Irish Hill and Mountain Names

The following document is extracted from the database used to prepare the list of peaks included on the ‘Summits’ section and other sections at www.mountainviews.ie

The document comprises the name data and key geographical data for each peak listed on the website as of May 2010, with some minor changes and omissions. The

geographical data on the website is more comprehensive.

The data was collated over a number of years by a team of volunteer contributors to the website. The list in use started with the 2000ft list of Rev. Vandeleur (1950s),

the 600m list based on this by Joss Lynam (1970s) and the 400 and 500m lists of Michael Dewey and Myrddyn Phillips. Extensive revision and extra data has been

accepted from many MV contributors including Simon Stewart, Brian Ringland, Paul Donnelly, John FitzGerald, Denise Jacques, Colin Dalton, Brendan O'Reilly, Mark

Brennan, myself and others.

I have been gathering the place-name data and other information presented in columns 2-4 from 2004 onwards, and some changes have also been made to the

anglicised forms given in column 1 as a result of this research. The anglicised forms are taken from the highest available authority, namely the Placenames Branch

(An Brainse Logainmneacha), followed the Ordnance Survey maps. In the vast majority of cases, these are in agreement, but there are occasional differences, and

some typographical errors occur on the 1:50,000 maps. A different anglicised form from that shown in these official sources has been adopted only in exceptional

cases, which mainly fall into two categories. Firstly, the cartographers had a habit of adding the word ‘mountain’ to the names of several peaks during the first

Ordnance Survey in the 1830s and 1840s, e.g. Errigal Mountain, Muckish Mountain, Sawel Mountain, Mangerton Mountain, etc. These tend to be principal peaks in

the area in which they are located. This tendency has been ignored in the Mountain Views list for a number of reasons: the word ‘mountain’ is redundant in these

cases as the name already denotes a peak without it (unlike, say, Stradbally Mountain, where Stradbally on its own denotes a parish and village); there is usually no

equivalent word in the Irish form, such as sliabh or cnoc; and the Ordnance Survey forms have not gained currency locally or amongst hill-walkers. The second group

of exceptions concerns hills for which there was substantial evidence from alternative authoritative sources for a name other than the one shown on OS maps, e.g.

Croaghonagh / Cruach Eoghanach in Co. Donegal, marked on the Discovery map as Barnesmore, or Slievetrue in Co. Antrim, marked on the Discoverer map as Carn

Hill. In some of these cases, the evidence for overriding the map forms comes from other Ordnance Survey sources, such as the Ordnance Survey Memoirs. It should

be emphasised that these exceptions represent only a very small percentage of the names listed and that the forms used by the Placenames Branch and/or OSI/OSNI

are adopted here in all other cases.

Wherever possible, the Irish forms in column 3, ‘Name Origin and Meaning’, are also taken from www.logainm.ie, the website of the Placenames Branch, or from OSI

maps (OSNI does not provide Irish forms on its Discoverer Series), but many peaks are only marked in an anglicised form. Therefore, there was a greater reliance on

other authoritative sources, such as regional place-name surveys and works on local history. These sources are cited in square brackets after the Irish form of the

name. See below for the key to the abbreviations used. An original interpretation has only been offered for certain transparent names for which no published source

has been found. These are marked with my initials: [PDT]. The Irish forms, which sometimes reflect dialect or Classical Irish forms, have sometimes been modified for

consistency to give a standardised modern Irish form. The English translations have also been standardised (e.g. so that Ir. binn is consistently rendered as ‘peak’),

and are therefore not necessarily exactly as provided in the source quoted for the Irish form, although great importance has been attached to these. They have only

been disregarded where there is compelling evidence for an alternative interpretation.

The information presented in column 4, Notes about peak and name(s), is very varied in nature. Often it consists of a discussion of the name or an explanation of the

interpretation provided. However, it may also include information relating to the topography, history, mythology, folklore, archaeology or other aspects of the mountain.

Some information has also been added on published descriptions of walking routes, particularly for peaks which are not generally well covered in walking guides.

Column 5, ‘Area’, refers to the system of areas used for the MV list. In order to ensure that every peak is assigned to an area, the classification is somewhat

pragmatic. For example, Slieve Croob and its satellites are listed under Mourne Mountains rather than having an area of their own. Isolated hills in areas that are

generally flat have been assigned to areas with names specially coined for MV, such as ‘North Midlands’. On the website there is an additional field called ‘Sub-area’

which enables further distinctions to be made, but this is not given here due to limited space. Therefore, this data should not be interpreted too literally.

Comments on the list are welcome and notification of errors and omissions gratefully received.

Paul Tempan, May 2010. Revised February 2012.

Key to Abbreviations for Place-Name Sources

AMacAB Unpublished notes on the element sliabh in Irish Place-names - Alan Mac An Bhaird

Aspell 'Hags, Hounds and Hornless Cows: Decoding Irish Mountain Names', - Liam Aspell, Call Out, March 2011, www.mountainrescue.ie

Buile Shuibhne Buile Shuibhne (‘The Frenzy of Sweeney’) – edited and translated by James G. O’Keeffe

CF Cois Feoire (place-names of Co. Kilkenny) - Eoghan Ó Ceallaigh

CMcG An Fear Deireanach den tSloinneadh / The Last of the Name - Charles McGlinchey

DCM Dictionary of Celtic Mythology – James MacKillop

Dinneen Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla / Irish-English Dictionary – Rev. Patrick S. Dinneen

DUPN A Dictionary of Ulster Place-Names - Patrick McKay

ET Éire Thuaidh / Ireland North - a cultural map and gazetteer of Irish place-names, published by the Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland

GE Gasaitéar na hÉireann - Ordnance Survey of Ireland

GUH Gleanings from Ulster History – Séamas Ó Ceallaigh

HDGP Historical Dictionary of Gaelic Placenames – edited by Pádraig Ó Riain, Diarmuid Ó Murchadha & Kevin Murray

HU A Hidden Ulster - Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin

IPN Irish Place Names - Deirdre Flanagan and Laurance Flanagan

JOK James O'Kane - article on placenames of Inishkeel and Kilteevoge parishes in Zeitschrift für Celtische Philologie

JON John O’Neill – unpublished thesis on the Placenames of Glencolumbkille.

