Minnowburn (NT)

Our View

Minnowburn is on the southern edge of Belfast, its meadows and woodlands rolling down to the River Lagan. Wander along the burn that gives the area its name, beeches towering above, past where generations of children fished for minnows. Climb Terrace Hill and discover the garden built by linen merchant Ned Robinson, where you can take in the views across the Lagan valley. The old avenue curves back down the hill to the Sandpit field, which once reverberated to the sound of ‘Pop for Peace’, a concert in 1969 endorsed by John Lennon. On the other side is a short walk to the Giant’s Ring, a huge Neolithic earth henge and tomb where you can imagine scenes of ancient gatherings and rituals. Paths wind through fields, past the mill village of Edenderry and back to the river, to its first historical crossing at Shaw’s bridge, named after an officer in Oliver Cromwell’s army. Keep an eye out for sculptures and natural art along the path, and see if you can catch the blue flash of a kingfisher, or an otter poking its head above the water.