Glenshane Pass
{{Short description|Mountain pass in Northern Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=April 2017}}
File:Sperrin Mountains near Glenshane Pass - geograph.org.uk - 929003.jpg
The Glenshane Pass ({{etymology|ga|Gleann Seáin|Shane's valley}}) is a major mountain pass cutting through the Sperrin Mountains in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is in the townland of Glenshane Pass on the main Derry to Belfast route, the A6.
A large wildfire broke out in Glenshane Pass in late June 2018, burning more than 600 acres of dry gorse in the pass by 27 June.
Features
It is a Special Area of Conservation. Carn/Glenshane Pass is a large area of intact blanket bog, characterised by undulating topography and including a large, well-developed hummock and pool system within a thick mantle of blanket peat.{{cite web | title=Carn – Glenshane Pass | work=Joint Nature Conservation Committee | url=http://www.jncc.gov.uk/ProtectedSites/SACselection/SAC.asp?EUCode=UK0030110 | access-date=2008-06-26 | archive-date=28 July 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080728133203/http://www.jncc.gov.uk/ProtectedSites/SACselection/sac.asp?EUCode=UK0030110 | url-status=live }} It is also classed as an Area of Special Scientific Interest.{{cite web | title=Carn/Glenshane Pass | work=Environment and Heritage Service | url=http://www.ehsni.gov.uk/area_interest_sitesview?SiteNo=ASSI167 | access-date=2008-06-26}} The Ponderosa is the second highest public house on the island of Ireland, situated {{convert|288|m|ft|abbr=off}} above sea level.{{cite news|url= https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/patrons-of-ireland-s-highest-pub-travel-to-see-kerry-back-on-top-1.4016472|title= Patrons of Ireland’s highest pub travel to see Kerry back on Top|work= The Irish Times|first= Una|last= Brankin|date= 13 September 2019|access-date= 9 May 2020|archive-date= 15 January 2021|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210115220957/https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/patrons-of-ireland-s-highest-pub-travel-to-see-kerry-back-on-top-1.4016472|url-status= live}}
History
The Glenshane Pass derives its name from the townland of Glenshane. It is named after Shane Crossagh O'Mullan a notorious rapparee, or highwayman, who roamed the highways of County Londonderry and County Tyrone in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century.{{cite news|url=http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/your-community/the-bandit-who-escaped-the-devil-s-claws-shane-crossagh-o-mullan-1-4756055|title=The bandit who escaped ‘the Devil’s Claws’ – Shane Crossagh O’Mullan|first=Niall|last=Deeney|date=5 February 2013|work=The Londonderry Sentinel|access-date=28 October 2013|archive-date=29 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029204553/http://www.londonderrysentinel.co.uk/news/your-community/the-bandit-who-escaped-the-devil-s-claws-shane-crossagh-o-mullan-1-4756055|url-status=live}}
=The Troubles=
- On 24 June 1972, three British Army soldiers were killed by a landmine explosion on the Glenshane Pass.{{cite web | title=Members of the Army Air Corps killed as a result of the Troubles in Northern Ireland from 1958 | work=Palace Barracks Memorial Garden | url=http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org/Army%20Air%20Corps.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021207080316/http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org/Army%20Air%20Corps.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 December 2002 | access-date=2008-06-26 | df=dmy-all }} Their Land Rover was destroyed by two IEDs consisting of 120 lbs of explosive packed in milk churns.{{cite web | title=Members of The Parachute Regiment killed as a result of the Troubles in Northern Ireland from 1971 | work=Palace Barracks Memorial Garden | url=http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org/The%20Parachute%20Regiment.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030112211007/http://www.palacebarracksmemorialgarden.org/The%20Parachute%20Regiment.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=12 January 2003 | access-date=2008-06-26 | df=dmy-all }}
- On 17 March 1978, a British Army soldier was shot dead in a gun battle with IRA gunmen near the Glenshane Pass. Some reports said he was involved in a covert observation post when he spotted two suspected gunmen. He stood up to challenge the men and was fatally wounded, but he shot back wounding one man.
References
{{reflist}}
{{County Londonderry}}
{{Northern Ireland roads}}
{{coord|54.88006|N|6.79084|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
Category:Landforms of County Londonderry