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A comprehensive round up of what's happening in the Belfast Hills in 2014. See www.belfasthills.org/events for these and others
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E V E N T S P R O G R A M M E 2 0 1 4
E V E N T S P R O G R A M M E 2 0 1 4
HEAVENLY HILLSThe Belfast Hills stretch from Colin Mountain and
Slievenacloy Nature Reserve in the south, to Divis and Black Mountain in the west. Ligoniel Dams, Cave Hill Country Park
and Carnmoney Hill stretch the hills northwards.
These public sites are home to important species of plants and wildlife and are rich in heritage. They attract tens of
thousands of visitors all year round.
GET READY FOR A CRACKING2014 IN THE BELFAST HILLSWelcome to this handy pocket-sized events booklet, completely bursting with fascinating activities and fun events to help you make the most of the Belfast Hills in 2014.
So get cracking and plan a wonderful year enjoying the spectacular Belfast Hills.
There’s something for everyone this year so if going wild is your thing, then stay out late on our bat night at Colin Glen, or go bird spotting on Cave Hill.
Walk through orchid and wild� ower meadows at Slievenacloy Nature Reserve, or enjoy a buggingly brilliant pond dipping day at Ligoniel with the kids.
We dare you to get out and explore a range of new and improved trails at the Limestone Quarry on Cave Hill and on Divis and Black Mountain.
You can test your endurance on a Four Peaks Challenge, a 10k run on Cave Hill or the annual Bog Meadows to Divis Mountain walk.
Delve into local heritage at Carr’s Glen and at our Belfast Hills summer festival and pop in to hear a series of talks about the hills.
There’s vintage tractors on show at Divis, tree folklore at Colin Glen, a woodland festival on Carnmoney and so much more.
Courtesy of Terry Goldsmith 3
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WE’VE BEEN DOING BUCKET LOADS The completion of new paths
means you can now walk from Ligoniel Park to Cave Hill, as well as along the front of Black Mountain.
We have installed a junior orienteering course at Cave Hill and produced new signage, viewpoint panels, maps and recreation guides. Surveys have been completed on badgers, nesting birds and insects
We have been working with local schools on the prehistoric history of the Belfast Hills and pupils have been digging for archaeological remains
Schools have also been busy with our trout in the classroom project releasing � sh into the Ballymurphy Stream in Falls Park (pictured)
SKYTrek high ropes activity centre has opened at Colin Glen Forest Park
THE BELFAST HILLS PARTNERSHIPOur organisation brings together statutory bodies with a role to play in the Hills including NIEA, Belfast, Lisburn, Newtownabbey and Antrim councils, farming, communities, residents, commercial enterprises, and the recreational and environmental sectors.
Our missionTo provide a practical and integrated management mechanism for the Belfast Hills, whilst providing for responsible countryside enjoyment, thereby contributing to the conservation, protection and enhancement of their natural, built and cultural heritage.
To contribute to the quality of life among communities on the fringes of the Belfast Hills, rural residents and the wider urban environment.
To work with others to realise the Belfast Hills Partnership’s vision within a sustainable development initiative.
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SPRING TALKS PROGRAMME
LILIAN BLAND ACE AVIATOR
Wednesday 14 May 7 - 9pm
Discover the courageous endeavours of Glengormley’s female � ying ace Lilian Bland on her May� y. Find out about the � rst woman in the world to engineer and build her own � ying machine that took to the air on Carnmoney Hill in 1910.
Price: Free
Mossley Mill, Carnmoney Road North, Newtownabbey, BT36 5QA
A BEWITCHED LAND ARCHAEOLOGY OF WITCHCRAFT IN IRELAND
Wednesday 21 May 7 - 9pm
Roisin O’Reilly will explain the Irish archaeological material associated with superstitious beliefs and discuss cases of witchcra� accusations, including that of the case of Mary Butters also known as the Carnmoney Witch.
Rathfern Social Activity CentreKnockenagh Avenue, Newtownabbey, BT36 6BE
Price: Free
For both events contact: Belfast Hills Partnership 028 90603466 or [email protected] | www.belfasthills.org
Lilian Bland about to take o� from Carnmoney
Courtesy of Brian Russell7
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DIVIS AND THE BLACK MOUNTAIN FOUR PEAKS CHALLENGESaturday 26 April 10am - 4pm
Join the Divis warden for a guided walk across the peaks of the Black Hill, Black Mountain, Divis Mountain and Armstrong’s Hill. Suitable for over 12 years. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable clothing and footwear essential. Bring a warm � ask and light snack. Registration at the Long Barn.
Booking Essential
Price: Adult £3
Contact: The National Trust, Dermot McCann 028 9082 5434
DAWN CHORUS ON CAVE HILLSaturday 3 May 6 - 8am
Listen to the birds at dawn and learn to identify them with the help of bird expert Larry Toal. Meet at gates at top of Innisfayle Park.
