Mourne Wall, Dry stone wall in Mourne Mountains, Northern Ireland
The Mourne Wall is a dry stone barrier that extends over 22 miles across the Mourne Mountains, built entirely from local granite without mortar. It crosses fifteen mountain summits, including Slieve Donard, threading across one of Northern Ireland's most rugged landscapes.
Construction began in 1904 under the Belfast Water Commissioners and continued until 1922, providing work for local laborers during economically difficult years. The structure was built to protect the water supply for the expanding city of Belfast.
The wall demonstrates traditional dry stone building methods, with stones placed by hand without any mortar to bind them. These techniques represent skills that stonemasons developed and refined over centuries of practice.
The wall is accessible through several hiking trails that offer different starting points along the mountain ridges. Visitors should prepare for changeable mountain weather and bring appropriate gear for steep terrain.
The wall serves as a protective boundary for the Silent Valley Reservoir, controlling the catchment area to ensure clean water reaches Belfast. This water protection purpose was the driving force behind the entire construction project.
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