LL Liostaí Logainmneacha - An Brainse Logainmneacha. Available for counties Limerick, Louth, Waterford and Monaghan, Offaly and Tipperary.

logainm.ie Bunachar Logainmneacha na hÉireann, the Placenames Database of Ireland, a website developed by Fiontar at DCU on behalf of the Placenames

Branch (Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs). URL: www.logainm.ie

MacNeill The Festival of Lughnasa - Máire MacNeill

MD Metrical Dindshenchas - edited by Edward Gwynn

MNIMA ‘Minor Names in an Irish Mountain Area’ – an article by Breandán S. Mac Aodha, published in Studia Celtica vol. 24-25 (1989-90), pp. 141-152.

MÓM ‘The Mountain Names of County Down’, Mícheál Ó Mainnín, in Nomina 17 (1994) 31-53.

NIPNP Replies Replies from the Northern Ireland Place-Name Project to enquiries from the public.

O’Flaherty A chorographical description of West or H-Iar Connaught – Roderic O’Flaherty

OG Onomasticon Goedelicum - Edmund Hogan

OSI Ordnance Survey of Ireland maps (usually from the Discovery Series, 1:50,000, unless otherwise stated)

OSM Ordnance Survey Memoirs

OSNB Ordnance Survey Name Book - with Irish versions mainly proposed by John O'Donovan

PDT Suggested Irish version proposed by Paul Tempan in the absence of other published sources

PJW (The Origin and History of) Irish Names of Places (3 vols) – Patrick Weston Joyce

PNABD Place Names and Antiquities of the Barony of Duhallow – Michael J. Bowman

PNCC Place Names of Co. Carlow – Edward O’Toole

PNCL Place-Names of Co. Leitrim - Rev. John Pinkman

PNCW Place-Names of County Wicklow - Liam Price

PND Place-Names of Decies - Canon Patrick Power

PNNI Place-Names of Northern Ireland - published by the Institute of Irish Studies, Queen's University Belfast, esp. volume III (The Mournes) by Mícheál Ó

Mainnín.

Siúlóidí Acla Siúlóidí Acla / A Bilingual Guide to Walking in Achill

SOD Dinnseanchas na gCruacha - Seoirse Ó Dochartaigh

Stubbs ‘Place Names in the County of Louth’ – a series of articles by Major Gen. F.W. Stubbs, published in the County Louth Archaeological Journal, Vol. 2

(no.1, 2, 3 & 4).

SWoI Walk Guide: South-West of Ireland – Seán Ó Súilleabháin

TCCD Tríocha-Céad Chorca Dhuibhne - An Seabhac (Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha)

TH Toponomia Hiberniae (4 vols), a survey of the place-names of South Kerry – Breandán Ó Cíobháin

TNCT Townland Names of County Tyrone – Patrick M’Aleer

TR Connemara, map and gazetteer - Tim Robinson

T6000 map of Beara by Eoghan Ó Súilleabháin in Tuosist 6000

UR Logainmneacha Uíbh Ráthach - An Seabhac (Pádraig Ó Siochfhradha)

An asterisk (*) indicates that no name has been found for the peak on OS maps or in other authoritative sources. The name given here has been adopted specially for the Mountain

Views list, but should not be regarded as official. In most cases the name adopted is that of a townland or one derived from some nearby landmark. Since such names are not official,

Irish forms have not been provided in these cases, even where available. Since the first Mountain Views list was compiled, authoritative names have been found for a considerable

number of peaks which are unnamed on OS maps, and it is hoped that more names will emerge from research in the future.

A hash sign (#) after the source abbreviation indicates that the Irish version provided here is not exactly the form in the source quoted. A common reason for this is that the source

gives a form in dialect or in Classical Irish, whereas the version provided here has been adjusted to conform to standard modern Irish. The definite article has also been added to

certain names to produce standardised forms, e.g. Binn Riabhach has been changed to An Bhinn Riabhach.

A double dagger (‡) after the source abbreviation indicates that the version provided here is inferred from a related name in the source cited.

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Abbey Hill Cnoc na

Mainistreach

(Ir. Cnoc na

Mainistreach

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the abbey')

The name refers to Corcomroe

Abbey, which is located on the south

side of the hill, near Bell Harbour

(Bealaclugga). Walks: for a walk to

the summit of Abbey Hill and around

the N slopes, see Kevin Corcoran,

West of Ireland Walks, 43-50, or

Whilde & Simms, New Irish Walk

Guide - West and North, 24-25.

West Clare Clare M300 103 240 51

Addernymore An Eadarna

Mhór

(Ir. An Eadarna

Mhór [OSI], 'the

big [obscure

element]')

Donegal NW Donegal B899 152 416 1

Aganny Top*

This peak is near Lough Aganny. It

is unnamed on the Discovery map.

Any information on its correct name

would be welcome.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G844 488 482 16

Aghalateeve*

Aghalateeve is a townland in the

parish of Rossinver. Any information

on the correct name of this peak

would be very welcome.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G822 490 432 16

Aghla Beg An Eachla

Bheag

(Ir. An Eachla

Bheag [OSI],

poss. 'little look-

out

point/prospect')

Donegal NW Donegal B962 253 564 2

Aghla Beg

(South)

For origin of

name, see Aghla

Beg.

Although this peak is higher than

either of its neighbours, Aghla More

or Aghla Beg, it has always

remained unnamed on Ordnance

Survey maps. As it has never even

been marked with a spot height on

the 6 inch map, it seems likely that it

was omitted because of a failure to

realise that it was the highest peak in

the group.

Donegal NW Donegal B965 246 603 2

Aghla More An Eachla Mhór (Ir. An Eachla

P.W. Joyce, interprets this name as

Ir. eachla or eachlann, 'stable',

Donegal NW Donegal B950 239 584 1

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Mhór [DUPN],

poss. 'great look-

out

point/prospect')

suggesting it is an example of a

mountain named after a feature

situated at its foot. However, Patrick

McKay prefers to see the modern

form as a re-interpretation of the

original name Achla, a form of Aichill,

meaning 'a look-out point or

prospect' (Dictionary of Ulster Place-

Names). Achill Island in Mayo (Ir.

Acaill) may well be derived from the

same root.

Aghla Mountain An Eachla (Ir. An Eachla

[DUPN], poss.

'look-out

point/prospect')

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G897 989 593 11

Agnew's Hill

Agnew's Hill is probably the peak

marked as Benwellerorie on

Mercator's map of SE Ulster, 1595.

Rory's Glen is a townland on the SE

slopes, named after Rory Ogue

McQuillan [OSM, vol. x, p. 118].

