Black Mountain (Belfast) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Mountain |
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| Sliabh Dubh/Cnoc Dubh | |
Triangulation pillar on Black Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,275 ft (389 m) |
| Geography | |
 Location in Northern Ireland
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| Location | near Belfast, County Antrim, Northern Ireland |
| OSI/OSNI grid | J266741 |
| Topo map | OSNI Discoverer 15 |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | basalt |
Black Mountain is a large hill which overlooks the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. With a height of 1,275 ft (389 m), it towers over most of west Belfast and is part of the Belfast Hills. Its name is probably derived from the adjoining mountain called Divis ( from Irish Dubhais, meaning 'black ridge'), and they may have been seen as one mountain in the past. On the summit is Black Mountain transmitting station.
Black Mountain is composed of basalt with limestone underneath, as is Cavehill further north. There have been flint finds in the area, which also contains raths, deserted farms and overgrown paths joining the fields and homesteads and 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 County Donegal.
For many years people have lobbied for the preservation of the Belfast Hills, hoping to bring an end to many years of quarrying. The quarry is steep and deeply excavated and the basalt from it is used mostly for road stone.
Awards
- Amazing Spaces award (8 November 2005)
