Ben Crom

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Ben Crom
Binn Chrom
Ben Crom - geograph.org.uk - 1140038.jpg
Ben Crom mountain
Highest point
PeakBen Crom summit,Mourne Mountains, County Down
Elevation 526 m (1,726 ft) [1]
Prominence 81 m (266 ft)
Parent peak Slieve Binnian
Listing Myrddyn Dewey
Coordinates 54°09′58″N5°59′26″W / 54.166233°N 5.990448°W / 54.166233; -5.990448
Naming
Etymology From Irish Binn Chrom, meaning "curved" or "stooped peak"
Native nameBinn Chrom (Irish)
English translationCurved/stooped peak
Geography
Relief Map of Northern Ireland.png
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Ben Crom
County Down, Northern Ireland
Ben Crom
CountryUnited Kingdom
StateNorthern Ireland
CountyCounty Down
Parent range Mourne Mountains
OSI/OSNI grid J31300 26000
Topo map Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland OSNI Discoverer 29 [2]
Biome Upland heath and grassland
Geology
Formed by Intrusive igneous activity
Orogeny Caledonian
Rock age ~60 million years (Paleogene)
Mountain type Granite mountain
Rock type(s) Aplitic granite with dolerite and feldspar porphyry dykes
Last eruption Not applicable
Climbing
First ascent Unknown
Easiest route Hike from Silent Valley or Ott Car Park
Normal route Southern approach via Ben Crom Reservoir
AccessPublic access via Mourne Wall paths and upland trails

Ben Crom (from Irish Binn Chrom, meaning 'curved/stooped peak') is a 526 metres (1,726 ft) mountain in the Mourne Mountains in County Down, Northern Ireland. It is situated beside Ben Crom Reservoir, which is upstream from Silent Valley Reservoir. The mountain is composed of granite. [1] [3] An exposed area on the south west of the mountain shows where the Eocene aplitic granite meets the laccolith top of the older Mesozoic granite ring dike. The summit of the mountain features granite crags which are crossed by basic and feldspar porphyry dikes. The mountain is used for sheep grazing and hill walking. [4]

Contents

The eastern slopes of Ben Crom are steep and covered in scree, a result of glacial activity that affected north- and east-facing slopes more intensely. [5] The Ben Crom Reservoir, located nearby, was constructed in 1957 to supplement the Silent Valley Reservoir. Together, these reservoirs supply water to the Greater Belfast area and have a combined capacity of nearly 21 billion litres. The granite used in the construction of the reservoirs was sourced locally. From the Ben Crom dam wall, the valley between Ben Crom and Slievelamagan is visible, with notable contrasts between the steep, craggy eastern slopes and the smoother western slopes. [5]

In early Irish tradition, the mountains were referred to as Beanna Boirche ("Boirche's Peaks"), named after a legendary figure, Boirche, who was said to have been granted grazing rights in the area by Ross the Red, a king of Ulster around the 3rd century AD. The name Beanna Boirche persisted in various forms through the centuries, including in Ulster Scots usage as the "Borkey Bens." The only peak in the range still bearing the "Ben" designation is Ben Crom. [6]

Although linguistically, the name Ben Crom is more likely descriptive of the mountain’s shape it is possible that it may be a reference to the old Celtic God of Darkness Crom Cruach. [7] Crom Cruach was a powerful and feared god, historically worshipped in ancient Ireland. He was associated with darkness, fertility, and sacrifice. Worship of Crom Cruach involved offerings, including the firstborn of families, and his cult was eventually suppressed by Saint Patrick during the Christianization of Ireland. [8] While Ben Crom itself is not directly named after Crom Cruach, the phonetic resemblance and the mountain’s dramatic, solitary presence in the Mournes may have inspired mythic or folkloric connections.

Geology

The south-western flank of Ben Crom is a geologically significant site that displays a well-defined contact between two granite types: G2 and G3. The G2 granite is grey-coloured and closely jointed, while the underlying G3 granite is lighter in colour and finer-grained. [9] This contact is exposed along a series of crags above scree slopes and can be traced across the south face of Ben Crom, extending to the eastern cliffs. The mountain lies within the central Mournes, an area geologically defined by the G3 granite phase of the Mourne Granite Pluton. Along walking trails and disused quarries, this granite is visibly intruded by dolerite dykes. These formations date back approximately 60 million years, when tectonic forces during the breakup of North America and Europe caused magma to rise and cool underground, forming the granite uplands seen today. The surrounding landscape, including nearby Slieve Donard, is steeped in Irish mythology, notably the Táin Bó Cúailnge , linking the terrain to the legendary warrior Cú Chulainn. [10]

Hiking & Outdoor Experience

Ben Crom is known for its relatively moderate hiking routes and panoramic views. The mountain can be accessed via several established trails, including the route from Silent Valley Car Park, which is mostly level until the final ascent and typically takes 3 to 4 hours for a round trip. This path offers views of the Silent Valley and the adjacent Ben Crom Reservoir. Another approach begins at Ott Car Park and is more demanding, often combined with ascents of nearby peaks such as Doan Mountain or Slieve Binnian. This route involves rocky terrain and light scrambling near the summit and generally requires 4 to 5 hours to complete. Ben Crom is less frequented than other Mourne peaks like Slieve Donard or Slieve Bearnagh, making it suitable for hikers seeking quieter trails. [11]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mourne Mountains Area - Ben Crom". Mountain Views. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  2. "OSNI Discoverer Series Map 29". Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  3. Evans, Emyr Estyn (1967). Mourne Country: Landscape and Life in South Down. Dundalgan Press. p. 38.
  4. "Mournes - Ben Crom". Habitats.org.uk. Retrieved 10 December 2014.
  5. 1 2 A Geological Field Guide to Cooley, Gullion, Mourne & Slieve Croob, Sadhbh Baxter, Geological Survey of Ireland, 2008.
  6. "How the magnificent Mournes got their name". The Down Recorder. 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  7. Makem, Tommy (1997). Tommy Makem's Secret Ireland. New York: St. Martin's Press. p. 45. ISBN   978-0-312-15675-6 . Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  8. Smith, Tom. "The Irish God 'Crom Crúaich of Magh Slécht': A Review of the Sources". Academia.edu. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  9. "Ben Crom". Earth Science Conservation Review. National Museums Northern Ireland. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
  10. Smyth, Janis; McKeever, Patrick J. (1999). A Story Through Time. Dublin; Belfast: Geological Survey of Ireland; Geological Survey of Northern Ireland. p. 72. ISBN   978-1-899702-23-7 . Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  11. "Ben Crom – The Hidden Majesty of the Mournes". Secret Ireland. 13 February 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.