Carnmoney Hill and Monkstown Wood

DATE: 27 October 2023.

SHORT WALK: 4 miles/3 hours plus lunch break

LEADER: Robert McDowell, Telephone No 028 93373084 (land line)

07711 706022 (mobile)

MEETING POINT/TIME: Knockenagh Avenue, off Doagh Road, Whiteabbey (parking area beside Rathfern Social Activity Centre) at 10.00 am.

PUBLIC TRANSPORT:

Outward Journey:

Train – Dep W’head 9.15 am, dep C’fergus 9.24 am, dep J’town 9.36 am, arr W’abbey 9.39 am.

Return Journey:

Bus

(1) Number 563 dep Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church 1.36 pm, arr bottom of Station Road Greenisland 1.42 pm, arr Loughshore Hotel Carrickfergus 1.53 pm, arr Davy’s Street C’fergus 1.55 pm, terminates at Joymount 1.57 pm.

(2) Number 563E dep Whiteabbey Presbyterian Church 1.56 pm, arr bottom of Station Road Greenisland 2.02 pm, arr Loughshore Hotel Carrickfergus 2.13 pm, arr Davys Street C’fergus 2.15 pm, arr Joymount C’fergus 2.17 pm, thereafter stops at Scotch Quarter, Green Street, Larne Road (5 stops) terminates in Eden 2.22 pm.

Train

(1) Dep Jordanstown 2.09 pm, arr C’fergus 2.20 pm, arr Whitehead 2.30 pm.

(2) Dep Jordanstown 2.39 pm, arr C’fergus 2.50 pm, arr Whitehead 3.00 pm.

BY CAR:

From Carrickfergus, take the A2 Shore Road through Whiteabbey, turning right at the roundabout up Station Road, Whiteabbey. At the junction with Doagh Road, turn right and take the first left which is Knockenagh Avenue. The car park is on the right hand side close to Rathfern Activity Centre.

Car Parking along the route is available thus:

1. Whiteabbey Railway Station Park & Ride – both sides of track;

2. Knockenagh Avenue – beside Rathfern Activity Centre;

3. Hillside Garden Centre, Doagh Road;

4. Monkstown Wood – Doagh Road entrance;

5. Whiteabbey Village – in pay car park or on street (restrictions apply);

6. Loughshore Park.

THE WALK:

The walk on Carnmoney Hill is a circular route of about a mile through ancient woodland, leading to a viewpoint overlooking Belfast Lough. There are some steep sections which may be muddy in places, so walking poles are recommended. These can be obtained from Nelson Street by prior arrangement. After this section of the walk, we will walk along Doagh Road to Hillside Garden Centre for lunch. After lunch, we will cross Doagh/Monkstown Roads to the entrance at Monkstown Wood, starting this final section of our walk at 1 pm. Note – this timing will suit those who wish to catch a bus or train as at (2) above. Those who prefer to catch the earlier bus as at (1) above should start their walk at least 15 minutes earlier (the walk takes about 45 minutes). We will walk through Monkstown Wood to the Shore Road at Glenavna at Whiteabbey village. This part of the walk is level and well surfaced.

Note: There are no toilets at Carnmoney Hill, or at Whiteabbey and Jordanstown Railway Stations.