Giant's Ring

The Giant's Ring near Ballynahatty is one of the largest and best-preserved henge monuments in Ireland. This nearly circular earthwork, more than 180 meters in diameter, sits on a sandy plateau south of Belfast. The bank, roughly 3.6 meters high, is broken by openings at five points. At the center stands a megalithic structure that is thought to be the remains of a passage tomb. The monument probably dates to the fourth millennium B.C. and most likely served as a ceremonial or gathering place. Nearby you will find further archaeological traces, including older timber structures and a damaged stone circle, which point to extensive ritual use of the area during the Neolithic and the early Bronze Age.