Cavehill

I have been wondering if there is anyone who could enlighten me on a subject about which I have been curious for some time. A few years ago I read an article which stated that until the year 1896 the coronation stone of the Irish chieftains, the O'Neills, was situated on the highest point of the Cavehill. The hill which is in north Belfast and overlooks Belfast Lough, across County Down to the Mourne mountains is, at its highest point, 1,142 feet above sea level. This would seem to be an ideal place to crown someone as chief of all he surveys. The fact that there was once a private residence, which was named "The Throne" by its owner/builder and which later became the Throne hospital, built at the bottom of the hill seems to bear out the above claim. My query is if this is a true story where is the stone now? Do you know? if so please reply. Bookworm

Your Responses

David Paul O'hara Highbury - May '06
I walk the cavehill endlessly. Where are the ruins of daddystown.?

Are the photographs published on this site or some where else / If not could you publish them , I would love to see them.

The cavehill and it's environs , the castle and the wonderful heritage centre are truly one of the city's great jewels and unfortunately appears to me one of the city's best kept secrets

I have loved reading these articles and look forward very much to the cavehill web documentary .

I believe there is lots more information on this treasure and we should all be encouraged to share our love and secrets of the hill.