Diamond Hill (Ireland)


Diamond Hill at only, does not rank as an Arderin, or a Vandeleur-Lynam; however, it has the prominence to rank as a Marilyn. Diamond Hill is an isolated peak, situated beside the village of Letterfrack, in the northwest corner of the Twelve Bens in the Connemara National Park in Galway, Ireland. It lies just west of Knockbrack and the small massif of Benbrack, and looks into the Polladirk valley, around which several major Bens are located. Despite its moderate size and isolated position, Diamond Hill is a popular peak with tourists due to its paths and boarded mountain trail, and relative ease of access, together with well-regarded views of the core Twelve Bens range, and western Connemara.

Naming

According to Irish academic Paul Tempan, "Ghuaire" most likely refers to Guaire Aidne mac Colmáin, one of the Kings of Connacht and a member of the Ui Fiachrach Aidhne. Guaire was renowned for his hospitality and generosity and was known as "Guaire of the extended hand", and is the title character in W.B. Yeats’ play, The King’s Threshold. He is also associated with Dunguaire Castle, near the village of Kinvara.
Tempan also notes that Diamond Hill is also known as "Bengooria", being an anglicised version of its Irish name, as well as "Benhoowirra", an alterative anglicisation. The Discovery Map spells the name as "Diomond Hill", however, Tempan notes that this is not the locally accepted spelling, and relates to the glitter of the quartz crystals on the mountain.

Geography

Diamond Hill is an isolated peak of the Twelve Bens, which lies in the north-west corner of the range. Immediately east of Diamond Hill is the minor peak of Knockbrack at, which is part of the small massif of Benbrack, one of the core Twelve Bens.
To the north of Diamond Hill is Kylemore Lough, and across the Lough is the massif of Garraun, which is part of the wider Twelve Bens/Garraun Complex Special Area of Conservation. To the west of Diamond Hill is the Ballinakill harbour, and to the south are the western boglands and dotted lakes of Connemara.
To the southeast is the scenic valley of Polladirk, around which several major Bens are located, including Benbrack, Benfree , Muckanaght, and Bencullagh.

Hill walking

Diamond Hill is popular for its accessibility and panoramic views, only ranking behind Croagh Patrick for footfall, and attracts both Irish walkers and foreign tourists. The mountain was closed to climbing in 2002 due to severe erosion but was re-opened in December 2005 after the completion of a Euro 1.4 million wooden boardwalk and stone path trail that would limit further erosion.
The most popular route is the 7-kilometre 2.5-hour round-trip trail that starts and ends at the National Park visitor centre in Letterfrack, and does a loop over the summit ridge and back to the main trail; it does not require any special hiking ability and the trail is well marked, with pathways and boardwalks over bog sections. The trail splits into a Lower Diamond Hill Walk, and an Upper Diamond Hill Walk which reaches the summit.

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