Benwellerorie may represent an

anglicisation of *Binn Mhaol Ruairí,

'Rory's bare peak'. The English

name is derived from the Agnews (Ir.

Ó Gníomh), a family of Scottish

stock who came to prominence in

this area in the 17th century after the

decline of the McQuillan's fortunes.

Antrim Hills Antrim D327 017 474 9

Agow Top*

This peak is near Lough Agow. It is

unnamed on the Discovery map.

Any information on its correct name

would be welcome.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G865 472 423 16

Altnapaste Allt na Péiste (Ir. Allt na Péiste

[OSI], 'ravine of

the

serpent/monster'

)

The summit is located on the

boundary of the townlands of

Altnapaste, Ballybobaneen and

Cashel. It is not clear from maps

where the ravine is which gave name

to the mountain and the townland.

There is a ledge and cliff to the east

of the summit named Altmore Cliff.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal H045 960 364 6/11

An Bheann Mhór

(Ir.)

An Bheann Mhór (Ir. An Bheann

Mhór [TH], 'the

big peak')

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

It is recorded as An Bheann Mhór in

Toponomia Hiberniae by Breandán Ó

Cíobháin.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V655 646 308 83/84

An Bheann Mhór

(Ir.)

An Bheann Mhór (Ir. An Bheann

Mhór [TH], 'the

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V593 684 675 83

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

big peak')

An Bhinn Dubh

(Ir.)

An Bhinn Dubh (Ir. An Bhinn

Dubh [OSI], 'the

black peak')

This is the first peak W of the

Connor Pass.

Brandon Group Kerry Q484 056 478 70

An Bhinn Láir

(Ir.)

An Bhinn Láir (Ir. An Bhinn Láir

[TH], 'the middle

peak')

Located at the top of the ridge

separating the valleys of Derriana

from Cloonaghlin.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V630 714 514 78/83

An Cnapán Mór

(Ir.)

An Cnapán Mór;

An Sliabh Dubh

(Ir. An Cnapán

Mór [OSI,

TCCD], 'the big

lump')

An Seabhac also gives the

alternative name An Sliabh Dubh

[TCCD], 'the black mountain'.

Central Dingle Kerry Q522 045 649 70

An Cnoc

Riabhach (Ir.)

An Cnoc

Riabhach

(Ir. An Cnoc

Riabhach [TH],

'the grey/striped

hill')

This is the first peak in the

horseshoe walk which takes in

Mullaghanattin and Beann (going

anti-clockwise).

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V758 760 534 78

Anglesey

Mountain

"Called after the Marquess of

Anglesea, who till the middle of the

last century [i.e. 19th century] owned

it." [Stubbs]

Cooley/Gullion Louth J106 178 428 29

Annagh Hill

Annaghhill is also the name of a

townland in the parish of Kilnahue.

There are six other townlands in the

parish whose names begin with

Annagh. This hill is marked as

Conna Hill on some 19th century

maps of Co. Wexford. Connahill is

the name of a townland to the SW of

the summit.

Dublin/Wicklow Wexford T100 680 454 62

Annacoona Top*

Annacoona Cliffs, which form a

dramatic barrier at the head of

Gleniff, are immediately north of the

summit. A cavern, known as

Diarmuid and Gráinne's Cave, is

situated in these cliffs.

Dartry Mountains Sligo G728 463 597 16

Annatoran*

Annatoran is the highest part of the

plateau located ENE of Easky

Lough.

Ox Mountains Sligo G475 245 512 24

Arderin Ard Eireann (Ir. Ard Éireann

[logainm.ie], 'the

height of Ireland'

or 'Eriu’s height')

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 221-25) for details of

the festive assembly on 'Height

Sunday' on Arderin.

Slieve Bloom Laois / Offaly S232 989 527 54

Ardloughnabrack

baddy

Ard Loch na

mBreac Beadaí

(Ir. Ard Loch na

mBreac Beadaí

This peak is a small knoll between

Lough Nabrackbaddy (Loch na

Donegal NW Donegal B955 245 473 1

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

[OSI‡], 'height of

Loch na mBreac

Beadaí or lake of

the tasty trout')

mBreac Beadaí) and Lough Feeane.

The name is correctly positioned on

Discovery sheet 1, but incorrectly on

sheet 2 (on which it should not

appear).

Ardnageer;

Knockgorm

Ard na gCaor (Ir. Ard na gCaor

[JOK], 'height of

the berries')

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G969 909 642 11

Ardnageer SW

Top

For origin of

name, see

Ardnageer

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G963 905 626 11

Arroo Mountain Sliabh Aradh (Ir. Sliabh Aradh

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of

[obscure

element]')

Arroo is a townland in Rossinver

parish, barony of Rosclogher.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G833 521 523 16

Balbane Hill

This peak is a southern outlier of

Crocknapeast.

Donegal SW Donegal G696 829 472 10

Balix Hill

Balix is a townland name but is

derived from (Ir. Béalóga, 'narrow

gap(s)' [inferred from HDGP].

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H475 962 403 13

Ballaghnabehy

Top

This peak is unnamed on the

Discovery map. It is near

Ballaghnabehy Lough and is part of

the Ben Scardaun / Lackagh

Mountain massif. Any information on

its correct name would be welcome.

Ballaghnabehy is a townland in the

parish of Cloonclare.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G946 352 413 26/16

Ballinacor

Mountain

Sliabh Bhaile na

Corra

(poss. Ir. Sliabh

Bhaile na Corra

[PDT], 'hill of

Baile na Corra or

the townland of

the weir')

Ballinacor is the name of a townland,

a parish and two baronies (Ballinacor

South and North), which shows that

it was historically of considerable

importance, even though there is no

village of the name. Ballinacor has

in turn been the seat of the Anglicus

family (14th century), the O'Byrnes

of Gabhal Raghnaill, the Rawdon

family and the Kemmis family (until

1986, since when it has changed

hands several times).

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T117 865 531 62

Ballinafunshoge;

Slieve Buck

Sliabh Boc (prob. Ir. Sliabh

Boc [PDT],

'mountain of

Ballinafunshoge (from Ir. Baile na

Fuinseoige, 'townland of the ash') or

Ashtown is the name of a townland,

and it has clearly been erroneously

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O165 042 480 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

bucks')

applied to this hill. The peak was

named Slieve Buck on maps of

Wicklow made in 1760 and in 1822,

but this name appears to have been

forgotten since. In his 'Guide to the

County of Wicklow' (1827) Wright

gives its height as 1480 ft., which is

a little low for this peak (1582 ft.), but

corresponds to the height of

Sleamaine, located about 1 mile

further N. In any case, at this time

such heights were estimated by

enthusiasts and were often not very

accurate.

