The mountain we call Slieve Donard is well-known for being Ulster's highest peak and the tallest of the Mourne Mountains. However, it was not always referred to as such.
In the past, the mountain range we now refer to as 'The Mournes' was divided into two parts. As the maps below show, the Northerly section of the Mournes, which incorporates Slieve Donard, was once known as the Mountains of Iveagh/Evagh (It still blows my mind that so few people are aware of this!).
This name recalls the name of the Ulaid tribe the Uí Echach, whose lands these once were. The sun's journey from East to West (along the ridge of the Iveagh Mountains to Slieve Gullion & beyond) is clearly observable from Knock Iveagh to the North, which was the Uí Echach's ceremonial centre for millennia. It is my belief that the views both to and from Knock Iveagh may tie in with some of the known mythology and archaeology, including that of Slieve Donard. However, that's not the point of this blog!
The mountain which we now know as Slieve Donard takes its name from the Christian Saint St Donard (Domhanghairt), who was a disciple of St Patrick and who built an 'oratory' at the summit of the mountain.
However, the Pre-Christian name of the mountain was Sliabh/Slieve Sliange/Slanga. In the mythology we learn that Slainge/Slanga was a Partholonian (Greek) hero who, accompanying his father Partholon, invaded Ireland approximately two millennia BC (but really, who knows?).
John O'Donovan, in notes accompanying his translation of the 'Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland' (Four Masters), states that:
'Sliabh Slangha ... was the ancient name for ... Slieve Donard' and 'the hero Slainge is now forgotten by tradition'. O'Donovan also notes that Slainge's burial cairn was located at the summit of the mountain which bore his name, as it still is today.
It is said Slainge (whose name derives from the Irish word for 'health'), was the first physician in Ireland. Certainly his name may be oddly familiar to anyone who has ever drunk a toast in this country...
The summit of Donard is (as it has been for millennia) a place of pilgrimage, but I wonder how many of the walkers today ascend with its mythology in mind? Even if they don't, perhaps the sense of the place is unchanged given that health and well-being are very often the magnet drawing walkers up to the peak.
When I was wondering how to celebrate the arrival of 2022, it occurred to me that I could get a good view of the rising sun from the foot of Sliabh Slainge and maybe it would be the right place to go after a year which has been so full of illness, fear, anxiety, and darkness. I had intended to go alone, but was happy when a couple of friends decided to join me. We arrived in darkness and waited for the Sun to rise where the Bloody Bridge river runs into the sea.
We were rewarded with one of the most beautiful sunrises I can remember.
It was a truly memorable way to begin the New Year and mark another trip around the Sun...
Grateful thanks must go to Kathy for driving, and to Stevie from the 'Proper Coffee Company' for the delicious coffee!
Sláinte!
Good Health...
and Happy New Year :)