Slieve Donard

Slieve Donard
Sliabh Dónairt
Slieve Donard and Newcastle from Murlough Beach
Elevation	850 m (2,789 ft)
Prominence	822 m (2,697 ft)
Listing	Hewitt, Marilyn
Translation	Dónairt's mountain (Irish)
Location
Location of Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland
Location	County Down, Northern Ireland
Range	Mournes
Coordinates	54°10′49″N 5°55′15″W
Topo map	OSNI Discoverer 29
OSI/OSNI grid	J357276

Slieve Donard (pronounced /ˌsliːv ˈdɒnərd/ SLEEV DON-ərd, from Irish: Sliabh Dónairt, meaning "Dónairt's mountain") is a 850 m (2,789 ft) mountain in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is part of the Mourne Mountains and the highest peak in Northern Ireland and in the wider province of Ulster. It is the 19th highest peak on the island of Ireland. Slieve Donard sits near the town of Newcastle on the eastern coast of County Down, only 2 miles (3 km) from the Irish Sea.

Etymology

Slieve Donard is named after Saint Donard, known in Irish as Domhanghairt or Domhanghart. Dónairt is a modernised spelling. He was a follower of Saint Patrick and founded a monastery at Maghera, north of Newcastle. According to tradition he was appointed by Saint Patrick to guard the surrounding countryside from the summit of Slieve Donard. He is supposed not to have died, but to have become a "perpetual guardian".

In pagan times the mountain was known as Sliabh Slainge—named after Sláinge mac Partholóin (Sláinge son of Partholón), who was allegedly the first physician in Ireland. According to Annála na gCeithre Máistrí (Annals of the Four Masters), he died in Anno Mundi 2533 (2533 years after the creation of the world) and was buried under a cairn on the mountain.

Geography

Slieve Donard sits at the northeastern edge of the Mournes, overlooking Newcastle and Dundrum Bay. It has three subsidiary peaks on the seaward side—Millstone Mountain (460 m), Thomas's Mountain and Crossone. Two glens separate Slieve Donard from the neighbouring mountains of Slieve Commedagh (to the northwest) and Chimney Rock Mountain (to the south). Slieve Commedagh, at 767 m, is the second-highest of the Mourne Mountains.

At the summit of Slieve Donard there is a cairn and a small stone tower, which was built as a shelter. This tower is part of the Mourne Wall, which passes over the mountain's southern and western shoulders. A triangulation pillar sits on top.

Climbing Slieve Donard

The mountain is an easy climb although the path is very eroded at places. In recent years a stone path has been made on the steepest parts of the mountain. The summit provides spectacular views of the coast and as far afield as Belfast, 30 miles north, and Dublin, 55 miles to the south.

Gallery

Slieve Donard Panorama taken from roughly 30m below the summit, looking North to Castlewellan   Slieve Donard from Newcastle   Slieve Donard from Newcastle   Slieve Donard from Murlough Beach   Slieve Donard from Slieve Commedagh   The Mourne Wall on Slieve Donard   Slieve Donard (left) from Murlough Beach   Slieve Donard from Dundrum   Slieve Donard from Dundrum Bay   Slieve Donard (middle) from Downpatrick   Slieve Donard (right) and Newcastle   Slieve Donard and Slieve Commedagh (right) from the northeast   The small stone tower at the summit

See also

• List of mountains in Ireland
• List of Irish counties by highest point

External links

• Interactive 360° view from the summit
• Computer generated summit panoramas: North, South, index