Shielmartin Hill

Shielmartin Hill or Shelmartin[1][2] (163 metres (535 ft) high) is a peak on Howth Head. From it can be seen Portmarnock, Sutton, Bull Island and the coastal areas behind it, and most of Dublin Bay.

Shielmartin Hill
Cnoc Shíol Mhártain
Shielmartin Hill is the hill to the right of the speed limit sign, viewed from the Bull Island in Dublin Bay.
Highest point
Elevation163 m (535 ft)
Naming
Language of nameIrish
Geography
Shielmartin Hill
Location in Ireland
LocationDublin, Ireland
Parent rangeWicklow Mountains
Topo mapOSi Discovery 50

Form

From Sutton Creek, the crest of the hill seems to be cleft in two, but the actual peak is the southern one (i.e. the one to the right in the picture) - the northern one is an ancient cairn, on whose southern edge three or four modern cairns in the form of circles have been built. The original cairn was reputed to be the burial site of Crimhthan Niadhnair.[3][4][5]

Access

A sign engraved on a stone slab indicates that the only right of way lies down the northwest side of the hill. Other paths exist, but the one to the northeast is dangerous as it is both extremely steep and overgrown. A route to the southeast is safe, but leads across the golf course.

The hill is surrounded by Howth Golf Course to the west, north and east. To the southwest it is bordered by Carrickbrack Road, from which a path leads up to the top. Private residences lie to the south.

Other peaks

The hill is sometimes confused with the Black Linn at the Ben of Howth, the highest point of Howth peninsula, which lies approximately 1 kilometre (0.6 mi) to the east. Also adjacent is Dun Hill, while nearby are Muck Rock (Carrickmore) and Carrickbrack.

References
  1. Dublin, MH Gill and Son, 1912, Weston St John Joyce, "The Neighbourhood of Dublin", Chapter 32
  2. Dublin, The Irish Naturalist, Vol. 4, No. 7 (Jul. 1895), pp. 174-179, Praeger R Lloyd, "Notes on the Flora of Howth"
  3. Dumping on Dublin's beauty spots, irishtimes.com
  4. Ireland: In the haunt of cloud-gazers, telegraph.co.uk
  5. Weston St. John Joyces' 1920 work The Neighbourhood of Dublin

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