Price: Free
Contact: Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357or cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
MODERATE
Courtesy of Laurie Campbell
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BIRD SPOTTING ON CAVE HILLSaturday 17 May 10am - 1pm
Aidan Crean has been studying birds all his life. He will set up ‘mist nets’ to capture, examine and release birds at Cave Hill Country Park to learn more about our local birds. Meet at front door of Belfast Castle.
Price: Free
Contact: Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357, cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
BELFAST WALKING FESTIVAL DIVIS AND THE BLACK MOUNTAINSaturday 17 May 9am - 5pm
Do your bit for life-saving in the Belfast Hills by taking either a 25k, 15k or 10k guided walk challenge to support the sterling work of the North West Mountain Rescue Team, in association with The National Trust on Divis Mountain.
Participants will be asked to arrange sponsorship in support of mountain rescue, which is made up of a dedicated team of volunteers who give up their time to respond to stricken walkers and climbers. Community groups and clubs are invited to raise funds to bene� t both organisations.
Booking is essential.
Go to www.nwmrt.org for further details and to complete a registration form.
Contact: North West Mountain Rescue Team. Joe Dowdall at [email protected] or 0780 3096 729.
Picture courtesy of Laurie Campbell
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CARNMONEY HILLWOODLAND FESTIVALSaturday 24 May 11am - 4pm
Join us for a day of woodland activities at Carnmoney Hill. Have a go at curragh building, bushcra� , wood turning, archery or various arts and cra� s. Climb the hill with our bird expert and visit a live archaeological dig. Other activities include hedgelaying, a pop up museum and much more.
Price: Free
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership, 028 9060 3466,[email protected] | www.belfasthills.org
BELFAST HILLS 10K TRAIL RUNNorth Belfast Harriers / Chain Reaction Cycles
Saturday 24 May 11am
The run is over the trail paths of Cave Hill Country Park, passing Belfast Castle and taking in the views over Bellevue and McArt’s Fort. Registration and starting point is at the Boys’ Model School, Ballysillan Road, Belfast BT14 6RB. Changing, parking and showering facilities available. Prizes for top three women and men.
Price: Una¦ liated members £12, a¦ liated members £10.
Contact: North Belfast Harriers at [email protected]
You can register on the day or prior to the event.
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HANNAHSTOWN COMMUNITY FESTIVALThursday 29 - Saturday 31 May
Hannahstown Community Association has been building up this great community festival over recent years celebrating local heritage and community spirit. Get along to the Hannahstown community centre to enjoy the fun and take part in events including a Divis walk, tea dance, family fun day and bus tour.
Contact: Hannahstown Community Association on 028 9030 9795 or email [email protected]
BELFAST HILLS PARTNERSHIP
www.belfasthills.org | Tel: 028 9060 3466
• Bus tour - landscapes and legends
• Pond dipping at Ligoniel
• Kids rocky roadshow
• Dusk orienteering on Cave Hill
• Bronze Age lunnula (necklace) making at Ulster Museum
• Bird box building at Antrim Castle Gardens
• Storytelling with Liz Wier and music from Jane Cassidy and Maurice Leyden on Belfast’s Barge, River Lagan
• Nature cra� day, pond dipping, nature trails, traditional arts and cra� s at Mossley Mill
28 July – 2 August
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GLENAVY VINTAGETRACTOR RALLYWatch this fabulous cavalcade of vintage farming vehicles form a convoy to the top of Divis Mountain. Some of the machines on display have been used in the Belfast Hills for over 50 years.
Parking at National Trust car park, BT17 0NG.
Price: Free
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership on 02890 603 466 or email [email protected] | www.belfasthills.org
BUTTERFLIES AND BEASTIESOF CAVE HILLSaturday 21 June 10am - 1pm
Catherine Bertrand, regional o¦ cer for Butter� y Conservation NI, will help us to identify butter� ies and whatever other mini-beasts we � nd. Meet at front door of Belfast Castle.
Price: Free
Contact: Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357 or cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
EASY ACCESS
MODERATE
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WILD FLOWERS ANDORCHIDS AT SLIEVENACLOYSaturday 28 June 11am - 1pm
Be dazzled by wild� ower meadows on this site, and hunt for our very own native orchids. Suitable clothing and footwear essential. Meet at site entrance on Ballycolin Road.
Price: Adults £2, Free for Friends of the Belfast Hills, children under 16 and the unemployed.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership on 028 9060 3466, [email protected] | www.belfasthills.org
DAMSELFLIES , BUTTERFLIES & POND DIPPING AT LIGONIEL DAMSSaturday 5 July 11am - 1pm
Be wowed in your welllies by our jewel-like damsel� ies and dragon� ies who love to live near water. Become a bug detective and learn to identify the diª erent stages of these mini transformers in the dams at Ligoniel. Suitable clothing and footwear essential.
