Amherst Island features the largest known concentration of historic Irish dry stone walls in Canada. These walls were built by 19th-century migrants using traditional mortar-less methods. Visitors can explore the structures via a self-guided tour, following roads where century-old stonework lines the fields across the island.
The dry stone walls on Amherst Island in Loyalist Township were built by Irish migrants from the Ards Peninsula who arrived in the early 1820s. They cleared the fields by hand and stacked the stone without mortar, using a technique called drystack building that they brought with them from Northern Ireland. Two hundred years later, the walls are still standing along the roadsides, holding property lines the same way they did when they were first laid.
This is the largest concentration of Irish-style dry stone work in North America. Some of the original walls have been restored in recent years by practitioners from Dry Stone Canada, and you can see both old and new sections sitting side by side, the weathered stone next to freshly fitted courses. The self-guided tour runs year-round, starting with the 20-minute ferry from Millhaven. Most of the walls are visible from the road near Topsy Farms, so you can take the whole thing in without stepping onto private land.
What to Expect
The tour is self-guided and self-paced. Many of the walls are visible from the roadside, particularly near Topsy Farms, and the island is small enough to cover the main sites in a half day, with time left to explore.
Here’s What’s Different
- The only location in Canada with this density of authentic Irish-style dry stone walls.
- The Celtic Cross structure has a solar alignment that is visible only twice a year.
- Restored walls sit alongside original 19th-century work, two centuries of the same craft in the same stone.
Good to KnowÂ
- Pick up the self-guided tour booklet at the Neilson Store Museum for wall-by-wall histories. Please respect private property and view from the public right-of-ways.
- While you are on the island, visit the Sand Beach Wildlife Conservation Area and the Owl Woods. Stop in at Topsy Farms or browse the artist studios along the road. The Back Kitchen is a good place to eat, and there are dozens of geocaches hidden across the island if you want to extend the day. In summer, the Waterside Summer Series brings live music to the waterfront.
- LOCAL TIP
Head to the Dry Stone Legacy site across from the public school before the sun drops. The claddagh stone catches the light well at that hour.
- FAST FACTS
- Dry stone building is also known as “drystane” in Scotland.
- The oldest walls on the island date back to approximately 1820.
Location Details
Your Route
What We Offer
Common Questions
Walls are found throughout the island, with the highest concentrations along the roads near Topsy Farms.
Yes, a tour booklet is available for a nominal fee at the Neilson Store Museum & Cultural Centre.
They were built by Irish migrants who arrived on Amherst Island in the 1820s, using mortar-less techniques brought from Northern Ireland.
Events take place at the Celtic Cross site on a bi-annual basis. Check with Dry Stone Canada for scheduled workshops.
Get the Itinerary
Get the official Artisans & Hidden Gems route sent to your phone with stops and local recommendations ready to go.
Getting Here
Take the ferry from Millhaven to Amherst Island.Â
Once on the island, the walls are accessible via car or paved Cycling Routes!