Divis
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2008-06-19T06:05:30Z
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{{Infobox Mountain
| Name = Divis - Dubh Ais
| Photo = | Caption =
| Elevation = 478 m
| Location = [[Antrim Mountains]], [[Northern Ireland]]
| Range =
| Prominence = 380 m
| Coordinates =
| Topographic map = [[Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland|OSNI]] ''Discovery'' 15
| Type = | Age =
| First ascent = | Easiest route =
| Grid_ref_Ireland = J280754
| Listing = [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyn]]
| Translation = | Language = | Pronunciation =
}}
[[Image:NTBrochure.jpg|thumb|300px|Map of Divis <small>[[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]] brochure</small>]]
'''Divis''' (from the [[Irish language|Irish]], ''Dubh Ais'', meaning ''black back'') is an area of sprawling [[moorland]] to the north-west of [[Belfast]], [[Northern Ireland]]. It extends north to the [[County Antrim|Antrim]] plateau and shares its geology consisting of a [[basalt]]ic cover underlain by [[limestone]] and [[Early Jurassic|lias]] clay.
Only recently have the Divis area and its surrounding mountains been handed over to the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]; from 1953 to 2005, it was under the control of the [[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|Ministry of Defence]]. It was also used as a training area for the army. It might have been released earlier, but due to the period of unrest known as [[the Troubles]], the [[British Government]] and [[British Military|military]] viewed the area as a useful vantage point, overlooking Belfast.
By way of its extensive transmitter bases, Divis contributes significantly to the [[telecommunications]] network for much of Northern Ireland.
Analogue television services broadcast on the following channel numbers:
* [[BBC One]] Northern Ireland - 31,
* [[BBC Two]] Northern Ireland - 27,
* [[ITV]] ([[UTV]]) - 24,
* [[Channel 4]] - 21,
* [[TG4]] - 59.
All of the above channels, except TG4, broadcast at a power of 500 [[Kilowatt|kW]]. As well as providing direct reception for most TV viewers in Northern Ireland, all the other analogue transmitters in the province source their output, either directly or indirectly, from Divis. TG4, a channel operated by a wholly owned subsidiary company of the state broadcaster of the [[Republic of Ireland]], [[Radio Telefís Éireann|RTÉ]], is broadcast at a very low power and not relayed to any other transmitters. [[five (TV)|Channel 5]] is broadcast from the nearby [[Black Mountain transmitting station]].
Digital television services broadcast on the following channel numbers, and with the following powers:
*Mux 1 ([[BBC]]/[[Freeview (United Kingdom)|Freeview]]) - 29 - 2.3 kW,
*Mux 2 ([[ITV]]/[[Channel 4]]) - 33 - 2.3 kW,
*Mux A ([[S4C Digital Networks|SDN]]) - 23 - 2.3 kW,
*Mux B ([[BBC]]/[[Freeview (United Kingdom)|Freeview]]) - 26 - 2.3 kW,
*Mux C ([[Crown Castle]]/[[Freeview (United Kingdom)|Freeview]]) - 48 - 3.0 kW,
*Mux D ([[Crown Castle]]/[[Freeview (United Kingdom)|Freeview]]) - 34 - 2.7 kW.
[[FM]] radio service broadcast on the following frequencies and with the following powers:
* [[BBC Radio 1]] - 99.7 - 250 kW
* [[BBC Radio 2]] - 90.1 - 250 kW
* [[BBC Radio 3]] - 92.3 - 250 kW
* [[BBC Radio 4]] - 96.0 - 125 kW
* [[BBC Radio Ulster]] - 94.5 - 250 kW
* [[Classic FM (UK)|Classic FM]] - 101.9 - 250 kW
The Divis site is the oldest television transmission site in the whole of [[Ireland]], having come on stream in July 1955, although it was preceded by a temporary transmitter at Cave Hill, outside Belfast, which began broadcasts in 1953 in time for the coronation of [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Elizabeth II]]. Much of the adjoining [[Republic of Ireland]] can pick up fringe reception of the UK TV channels from Divis.
Divis, in common with the adjacent elevations of Mount Gilbert and Black Mountain, is managed by the [[National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty|National Trust]]. The area is served by a network of paths and provides magnificent views over the [[River Lagan|Lagan]] basin.
===External links===
* [http://www.nivets.co.uk/modules.php?name=News&file=print&sid=95 Northern Ireland Veterans Association]
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4410152.stm BBC - Divis Mountain wins 'space award']
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4623859.stm BBC - Beacon of hope on city's mountain]
* [http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main National Trust]
* [http://tx.mb21.co.uk/gallery/divis.php Transmitter]
<!-- Coordinates of transmitter -->
{{coor title dms|54|36|27|N|6|0|34|W|type:landmark}}
[[Category:Marilyns of Northern Ireland]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of County Antrim]]
[[Category:Geography of Belfast]]
[[Category:Transmitter sites in the United Kingdom]]