Sawel Mountain
Sawel Mountain (from Irish: Samhail Phite Méabha, meaning "likeness to Méabh's vulva")[3][4] is the highest peak in the Sperrin Mountains, and the 8th highest in Northern Ireland. It is also the highest mountain in Northern Ireland outside of the Mourne Mountain range located in County Down.
Sawel | |
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Samhail or Samhail Phite Méabha | |
![]() Sawel as seen from the southeast. | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 678 m (2,224 ft) [1] |
Prominence | 580 m (1,900 ft) [1] |
Listing | County Top (Derry and Tyrone), Marilyn, Hewitt |
Coordinates | 54°49′N 7°02′W |
Naming | |
English translation | likeness to Méabh's vulva |
Language of name | Irish |
Geography | |
![]() ![]() Sawel Location in Northern Ireland ![]() ![]() Sawel Sawel (island of Ireland) ![]() ![]() Sawel Sawel (the United Kingdom) | |
Location | County Londonderry/County Tyrone,[2] Northern Ireland |
Parent range | Sperrins |
OSI/OSNI grid | H618973 |
Topo map | OSNI Discoverer Series 13 The Sperrins (1:50000), OSNI Activity Map Sperrins (1:25000) |
Geology | |
Mountain type | Psammite & semipellite[1] |
Geography
To the north of Sawel is County Londonderry, and to the south, County Tyrone. The summit is 678 metres (2,224 ft) high and is composed of crystalline limestone.[5][6] Around the peak, there is "montane heathland", with plant life including heather, bilberries and cowberries, although this is being damaged by hillwalking and grazing.[7] Sawel is the source of the River Faughan, a 29 miles (47 km) long tributary of the River Foyle.[8]
Naming
The Irish name of the mountain is a reference to a glen or hollow on the side of Sawel.[3][4] It was also historically called Slieve Sawel,[9][10][11] 'Slieve' being an anglicization of Sliabh ("mountain").
See also
References
- "Sawel Mountain". MountainViews. Retrieved 2 June 2019.
- Marshall, David (2006). Best Walks in Ireland. Frances Lincoln Publishers. p. 340. ISBN 978-0-7112-2420-9. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- MountainViews
- Mills, A. D. (2003). A Dictionary of British Place-Names. Oxford University Press. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- Somerville, Christopher (25 September 2008). "Sperrin Hills: walk of the month". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- "Sperrin Mountains". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- "Wildlife Action in Derry~Londonderry" (PDF). Derry City Council. 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- Starrett, Ian (12 October 2000). "Preserving McGilloway's ways". News Letter. Retrieved 19 January 2009.
- Cahill, Jane (1987). Northern Ireland. Chelsea House Publishers. p. 12. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- Wade, Herbert (1922). The New International Encyclopaedia. Dodd, Mead & Co. p. 617. Retrieved 1 August 2010.
- Chambers's Encyclopaedia: Volume 9. W. and R. Chambers. 1867. p. 618. Retrieved 1 August 2010.