Mount Ireland

{{Short description|Mountain in Grant County, Oregon, U.S.}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox mountain

| name = Mount Ireland

| photo =

| photo_caption =

| elevation_ft = 8325

| elevation_ref = {{NAVD88}}{{cite peakbagger |pid=3132 |name=Mount Ireland, Oregon |accessdate=2008-07-25}}

| prominence_ft = 1041

| prominence_ref =

| map = Oregon#USA

| map_caption = Location in Oregon

| map_size = 240

| location = Grant County, Oregon, U.S.

| range = Elkhorn Crest of the southern Blue Mountains

| coordinates = {{coord|44.836884994|N|118.320610033|W|type:mountain_region:US-OR_scale:100000_source:NGS|format=dms|display=inline,title}}

| range_coordinates =

| coordinates_ref = {{cite ngs |id=QC0888 |name=Ireland Mountain Lookout House |accessdate=2008-07-25}}

| topo = USGS Mount Ireland

| type =

| age =

| first_ascent =

| easiest_route =

}}

Mount Ireland is a mountain in Grant County of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is about {{convert|5|mi|0}} east-northeast of Granite, Oregon. It is the shortest and westernmost 8000'+ peak in the Elkhorn Range of the Blue Mountains at {{convert|8,321|ft|0}},"Oregon Official State Map." Oregon Department of Transportation, Geographic Information Services Unit, Salem, OR, 2015.{{cite web |url=https://www.summitpost.org/blue-mountains-or/170889 |title=Blue Mountains (OR) : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost |website=www.summitpost.org |access-date=24 April 2020}} and Oregon's 71st highest peak with at least a 500' clean prominence.{{cite web |url=https://www.summitpost.org/oregon-top-100/601357 |title=Oregon Top 100 : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost |website=www.summitpost.org |access-date=24 April 2020}} For a period of several years, this mountain peak was referred to as Bald Mountain, but in 1917 it was changed to Ireland Mountain{{cite web |url=https://oregonlookouts.weebly.com/mount-ireland.html |title=Mount Ireland |website=oregonlookouts.weebly.com |access-date=24 Apr 2020}}—in commemoration of the late Henry Ireland, who for 10 years was supervisor of the Whitman National Forest in which the mountain is located—before formally becoming known as Mount Ireland.{{cite gnis |id=1124418 |name=Mount Ireland |accessdate=2016-04-29}} The name change was brought about by a cooperative effort of local citizens and the US Forest Service to honor Henry Ireland, who had died in 1916.{{cite book |last1=McArthur |first1=Lewis A. |author2=Lewis L McArthur |title=Oregon Geographic Names |location=Portland, OR |publisher=Oregon Historical Society Press |year=2003 |isbn=978-0875952789}}

Several gold mining claims were established in the area and are still identifiable on local forest maps. Some are still patented while others have long been abandoned.{{cite web |url=http://www.mindat.org/usdistance.php?loc=150723 |title=Results - nearest recorded localities to 44° 51' 32" N,118° 19' 40" W |publisher=Mindat |accessdate=2016-04-29}}

Mount Ireland is located in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and outdoor enthusiasts are welcome to hike the Mt. Ireland Lookout Trail #1604 which is open Summer and Fall.{{cite summitpost |id=419173 |name=Mount Ireland |accessdate=2016-04-29}} Though the trail is ranked as "more difficult", there are no restrictions. The trail covers 3.2 miles from an elevation of 6,000 feet at the trailhead and ends at the Mt. Ireland Fire Lookout. The summit overlooks Baldy Lake on the north slope and though the mountain peak's name was changed, the small mountain lake retained its original name.{{cite gnis |id=1117200 |name=Baldy Lake |accessdate=2016-04-29}} The view from the summit provides an extensive panorama of the North Fork John Day Wilderness.