Photo of the Historic Walk to Grey Point Fort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Old information

Date:                    Sunday 22nd September.       

Session Time:     11:00 to 15:00

Location:              Crawfordsburn Country Park

Meeting at Crawfordsburn Country Park Visitor Centre join the Ulster Federation of Rambling Clubs for a gentle guided 3 mile walk through a series of waymarked trails spanned by an impressive railway viaduct of scrabo sandstone. The walk will follow the trail of Lady Dufferin to Grey Point Fort in Helens Bay where we will explore and learn the fascinating history about the military fort which was built in 1904 before returning via the coastal path.

Grey Point Fort is one of the best preserved early 20th century coastal forts anywhere in the British Isles. Situated in Helen’s Bay, Grey Point Fort houses a most unusual hands-on military museum. Completed in 1907, at its heart the fort has two massive 6 inch diameter guns which commanded the entrance to Belfast Lough. While a key part of Belfast’s defences against naval attack, it proved of limited value during the German air attacks on the city in 1941.

Once we have completed the walk we will visit the fascinating museum of military memorabilia created by volunteers, including medals, uniforms, photographs and weaponry from the First and Second World Wars. There is also a unique collection of radio equipment, together with a section devoted to the Titanic.