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Earth Science Conservation Review
| Moneyneena - site of local interest | Londonderry |
| Site number: | 741 | ||
| Locality Type: | Inland exposure, Valley | Status: | local interest |
| Grid Reference: | H7397 Approximate | ||
| Google maps: | 54.81596,-6.86445 | ||
| County: | Londonderry | Council area: | Mid Ulster District Council |
| Period: | Quaternary | ||
| Site Description | |
|---|---|
| Highlights: | |
Numerous sections through glaciolacustrine (deltaic) deposits are found in the deeply incised valleys of the Dunlogan and Drumderg Rivers, immediately west of the County Derry village of Moneyneena, and near vertical faces up to 20m high are common. These sediments were originally deposited in a single glacial lake delta and are thickest in the centre of the deposit, in the sections that occur between the rivers, and thin to the north and south onto the flanks of the original valley which was lined with glacial till. | |
| Description: | |
Early interpretations of the glacial history of the Sperrin Mountains recognised a minor role for glacial lakes in the deposition of sand and gravel deposits throughout the area. Recent evidence however now supports the association of sand and gravel deposits in the area with deposition in lakes. There is ample evidence from the valleys of the Dunlogan and Drumderg Rivers, just west of Moneyneena, to support this contention. The sand and gravel deposits west of Moneyneena were originally deposited in a single glacial lake delta which was later dissected and eroded by the post-glacial rivers, restricting the deposit to three narrow bands flanking the present day courses of the rivers. The sediments are thickest in the centre of the deposit, in the sections that occur between the rivers, and thin to the north and south onto the flanks of the original valley which was lined with glacial till. The top surface of the main part of the deposit is gently undulating and is inclined towards its centre line from an altitude of about 125m on the north side, at St. Eoghan’s Primary School, and 138m at its southern margin, just north of the Drumderg Road. Numerous sections through the deposits are found in the deeply incised valleys of the Dunlogan and Drumderg Rivers and near vertical faces up to 20m high are common. At most sections the rivers have eroded through the glaciolacustrine deposit but it is only rarely that the underlying glacial till is exposed in the banks or bed of the rivers. The best section in the deltaic deposits, which is in the north bank of the Drumderg River [H7472 9721], exposes at least 14m of stratified clay, sand and gravel. The thickness of the stratified deposits increases to at least 20m in both banks of the river to the west of this locality. | |
| Importance: | |
The site is of scientific value as it provides very good and well exposed evidence for the late glacial lake development in the Moneyneena area. The site has educational value as it provides very good, well exposed and readily accessible sections through late glaciolacustrine deltaic deposits. As such it provides a good opportunity for those studying the late and post glacial history of the Sperrin region. | |
| Notes: | |
The site is traversed by Hudy’s Way / Slí Huidí, a waymarked trail, established by the local development group and promoted by Sperrins Tourism. The site is traversed by a walk featured in the 'Walk the Sperrins' set published by GSNI / GSI. | |
| Keywords | |
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| Rocks: | Clay, Gravel, Sand |
| Relations: | Glaciolacustrine deposit |
| Geomorph: | delta |
| Access | |
|---|---|
| Approach: | This site is located in the valleys of the Dunlogan and Drumderg Rivers, west of Moneyneena. |
| Uses | |
| Educ. Level: | The site has educational value as it provides a good opportunity for those studying the late and post glacial history of the Sperrin region. |
| Record type: | SLNCI Report | ||
| Entered by: | E M Porter | ||
| Last updated: | 09/10/03 | ||
| Enlander, I., Dempster, M. & Doughty, P., 2026. Moneyneena - site of local interest, County Londonderry, site details. [In] Earth Science Conservation Review. https://www.habitas.org.uk/escr/site.php?item=741. Accessed on 2026-11-06. |
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