Binevenagh

Binevenagh
Highest point
Elevation	385 m (1,263 ft)
Prominence	170 m (560 ft)
Listing	Marilyn
Coordinates	55°07′N 6°55′W
Naming
Native name	Binn Fhoibhne (Irish)
English translation	'Foibhne's peak'
Pronunciation	Irish: [ˌbʲiːn̠ʲ ˈɛvʲnʲə]
Geography
Binevenagh Location in Northern Ireland
Location	County Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Parent range	Antrim Plateau
OSI/OSNI grid	C692302
Topo map	OSNI Discoverer Series 04 Coleraine (1:50000)

Binevenagh (from Irish Binn Fhoibhne, meaning 'Foibhne's peak')^[1] is a large, steep-sided hill in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is part of the Keenaght Hills,^[2] which mark the western edge of the Antrim Plateau, formed around 60 million years ago by molten lava. Binevenagh and its cliffs overlook the Magilligan peninsula and dominate the skyline over the villages of Bellarena, Downhill, Castlerock and Benone beach. The area has been classified as both an Area of Special Scientific Interest^[3] and as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).^[4] The total area of the AONB is 138 km².

The Bishop's Road, named after the Bishop of Derry, extends across the plateau. Notable features include the Mussenden Temple and a cliff top viewing area on the Bishop's Road giving good views over Lough Foyle and across Inishowen in County Donegal.

Binevenagh cliffs

Sport

• Gliding - the Ulster Gliding Club uses the slopes for gliders.^[5]
• Hang gliding and Paragliding - the slopes are used for soaring by the Ulster Hang gliding and Paragliding Club (UHPC).^[6]
• Fishing - an artificial lake at the top of the mountain is used for trout fishing.
• Motorsport - the Coleraine & District Motor Club run the Eagles Rock hillclimbing event during the month of July.^[7]

Railway access

The trains on the Belfast-Derry railway line, run by NI Railways (NIR), call at Bellarena railway station between Waterside railway station, in Derry, and Castlerock railway station. Trains continue from Castlerock to Coleraine railway station and other stations to Belfast Lanyon Place and Belfast Grand Central.^{[citation needed]}

Plane crash

On 24 June 1944 a Royal Air Force Consolidated B-24 Liberator (FL977) of No. 5 Squadron RAF was returning to RAF Ballykelly after a combat mission over Iceland. The aircraft crashed into Binevenagh during its third attempt to land, killing all nine crewmembers onboard.^[8][9][10]

References

1. Paul Tempan (2019). "Irish Hill and Mountain Names" (PDF). MountainViews.ie.
2. "Binevenagh (385m hill)". MountainViews.ie.
3. Area of Special Scientific Interest^{[permanent dead link‍]} Northern Ireland Environment Agency website 2001-04-01 Retrieved 2009-11-19
4. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Archived 7 October 2011 at the Wayback Machine Department of Environment - Retrieved 2009-11-19
5. Ulster Gliding Club Archived 9 May 2016 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 2009-11-20
6. Ulster Hang gliding and Paragliding Club - UHPC Archived 12 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine
7. Coleraine & District Motor Club Retrieved 2009-11-20
8. "Accident Consolidated Liberator V H FL977, 24 Jun 1944".
9. "Warrant Officer R R J REVELL (564007), Royal Air Force) [Royal Air Force WW2 Casualty ]".
10. "Henry Gordon Coombe - WartimeNI".

External links

• Binevenagh Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty