Mid Ulster Visit – Friday 17 April and Saturday 18 April 2

This visit explored the history of Hugh O’Neill, Earl of Tyrone. At a time when Ireland was dominated by powerful Gaelic Chieftan’s 1594 – 1603, Hugh O’Neill built his power base in Dungannon where he governed with Irish laws and customs. We will explore where his castle was and visit Tullaghoge Fort which came to historical prominence in the 11th Century when it was a dynastic centre and inaugural place for Cenel nEogain (later the O’Neills).

Programme

Friday 17 April 2026 Tullaghoge Fort – Mid Ulster Participants
13:30 Mid Ulster participants make their own way to Tullaghoge Fort
13:30 – 14:30 Tour of Tullaghoge Fort (led by Stephanie Lavery)
14:30 Depart Tullaghoge Fort and make own way to The Hill of O’Neill

Friday 17 April 2026 The Hill of O’Neill
Donegal and Monaghan participants make their own way to The Hill of O’Neill

o 15:00 Arrival and Registration
o 15:00 – 16:00 Tour of Hill of The O’Neill
o 16:00 – 16:30 Transfer to The Cohannon Inn
o 17:00 – 18:00 A Kirkpatrick: Photographing and videoing heritage sites.
o 18:00 – 18:30 Speaker James Kane ‘ The O’Neill’s and O’`Donnell’s
Research on heritage sites for Ancient Clan website
o 19:00 – 21:00 Dinner (All participants: Mid Ulster, Donegal and Monaghan)

Saturday 18 April 2026 The Cohannon Inn

09:30 – 10:30 The O’Neill’s & The O’Donnell’s
10:30 – 10:45 Break
10:45 – 11:45 Speaker: Brian Sloan, Archaeologist Queen’s University, Belfast
‘The Excavation of Tullaghoge Fort’
12:00 – 13:00 Lunch
13:00 – 13:30 Depart to Tullaghoge Fort (Donegal and Monaghan participants)
13:00 – Mid Ulster participants Depart – (Already visited Tullaghoge Fort Fri 14 April 2026)
13:30 – 15:00 Tour of Tullaghoge Fort with Brian Sloan (Donegal and Monaghan participants)
15:00 Coach Departure to Cohannon Inn
15:30 Participants Depart