Ballinard*

Ballinard is a townland in the parish

of Ballincuslane. Any information on

the correct name of this peak would

be very welcome.

W Limerick / N Kerry Kerry R083 118 410 72

Ballincurra Hill Cnoc Bhaile an

Charraigh

(Ir. Cnoc Bhaile

an Charraigh

[OSI], 'hill of

Baile an

Charraigh')

The gap between Ballincurra Hill and

Cooneen Hill is known as Ormond

Stile (sometimes Ormond Style). It

is mentioned by John O'Donovan as

the northern limit of Sliabh Eibhlinne

(Slieve Felim), and he calls it Céim

Urmhumhain, 'the step of Ormond'.

It is on the southern boundary of the

barony of Upper Ormond.

Shannon Tipperary R924 698 403 59

Ballineddan

Mountain

Sliabh Bhuaile

an Fheadáin

(Ir. Sliabh

Bhuaile an

Fheadáin [OSI],

'mountain of

Ballineddan')

Ballineddan Mountain is a townland.

The name is derived from Buaile an

Fheadáin meaning 'milking place of

the stream'.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T002 908 652 56

Ballyarthur Hill;

Lisnalanniv Hill

Cnoc Bhaile

Artúir

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

Bhaile Artúir

[PDT], 'hill of

Baile Artúir')

Named Lisnalanniv Hill on the old ½"

series. Ballyarthur is a townland in

the parishes of Marshalstown and

Fermoy, barony of Condons and

Clangibbon. The Irish form of this

name is Baile Artúir [logainm.ie].

Ballyhoura

Mountains

Cork/Limerick

(though

summit in

Cork)

R790 179 355 73

Ballycumber Hill Cnoc Bhaile an

Chumair

(poss. Ir. Cnoc

Bhaile an

Chumair [PDT],

'hill of Baile an

Chumair or the

townland of the

ravine')

Ballycumber North and South are

townlands in the parish of

Kilcommon.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T028 758 431 62

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Ballycurragh Hill;

Rathhinder

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T057 823 536 62

Ballydavid Head Ceann Bhaile

Dháith

(Ir. Ceann Bhaile

Dháith [An tOrdú

Logainmneacha

(Ceantair

Ghaeltachta)

2008], 'head(-

land) of Baile

Dháith')

This headland, along with the Three

Sisters and Sybil Head on the other

side of Smerwick Harbour, are

remnants of a chain of hills that were

worn down by glacial action and

eventually broken through by the

sea.

Dingle West Kerry Q387 113 247 70

Ballykildea

Mountain

Sliabh Bhaile

Mhic Giolla Dé

(poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

Bhaile Mhic

Giolla Dé [PDT],

'mountain of

Baile Mhic Giolla

Dé')

Ballykildea is a townland in the

parish of Killaloe.

Shannon Clare R662 737 412 58

Ballysitteragh An Scraig; Cnoc

Bhaile Uí Shé

(Ir. An Scraig

[TCCD], 'rocky

outcrop')

Also known as Cnoc Bhaile Uí Shé

[OSI], 'hill of Baile Uí Shé', from

Ballyhea(-bought) townland. The

English form Ballysitteragh could be

from be Baile Suiteoireach, 'the

townland of the camp/barracks', but

the circumstances of its naming are

unclear. Coumhenry, Coumgraig

and Coumthrive are hollows below

the mountain on the N. side.

Brandon Group Kerry Q460 057 623 70

Ballyteige*

Ballyteige is a townland in the parish

of Moyne. Any information on the

correct name of this peak would be

very welcome.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T062 844 447 62

Ballyvouskill*

Ballyvouskill is a townland in the

parish of Drishane. Any information

on the correct name of this peak

would be very welcome.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork W258 853 401 79

Baltinglass Hill Cnoc Bhealach

Conglais

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

Bhealach

Conglais [PDT],

'hill of Bealach

Conglais')

There is a hillfort on summit named

Rathcoran and a second one to NW.

The entry in PNCW for Rathcoran

refers to an article on "The

Excavation of a Burial Cairn on

Baltinglass Hill" in PRIA xlvi (1941),

p. 221. This makes it clear that

Baltinglass Hill is the English name

of this height.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow S885 892 382 61

Baraveha Barr an Bheithe (prob. Ir. Barr an W Limerick / N Kerry Kerry R112 086 451 72

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Bheithe [PDT],

'hill-top of the

birch')

Barcam

This peak is immediately north of the

Glendine Gap and is unnamed on

the Discovery map. Any information

on its correct name would be

welcome. Barcam is a townland in

the parish of Kinnitty.

Slieve Bloom Offaly N228 000 484 54

Barnacuillew Barr na

Coilleadh

(Ir. Barr na

Coilleadh

[logainm.ie], 'top

of the wood')

This hill is unnamed on OS maps.

The names Lengad (recte Glengad)

or Dooncarton and Barnacuille (recte

Barnacuillew) which appear on the

Discovery map are townlands.

Barnacuillew is derived from Ir. Barr

na Coilleadh [logainm.ie], 'top of the

wood', and is therefore likely to have

referred originally to a hill. William

Bald's map of Co. Mayo (1830) gives

the name Gubbin (prob. Ir. Gobán,

'little beak') for the SW spur which

corresponds to the 233m spot

height.

North Mayo Mayo F811 375 260 22

Barnahowna Mám Cam (prob. Ir. Mám

Cam [PDT],

'crooked pass')

This peak is unnamed on OS maps

but is named Maume Camb on

Bald's map of Co. Mayo (1830). A

spur descending to the NNE is called

Knockmuredamore. Barnahowna is

a townland name. Also called

Naweelion.

Partry/Joyce Country Mayo M002 675 516 38

Barnanageehy Bearna na

Gaoithe

(prob. Ir. Bearna

na Gaoithe

[PDT], 'gap of

the wind')

This is one of the most common

names for a pass in Ireland. The

name is actually marked on lower

peaks to the E, and it seems likely

that the gap in question is even

further to the E.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q800 082 561 71

Barnastooska Barr na Stuaice (Ir. Barr na

Stuaice

[logainm.ie], 'top

of the peak')

Barnastooska is the name of a

townland in the parish of Kilgarvan.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W049 713 497 79

Barnes Top

Also referred to as Barness in the

Ordnance Survey Memoirs.

