The walk over the Divis Mountain was brought about by the National Trust in 2004. It features almost 2,000 acres of upland heath and blanket bog. It supports wildlife and many plants. This is also home to archaeological remains, Bronze Age burial cairns and used as a British army training area. The views over Belfast and beyond are spectacular.

The Divis Mountain Photos

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About The Divis Mountain

In November 2004 this land was acquired by the National Trust with financial assistance by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Department of the Environment. More land was purchased in 2007 taking the total to 1,970 acres of upland heath and blanket bog. The aim of the trust is to protect the environment and provide access for locals and visitors forever.

A few minutes along the path is this building called Divis Lodge. It used to be a farm house and home to the Dobbin family until the 1950’s. A few other buildings with semi-circular roofs belonged to the Ministry of Defence as this site was officially closed to the public for 50 years. The land was also used at one time as a shooting range for the army and a communication post during the Cold War.

Early settlements on Divis are revealed by at least four Bronze Age burial cairns, along with the site of an earlier megalithic tomb. Prehistoric hut sites survive along with two curious stone walled enclosures, one of which may be early Christian period in date.1

For those with an untrained eye there are plenty of attractions to look out for. The mosaic of grassland provides vital habitats for a host of wildlife such as badgers, hares, red grouse, stonechats, skylark and snipe. Plants include Bell Heather, Tormentil, blue Heath Milkwort, purple Lousewort and Heath Spotted Orchids.

TV transmitters and masts dot the peaks of Divis and Black Mountain. In 1828 the peak was used as a site for the Drummond limelight, a very bright light which was used to start the Ordnance Survey mapping of Ireland.2

Once at the top though the best is saved for last. There are spectacular views across Belfast Lough, the Sperrins and Mournes, even as far as Scotland and the Isle of Man.

Although the walk to the top of Divis is not a far one it can nevertheless be a struggle as strong winds and hearty weather in these parts do their best to keep visitors at bay. Best to go prepared.

References

1 http://www.walkni.com/Walk.aspx?ID=83

2 As above.

External Links

http://www.walkni.com