Knockmany Forest Ardunshin Lough Trail

As you leave the carpark you pass the 1994 Peace Garden set aside in memory of L.T. Col. and Mrs F.C. Tracey who lived in Augher. Then take a right onto the footpath past the giant Douglas fir trees planted in the 1920’s. As you pass these you’ll see Audushin Lough on your left. Records show that carp were once reared here by servants of Cecil Manor as a staple food source. As you return to the forest road through the capanese larch trees you will notice several small streams, reputed to carry gold, pour from Knockmany hill to spill into Audushin lough. The walk around this area is largely flat and most pleasant, and will allow the visitor to see some of the oldest coniferous trees in Northern Ireland. From here the trail takes you on a homeward journey along the forest road and back to the car park.

Red squirrels & deer are often seen within the forest, keep an eye out for these quick spirited natives.
Anya’s Tomb is an interesting site located within the forest 700 ft above sea level. The views of the Clogher Valley are stunning. The tomb dates back thousands of years as the designs carved on 3 of it’s 12 huge upright stones are broadly similar to those at Newgrange and Lough Crew. These include spirals, cup-marks, serpentines, and concentric circles which could date back to 3000BC during the Neolithic period. The upright stones vary in height between 3 to 7 feet and the mound is 82 ft in diameter.
This national monument is now under state protection and was covered in 1959 by the Department of the Environment to stop further destruction and vandalism of the site.

In Irish mythology, this was the home place of both the giant Finn McCool and his wife Oonagh who reputedly defeated the bad giant Cucullin at this location! From here Finn McCool walked to the Bushmills to build a causeway to Scotland to fight Benandonner.

Access to the forest car park is via the B83 Knockmany Road, about four miles from Augher.

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