The Lord Deputy and Ben Madighan (Cave Hill) in 1556

The following is from the State Paper Calendars (Carew MSS., 1515-1574):{1 }
"On Wednesday 7 July 1556 My Lord Deputy [the Earl of Sussex] removed from Lisen Rie [?] and camped at Magre Blarras {2} by a river called Vene Laggan and a church on the hill called Church of Blarras, and this day we came through a geat pass called Kelleultahe [Killultagh] being the space of two miles in length, through which pass My Lord Deputy, Sir Henry Sydney, Sir William Fitzwilliam with the rest of the army marched on foot in all armour. On Thursday the 8th My Lord Deputy removed from Maghre Blarras and camped that night underneath Benne Vadagane [Ben Madighan, now Cave Hill] by Lissetolloh Arde beyond Bellefarst. And this day we came through a pass called Bellaghlisle Clehan [? Ballydrain] a little from the church of Dromme by a river called Laggan."
I have little doubt but the camp "underneath Ben Vadagane by Lissetolloh Arde" was the large square fort in Wallace's fields, close to the castle wall on the Antrim Road, Belfast, and opposite the new church of St. Peter. The description exactly suits. The adjoining townland was Listollard,{3} comprising Parkmount, now Donegall and Ashley Parks. This earthwork has the appearance of sixteenth-century construction, and so has a similar one in Fortwilliam Park.{4} What a grand sight this must have been on what is now a grazing field - the Lord Deputy, his officers, and pursuivant (Athlone was the chronicler), and men-at-arms, "all in armour"! This is one of the most remarkable incidents in our local history, and yet how few are aware of it.
F.J.B.
1 Copied in O'Laverty's Down and Connor, vol. ii, page 251
2 Blaris Moor, near Lisburn, a favourite camp, much in use up till 1798
3 Liss-toll-gard, the fort of the head garrison
4 See Belfast Naturalist Field Club Proceedings, series ii, vol. iv, part i, page 71
The above is taken from Ulster Journal of Archaeology Vol 5 p. 185 and is by Francis Joseph Biggar
Immediately following the last sentence quoted by Biggar from the manuscript it goes on: "On the hill of Banne Vadegan is a great cave, wherein is the treasure of the country of Clanneaboy, being the country of Phelim Doehe."
The Lord Deputy and his entourage camp again in the vicinity on their way back to Dublin - "On Monday night he removed to Banne Vaddegan, by a town called Coille, in a plain betwixt two hills, where he remained till the Monday following, taking order with the gentlemen of the country, and expecting further news."
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/a2a/records.aspx?cat=109-mss_1-1_7&cid=1-17#1-17