Bencollaghduff Explained

Bencollaghduff should not be confused with Beinn Mac Duibh.

Bencollaghduff
Other Name:Binn Dubh
Elevation M:696
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence M:191
Translation:black mountain or peak of hags [cormorants]
Listing:100 Highest Irish Mountains, Marilyn, Hewitt, Arderin, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam
Location:County Galway, Ireland
Range:Twelve Bens
Map:Ireland
Label Position:right
Map Size:240
Coordinates:53.5134°N -9.8128°W
Grid Ref Ireland:L7978252992
Topo:OSi Discovery 37
Geology:Pale quartzites, grits, graphitic Bedrock

Bencollaghduff [2] at 696m (2,283feet), 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 County Galway, Ireland. It is the 3rd tallest mountain of the Twelve Bens range, after Benbaun 729m (2,392feet), to which it is connected by the northern col of Maumina; and after Bencorr 711m (2,333feet), to which it is connected by a high southeast rocky ridge.[5] [6]

Bencollaghduff's prominence of 191m (627feet) 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

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bencollaghduff. MountainViews Online Database. 31 July 2019.
  2. Web site: Irish Hill and Mountain Names. MountainViews.ie. Paul Tempan. February 2012.
  3. Web site: Arderins: Irish mountains of 500+m with a prominence of 30m. MountainViews Online Database. Simon Stewart. October 2018.
  4. Web site: Vandeleur-Lynams: Irish mountains of 600+m with a prominence of 15m. MountainViews Online Database. Simon Stewart. October 2018.
  5. Mountainviews, (September 2013), "A Guide to Ireland's Mountain Summits: The Vandeleur-Lynams & the Arderins", Collins Books, Cork,
  6. Book: Dillion . Paddy . Connemara: Collins Rambler's guide . Harper Collins . 978-0002201216 . 2001 .
  7. Web site: Irish Highest 100: The highest 100 Irish mountains with a prominence of +100m. MountainViews Online Database. September 2018.
  8. Book: Ireland's Best Walks: A Walking Guide (Walking Guides) . Helen Fairbairn. Collins Press. 30 December 2014. 978-1848892118. ROUTE 34: The Glencoaghan Horseshoe. A true classic.
  9. Book: Dillion . Paddy . Connemara: Collins Rambler's guide . Harper Collins . 978-0002201216 . 2001 . Walk 30: Gleann Chóchan Horseshoe .
  10. News: A walk for the weekend: The Twelve Bens of Connemara are a hard walk but worth it. Tony Doherty. 22 June 2016. 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. Web site: Owenglin Horseshoe. MountainViews Online Database. 30 July 2019.
  12. Book: Dillion . Paddy . Connemara: Collins Rambler's guide . Harper Collins . 978-0002201216 . 2001 . Walk 24: Owenglin Horseshoe .
  13. Book: . . Houghton Mifflin Harcourt . 2004 . 978-0099469629.

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