Suitable for all ages.
Price: Free
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership, 028 9060 3466, [email protected], www.belfasthills.org
Right picture courtesy of Laurie CampbellLEISURELY
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BELFAST HILLSHERITAGE FESTIVAL 2014Monday 28 July - Saturday 2 August
Let the gathering begin for more fun-� lled activities to be enjoyed in the Belfast Hills. Children’s storytelling, a heritage bus tour of the hills, fossil hunting and lots of arts and cra� s activities are just some of the thrills on oª er. Look out for the full festival line-up on our website or sign up to our e-newsletter to keep up-to-date.
Booking is required for most events.
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership on 028 9060 3466, [email protected] | www.belfasthills.org
GET TO KNOW BALLYAGHAGAN NATURE RESERVESaturday 19 July 10am - 1pm
See a diª erent side to Cave Hill with Cormac Hamill. Meet at Upper Hightown Road entrance to park.
Booking essential.
Price: Free
Contact: Cave Hill Conservation Campaign 028 9029 1357 or cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
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EVENING BAT WALKS AT COLIN GLENWednesday and Thursday 13 - 14 August 9 - 11pm
Learn to love these clever aerial acrobats and see how many species our bat detectors can pick up. Paul Bennett from Colin Glen Trust will seek out the bats’ favourite places around the woodland.
All children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet in Colin Glen Forest Park car park, 163 Stewartstown Road, Belfast.
Price: Adults £3, children £1.50
Contact: Colin Glen Trust 028 9061 4115
MEADOWS TO MOUNTAINS WALKBog Meadows to Divis Mountain
Saturday 2 August 9.30am - 3pm
Join the annual meadows to mountains walk organised by Cairde Páirc na bhFál (Friends of Falls Park). Meet at St Gall’s GAC clubhouse, Bog Meadows. Return transport will be provided to St Gall’s where there will be refreshments served in the clubhouse.
Price: £2
Contact: Ulster Wildlife on 028 4483 0282 or [email protected]
Courtesy of Laurie Campbell
Courtesyof Terry Goldsmith
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CAVE HILL AUTUMN WOODLAND EXPERIENCE Saturday 16 August 10am - 1pm
This walk, led by expert Phil Stewart, will reveal a diª erent range of useful plants that thrive in the season. Meet at front door of Belfast Castle.
Price: Free
Contact: Cave Hill Conservation Campaign 028 9029 1357 or cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
DIVIS AND THE BLACK MOUNTAIN AN EVENING AT YELLOW JACK’S CAIRNThursday 21 August 7 - 9pm
Join the National Trust warden for an evening’s guided walk to Yellow Jack’s Cairn on the summit of Armstrong’s Hill. Suitable clothing and footwear essential.
Booking Essential.
Price: Adult £3
Contact: The National Trust on 028 9082 5434
MODERATE
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QUARRIES, FORTS AND CASHELS 7KM TREK OF CAVE HILL GET OUTDOORS WEEKEND 2014 Saturday 20 September 10am - 2pm
Join Belfast Hills Partnership staª for a 7km walk starting at Belfast Castle. Enjoy a trek up through the Limestone Quarry to McArt’s Fort and ramble across upland heath where falcons and buzzards can regularly be seen. The walk will head to Ballyaghagan and the site of an Early Christian cashel, before returning through woodland back to Belfast Castle.
This is a challenging walk and a good level of � tness is needed. It is not suitable for children under 12 and under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Suitable footwear and waterproof clothing are essential. Bring a snack.
Booking is essential. Contact: www.getoutdoorsweekend.com TREE FOLKLORE AT COLIN GLEN Saturday 4 October 10am - 1pm
Learn fascinating facts about our native trees and the ancient beliefs of our ancestors in their powers and medicinal uses. Suitable clothing and footwear is essential. Children and young people should be accompanied by an adult. Meet in Colin Glen Forest Park car park, 163 Stewartstown Road.
Price: Free
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership, 028 9060 3466or [email protected] | www.belfasthills.org
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INDUSTRIAL HISTORY OFCARR’S GLENSaturday 18 October 10am - 1pm
Henry Bell will lead this rummage around the industrial ruins hidden in Carr’s Glen and explain their signi� cance in the history of Belfast. Meet at Carr’s Glen entrance to Cave Hill Country Park on the Ballysillan Road (below Boys’ Model school).