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

H638 999 456 13

Barraboy

Mountain

Cnoc Bharr Buí (Ir. Cnoc Bharr

Buí [OSI], 'hill of

Barr Buí or

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry V938 608 460 85

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

yellow top')

Barraboy

Mountain SE

Top

Cnoc Bharr Bhuí

SE Top

For origin of

name, see

Barraboy

Mountain.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork V941 604 409 85

Barraboy Mtn

Far E Top

For origin of

name, see

Barraboy

Mountain.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry V956 606 456 85

Barradeegin Barr an Dígín (Ir. Barr an Dígín

[An tOrdú

Logainmneacha

(Ceantair

Ghaeltachta)

2008], 'top of the

little ditch')

This peak has no name on OS

maps. Has been called Doomara,

though Doonmara is properly the

name of a headland to the NE.

Judging from OS maps and Bald's

map, the name Barradeegin seems

properly to refer to the top of the

valley of the Gweedaney River,

which is a little to the west, but the

name has been borrowed for this hill

in the absence of a better

alternative.

North Mayo Mayo F869 432 229 23

Barraduff

Mountain

Cnoc Bharr

Dubh

(Ir. Cnoc Bharr

Dubh [OSI], 'hill

of Barr Dubh or

black top')

Caha Mountains Kerry V908 656 400 85

Barranisky Barr an Uisce (prob. Ir. Barr an

Uisce [PDT], 'top

of the water')

James Fraser refers in A Hand Book

for Travellers in Ireland (1854) to:

"the hills of Collon and Barranisky,

which rise respectively 782 and 789

feet above the sea." The height is

incorrect for Barranisky, it being 923

feet high, but the geographical

location is precise enough to be

certain of the identification.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T256 790 280 62

Barrclashcame Barr Chlais Céim (prob. Ir. Barr

Chlais Céim

[PDT], 'top of

Clais Céim or

the trench of the

step')

Clashcame is a townland name,

interpreted by John O'Donovan as

Clais Céim, 'trench of the step'. This

seems to relate to the name

Cuscamecurragh, which on Bald's

map of Co. Mayo (1830) refers to

part of the high ridge of the Sheeffry

Hills (see Tievummera). Clashcame

is situated at the western foot of this

ridge. Barrclashcame is the top part

of the townland. Walks: for a route

Sheeffry Hills Mayo L849 695 772 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

along the main E-W ridge of the

Sheeffry Hills, see Whilde & Simms,

New Irish Walk Guide - West and

North, 62-63.

Barrclashcame

North-West Top

Starraicín na

gCaor

(prob. Ir.

Starraicín na

gCaor [PDT],

'pinnacle of the

berries')

This peak is named Storikeen

nageer on on William Bald's map of

Co. Mayo (1830).

Sheeffry Hills Mayo L838 700 580 37

Bartonny Top*

This peak is unnamed on the

Discovery map. It is near Bartonny

Lough and is a southern satellite of

Benbrack. Any information on its

correct name would be welcome.

Breifne Cavan H098 192 411 26

Bascadh (Ir.);

Boughil West

Top

Bascadh (Ir. Bascadh

[TH], 'mutilation'

or 'severe

wounding')

As it is odd for the usual sense of Ir.

bascadh, 'mutilation', to be applied to

a hill, it is possible that the name has

some other meaning in this case.

Also known as Boughil West Top.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V824 766 595 78

Baunreaghcong

There is a townland named

Baunreagh in the parish of Offerlane.

The name of this peak appears to be

the same, with cúng, 'narrow' added.

The River Barrow rises on the

northern slopes of this hill and flows

through Glenbarrow.

Slieve Bloom Laois N327 037 509 54

Baurearagh

Mountain

Sliabh Bharr

Iarthach

(Ir. Sliabh Bharr

Iarthach [OSI],

'mountain of Barr

Iarthach or

western top')

Caha Mountains Kerry V884 605 489 85

Baurtregaum Barr Trí gCom (Ir. Barr Trí

gCom [OSI], 'top

of three hollows')

The three hollows in questions are

probably the valleys of Derrymore,

Derryquay and Curraheen, which cut

into the sides of the mountain.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q749 076 851 71

Baurtregaum Far

NE Top

For origin of

name, see

Baurtregaum.

The highest point on a spur between

the Curraheen and Derryquay

Rivers.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q768 090 603 71

Baurtregaum NE

Top

For origin of

name, see

Baurtregaum.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q755 081 819 71

Baurtregaum

NW Top

For origin of

name, see

Slieve Mish Kerry Q747 084 723 71

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Baurtregaum.

Beann An Bheann Bhán (Ir. An Bheann

Bhán [TH], 'white

peak')

Beann (approximate pronunciation:

byown, rhyming with down) is most

often climbed in combination with

Mullaghanattin as part of a circuit of

the Pocket. Despite being unnamed

on the Discovery map, it is nearly as

high as its neighbour and has

several satellites of its own. The

ridge extending to the south-west

towards Finnararagh is among the

most wild and solitary routes in

Ireland.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V726 765 752 78

Beann Bhán (Ir.) Beann Bhán (Ir. Beann Bhán

[OSI 1:25,000],

'white peak')

This is the highest point in the hills

lying west of the Lack Road.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V756 828 461 78

Beann Dubh (Ir.) Beann Dubh (Ir. Beann Dubh

[OSI 1:25,000],

'black peak')

One of three peaks in this area with

names in beann combined with a

colour.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V749 829 452 78

Beann Far SW

Top

For origin of

name, see

Beann.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V713 754 636 78

Beann na

Stiocairí (Ir.)

Beann na

Stiocairí

(Ir. Beann na

Stiocairí [TH],

'peak of the

niggardly

persons')

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V598 681 672 83

Beann NE Top For origin of

name, see

Beann.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V730 771 692 78

Beann South

Top

For origin of

name, see

Beann.

Unnamed on the Discovery map, this

peak is overlooks the Pocket. Faher

Mountain is a shoulder of it.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V728 755 639 78

Beann SW Top For origin of

name, see

Beann.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V718 760 657 78

Been Hill Beann (Ir. Beann

[OSNB], 'peak')

The name Beaun Hill, given in the

Ordnance Survey Name Book,

suggests an alternative

pronunciation.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V590 854 651 83

Beenatoor Binn an Tuair (Ir. Binn an Tuair

Located on southern boundary of

Glennahoo townland. The location

Central Dingle Kerry Q559 089 592 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

[OSI], 'peak of

the bleaching

green')

of this feature looks odd on the

Discovery map but on the 1/2 inch

map it is the lower peak which

directly overlooks Maghanaboe and

An Seabhac's description confirms

this: "binn árd cnuic ar an dteorainn

theas" [Glennahoo townland].

