Lissunenon Fort

You're standing on a low grassy mound just outside Markethill, looking at what amounts to a few earthen rings and a fair bit of imagination. Lissunenon Fort is an Iron Age hill fort, and if you're expecting dramatic stone walls or a visitor centre with interpretive panels, you'll be disappointed. What you get instead is the raw archaeology - concentric defensive ditches that would have protected an ancient settlement, now softened by grass and time.

The fort itself covers a decent bit of ground, and the walk around the perimeter takes maybe twenty minutes if you're being thorough. The views across the surrounding countryside are genuinely pleasant, rolling farmland that hasn't changed much in appearance since this place was actively defended. It's the sort of spot that rewards a bit of historical knowledge - if you know what you're looking at, it's absorbing; if you don't, it's basically a pleasant walk with bumps.

History types will find it worthwhile, particularly if you're already exploring Armagh's archaeological riches. Families with young children might struggle unless they're into rambling and Iron Age settlement patterns. It's free and accessible, with no formal opening times or facilities to speak of - just rock up and walk around.

Tepee Valley Campsite sits five miles away near Banbridge, making this a reasonable morning venture if you're based there. Combine it with other sites in the area rather than planning a trip solely around it.