Benbulbin
Mountain Distinctive table-shaped mountain in County Sligo
A table-top mountain in County Sligo, Benbulbin shows distinctive Dartry Limestone scarps. Walkers come for cliff-top routes, coastal panoramas and literary associations with W.B. Yeats.
Benbulbin is a distinctive table-top mountain in County Sligo in northwest Ireland, formed from limestone and shaped by glacial erosion. Its sheer north-facing cliffs and flat summit make it a local landmark and focal point for short hikes.
The mountain features a broad, level summit plateau and steep escarpments; popular walking routes include approaches from the nearby roads and the Gleniff Horseshoe circuit. It is also culturally noted through associations with W. B. Yeats and local folklore.
Benbulbin’s present form was produced during the Ice Age when glaciers sculpted the Dartry Limestone into its current scarp and plateau. The area has been used for grazing and local recreational walking for many generations.
The formation sits in County Sligo, visible from Sligo town and the surrounding lowlands, and is accessed from local roads that run close to its foot and from car parks serving the Gleniff Horseshoe.
- Profile: Flat, table-top summit and steep northern cliffs make it distinctive and easily recognisable from Sligo and the surrounding plain.
- Hiking: Popular for short hikes and scrambling routes; weather can change rapidly and some routes on the cliffs are exposed.
Tips for Visiting Benbulbin #
- Visit later in the afternoon for the best sculptural lighting on the cliffs; Benbulbin's dramatic faces look especially good as the sun drops and crowds thin.
- Use the well‑waymarked Coillte forest tracks and official car parks rather than attempting steep cliff routes - the forest approaches give safe access to good viewpoints and avoid exposed scrambles that attract inexperienced walkers.
- Avoid the busiest weekends by going on a weekday or very early; many day-trippers stay near the main car park, while quieter viewpoints on the lower slopes reward those who continue a little farther along the marked trails.
Best Time to Visit Benbulbin #
Best late spring through early autumn for hillwalking and the clearest views of the table mountain.
Weather & Climate near Benbulbin #
Benbulbin's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 2°C to 16°C. Heavy rainfall (2060 mm/year), wettest in January.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (232 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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February
February is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (167 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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March
March is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 2°C. Significant rainfall (184 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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April
April is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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May
May is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 5°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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June
June is cool with highs of 15°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (116 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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July
July is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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August
August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (149 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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September
September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (176 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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October
October is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 6°C. Heavy rain (222 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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November
November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Heavy rain (225 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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December
December is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Heavy rain (231 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.
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