WATER CATCHMENT AREAS IN IRELAND 289 
Lisburn, between 450 and 1085 feet elevation, contains 
5348 acres, of which 1365 acres were purchased by the 
Commissioners and depopulated, being now used for meadow 
and grazing. The unpurchased part is moorland and rough 
mountain grazing. No part of this catchment area is 
wooded. 
The Mourne catchment area, 33 miles south of Belfast 
and 5 miles from Kilkeel, at 450 to 2800 feet elevation, 
in the Happy Valley of the Mourne Mountains, contains 
8724 acres, all of which has been purchased by the Com- 
missioners. It consists of steep, treeless mountain slopes, 
without dwellings, on which only a few sheep can be 
grazed, and is above the agricultural zone. The water is 
filtered. No scheme for planting has been proposed; and 
My. R. Hamilton, Secretary, considers that “ the bare rugged 
slopes of the Mourne area are incapable of being used with 
satisfactory results for the planting of trees.” 
Lisburn: gathering ground in Aghnahough, Aghalislone, 
and White Mountain, 476 acres, between 356 and 825 
feet elevation, comprising 279 acres of arable land, 190 
acres of mountain pasture, and 7 acres of plantations, with 
22 farmhouses and 10 cottages. The Council own 283 
acres, all arable. “The streams have been piped at points 
most liable to surface contamination, and receive constant 
inspection and supervision. There is no risk of contamina- 
tion being brought by flood water or rains into the storage 
reservoir, which is situated between White Mountain and 
Lisburn. The water supply is filtered.” 
Ballymena: gathering ground on Quolie Mountain, 1723 
acres, between 835 and 1250 feet elevation, all mountain 
grazing, without habitations or plantations. Council own 
none of the ground. No special precautions needed against 
contamination. 
Ballymoney : from Lake Drumbest, 54 miles distant, at 
327 feet elevation. Council own only the bank surround- 
ing the lake. The water is not filtered. 
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