Binevenagh

Binevenagh (from Irish Binn Fhoibhne, meaning 'Foibhne's peak')[1] is a mountain in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It marks the western extent of the Antrim Plateau formed around 60 million years ago by molten lava. The plateau and steep cliffs extend for over 6 miles across the peninsula of Magilligan and dominate the skyline over the villages of Bellarena, Downhill, Castlerock and Benone beach. The area has been classified as both an Area of Special Scientific Interest[2] and as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).[3] The total area of the AONB is 138 km².

Binevenagh
Binn Fhoibhne
View from Castlerock towards Binevenagh.
Highest point
Elevation385 m (1,263 ft)
Prominence170 m (560 ft)
ListingMarilyn
Coordinates55°07′N 6°55′W 
Naming
English translationFoibhne's peak
Language of nameIrish
PronunciationIrish: [bʲiːnʲ ˈɛvʲnʲə]
Geography
Binevenagh
Location in Northern Ireland
LocationCounty Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Parent rangeAntrim Plateau
OSI/OSNI gridC692302
Topo mapOSNI Discoverer Series 04 Coleraine (1:50000)

The Bishops Road, named after the Bishop of Derry, extends across the plateau. Notable features include the Mussenden Temple and a cliff top viewing area on the Bishops Road giving good views over Lough Foyle and County Donegal.

Sport
  • Gliding - the Ulster Gliding Club uses the slopes for gliders.[4]
  • Hang gliding and Paragliding - the slopes are used for soaring by the Ulster Hang gliding and Paragliding Club (UHPC).[5]
  • Fishing - an artificial lake at the top of the mountain is used for trout fishing.
  • Motorsport - the Coleraine & District Motor Club run the Eagles Rock hillclimbing event during the month of July.[6]

Railway access

The Belfast-Londonderry railway line trains run by Northern Ireland Railways call at Bellarena railway station between Londonderry railway station and Castlerock railway station. Trains continue from Castlerock to Coleraine railway station and other stations to Belfast Central and Belfast Great Victoria Street.

References
  1. Placenames Database of Ireland
  2. Area of Special Scientific Interest Northern Ireland Environment Agency website 2001-04-01 Retrieved 2009-11-19
  3. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archived 7 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Department of Environment - Retrieved 2009-11-19
  4. Ulster Gliding Club Archived 9 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-11-20
  5. Ulster Hang gliding and Paragliding Club - UHPC Archived 12 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Coleraine & District Motor Club Retrieved 2009-11-20


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