Slemish

About Slemish

Rising abruptly from the Ballymena plain, this extinct volcanic plug offers a short, steep, and rocky ascent. It is an iconic landmark in the Antrim Mountains, providing a sharp contrast to the surrounding plateau. The summit rewards walkers with clear views across the Braid Valley towards the distant Sperrin Mountains.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Irish Sliabh Mis. While 'Sliabh' means mountain, the origin of 'Mis' is debated, often linked to a mythical figure or potentially an Old Irish word for 'reproach', though local legend firmly ties it to the mountain of the mission.
• •According to the 5th-century Confessio and long-standing tradition, this is where a teenage Saint Patrick spent six years in captivity as a shepherd. His time on these slopes is credited as the period when his Christian faith deepened before his eventual escape and return to his home in Roman Britain.
• •The hill is a classic example of a volcanic plug. It was formed when magma hardened inside the vent of an active volcano approximately 60 million years ago; subsequent glacial erosion stripped away the softer surrounding limestone to leave this resilient dolerite core standing alone.
• •From the summit trig point, the view extends south over the Braid Valley to the vast waters of Lough Neagh. On a clear day, the horizon to the east reveals the Scottish coastline across the North Channel, specifically the Mull of Kintyre.
• •There is no official constructed path to the summit. Instead, walkers are encouraged to find their own way up the steep, craggy slopes, making the short 150-metre vertical gain from the car park feel more like a genuine scramble than a standard hill walk.
• •Every March 17th, thousands of pilgrims ascend the slopes to commemorate Saint Patrick; it is perhaps the only day of the year when the summit is more crowded than a Belfast high street.