Slievekirk

About Slievekirk

Standing as an outrider to the main Sperrin range, this modest moorland summit straddles the border of counties Londonderry and Tyrone. While the presence of communication masts marks the skyline, the reward is a clear, commanding view over the Foyle Valley and the distant peaks of Donegal.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Slievekirk is derived from the Irish Sliabh na Circe, meaning 'Mountain of the Hen'—a reference likely pointing to the Red Grouse that inhabit the surrounding heather moorland.
• •The summit serves as a major telecommunications hub for the North West; the presence of these masts means a service track provides a firm, albeit functional, route to the top through the peat.
• •Its status as an isolated Marilyn ensures a wide-reaching panorama that includes the winding River Foyle, the city of Derry, and the rugged silhouettes of the Inishowen Peninsula across the border.
• •Despite being named the 'Mountain of the Hen,' the modern walker is considerably more likely to encounter a galvanized steel transmission tower than any actual poultry.