Bencollaghduff

Bencollaghduff (Irish: Binn Dubh, meaning "black mountain/peak of hags")[2] at 696 metres (2,283 ft), is the 93rd–highest peak in Ireland on the Arderin scale,[3] and the 115th–highest peak on the Vandeleur-Lynam scale.[4][5] Bencollaghduff is situated near the centre of the core massif of the Twelve Bens mountain range in the Connemara National Park in Galway, Ireland. It is the 3rd tallest mountain of the Twelve Bens range, after Benbaun 729 metres (2,392 ft), to which it is connected by the northern col of Maumina; and after Bencorr 711 metres (2,333 ft), to which it is connected by a high southeast rocky ridge.[5][6]

Not to be confused with Beinn Mac Duibh.

Bencollaghduff
Binn Dubh
Bencollaghduff viewed from Benbaun, with Bencorr and Derryclare behind
Highest point
Elevation696 m (2,283 ft) [1]
Prominence191 m (627 ft) [1]
Listing100 Highest Irish Mountains, Marilyn, Hewitt, Arderin, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam
Coordinates53°30′48.23″N 9°48′46.08″W [1]
Naming
English translationblack mountain or peak of hags [cormorants]
Language of nameIrish
Geography
Bencollaghduff
Ireland
LocationGalway, Ireland
Parent rangeTwelve Bens
OSI/OSNI gridL7978252992
Topo mapOSi Discovery 37
Geology
Type of rockPale quartzites, grits, graphitic Bedrock[1]

Bencollaghduff's prominence of 191 metres (627 ft) qualifies it as a Marilyn, and it also ranks it as the 56th-highest mountain in Ireland on the MountainViews Online Database, 100 Highest Irish Mountains, where the minimum prominence threshold is 100 metres.[5][7]

Naming

According to Irish academic Paul Tempan, "Bencollaghduff" most likely means "peak of the black hags", however, the hags in question are cormorant birds and not witch-like characters.[2] Tempan notes that the Ordnance Survey Ireland form of "Binn Dhubh" is a prescribed standard modern Irish form.[2] Cartographer Tim Robinson's maps of Connemara uses "Binn Dubh", which represents the local dialect.[2]

Hill walking

Bencollaghduff is often climbed as part of the popular 16–kilometre 8–9 hour Glencoaghan Horseshoe, considered one of Ireland's best hill-walks.[8][9][10] Bencollaghduff is also climbed as part of the even longer Owenglin Horseshoe, a 20–kilometre 10–12 hour route around the Owenglin River taking in over twelve summits;[11][12]

In literature

The Irish novelist Joseph O'Connor in his award-winning novel Star of the Sea, cites the quarzite shale on the slopes of Bencollaghduff.[13]

Bibliography
  • Fairbairn, Helen (2014). Ireland's Best Walks: A Walking Guide. Collins Press. ISBN 978-1848892118.
  • MountainViews Online Database (Simon Stewart) (2013). A Guide to Ireland's Mountain Summits: The Vandeleur-Lynams & the Arderins. Collins Books. ISBN 978-1-84889-164-7.
  • Dillion, Paddy (2001). Connemara: Collins Rambler's guide. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0002201216.
  • Dillion, Paddy (1993). The Mountains of Ireland: A Guide to Walking the Summits. Cicerone. ISBN 978-1852841102.

See also

References
  1. "Bencollaghduff". MountainViews Online Database. Retrieved 31 July 2019.
  2. Paul Tempan (February 2012). "Irish Hill and Mountain Names" (PDF). MountainViews.ie.
  3. Simon Stewart (October 2018). "Arderins: Irish mountains of 500+m with a prominence of 30m". MountainViews Online Database.
  4. Simon Stewart (October 2018). "Vandeleur-Lynams: Irish mountains of 600+m with a prominence of 15m". MountainViews Online Database.
  5. Mountainviews, (September 2013), "A Guide to Ireland's Mountain Summits: The Vandeleur-Lynams & the Arderins", Collins Books, Cork, ISBN 978-1-84889-164-7
  6. Dillion, Paddy (2001). Connemara: Collins Rambler's guide. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0002201216.
  7. "Irish Highest 100: The highest 100 Irish mountains with a prominence of +100m". MountainViews Online Database. September 2018.
  8. Helen Fairbairn (30 December 2014). Ireland's Best Walks: A Walking Guide (Walking Guides). Collins Press. ISBN 978-1848892118. ROUTE 34: The Glencoaghan Horseshoe. A true classic
  9. Dillion, Paddy (2001). Connemara: Collins Rambler's guide. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0002201216. Walk 30: Gleann Chóchan Horseshoe
  10. Tony Doherty (22 June 2016). "A walk for the weekend: The Twelve Bens of Connemara are a hard walk but worth it". Irish Times. Even if you had to crawl across bogs to get to them, it would be worth it as the nine peaks which form the Glencoaghan Horseshoe provide some of the most exhilarating mountaineering on this island.
  11. "Owenglin Horseshoe". MountainViews Online Database. Retrieved 30 July 2019.
  12. Dillion, Paddy (2001). Connemara: Collins Rambler's guide. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0002201216. Walk 24: Owenglin Horseshoe
  13. Joseph O'Connor (2004). Star of the Sea. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN 978-0099469629.
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