is a local Lough-shore reed which was used because of its durability.
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Bellaghy Bawn and Village were built on behalf of the Vinter’s Company of London following the Plantation of Ulster in 1610. The Bawn still remains one of its flanker towers and significant remains of the original complex.
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Ardboe Cross is a national monument on the shores of Lough Neagh dating from the 10th century and is believed to be the first high cross in Ulster.
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Antrim is a town steeped in history with many notable buildings, churches and places of interest. Its historic past can still be identified in the wide range of important buildings and sites hiding behind the façade of the town. These include the remnants of Antrim Castle dating back to 1610 and the impressive 17th century water gardens within the castle grounds.
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On the shores of Lough Neagh at Churchtown Point lie the ruins of an ancient 13th century Irish Church and St Olcan’s Holy Shrine. Within a few yards east of the church is a holy well, which provides fine spring water and amber coloured pebbles.
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The ‘church spire’ on Church Island (Inis Taoide) was built for Bishop Hervey in the late 1700s. The island is only accessible on foot over marshy land during the dryer months of the year, but anyone who takes the trouble to go will discover that there is no church under the spire ... it is purely for show!
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Journey back to the earliest days of Irish Christianity, following the footsteps of Saint Patrick himself, through the beautiful countryside of an area which Ireland’s patron saint knew so well. In mystical islands, ancient burial grounds, charming country parks, historic towns and wild bogland alike, you’ll find a series of atmospheric sacred sites and buildings that tell the story of the development of Christianity in Ireland.
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