Mourne Mountains – What’s in a Name?

Posted on June 21, 2016 @ 2:49 PM in

Every wondered what the names of the Mourne Mountains actually mean? With the help of some fantastic shots from Peter Lennon Photography we have put together a collection of summits (or Slieves from the Irish word ‘Sliabh’ meaning mountain) and the meanings behind their names.

Slieve Meelmore

Slieve Meelmore (682m) meaning mountain of the large (Mor) animals.

Walk routes incorporating Slieve Meelmore

The Mourne Wall climbing up Slieve Meelmore





Looking across at Meelmore in the middle distance (with the wall on it.) from Bearnagh

Slieve Bearnagh

With two impressive rocky tors and a col lying between them it is easy to see where Slieve Bearnagh (739m) from the Irish “Sliabh Bearna” meaning “Gapped Mountain” gets its name.

Walk routes incorporating Slieve Bearnagh

Looking across at Bearnagh on the right with Ben Crom Reservoir hidden below walkers in the distance.

View from the slopes of Slieve Bearagh looking towards Carlingford with Binnian on the left, Ben Crom reservoir, around to Slieve Loughshannagh

The Tors of Slieve Bearnagh

Slieve Lamagan

The name Lamagan (704m) means “by hands and feet!!”giving a hint at how steep this summit is.

Walk routes incorporating Slieve Lamagan

Slieve Lamagan from the footpath which starts at Carricklittle car park, Annalong





View from Slieve Lamagan - taken from the summit looking across a Slieve Binnian (left) and Ben Crom reservoir below with the tip of the Silent Valley reservoir just coming into view.

Slieve Binnian

Slieve Binnian (747m) is named from the Irish Sliabh Binneáin after the rocky tors across it’s summit, also known as the Mountain of the little horns

Slieve Binnian walking route

View of Binnian from Bearnagh

Taken from the Buzzards Roost on Slieve Binnian looking over Ben Crom reservoir at Ben Crom mountain and Slieve Bearnagh to the left

Slieve Donard

Slieve Donard (850m) is named after Saint Donard, known in Irish as Domhanghairt or Domhanghart. A follower of Saint Patrickand he founded a monastery at Maghera, north of Newcastle. According to tradition he was appointed by Saint Patrick to guard the surrounding countryside from the summit.

Walk routes incorporating Slieve Donard

Slieve Donard framed by the rocks at the top of the Devils Coachroad

View more of Peter Lennon's fantastic photography of hte Mournes and other landscapes on his Facebook or Twitter pages.

Visit WalkNI for more information on walking in the Mourne Mountains.

Sarah Nelson Marketing Officer Sarah joined the marketing team of Outdoor Recreation NI in 2011. A firm believer in giving anything a go at least once (unless it involves jumping out of a plane at 6,000ft!) she is always looking for new adventures in the outdoors and can often be found wandering the Mournes or Glens of Antrim attempting not to get lost!