Top 4 Natural Monuments around Glasdrummond

The Ballymacdermot Court Tomb is a window into the past, waiting for you at the top of Ballymacdermot Mountain. As you look at the ancient stones, you can almost feel the thousands of years that have passed since they were built. These stone sentinels, erected between 4000 and 2500 BC, have seen countless sunrises over the valley and speak of a time when this place may have been sacred. The views from up here stretch far over the rolling hills of County Armagh and it's easy to imagine why Stone Age people chose this spot. Just three kilometres from Newry, the court tomb not only offers a glimpse into ancient history, but also a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the surrounding countryside. Other Neolithic sites nearby include the Ballykeel Dolmen and the Clontigora Cairn, which together paint a picture of the early cultures of this region. A visit here is more than just a hike – it is a journey back to the roots of human history.

As soon as you cross the gentle ridge of Slieve Gullion, the North Cairn stretches out before you - a slightly smaller hill than its southern neighbour, but no less impressive. The stones that gather here seem like silent sentinels, witnesses of the distant Bronze Age. Two ancient stone boxes were once found here during excavations, which lay hidden in the depths of history. The North Cairn, with its diameter of around 18 metres, invites you to pause for a moment and enjoy the peace. But it is not just the Cairn that is fascinating. Right next to it lies "Calliagh Beara's Lough", a quiet mountain lake that, according to legend, is the home of the witch Beara. On a clear day, the sky is reflected in the calm waters and you can almost feel the ancient magic of this place coming to life. The road here may be rocky, but the landscape rewards with sweeping views and a touch of mysticism that makes Slieve Gullion something special.

Ballymacdermot Court Tomb is a megalithic tomb on Ballymacdermot Mountain, two miles outside Newry. The site is a scheduled monument in State care. The site dates from between 4000 and 2500 BC and is located close to other neolithic monuments such as Ballykeel Dolmen and Clontigora Cairn. - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ballymacdermott_Court_Tomb - https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/ballymacdermot-court-tomb-p697471

A tough climb but great views from the top!

This lough, located between the northern and southern burial cairns of Slieve Gullion, is the highest in Northern Ireland.

At the heart of the Ring of Gullion AONB, you'll find this beautiful mountain, which represents the highest point in the county with an elevation of 573 meters (1,880 ft). Right next to it there is a burial cairn.

Slieve Gullion, whose name sounds as poetic in English as "Sliabh gCuillinn" in Irish, rises majestically in the "Ó Fiaich Country" in the south of County Armagh in Northern Ireland. At 573 meters high, it not only hides a geological wonder in the form of an extinct volcano, but also the highest Passage Tomb in the British Isles. This passage tomb is particularly mysterious because its entrance is aligned exactly towards the point where the sun sets on the winter solstice. The best place to start your hike is from the Slieve Gullion viewing platform, where there is not only plenty of parking, but also space to stay overnight in a motorhome. From there a clearly marked path, demarcated by a staircase of large rocks, leads to the South Cairn. The transition between the South Cairn and the North Cairn is soft and wet, making the path a true nature experience. However, it should be noted that the descent from the North Cairn back to the viewing platform is rather steep and not always clear. From the summit, hikers are treated to a breathtaking panorama. The view sweeps over the landscape all around and you quickly understand why this area has been classified as an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". The "Slieve Gullion Forest Park" landscape protection area extends over large heath areas on the sunlit mountain slopes. For those who want to experience the full spectrum of this stunning area, there is the 57km long waymarked Ring of Gullion Way. A 13 km long section of this circular hiking trail, the “Slieve Gullion Walk”, leads from the car park at Meigh directly to the summit and back again.

There are great views of Newry City, The Mourne Mountains, Carlingford Lough and The Cooley Moiuntains from up here. Flags were raised here to announce arriving boats coming into the lough, hence the name Flagstaff.