Knockmany
Chambered Cairn/Passage Tomb
Knockmany passage tomb, AKA Annia's Cove, is located on the summit of Knockmany Hill. It was built around 5,000 years ago. Only the orthostats of the chamber remain. At least six of the them bear passage tomb art, three of which are highly decorated with lozenges, zigzags and concentric circles, similar to the tombs at Loughcrew and the Boyne Valley. Up until the 1950s the stones were exposed to the elements. In 1959 a protective concrete chamber was built around the stones and this was topped with a cairn, giving the tomb, apart from the entrance and the rectangular skylight perched on top of the cairn, a more original appearance.
Luckily for me, the skylight offers visitors, with no access, a peep at most of the decorated stones in the chamber. I found out, after climbing the hill, a key can be obtained, for those wishing to view the stones up close, from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency. The walk from the car-park on the northern side of Knockmany Hill brings you along a trail through Knockmany Woods, the last part of the climb is a wee bit steep, but well worth it for the views of the Clogher Valley below.
Situated: From Ballygawley head south on the A4 to Augher. Then take a right turn at the roundabout onto Knockmany Rd. At Ballymagowan crossroads take a right turn. Follow this road uphill, keeping right at the fork. Then take a very sharp right turn toward the woods. Park at the small car-park and follow the trail, I took the one to the right after the entrance to the wood.
Discoverer Map 18: H 5463 5589. Last visit Aug 2019.
Longitude: 7° 9' 28" W
Latitude: 54° 26' 55" N
Photos: Jim Dempsey.
