- 27th April 2024
- Lead: Ian Enlander and Barrie Hartwell
Geology focus is on the area around the earthworks, the valley area to the west and the area north, around the cashel/cairn/cist burial but could include Knockdhu/Sallagh Braes to the east – not sure whether slopes to latter are suitable for all attending?
The Linford karst has developed within a large outcrop/sub-outcrop of Ulster White Limestone (Cretaceous chalk) –
with karst features including a doline field, a series of sinks and dry valley. Geographical relationship shown below
Geology – extensive area of chalk present has undergone combination of periglacial erosion (?) and Recent dissolution. Result is a series of classic limestone karst features including sinks (disappearing stream), dolines (closed depression caused by solution/collapse processes) and a dry valley.
Some of these features (dolines especially) have been viewed as man-made – iron mines (geology totally wrong) and flint mines (unlikely + where is all the spoil?).
Linford – search Google maps – ‘Linford carpark and view point’ – 54.895599, -5.923176
no facilities
Ballygally car park – search Google maps ‘Ballygally Car Park’ – 54.898529, -5.860055
toilets and SPAR shop
Ground generally sound on grass and stone but will involve some moderately steep (short) walks to view geology features north of the road and (longer) if going to Knockdhu/Sallagh Braes area. Including Knockdhu will involve climbing a number of stiles
NO DOGS PERMITTED
