Black Mountain (Belfast)

Black Mountain is a large hill which overlooks the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Black Mountain
Sliabh Dubh/an Cnoc Dubh
Triangulation pillar on Black Mountain
Highest point
Elevation	1,275 ft (389 m)
Coordinates	54°36′N 5°59′W
Geography
Location in Northern Ireland
Location	overlooking Belfast, Northern Ireland
OSI/OSNI grid	J266741
Topo map	OSNI Discoverer 15
Geology
Mountain type	basalt

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[1] and is composed of basalt with limestone underneath,[2] 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.[3] On a clear day there are views of Strangford Lough, the Mournes and the Sperrins, as well as Scotland and Donegal.[4]

Its name is probably derived from the adjoining mountain called Divis (/ˈdɪvɪs/; from Irish Dubhais 'black back').

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 to Dermot Hill, a housing estate in west Belfast.

For many years people have lobbied for the preservation of the Belfast Hills, hoping to bring an end to many years of quarrying.[5] The quarry is steep and deeply excavated and the basalt from it is used mostly for road stone.[2]