On 9 February 2010 I climbed Moneyoran Hill as an offshoot from a walk around the Carntogher Way. I started at C8184504530 A which is reached by the Tirkane Road NW out of Maghera. Initially I followed the road NW for about 800 metres to C8119705002 B where I turned left over a stile to follow a "green road" up to the open hillside, marked with red waymarks for the Carntogher Way. At a stout post, C8042004723 C, the track swings right past a lone tree on the left and continues up over a stile and alongside an ancient raised ditch to a T junction. At this new more distinct stoney track I turned left and followed it along for a short distance to the distinct rocky up crop of Carntogher. At C7963905824 D seats have been placed where one can sit and enjoy the splendid views. Nearby at the high point of the track is a large stone cairn " The Emigrants Cairn" at C7958105814 E, said to have been built by emigrants travelling to the port of Derry by this ancient road and leaving a small stone to mark the spot which gave them their last view of home before setting out for the New World. From here the Carntogher Way goes right along the E flank of Carntogher. However I continued N up the rocky face to the flatish summit of the hill at C7964206095 F, marked by a large wooden post and small plaque. From here I headed NNW for Moneyoran Hill some 1.4km away with its distinct rounded top and clear patch of green near the top (see photo). Initially I walked down to a fence junction at C79338071205 before climbing up the gentle slope to the flat top. There is nothing marking the summit and any one of several heathery bumps could mark the "top". Indeed the given grid reference, if anything, seems slightly lower than other possible high points! eg C7931807496 G. Whatever the truth of the matter, the immediate summit area is so flat as to ensure ones head is higher than any point around!!! On ground slightly lower than the summit are three large boulders where one can sit and contemplate as to just where the summit might be. From the summit area I headed down the slope SSE and then up, across some fences, over the N shoulder of Carntogher to meet a good stoney track not marked on the OS map at C7992306315 H. I turned left and after some 150/200 metres along passed a marker for the Carntogher Way coming in from the right . From here I continued on down along the track, following once again the distinct red waymarks for the Carntogher Way, The panorama on the walk down was simply magnificent streatching from Slieve Gullion in Armagh, along the Mournes to the Belfast and Antrim Hills and ending in views of Knocklayd and Rathlin Island on the North Antrim Coast. On the way down I crossed a number of stiles to a T junction and minor road at C8218605651 I where I turned right. The tarmac soon deteriorated into a stoney and muddy track which I followed along back to the car park. In all a very satisfying walk. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/766/comment/4467/

The two MV'ers who have previously commented on Moneyoran Hill both approached the hill from the south so in order to provide a bit of variety I decided to tackle it from the opposite direction. I parked at a small layby at the end of the Curraghmore Road, a minor track off the Drumbane Road out of Swatragh (803095 J). From here you follow the fence SW past a small forestry patch not shown on the OS map. You need to cross a few gates and barbed wire fences and a small brook to first get onto the slope of Pollangorm Hill. Head for the grassy gap between the dense heather that runs up this hill and once over the crest of Pollangorm Hill the 414m summit of Moneyoran Hill can be seen dead ahead. The whole area is terribly boggy and the deep heather made the going tough. As Harry Goodman notes the summit of Moneyoran Hill is very flat with no obvious mark such as a cairn. There were dark clouds coming in from the west as I reached the summit so I paused only for a quick snap of the only decent view available - NE to the whole expanse of the Antrim Plateau - Trostan and Slievenanee particularly prominent. Carntogher and the high ridge towards Carn Hill block most of the view to the rest of the Sperrins. I quickly left the summit area but alas heavy rain came on when I was still only halfway back to the car - I was very fed up by this point as I had no waterproof jacket on as otherwise it had been a dry day. I would not recommend this hill unless like me you were ticking it off. Nearby Carntogher offers better views and a firmer climb. Total trip - about one hour. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/766/comment/6061/

By accessing this hill via the town land of Knockoneill and taking the farm road on the left at C8155308432 L continue on thru gates to abandoned farm house you can park here or if you wish and you are in a 4-4 you can continue on to C8025007773 M ample turning and parking. So now you have a quick up and down. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/766/comment/18380/