A Neolithic Sentinel on Knockmany Hill
The reason to climb Knockmany Hill is locked behind a gate at the top: thirteen sandstone slabs, at least six of them carved with spirals, concentric circles, zigzags and lozenges, and three so heavily decorated they rank among the finest Neolithic art in Ulster. The style is close to Loughcrew and to Newgrange in the Boyne Valley. The passage grave – known locally as Anya’s Cove or Annia’s Cove – sits on the conical summit of Knockmany Hill, in Knockmany Forest near Augher, County Tyrone, about 237 metres up. It dates from roughly 3000 BC, older than the pyramids at Giza.
One thing to know before you set off: the stones are sealed inside a modern chamber and the gate stays locked. Turn up unannounced and you’ll get the view and a glimpse of the carvings through the bars – no more. To see them properly you have to arrange it in advance (see below).
Ancient Art and Archaeology
Excavation in 1951, by A.E.P. Collins and D.M. Waterman, showed that the chamber was originally covered by a stone cairn capped with earth and held in by a stone revetment. Under the cairn they found a burnt layer with fragments of human bone and heavily burnt flint – a fire or cremation before the tomb was sealed. Unlike a classic passage tomb, Knockmany has no surviving stone-lined passage; the chamber is reached straight off the mound. The engraved stones were noted by 19th-century antiquarians – George Coffey and W.F. Wakeman among them – long before any of this.
The cairn you see now is modern. In 1959 the Ministry of Finance (now the Historic Environment Division) built a concrete chamber over the stones and topped it with a cairn and a skylight, to stop the carvings weathering away or being defaced. It has been criticised for looking stark and artificial against the hill – but it works, and three of the orthostats still show clean, sharp spirals and circles because of it.
Local Legend and Mythology
The monument comes wrapped in folklore. The hill’s Irish name, Cnoc mBáine, means “the hill of Báine” – a supernatural woman later merged with the goddess Áine, and said to be buried here.
Folklore also puts the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) and his wife Oonagh in the neighbourhood. The stones are Neolithic; the stories are far younger, but they’re part of why the hill kept its hold on people long after anyone remembered who built the tomb.
The Walk and the Views
The path climbs through mixed woodland from the north-west car park on Knockmany Road; it’s steep in parts and takes about ten to fifteen minutes to the top. There’s a longer circuit from the north-east if you want more of a walk in the trees. Along the way the forest floor is worth an eye – native flora, coal and blue tits in the branches, meadow brown butterflies in summer.
From the summit the view opens right across the Clogher Valley, with the Sperrin Mountains rolling away to the north. On a clear day you can pick out the Mournes to the east and Cuilcagh to the west. The modern cairn sits in the middle of it, its locked gate letting you see just enough of the chamber through the bars to know what you’re missing.
Accessing the Chamber
The chamber remains locked to protect the delicate carvings from damage. However, it can be opened for visitors by arrangement. To view the interior, contact the Historic Environment Division in advance via phone at 028 9082 3207 or email scmenquiries@communities-ni.gov.uk.
Staff will arrange a supervised opening when possible. This service is generally free, though visitors should confirm the latest policy when making enquiries. Arrangements are made on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed outside normal office hours.
Exploring the Sperrins and Clogher Valley
Knockmany sits within a landscape rich in heritage and outdoor pursuits, making it an ideal base for a day of exploration:
- Beaghmore Stone Circles – A cluster of Bronze-Age stone circles located just a short drive north, offering another perspective on ancient ritual sites in the region.
- Bessy Bell – A popular summit walk in the Sperrins with rewarding views, ideal for hikers looking for a longer challenge.
- Carleton Trail – A marked walking route that threads through the surrounding countryside and passes near Knockmany Forest.
- Glenelly Valley – The longest valley in the Sperrins, perfect for scenic drives or cycling.
- Dungannon – The county town, home to historic sites such as St Macartan’s Cathedral and the O’Neill Country Park.
- Augher – The nearest village, approximately 0.9 miles away, offering pubs, cafés, and accommodation options including the Corick House Hotel & Spa.
Visitor Information
Access and Parking The monument is accessible via an uphill path from the north-west car park on Knockmany Road. A lower car park at the base of the hill provides an alternative starting point for a longer, more strenuous walk. Both car parks are free and offer basic facilities.
Opening Times and Admission The mound and surrounding area are accessible at all hours, day and night. Entry to the site is free. Chamber access is restricted and requires prior arrangement with the Historic Environment Division.
Location and References
- Coordinates: 54.44861 N, -7.1577 W
- Grid Reference: H 54690 55900
- SM Number: TYR 059:001
- Status: Protected State Care Monument
Preservation Note Visitors are asked to respect the fence surrounding the chamber, refrain from climbing on the stones, and avoid writing or carving on the orthostats. The site is a protected monument, and the modern dome remains essential for the long-term survival of the ancient carvings.
So plan ahead. If the carvings are the point, ring the Historic Environment Division before you travel – there’s no set unlocking time, and turning up on spec means seeing them through a gate. If it’s the hilltop and the view you’re after, any clear day will do.