The Archaeology of Slieve Donard: A Cultural Biography of Ulster's Highest Mountain

Slieve Donard in Co. Down is the highest mountain in Ulster and the seventh highest mountain in Ireland at 849m above sea level. Sited dramatically at the eastern edge of the Mourne Mountains, with its granite summit only 3km from the northern half of Irish Sea, it provides spectacular views in all directions. Various mythical and legendary characters are associated with the summit including Boirche, a magical cowherd, Mad MacSweeney and Fionn MacCumhaill. The summit has two large circular piles of stone on it; the Great Cairn which is probably a 5000 year old Neolithic passage tomb, and the Lesser Cairn, which may be a 3500 year old Bronze Age burial site.

This book contains in-depth research into the story of the summit of Slieve Donard from its very origins geologically up to today. It focuses on the prehistory and pilgrimage aspects of its story and examines related sites around the region including the large amount of megalithic tombs and other sites around the mountain as well as St. Donard’s monastery at Maghera and the church site St. Mary’s near the Bloody Bridge. It offers interpretations of why the summit resonated with importance during the prehistoric and medieval periods, and hopes to raise an awareness of the diverse cultural wealth the Mourne Mountains and region in general contain.