Black Mountain (Belfast)
Encyclopedia
Black Mountain is a large hill which overlooks the city of Belfast
, Northern Ireland
.
The mountain is one of the most prominent features of the city, towering above most of west Belfast. It reaches a height of 1,275 ft and is composed of limestone. There have been flint finds in the area, which also contains raths, deserted farms and overgrown paths joining the fields and homesteads and lepracon trails scattered over the mountain. On a clear day there are views of Strangford Lough
, the Mournes and the Sperrins
, as well as Scotland
and Donegal
.
There is a well-known field located on the Black Mountain, this is called the 'Hatchet Field', it is so called because it is in the shape of an old-fashioned hatchet. Also located on top of the mountain (Wolfe Hill) is a police barracks belonging to the Police Service of Northern Ireland
and the Black Mountain transmitting station
which is a broadcasting
and telecommunications facility. One way to proceed up the mountain is by the 'Mountain Loney,' a path leading up the mountain and across the 'Hatchet Field'. This path is found adjacent Dermot Hill, a housing estate in west Belfast and is popular with walkers and tourists.
For many years people have lobbied for the preservation of the Belfast Hills hoping to bring to an end many years of quarrying which has been going on there.
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
The mountain is one of the most prominent features of the city, towering above most of west Belfast. It reaches a height of 1,275 ft and is composed of limestone. There have been flint finds in the area, which also contains raths, deserted farms and overgrown paths joining the fields and homesteads and lepracon trails scattered over the mountain. On a clear day there are views of Strangford Lough
Strangford Lough
Strangford Lough, sometimes Strangford Loch, is a large sea loch or inlet in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is separated from the Irish Sea by the Ards Peninsula. The name Strangford is derived ; describing the fast-flowing narrows at its mouth...
, the Mournes and the Sperrins
Sperrins
The Sperrins or Sperrin Mountains are a range of mountains in Northern Ireland and one of the largest upland areas in Ireland. The range stretches the counties of Tyrone and Londonderry from south of Strabane eastwards to Maghera and north towards Limavady...
, as well as Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Donegal
Donegal
Donegal or Donegal Town is a town in County Donegal, Ireland. Its name, which was historically written in English as Dunnagall or Dunagall, translates from Irish as "stronghold of the foreigners" ....
.
There is a well-known field located on the Black Mountain, this is called the 'Hatchet Field', it is so called because it is in the shape of an old-fashioned hatchet. Also located on top of the mountain (Wolfe Hill) is a police barracks belonging to the Police Service of Northern Ireland
Police Service of Northern Ireland
The Police Service of Northern Ireland is the police force that serves Northern Ireland. It is the successor to the Royal Ulster Constabulary which, in turn, was the successor to the Royal Irish Constabulary in Northern Ireland....
and the Black Mountain transmitting station
Black Mountain transmitting station
The Black Mountain transmitting station is a broadcasting and telecommunications facility, situated on land 301 metres above Ordnance Datum to the west of the city of Belfast, in Northern Ireland . It includes a guyed steel lattice mast which is 228.6 metres in height...
which is a broadcasting
Broadcasting
Broadcasting is the distribution of audio and video content to a dispersed audience via any audio visual medium. Receiving parties may include the general public or a relatively large subset of thereof...
and telecommunications facility. One way to proceed up the mountain is by the 'Mountain Loney,' a path leading up the mountain and across the 'Hatchet Field'. This path is found adjacent Dermot Hill, a housing estate in west Belfast and is popular with walkers and tourists.
For many years people have lobbied for the preservation of the Belfast Hills hoping to bring to an end many years of quarrying which has been going on there.
External links
- Virtual tour of Black Mountain - Virtual Visit Northern Ireland