Giant’s Ring Belfast

When you think of the history of Belfast, you don’t normally think about Megalithic times but this burial ground to the South of the city is just that.

The central dolmen consist of 8 large stone with one larger dome stone sitting on top, surrounded by a large circular mound roughly 1 km in size. It was built around 2700 BC and little is known about the site but it is thought the stone placements might have some symbolic nature.

Today it is mostly used by dog walkers who enjoy the free open space for their dogs to roam. The is a small car park for access but the area is part of a much larger park area with the Lagan Towpath nearby.

This will soon be available as a 3D print and access to the .STL for home printing.

Wilmont House – Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park

This beautiful old 19th century building has lay derelict since the 1950’s. It’s set inside Sir Thomas and Lady Dixon Park which is a stunning area to the south of the city on the road to Lisburn. While the park is usually pretty busy with families having walks and picnics, there is ample space and areas of ultra quiet to enjoy.

The house itself was built in 1859 and it’s first owner was Alexander MacKenzie Shaw. Passing through a few hands the property was sold eventually to Sir Thomas and Lady Edith Dixon in 1919. The couple lived there for many years when Lady Dixon gifted the park and surrounding to the people of Belfast in the 1950s.

Unfortunately the house has lay in ruins since the 1990’s and Belfast City Council has had many squabbles on what to do with the building. This is such a shame as it’s a lovely park and building that could be put to some real use.