Anglicised name appears on ½ inch

map.

Beenbo Gob an Iolair (Ir. Gob an Iolair

[OSI], 'beak of

the eagle')

Since Beenbo is clearly a separate

name (probably from Ir. Binn Bó,

'peak of the cow'), it seems likely

that it is the true name of the

summit, while Gob an Iolair applies

originally to the sharp point just N of

the summit.

Central Dingle Kerry Q545 074 474 70

Beendarrig Beann Dhearg (Ir. Beann

Dhearg [OSI

1:25,000], 'red

peak')

This peak overlooks the saddle

traversed by the Lack Road which

connects the Bridia Valley with

Lough Acoose. The name Beann

Dhearg / Beendarrig properly applies

to the lower peak at the end of a

spur about 1km to the west.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V762 821 451 78

Beenduff An Bheann

Dubh

(Ir. An Bheann

Dubh

[logainm.ie], 'the

black peak')

This peak is a little to the east of its

slightly higher neighbour, Foilclogh.

Iveragh NW Kerry V514 745 479 83

Beenduff An Bhinn Dubh (Ir. An Bhinn

Dubh [OSI], 'the

black peak')

The anglicised name appears on the

½ inch map.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q677 037 515 71

Beenkeragh Binn Chaorach (Ir. Binn

Chaorach [OSI

1:25,000],'mount

ain of sheep')

Beenkeragh offers challenging

scrambling on the Hag's Tooth

Ridge. It is connected to

Carrauntoohil by a ridge known as

the Bones.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V801 853 1010 78

Beenmore Binn Mhór (prob. Ir. Binn

Mhór [PDT], 'big

peak')

Beenmore is about midway along the

ridge between Been Hill and Drung

Hill, but is higher than both. It

dominates the valley of Gleensk and

features prominently in the view from

the Kerry Way.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V596 867 660 83

Beennabrack Macha na gCab (Ir. Macha na

gCab [OSI],

'plain of the

beaks')

The Irish name Macha na gCab and

the anglicised name Beennabrack

have very different meanings. It

seems unlikely that they originally

referred to the same feature. An

Brandon Group Kerry Q467 054 600 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Seabhac gives the name Binn na

mBroc ('peak of the badgers') for this

hill (TCCD, 143, 233), which shows

that Beennabrack is a corruption.

He does not mention Macha na

gCab.

Beenoskee Binn os Gaoith (Ir. Binn os

Gaoith [OSI],

'mountain above

the

wind/estuary')

It would seem that this name is

locally understood to mean

'mountain above the wind', but as

wind speeds tend only to increase

the more height one gains, one has

to ask what this could possibly

mean. Another possibility is that

gaoth is rather an archaic word for a

water feature (possibly Lough Gill or

the estuary of the nearby Owenmore

River), and that the name was no

longer understood once this word

had fallen out of common use in

Irish. For further information on the

name Beenoskee, see Paul Tempan,

"Some Notes on the Names of Six

Kerry Mountains", JKAHS, ser. 2,

vol. v (2005), 5-19.

Central Dingle Kerry Q580 089 826 70

Beenreagh An Bheann Mhór (Ir. An Bheann

Mhór

[logainm.ie], 'the

great peak')

The anglicisation Beenrour suggests

a different Irish name: An Bhinn

Ramhar,'the fat peak'.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V661 853 495 83

Beenrour Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V546 640 418 84

Belmore

Mountain

Sliabh an Bhéil

Mhóir

(poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

an Bhéil Mhóir

[PDT], 'mountain

of an Béal Mór

or the great

approach')

Belmore is a district and estate.

O'Donovan gives the full name as

Béal Mór Muintir

Feodachain/Pheodachain in OSNB.

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 151-52) for details of

the festive assembly on the

mountain.

Fermanagh/S Tyrone Fermanagh H138 417 398 17

Ben Beg Binn Bheag (prob. Ir. Binn

Bheag [PDT],

'little peak')

Partry/Joyce Country Galway L951 579 560 38

Ben Bury;

Oughty Craggy

Ucht an

Chreagáin

(Ir. Ucht an

Chreagáin

[logainm.ie],

'breast of the

Mweelrea Mountains Mayo L803 683 795 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

little crag')

Ben Creggan Binn an

Chreagáin

(Ir. Binn an

Chreagáin

[MNIMA#], 'peak

of the rocky

patch')

The pronunciation of the name

collected during the first Ordnance

Survey, Bin a yoragaun, was not as

one would expect from the current

anglisation Ben Creggan. John

O'Donovan interpreted this as Binn a

Chorragain. This suggests that the

Ben Creggan represents a slight re-

interpretation of the name. Walks:

for a route taking in Ben Gorm and

Ben Creggan, see Whilde & Simms,

New Irish Walk Guide - West and

North, 60-61.

Ben Gorm

Mountains

Mayo L857 666 693 37

Ben Creggan

South Top

Meall Láir (prob. Ir. Meall

Láir [PDT],

'middle lump')

This peak is unnamed on OS maps,

but is called Maul Laur on Bald's

map of Co. Mayo (1830). This is

probably an anglicisation of Ir. Meall

Láir, 'middle lump', indicating its

position half-way beween Ben

Creggan and Ben Gorm.

Ben Gorm

Mountains

Mayo L858 661 687 37

Ben Crom Binn Chrom (Ir. Binn Chrom

or Beann Chrom

[PNNI],

'curved/stooped

peak')

Ben Crom overlooks the Ben Crom

Reservoir, situated upstream from

the older Silent Valley Reservoir. It

was constructed in 1957 to meet

Belfast's growing demand for water.

Mourne Mountains Down J313 260 526 29

Ben Goram An Bhinn Ghorm (prob. Ir. An

Bhinn Ghorm

[PDT], 'the blue

peak')

Ben Goram is the western spur of

Croagh Patrick.

Croagh Patrick Mayo L887 800 559 30

Ben Gorm An Bhinn Ghorm (Ir. An Bhinn

Ghorm

[MNIMA#], 'the

blue peak')

An Bhinn Ghorm is a mountain name

which occurs 3 times in Co. Mayo.

