My
second trip up The Hill
Klik here to download a sample of Music by Eugene Dunphy
email edene@utvinternet.com to buy the CD
Its called Beneath Napoleons Nose and has 10 tracks all about Belfast
Well worth a listen to
The Cavehill is so
called because it is a hill and it has some caves on it. It is a prominent landmark
and thats why it can be seen for miles. You can see part of it in my photo album on
another page and you can also see one of the caves. In actual fact it should be
called Cave Mountain since it is 1182 ft tall and as you know anything higher than 1000ft
is a mountain. Early stoneage settlers lived on top of the hill which was formerly
called Ben Madigan after an Ulster King of the 9th century. There are a few sites of
archaeological interest at the top of the hill but they are not in very good condition.
They include raths, a stone cairn and McArts Fort. 
The first time I
climbed the Hill was on Boxing Day 1957 when a friend and myself hauled our bicycles
to the top. It was very cold and covered with 6 inches of snow. We stood our
bikes against the triangulation survey post and had a cigarette before coming down again.
I walked up the hill again myself on St Patricks Day 1998, to see if I could still
make it after all those years. I started off at the Upper Hightown Road entrance
thinking it would be easier, however I am bound to say it took my breath away. Half an
hour later I reached the top, McArts Fort, and rang my sister inlaw on the mobile phone to
brag about it. My eyes were streaming with the cold wind but the view is worth all
the discomfort. Scotland to the left of you and the Mountains of Mourne to the right of
you. Strangford Lough and Scrabo Tower in front, and down below you can pick out the
various buildings in the city. You can see the Waterworks and Cliftonville golf
club, the docks where the boats arrive from across the water and the power station at
Carrickfergus. If you are there at the right time you will see the Seacat wending
its way up the Belfast Lough on its way to Scotland. I started down again, but
unfortunately I took the Sheeps Pad instead of the proper path provided. It was dangerous
but I survived the experience after slipping and sliding most of the way. I took a look at
the first cave but didnt go in. The rest of the walk downhill was worse than going
up since different muscles are used. My ankles and hips were really sore. I
stopped at a new sort of layby that overlooks the Belfast Zoo and rang another friend on
my mobile phone. You Could hear the sealions honking and you could see the giraffes
in their new surroundings. The Zoo is built on the side of the Cave Hill. It
is one of the most modern in Europe with spectacular aquatic exhibits, chimpanzee and
gorrila houses, free flight avery, large animal enclosures and monkey park. I hobbled down
to the zoo entrance and the walk was over :-)) .It had taken me an hour to get down.
The zoo carpark was full with lots of people visiting the Belfast Zoo. All in all a
satisfying day out.
I could have taken various other paths or trails, which are well marked. I could have gone down to the Belfast Castle which was built on the slopes of "The Deer Park" in the 1870's by the Donegall family. The Shaftesbury family inherited it in 1884, had an exterior spiral staircase added in 1894, and lived there till 1934 when they gave the building and estate to Belfast Corporation.
The first Belfast Castle was built, strangely enough, in Belfast, by the Normans in the late 12th century, and on the same site a stone and timber castle was erected in 1611. This castle was burnt down in 1708. The street names like Castle Place are the only indications to mark the site. The latest castle seen above has become a popular venue for wedding receptions, dances and meals. The cellars of the castle allow you to step back into a Victorian atmosphere of narrow, paved streets, shopfronts,gas lights etc. There is an antique and craft shop, the Castle Tavern bar, and the Castle Kitchen which is a Bistro Restaurant open seven days a week offering a variety of menus from morning coffee to full meals.
The second floor contains the Cave Hill Heritage Centre with various aspects of the area and has a range of static, moving and interactive displays.
If you would like further information on how best to meet your needs contact :-
The Manager
Belfast Castle
Antrim Road
BT15 5GR
Phone 01232 776925
