Overview
For three centuries the O’Neills ruled Gaelic Ulster from this hilltop above Dungannon; today a glass tower on the same ground looks out across seven of the province’s nine counties – Lough Neagh, the Sperrin Mountains, the Mournes and the Cooleys all in view on a clear day. Below the tower, Ranfurly House holds the exhibition, and the landscaped hill is open to walk, for free, seven days a week.
If you’ve an hour, take the guided exhibition tour and climb the tower: the park is free to wander, but the tour is what makes sense of the ground you’re standing on. One catch – guided tours run Wednesday to Saturday only, so a weekend or early-week visit gets you the view but not the guide.
History and archaeology
The O’Neill family ruled Gaelic Ulster from the early 14th century until the early 17th. From this hilltop, chieftains administered justice, collected tribute and coordinated military campaigns. In 1595 Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone, used Dungannon as a base when he launched the Nine Years’ War against English rule. After the conflict, the 1607 Flight of the Earls saw Hugh O’Neill and his followers leave for continental Europe, ending centuries of Gaelic lordship in the region.
Sir Arthur Chichester, the English Lord Deputy, later called the hill the “centre of Plantation Ulster”, and the plantation that followed reshaped local land ownership and settlement; Chichester’s plan for the new town still shows in Dungannon’s street layout. Beneath these layers lies much older activity. Excavations in 2010 uncovered a 2,000-year-old well, underground passages and human remains pointing to medieval burial on the hill, and further digs in 2015 found the foundations of a great hall at the foot of the slope, with a central hearth that would have hosted clan feasts. A reconstructed inauguration stone now stands near the visitor centre, marking where O’Neill chieftains were traditionally made.
What to see and do
- Ranfurly House exhibition – Set in a Victorian building put up as a Belfast Bank branch, the permanent multimedia exhibition covers the Flight of the Earls, the Plantation of Ulster and daily life in a 16th-century chieftain’s court. Costumes, weaponry and interactive displays fill it out, with an activity booklet for younger visitors.
- Glass viewing tower – A short climb leads to a 360° observation point. On a clear day the Mournes, the Cooley Mountains and the rolling drumlins of mid-Ulster all come into view.
- Heritage park and walking trails – The landscaped grounds make for an easy walk, past the well, the inauguration stone and the old hill-fort earthworks. Gentle gradients suit families and wheelchair users, though the tower itself is reached by stairs. Leashed dogs are welcome on the outdoor paths but not inside the galleries.
- Café and gift shop – The on-site café does coffee and light refreshments; the shop stocks local crafts and history books.
Events
The Hill of the O’Neill takes part in European Heritage Open Days each September, with free admission and talks on the O’Neill legacy. Ranfurly House also runs seasonal programming through the year, from traditional music sessions to craft demonstrations and occasional reenactments tied to the Nine Years’ War.
Guided tours of the exhibition and hill run Wednesday to Saturday only, at 11am and 2pm; pre-book, as spaces are limited. Self-guided access to the park is free every day.
Practical information
Location and transport The centre is at 26 Market Square, Dungannon, County Tyrone (BT70 1AB), a short walk from the town centre and about 1.5 miles from Junction 15 of the M1. Ulsterbus routes 102 and 103 stop at Market Square; the nearest rail station is Portadown, roughly 12 miles away. There is no dedicated car park at the site – use the town-centre Pay & Display car parks around Market Square, a couple of minutes’ walk away. Coach parking is available beside Ranfurly House, and there are Blue Badge spaces for disabled visitors.
Opening hours
| Season | Monday–Saturday | Sunday |
|---|---|---|
| April – September | 09:00 – 17:00 | 13:00 – 17:00 |
| October – March | 09:00 – 17:00 | Closed |
The public park stays open daily, 9am to 8pm in summer (April–September) and 9am to 5pm in winter (October–March).
Ticket prices
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | £9.50 |
| Concession (over 60) | £6.50 |
| Under 16 | £3.50 |
| Under 5 | Free |
| Family ticket | £23 |
| Self-guided park access | Free |
Guided-tour prices; the public park is free to enter. Current for 2026 – check the official website before travelling.
Accessibility and facilities
- Lift access to the exhibition floor and wheelchair-friendly routes through the park; the glass viewing tower is reached by stairs only.
- Accessible toilets and Blue Badge parking spaces nearby.
- Audio guides and tactile displays for visitors with visual impairments.
- A licensed café, picnic area, baby-changing facilities, a performance space for events, and an information desk for planning wider trips across Tyrone.
Visitor tips
- Pack a windproof layer; the exposed hilltop can be breezy even in mild weather.
- Arrive before midday for the best light on the Sperrins from the tower.
- Bring binoculars to pick out distant landmarks like the Mourne and Sperrin ranges.
- Arrange group bookings and guided tours in advance by email at ranfurly@midulstercouncil.org.
For more of Tyrone’s heritage, pair the visit with the Beaghmore Stone Circles in the Sperrin foothills, Harry Avery’s Castle for 14th-century O’Neill fortifications, the 18th-century Baronscourt estate, or the lakeside trails of Drum Manor Forest Park. Bessy Bell adds an alternative hilltop walk, and the Alley Arts & Conference Centre a contemporary stop. Just remember the tours only run Wednesday to Saturday – turn up on a Sunday or Monday and you’ll have the park and the view to yourself, but no guide.