Ir. gorm is usually translated 'blue',

but Breandán S. Mac Aodha

suggests that 'iron-grey' is closer to

the true meaning in such mountain

names (MNIMA, 149). Walks: for a

route taking in Ben Gorm and Ben

Creggan, see Whilde & Simms, New

Irish Walk Guide - West and North,

60-61.

Ben Gorm

Mountains

Mayo L862 653 700 37

Ben Lugmore Binn Log Mhór (prob. Ir. Binn

Log Mhór [PDT],

'peak of the big

hollow')

Mweelrea Mountains Mayo L812 674 803 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Ben Lugmore

East Top

For origin of

name, see Ben

Lugmore.

Mweelrea Mountains Mayo L815 672 790 37

Ben Lugmore

West Top

For origin of

name, see Ben

Lugmore.

Mweelrea Mountains Mayo L806 677 790 37

Ben of Howth;

Hill of Howth

Binn Éadair (Ir. Binn Éadair

[GE], 'peak of

Étar')

Binn Éadair (The Ben/Hill of Howth)

is one of the most frequently cited

hills in Irish literature. It is the

subject of two poems in the Metrical

Dindshenchas and in Acallam na

Senórach it is the scene of a great

hunt, during which Artúir (a character

based on King Arthur) makes off to

Britain with Fionn Mac Cumhail's

three best hunting dogs. The Fianna

pursue Artúir, kill all his men and

bring him back captive to the Hill of

Howth. According to legend, Binn

Éadair is also the burial site of

Oscar. The hill is also the scene of

several romantic reminiscences in

Joyce's Ulysees.

East Coast Dublin O286 376 171 50

Benagh Binn Fhaiche (Ir. Binn Faiche

[TCCD#], 'peak

of Faha')

The name Benagh is marked on the

OS 6" map. An Fhaiche / Faha is

the name of the townland in which

this peak is situated. The grotto at

which the traditional ascent of the

mountain begins is further down in

the same townland. The walls E of

the summit were identified as the

remains of an inland promontory fort

by archaeologist Barry Raftery. For

information on this fort, see

Archaeology Ireland Heritage Guide

No. 29 (published March 2005).

Brandon Group Kerry Q469 119 822 70

Benard An Bhinn Ard (Ir. An Bhinn Ard

[OSI], 'the high

peak')

Galty Mountains Tipperary R822 199 480 74

Benbaun Binn Bhán (Ir. Binn Bhán

[OSI], 'white

peak')

Binn Bhán means 'white peak' and is

the highest mountain in Galway. You

could say it is the Mont Blanc of

Connemara. There is a lot of white

rock here, mainly quartz, though this

is more a feature of Benbrack. An

odd thing about the Twelve Bens of

Twelve Bens Galway L786 539 729 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Connemara is that nobody seems to

know exactly which are the twelve

peaks in question. There are at

least 20 peaks with names in binn in

this area. However, the notion of

twelve peaks goes back at least to

the time of Roderic O'Flaherty, who

wrote in 1684 of "the twelve high

mountaines of Bennabeola", though

he did not enumerate them

(O'Flaherty, 106). In Irish the

question doesn't even arise: there is

no number, they are just na Beanna

Beola, 'the peaks of Beola'. Beola

was a giant and chieftain of the Fir

Bolg, whose name also features in

the village Tuaim Beola

(Toombeola).

Benbaun Binn Bhán;

Maolán

(Ir. Binn Bhán

[TR], 'white

peak')

Walks: for a route taking in Cnoc

Breac, Binn Bhreac and Binn Bhán

or Maolán, see Paddy Dillon,

Connemara, 163-67.

Twelve Bens Galway L765 568 477 37

Benbeg Binn Bheag (prob. Ir. Binn

Bheag [PDT],

'little peak')

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (p. 175) for details of the

festive assembly held on Donagh

Sunday, the last Sunday in July, at

the Black Rocks near Bellavally Gap.

Breifne Cavan H121 254 539 26/27A

Benbo Beanna Bó (Ir. Beanna Bó

[OSI], 'horns of

the cow')

A battle which took place at the foot

of this mountain is mentioned in the

Annals of the Four Masters under

the year 1585.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G851 377 415 16

Benbrack An Bhinn Bhreac (Ir. An Bhinn

Bhreac

[logainm.ie], 'the

speckled peak')

A large group of rocks on the east

side of Bellavally Gap are known as

the Black Rocks or Maguire's Chair.

This was the site of an assembly on

'Donagh Sunday', the last Sunday in

July (MacNeill, 175-77). According

to Dalton, the name has led to an

erroneous belief that this was the

inauguration site of the Maguires,

and this is confirmed by MacNeill.

Breifne Cavan H101 217 502 26/27A

Benbrack Binn Bhreac (Ir. Binn Bhreac

[OSI], 'speckled

peak')

The summit of this mountain is

strewn with lumps of quartz. Walks:

for a route taking in Cnoc Breac,

Binn Bhreac and Binn Bhán or

Maolán, see Paddy Dillon,

Connemara, 163-67.

Twelve Bens Galway L766 558 582 37

Benbrack NE For origin of

This peak faces Cuilcagh across the

Breifne Cavan H112 235 496 27A/26

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Top name, see

Benbrack.

Bellavally Gap.

Benbrack W Top For origin of

name, see

Benbrack.

A little to the NW of the summit is

Munter Eolus Lough, named after

Muintir Eolais, a medieval population

group who inhabited this part of Co.

Leitrim.

Breifne Cavan H066 221 463 26

Benbradagh An Bhinn

Bhradach

(Ir. An Bhinn

Bhradach

[DUPN], 'the

treacherous/dan

gerous peak')

Formerly known as Gealbhinn

[DUPN], 'bright peak'

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C722 113 465 8

Benbreen Binn Bhraoin (Ir. Binn Braoin

[TR], 'Braon’s

peak')

This peak is particularly impressive

when viewed across the abyss of

Mám na Gaoithe from Bengower.

Braon can mean 'drip' or 'drop', but

may be a personal name here. It is

the basis of the surnames Ó Braoin

and Mac Braoin, anglicised as Breen

and McBreen.

Twelve Bens Galway L783 515 691 37

Benbreen

Central Top

Binn Bhraoin

Central Top

For origin of

name, see Binn

Bhraoin.

