Landscape (2)

The Mournes.

The Mourne Mountains in County Down cover a mere 200 square kilometers or so but none-the-less present, along with the surrounding countryside and coastline, some of the most dramatic and attractive scenery in Ireland. The following nine photographs were made on a single afternoon's trekking from Newcastle to the summits of Slieve Commedagh and Slieve Donard. The weather on high ground was extremely windy with temperature around 0ºC and occasional sunshine between showers.

Click on image to see larger version

First glimpse of these peaks as one rises over Shan Slieve ascending the north side of Slieve Commedagh.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera.

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Looking back from Shan Slieve as sunlight breaks through the heavy cloud to briefly light up the valley.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

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Granite boulders strewn on the north side of Slieve Commedagh.The Mourne Wall can also be seen along the top ridge of Slieve Corragh. 

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera                                            Ref.1630411

This small mountain stream drains the valley between Slieve Donard and Slieve Commedagh and flows through Donard Wood and into the Irish Sea at Newcastle.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

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This view from the north west side of Slieve Donard shows Eagle Rock, a small outcrop near the summit.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

(Two exposures merged to create 9 megapixel image)

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A gap in the clouds obliged allowing sunlight to strike the rocky cliff face of Slieve Beg.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

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This closer view of the previous scene shows off the ruggedness of the terrain.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

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Late afternoon sunshine accentuates the mountain folds.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

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This perspective from well up the west side of Slieve Donard shows the ruggedness and scale of the Mournes.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

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Clouds roll over the peaks of Slieve Binnian as afternoon sunshine breaks through. A glimpse of Ben Crom Resevoir, one of two in the Silent Valley, can be seen in the foreground.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

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This neatly capped dry stone wall, standing roughly 1 to 2 metres tall by 1 meter wide at the base,  extends for roughly 50 kilometres and connects 15 of the main peaks in the mountain range. It was originally built  in the early 20th. century by the water supply authorities. This photograph was taken from the northern slope of Slieve Bearnagh looking across Hare's Gap towards Slieve Corragh.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

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This valley leeds up to Hare's gap which is a natural gateway to the Mournes on the North-West. The reward for this uphill walk is a spectacular view, on a clear day, of the Silent Valley and the more substantial peaks of the Mournes.

Canon EOS 300 D digital camera

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All Photographs Copyright © 1995 - 2005 Neville Dukes.