Knockmany is one of the oldest forest areas in Northern Ireland and was acquired in 1911 by the then Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction which was based in Dublin. Much of the forest was planted in 1920's and has now reached maturity. A landscape plan was drawn up in 1993 and some felling has been carried out as part of this plan. This programme is been carried out in sympathy with the contours and general landscape of the area and will afford the opportunity to plant more hardwood species.
Also well worth a visit is the woodland walk at Lumford's Glen, it is close to Knockmany's lower car park. The speical attraction in this walk is the waterfall - a spectacular sight particularly in the "rainy" season. Magnificant Oak and Beech dwarf the trees at the top of the Glen.
Knockmany Passage Tomb (Anya's Tomb)
Knockmany (Irish - Croc-mBlaine) or Anya's cove may mean the Hill of Baine or possiblly the Hill of the Monks
Queen Baine (who built the royal residence of Rathmore on a height above Clogher, where the King of West Oriel reigned) was supposed to be buried on Knockmany in the tomb of an eariler Queen Anya.
Located at the summit of Knockmany this is a passge grave formed of 12 massive upright slabs whihc constitue an entrance passage and a wedge shaped chamber.
Three of the stones are engraved with designs (zigzags, spirals, and circles) which show it to be an example of what is know to be
Boyne CultureThese stones are said to be the finest example of megalithic art in Ulster.
The black and white photograph shown right was taken by R.J. Welch (Ulster Museum), it shows the view of Knockmany Chambered Cairn in 1959 before the monument's were surrounded by the current protective enclosure.
Image taken from Shee-Eire
The Stones are now protected by a modern concrete and glass covering (in order to protect the stones from vandalism and damage by weathering, lichen and moss). The picture shown left is taken from
http://star.arm.ac.uk/Knockmany/
There is access to the summit at all times and you can look into the chamber to look at the stones but the chamber is closed off and locked. Contact the Historic Monuments and Buildings Branch of the Ulster Government (Department of the Environment) well ahead of your planned visit if you
wish to examine the stones in detail.
Ardunshin Lough
The walk around this area is very pleasant and will allow the visitor to see some of the best coniferous tress in Northern Ireland. Douglas fir and Sitka spruce trees were planted in the 1920's and will be left to reach natural old age. The area around the lough has been desigated as a Forest Nature Reserve to give added protection to the lough as a wildfowl refuge and breeding area.
Further Information
Directions
From Clogher turn left at the war memorial and follow this road to the end, whereupon you will see the lower car park.
Knockmany Forest Park
