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23 Oct 2025

Bicentenary of Inishowen’s role in landmark moment in Irish mapping to be marked

In October 1825,  Royal Engineer Thomas Drummond of the Ordnance Survey ascended Sliabh Sneacht and used a pioneering limelight device to beam a signal 67 miles to Belfast - an achievement that marked a new era in Irish mapping and surveying

200th anniversary of Drummond’s erection of limelight on  Sliabh Sneacht to be marked

In 1825, Thomas Drummond ascended Sliabh Sneacht with a team for a two-week camp which helped shape Ireland’s first accurate national maps

A breakthrough that helped shape Ireland’s first accurate national maps which took place in Inishowen 200 years ago is being marked with a special event.

On October 27, 1825,  Royal Engineer Thomas Drummond of the Ordnance Survey ascended Sliabh Sneacht with a team for a two-week camp and used a pioneering limelight device to beam a signal 67 miles to Belfast.

This remarkable achievement marked a new era in Irish mapping and surveying.

As part of National Heritage Week, the bicentenary of this landmark moment in Irish mapping history is being marked.

READ NEXT: Colgan Heritage Weekend to showcase one hundred years of local and Irish history

An event titled, A Light Across the Land – Celebrating 200 Years of Mapping Innovation, is taking place on Friday, August 22 in the Sliabh Sneacht Centre in Drumfries.

The event includes a guided walk at 3pm which explores the new Drovers Trail, also known as the Old Carn Road, with a trained Lowland Leader from Active Inishowen, supported by North West Community Development Partnership.

After refreshments at 4:30pm, Dr Peter Wilson will give a talk on Drummond’s legacy and the evolution of Irish cartography.

Booking for each event is required. To book your place or find out more, contact: kevin@inishowen.ie.

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