Bencollaghduff

Not to be confused with Beinn Mac Duibh.

Bencollaghduff (Irish: Binn Dubh, meaning 'black mountain/peak of hags')^[2] at 696 metres (2,283 ft), is the 93rd–highest peak in Ireland on the Arderin scale,^[3] and the 115th–highest peak on the Vandeleur-Lynam scale.^[4][5] Bencollaghduff is situated near the centre of the core massif of the Twelve Bens mountain range in the Connemara National Park in County Galway, Ireland. It is the 3rd tallest mountain of the Twelve Bens range, after Benbaun 729 metres (2,392 ft), to which it is connected by the northern col of Maumina; and after Bencorr 711 metres (2,333 ft), to which it is connected by a high southeast rocky ridge.^[5][6]

Bencollaghduff
Binn Dubh
Bencollaghduff viewed from Benbaun, with Bencorr and Derryclare behind
Highest point
Elevation	696 m (2,283 ft)[1]
Prominence	191 m (627 ft)[1]
Listing	100 Highest Irish Mountains, Marilyn, Hewitt, Arderin, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam
Coordinates	53°30′48.23″N 9°48′46.08″W[1]
Naming
English translation	black mountain or peak of hags [cormorants]
Language of name	Irish
Geography
Bencollaghduff Ireland
Location	County Galway, Ireland
Parent range	Twelve Bens
OSI/OSNI grid	L7978252992
Topo map	OSi Discovery 37
Geology
Rock type(s)	Pale quartzites, grits, graphitic Bedrock[1]

Bencollaghduff's prominence of 191 metres (627 ft) qualifies it as a Marilyn, and it also ranks it as the 56th-highest mountain in Ireland on the MountainViews Online Database, 100 Highest Irish Mountains, where the minimum prominence threshold is 100 metres.^[5][7]

Naming

According to Irish academic Paul Tempan, "Bencollaghduff" most likely means "peak of the black hags", however, the hags in question are cormorant birds and not witch-like characters.^[2] Tempan notes that the Ordnance Survey Ireland form of "Binn Dhubh" is a prescribed standard modern Irish form.^[2] Cartographer Tim Robinson's maps of Connemara uses "Binn Dubh", which represents the local dialect.^[2]

Hill walking

Bencollaghduff is often climbed as part of the popular 16–kilometre 8–9 hour Glencoaghan Horseshoe, considered one of Ireland's best hill-walks.^[8][9][10] Bencollaghduff is also climbed as part of the even longer Owenglin Horseshoe, a 20–kilometre 10–12 hour route around the Owenglin River taking in over twelve summits;^[11][12]

In literature

The Irish novelist Joseph O'Connor in his award-winning novel Star of the Sea, cites the quarzite shale on the slopes of Bencollaghduff.^[13]

Gallery

• 
  View from south ridge of Benbaun to Bencollaghduff, with ridge to Bencorr and Derryclare behind
• 
  View of (r-to-l) Benbaun, Muckanaght and Bencullagh from the summit of Bencollaghduff
• 
  View of (l-to-r), Bengower, Benbreen, and Bencollaghduff from the summit of Derryclare
• 
  View into the Glencoaghan Horseshoe with the long summit ridge of Bencolloughduff (back, centre)

Bibliography

• Fairbairn, Helen (2014). Ireland's Best Walks: A Walking Guide. Collins Press. ISBN 978-1848892118.
• MountainViews Online Database (Simon Stewart) (2013). A Guide to Ireland's Mountain Summits: The Vandeleur-Lynams & the Arderins. Collins Books. ISBN 978-1-84889-164-7.
• Dillion, Paddy (2001). Connemara: Collins Rambler's guide. Harper Collins. ISBN 978-0002201216.
• Dillion, Paddy (1993). The Mountains of Ireland: A Guide to Walking the Summits. Cicerone. ISBN 978-1852841102.

See also

• Twelve Bens
• Mweelrea, major range in Killary Harbour
• Maumturks, major range in Connemara
• Lists of mountains in Ireland
• Lists of mountains and hills in the British Isles
• List of Marilyns in the British Isles
• List of Hewitt mountains in England, Wales and Ireland