The best road cycling routes around Drumanee Lower

On the banks of Lough Neagh, near the village of Brockagh, you will find the impressive ruin of Mountjoy Castle. This castle was built between 1602 and 1605 by Lord Mountjoy and served at the time as a crucial military stronghold during the turbulent years of the Nine Years' War. Unique is the special combination of building materials: the lower floor is constructed from rough natural stone, while the upper floor consists of locally fired red brick. Although the castle has been a ruin since 1648, the central block and the characteristic arrow-shaped corner towers are still clearly recognizable in the landscape.

Low Gear, don't get off, it will end, Eventually.

In the shadow of Northern Ireland's vast skies, the mysterious Mountjoy Castle rises on a hill above Lough Neagh. This ruined castle, whose Irish name "Caisleán Mhuinseo" whispers into the wind, stands like a proud sentinel in the village of Mountjoy, County Tyrone. The castle was built in 1602 by order of Charles Blount, 1st Earl of Devonshire and 8th Baron Mountjoy. But times have not always been kind to this building: as early as 1643, a devastating fire left scars on the walls of the castle. What remained is a two-story brick building with the ground floor clad in stone. The architecture speaks of a time of defense and vigilance - a central rectangular block protected by four spear-shaped towers, crisscrossed by embrasures. The north-western tower testifies to the fragility of time - partially collapsed, while the western curtain wall has lost its presence. The entrance, once on the south side of the eastern curtain wall, seems to whisper stories of days gone by, while wide windows on the upper floor capture the eyes of visitors. Unfortunately, an extension at the back keeps some of the castle's secrets hidden, and the interior area is closed to visitors' eyes. But even in its ruined state, Mountjoy Castle embodies the soul and history of Northern Ireland. Not only is it a State Care Historic Monument in the townland of Magheralamfield in the Mid Ulster District, but it is also a silent testament to time, inviting every walker to pause for a moment and listen to the whispers of history.

Contained within the ruins is a sculpture of the crucifixion, which is thought to date from the 10th Century, making it one of the oldest in Ireland. St Lurach founded an important church here in the 6th century. It was plundered by Vikings in 832 and burned in 1135. Following the 12th-century ecclesiastical reforms this was the seat of a bishop from the mid 12th to the mid 13th century, then served as parish church until the new church across the road was built in the early 19th century. This long history is reflected in the much patched and altered fabric, and the big uneven graveyard.

Nice view of Randalstown

Great forest trails for all abilities.

It's quite an unusual experience stumbling into a pyramid in the middle of an Irish forest! This pyramid was built in the 19th century as a burial chamber for Lord Garvagh and is a lovelly feature to the forest today.

If there's a good bench out in the wild then it's always a good idea to take a rest. You never know when you'll fund another bench.