Knocklayd
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Knocklayd (Irish name: Cnoc Leithid, "hill of the slope/expanse"[1]) is a peak in County Antrim, Northern Ireland, about 3 miles (5 km) due south from Ballycastle. The Irish Grid reference is D115 364.
| Knocklayd | |
|---|---|
| Cnoc Leithid | |
Knocklayd from the west | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,686 ft (514 m) |
| Prominence | 1,286 ft (392 m) |
| Parent peak | Trostan |
| Coordinates | 55.16209°N 6.25109°W |
| Geography | |
  Knocklayd | |
 | |
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| County | Antrim |
| Civil parish | Armoy |
| Parent range | Antrim Hills |
| OSI/OSNI grid | D115 364 |
Geography
Knocklayd is the northernmost peak of the Antrim Hills, of conical shape with a height above sea level of 1686 ft (514 m) and a prominence of 1286 ft (392 m), and lies within the Antrim Coast and Glens AONB in which it is the third-highest summit. It is the second highest mountain in County Antrim after Trostan.[2]
A trig point has been erected on the summit.
Knocklayd is remarkable for the fact that ten townlands meet in a multipoint near its summit.[3] Clockwise from the north, these are Broom-More, Tavnaghboy, Kilrobert, Clare Mountain, Aghaleck, Corvally, Essan, Cleggan, Stroan, and Tullaghore.
Geology
Knocklayd consisty chiefly of Dalradian schists and gneisses and is covered by chalk and basalt.[4] A mica platform extends between Knocklayd and Tor Point over a distance of about 6 miles (10 km). Limestone overlay the slate and surrounds the mountain in a diameter of about 1 1/2 miles (2.5 km) and is itself covered by basalt. Quartz and chalcedony may be found on the mountain. [5]
Archaeology
Carn an Truagh ("Cairn of Woe" or "Cairn of Sorrow", also called "cairn of the three", as according to legend three Danish princesses are presumed to be buried there[6]) surrounds the summit. It is about 4 m high and 20 m in diameter[7] and a scheduled monument. The structure is almost certainly a passage tomb; it has never been excavated, but it is exposed in places through erosion.[8] It consists of white quartz and is covered by peat and grass.
Knocklayd is further surrounded by several standing stones.[9]