Price: Free
Contact: Cave Hill Conservation Campaign on 028 9029 1357 or cormachamill@cavehillconservation.orgwww.cavehillconservation.org
RIDGES AND SUMMITS OF DIVIS AND BLACK MOUNTAINSaturday 15 November 10am - 1pm
The ridge trail up to Black Mountain has stunning views over Belfast, whilst the Divis summit trail provides a challenging and wholly diª erent aspect to the area. Suitable clothing and footwear essential.
Booking Essential
Price: Free
Contact: Belfast Hills Partnership on 028 9060 3466 or [email protected]
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Strenuous
Walks for experienced country walkers with above average �tness level. May include steep hills, rough terrain and crossing occasional streams. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
Biodiversity
Walks with a particular focus on enjoying Northern Ireland’s Biodiversity. See www.biodiversity.org
Heritage
Walks that celebrate our local history and heritage including old mills, industry, notable people, places and events.
Symbols
Denote general site facilities and may not be available or relevant for a listed event.
IMPORTANT POINTSAll are very welcome to our events but please bear these important points in mind:
All children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times • Suitable clothing and footwear should be worn • Dogs are allowed on some walks but only on a lead • Some parts of walks can be steep or di¦cult • The Belfast Hills Partnership actively promotes responsible countryside enjoyment and has published an Access Code.
BELFAST HILLSWALKING GUIDE Easy Access
Walks for everyone, including people with wheelchairs & baby buggies. Help may be needed to push wheelchairs on some sections. Entrance gates may have to be opened to allow wheelchair access. Please phone the site warden before arrival to ensure gate will be open for you. Walkers can wear comfortable shoes or trainers.
Gentle
Walks for people who have no speci�c health problems, who are mobile and moderately �t. Suitable for baby buggies if they can be li�ed over occasional obstructions. Comfortable shoes or trainers can be worn.
Leisurely
Walks for reasonably �t people. May include un-surfaced rural gravel or grassy tracks. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are recommended.
Moderate
Walks for people with country walking experience with above average �tness level. May include steep hills, rough terrain and crossing occasional streams. Walking boots and warm, waterproof clothing are essential.
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E V E N T S AT A G L A N C ESPRING TALKS PROGRAMME - Wednesday 14 May & Wed 21 May 7 - 9pm
DIVIS AND THE BLACK MOUNTAINFOUR PEAKS CHALLENGESaturday 26 April 10am - 4pm
DAWN CHORUS ON CAVE HILLSaturday 3 May 6 - 8am
BIRD SPOTTING ON CAVE HILLSaturday 17 May 10am - 1pm
BELFAST WALKING FESTIVAL -DIVIS AND THE BLACK MOUNTAINSaturday 17 May 9am - 5pm
BELFAST HILLS 10K TRAIL RUNNorth Belfast Harriers / Chain Reaction Cycles, Saturday 24 May 11am
CARNMONEY HILL WOODLAND FESTIVALSaturday 24 May 11am - 4pm
HANNAHSTOWN COMMUNITYFESTIVAL | 29 - 31 May
GLENAVY VINTAGE TRACTOR RALLY Friday 20 June 7 - 9pm
BUTTERFLIES AND BEASTIESOF CAVE HILLSaturday 21 June 10am - 1pm
WILD FLOWERS ANDORCHIDS AT SLIEVENACLOYSaturday 28 June 11am - 1pm
DAMSELFLIES, BUTTERFLIES & POND - DIPPING AT LIGONIEL DAMSSaturday 5 July 11am - 1pm
GET TO KNOW BALLYAGHAGANNATURE RESERVESaturday 19 July 10am - 1pm
BELFAST HILLSHERITAGE FESTIVAL 201428 July - 2 August
MEADOWS TO MOUNTAINS WALKBog Meadows to Divis MountainSaturday 2 August 9.30am - 3pm
EVENING BAT WALKSAT COLIN GLENWed & Thurs 13 - 14 August 9 - 11pm
CAVE HILL AUTUMNWOODLAND EXPERIENCESaturday 16 August 10am - 1pm
DIVIS & THE BLACK MOUNTAIN AN EVENING AT YELLOW JACK’S CAIRNThursday 21 August 7 - 9pm
QUARRIES, FORTS AND CASHELS7KM TREK OF CAVE HILL.GET OUTDOORS WEEKEND 2014Saturday 20 September 10am - 2pm
TREE FOLKLORE AT COLIN GLENSaturday 4 October 10am - 1pm
INDUSTRIAL HISTORY OFCARR’S GLENSaturday 18 October 10am - 1pm
RIDGES AND SUMMITS OF DIVIS AND BLACK MOUNTAINSaturday 15 November 10am - 1pm
For further information visit our website at www.belfasthills.orgor contact the Partnership at
Belfast Hills Partnership, 9 Social Economy Village, Hannahstown Hill, Belfast BT17 0XS
T: 028 9060 3466
NEWCREATION.com
Tel: 028 38 321 255
