Slievemartin

About Slievemartin

Rising steeply above the village of Rostrevor and Carlingford Lough, this prominent Marilyn marks the western edge of the Mournes. The ascent through Kilbroney Forest leads to a summit plateau offering expansive coastal views. While a radio mast dominates the top, the outlook across to the Cooley Mountains is exceptional.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Irish Sliabh Máirtín, simply meaning Martin’s Mountain. While many Mourne peaks are named after physical characteristics, this hill likely commemorates a local figure or saint whose specific identity has faded from the historical record.
• •On the lower slopes sits Cloughmore, or 'The Big Stone,' a fifty-tonne glacial erratic. Local legend suggests the giant Finn McCool threw it across Carlingford Lough from the Cooley Mountains during a dispute with a Scottish rival.
• •Most walkers approach via Kilbroney Forest Park, passing 'Kodak Corner.' This specific bend in the forest track is celebrated for its perfectly framed vista over the lough, often considered one of the finest coastal views in Northern Ireland.
• •From the 483-metre summit, the view south looks directly across the water to the sharp ridge of Slieve Foye in County Louth, while to the east, the granite peaks of the High Mournes, including Slieve Meelbeg and Slieve Binnian, are clearly visible.
• •The summit is home to a substantial radio mast, an architectural choice that confirms Slievemartin is a hill for those who prefer their maritime views with a side of telecommunications infrastructure.