Slieve Commedagh

Slieve Commedagh

Overview and summit

Slieve Commedagh is the 767 m mountain above Newcastle in County Down, Northern Ireland, and the second-highest summit in the Mournes. Its summit cairn lies a short distance north-east of the stone shelter tower on the Mourne Wall. The wall, tower and Donard–Commedagh saddle are separate landmarks, not substitutes for reaching the cairn.

The catalogue retains the DoBIH height of 767 m, prominence of 184 m and grid reference J346286. Some OSNI-based walking guides use 765 m; MountainViews gives 767 m and a prominence of 180 m. These are different published conventions, not evidence of a new survey here.

Routes

• Glen River out and back: start at Donard Park, ascend through the forest to the saddle, then turn right/north-west for Commedagh when arriving from the Glen River. Visit the cairn beyond the tower and retrace the route to Donard Park. The left/south-east climb from the saddle is Donard.
• Hare’s Gap and Brandy Pad out and back: from Meelmore Lodge, use the Trassey approach and Brandy Pad below the southern slopes, then the ascending branch to the Donard–Commedagh saddle and the north-west climb. Return by the same route to Meelmore Lodge.
• Shan Slieve and Slievenamaddy circuit: the published Mud and Routes route starts at Donard Park, ascends by the Glen River, visits Commedagh and descends through Shan Slieve, Slievenamaddy Ridge and Donard Forest. Its 8.99 km / 4-hour estimate is for that full circuit. Faint paths, steep grass and nearby cliffs make the northern descent unsuitable in poor visibility.
• Bloody Bridge out and back: reach the Bog of Donard, continue on the Brandy Pad and take the branch to the Donard–Commedagh saddle before climbing Commedagh. Retrace to Bloody Bridge. Climbing beside the wall straight from the Bog of Donard instead reaches Donard.
• Seven Sevens: the complete Newcastle circuit is about 30.5 km, typically 10–12 hours, and visits seven traditional summits. Only six exceed 700 m; Meelmore is lower. It is a major endurance undertaking, not a short Commedagh ascent.

Terrain, geology and views

The Glen River approach has forest paths, rough stonework and pitched sections; the climb above the saddle is steep. The summit is broad, with grassy ground and nearby craggy slopes. In clear conditions there are views of Newcastle, the County Down coast, the Irish Sea, the Annalong Valley and the surrounding Mournes.

The mountain belongs to the Mourne granite complex, formed below the surface about 56 million years ago. Glaciation later shaped the wider landscape. The Castles are granite tors on Commedagh’s southern slopes.

Access and facilities

Donard Park is the principal Glen River start. Meelmore Lodge provides paid parking and mountain access for the western approach; Bloody Bridge serves the coastal approach. Newcastle has shops and places to eat, and public toilets are listed at Donard Park and Bloody Bridge. Check local opening and access notices. Translink serves Newcastle, including service 520 from Belfast; check your date and return connection.

Use established paths, gates and stiles, keep dogs on leads around livestock, and take waste home. Many Mourne routes cross private land by landowner goodwill rather than a general right to roam. Keep to repaired paths to protect fragile vegetation, and do not walk along the top of the Mourne Wall.

Safety

Wet rocks, roots, stone steps, loose material and steep grass can cause slips. Keep clear of crag edges, particularly on the northern descent near the Pot of Pulgarve. Cloud can obscure both the summit cairn and the correct descent. River crossings on the Trassey and Bloody Bridge approaches may become unsafe in spate; never force a crossing. Take care crossing the busy road at Bloody Bridge.

Check mountain weather, plan a route within the whole group’s ability and carry independent navigation, warm waterproof clothing, food, water, a headtorch and emergency shelter. Snow and ice require winter skills and equipment. Mobile reception is unreliable. In an emergency call 999 or 112 and ask for Police, then Mountain Rescue.

Name and heritage

Sliabh Coimhéideach means watching or guarding mountain. The Mourne Wall was built between 1904 and 1922 to enclose the reservoir water catchment, and Commedagh has one of its three stone shelter towers. The Brandy Pad preserves the history of eighteenth-century smuggling across the Mournes.