Attractions and Places To See around Camly (Ball) - Top 16

Camlough Lake is picturesquely nestled between the rolling hills of Slieve Gullion and the Ring of Gullion. Cycling along the narrow roads on the shore, you immediately feel the tranquility that emanates from the long stretch of water. The lake stretches for more than two kilometers and seems like a narrow, silent crack in the landscape - a peaceful place to take a short break or let your gaze wander over the water. I decided to take a little detour and cycled a little closer to the shore on a path. The water was almost still and reflected the range of hills that rise in the background. It may be a paradise for fishermen, but cyclists also enjoy the special atmosphere. The roads around the lake are not very busy and you can cycle in a relaxed manner without having to constantly pay attention to the traffic. One small criticism: some of the access roads are not well signposted, but if you look around a bit, you'll surely find a good place to get to the shore and enjoy the scenery.

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.

A tough climb but great views from the top!

The site can trace its roots back to the 6th century when a monastery for nuns was founded by St. Moninna. The ruins of the two joined churches that can still be seen date from the 11th and the 15th century. Look for the large slab which is said to be St Moninna's grave.

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.

Here, many centuries ago, St. Moninna sought a place of peace and worship in the late 5th century and founded an early Christian community. Although no buildings remain from their time - for they were made of wood, a testament to their humble existence - the ground itself tells stories of a bygone era. As the wind blows through the grasses, one can almost hear the echoes of prayers and chants that once echoed in these hallowed halls. The visible evidence of history are the ruins of two churches. The West Church, built in the 11th century, bears the traces of a time of deep faith and cultural change. A few steps further rises the Eastern Church from the 15th century, a silent witness to the late medieval period, which was marked by religious and social changes. The monastery founded here functioned not only as a spiritual place, but also as a center of learning and community. Founded in 517 AD by St Moninna, it gained a reputation as one of the most important nunneries in medieval Ireland. It became a beacon of knowledge and devotion in a time often marked by turmoil and uncertainty.

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.