Slieve Gallion

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Slieve Gallion

View from the eastern peak - 496 metres (1,630 ft)
Slieve Gallion (Northern Ireland)
Slieve Gallion
Slieve Gallion
Elevation 528 metres (1,730 ft)
Location County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Coordinates 54°44′N 6°46′W / 54.73, -6.76
Topo map OSNI Discoverer 13
OSI/OSNI grid reference H8188
Listing Marilyn
Translation Mountain of the heights (Irish)

Slieve Gallion from the Irish: Sliabh gCallann meaning "mountain of the heights",[1] is a mountain in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. By road, it is 4 miles (6.4 km) from Moneymore, 8 miles (13 km) from Cookstown, and 8 miles (13 km) from Magherafelt. It is the eastern limit of the Sperrin Mountains range.[2] It has 2 peaks: the southwestern peak at Glenarudda Mountain and Tintagh Mountain reaches a height of 528 metres (1,730 ft), and is the 397th highest peak in Ireland;[1] the northeastern peak reaches a height of 496 metres (1,630 ft), and is the 469th highest peak in Ireland; it is also the furthest-east mountain-top in the Sperrins.[3] The southwestern peak is in Cookstown District, and the northeastern peak is in Magherafelt District.[4]

[edit] Nature

Slieve Gallion is a volcanic plug.[2] The mountain is formed from volcanic-derived igneous rock, and also granite on the southern slopes. It is steep, and has a flat top. There is a telecommunications mast on the northeastern summit. To the west, the landscape consists of blanket bog and coniferous forest;[2] most of the trees in the Slieve Gallion area are Sitka spruce.[5] There are also lodgepole pine trees, as well as oak towards the south of the area. Animal species living in the area include the Irish hare (a sub-species of the mountain hare[6]), the curlew, and the red grouse. The otter can also be found around nearby rivers.[5] Slieve Gallion is classed by the Northern Ireland Planning Service as an area of "High Scenic Value".[7]

[edit] History

Peat formed at Slieve Gallion in the early Holocene period, around 10,000 years ago.[8] The radiocarbon dating of pollen has shown that there were plants in the area 10,000 years ago. 7,000 ago, the number of alder trees steeply increased.[8] In recent decades, there has been an increase in the number of sheep grazing in the area, as well as an increase in mountain biking, contributing to erosion.[8]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Slieve Gallion. Mountain Views. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  2. ^ a b c Environment & Heritage Service - Slieve Gallion Landscape. Environment and Heritage Service. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  3. ^ Slieve Gallion NE Top. Mountain Views. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  4. ^ OS Discoverer Series 13
  5. ^ a b Environment & Heritage Service - Slieve Gallion Biodiversity Profile. Environment and Heritage Service. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  6. ^ Irish hare (Lepus timidus hibernicus). Environment and Heritage Service. Retrieved on 2008-05-17.
  7. ^ Drafy Magherafelt Area Plan 2015. Planning Service NI. Retrieved on 2008-05-16.
  8. ^ a b c Slieve Gallion Londonderry. National Museums and Galleries of Northern Ireland (2003). Retrieved on 2008-05-17.