Twelve Bens Galway L781 520 680 37

Benbreen North

Top

Binn Bhraoin

North Top

For origin of

name, see Binn

Bhraoin.

Twelve Bens Galway L784 522 674 37

Benbulbin (or

Benbulben)

Binn Ghulbain (Ir. Binn

Ghulbain [GE],

'Gulban’s peak'

or 'jaw-shaped

peak')

Benbulbin, with its limestone

escarpment resembling the prow of

a ship, is one of the most

recognisable Irish mountains. It is

also steeped in legend. It takes its

name from Conall Gulban, son of

Niall of the Nine hostages, who was

fostered here. Fionn Mac Cumhaill

finds his son Oisín naked under a

rowan tree on Benbulben, having not

seen him for seven years. It is also

the spot where Diarmuid Ó Duibhne

is finally killed by a boar, after he and

Gráinne have been pursued for

many years throughout Ireland by

Fionn. Sometimes spelt Benbulben.

Dartry Mountains Sligo G692 463 526 16

Benchoona Binn Chuanna (Ir. Binn

Chuanna [OSI],

Cuanna is probably a personal

name. A townland nearby is named

Tooreenacoona (Tuairín Uí

Twelve Bens Galway L763 617 581 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

possibly 'peak of

Cuanna')

Chuanna, 'O'Cooney's green') [TR].

"Around noon, I reached the summit:

a rough broken tableland of flat

rocks, perhaps a quarter of an acre

in area, and planed smooth by the

old ice. There was a single small

cairn, and on its top sat a horned

sheep's skull. I picked up the skull,

and as I did so water streamed from

its ragged nose-holes in sudden

liquid tusks, and ran on to my hand

and up my sleeve. I put it back on

the cairn top, having turned it so

that it faced eastward and inland,

looking over miles of empty land

glinting with lakes, on which

thousands of wild geese over-

wintered each year. The sun came

out, breaking fitfully through the

clouds and warming my hands and

face. Seawards, I looked across the

intricate tasselwork of inlet and

peninsula. Close at hand, sheets of

mica scattered the sunshine, so that

even the dry rocks shone in the light"

(Robert MacFarlane, The Wild

Places, Granta, 2007). Walks: for a

route from the NE, see Whilde &

Simms, New Irish Walk Guide - West

and North, 40-41.

Bencollaghduff Binn Dubh (Ir. Binn Dubh

[TR], 'black

peak')

Bencollaghduff means ‘peak of the

black hags’. The black hags in

question are cormorants [TR]. The

OSI form Binn Dhubh represents a

prescribed standard modern Irish

form. Tim Robinson's Binn Dubh

represents the local dialect, which

omits lenition of d and t when the

previous word ends in a dental

consonant.

Twelve Bens Galway L798 530 696 37

Bencorr Binn Chorr; Binn

an Choire Mhóir

(Ir. Binn Chorr

[TR], 'pointed

peak')

Tim Robinson also gives the

alternative name Binn an Choire

Mhóir, 'peak of the big corrie'. The

sappers set up a beacon on this

peak during the first Ordnance

Survey [TR].

Twelve Bens Galway L812 522 711 37

Bencorr North

Top

Binn Chorr North

Top

For origin of

name, see Binn

Twelve Bens Galway L809 524 690 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Chorr.

Bencorrbeg Binn an Choire

Bhig

(Ir. Binn an

Choire Bhig

[OSI], 'peak of

the little corrie')

The Carrot Ridge (Meacan Buí) is an

obvious nose of rock rising from

Gleninagh towards Bencorrbeg. It is

graded diff. and is 275m long. Tim

Robinson's remark that the English

name is a "mistranslation" is,

uncharacteristically, off the mark. In

fact it is a climber's name rather than

a local name. It was named the

Carrot Ridge by Joss Lynam and

Liam Ó Réagain who believed they

were completing the first ascent in

the 1949. (In fact, they later learned

that some Cambridge students had

already climbed it in 1933.) Joss

asked Liam what the Irish for carrot

was, and Liam replied "meacan buí".

This is a perfectly good translation

for the Eng. word 'carrot' and is listed

in Dinneen's Dictionary.

Twelve Bens Galway L816 533 577 37

Bencroy;

Gubnaveagh

Gob na bhFiach (Ir. Gob na

bhFiach [PNCL],

'point/beak of the

ravens')

Gubnaveagh is also the name of a

townland in the parish of

Oughteragh.

Breifne Leitrim H045 191 518 26

Bencullagh An Chailleach (Ir. An

Chailleach [OSI],

'the hag')

A woman known as Cailleach an

Chlocháin, 'the witch of Clifden', was

a famous character in the 19th

century.

Twelve Bens Galway L756 537 632 37

Benduff An Bhinn Dubh (Ir. An Bhinn

Dubh [OSI], 'the

black peak')

Shannon Tipperary S051 788 455 59

Benfree;

Luggatarriff

Binn Fraoigh (Ir. Binn Fraoigh

[TR], 'peak of

heather')

On the Discovery map this peak is

marked as Luggatarriff, a name

meaning 'hollow of the bull' which

probably applies to a hollow on the

slopes of Benfree.

Twelve Bens Galway L778 544 638 37

Benglenisky Binn Ghleann

Uisce

(Ir. Binn Ghleann

Uisce [OSI],

'peak of the glen

of water')

Gleann Uisce, 'the glen of water', is

on the SE side of this peak. On the

NW side, in the townland of Barr na

nÓrán, this hill is known as Binn

Dubh or Cnoc Dubh. The distinctive

green Connemara marble is worked

in a quarry in Barr na nÓrán. The

quarry was started by Thomas

Martin in the 1820s [TR]. Walks: for

Twelve Bens Galway L766 501 516 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

a route to the summit, see Paddy

Dillon, Connemara, 146-50.

Bengorm An Bhinn Ghorm (Ir. An Bhinn

Ghorm [OSI],

'the blue peak')

Walks: for a route taking in Bengorm,

Corranabinnia and Glennamong, see

Whilde & Simms, New Irish Walk

Guide - West and North, 72-73.

North Mayo Mayo F928 013 582 31

Bengorm NW

Top

For origin of

name, see

Bengorm.

North Mayo Mayo F918 026 468 30

Bengower Binn Gabhar (Ir. Binn Gabhar

[TR], 'goats’

peak')

Erroneously marked as ‘Glengower’

on the Discovery series map. On the

summit of this mountain you will find

thrift (or sea-pink) in bloom during

the late spring, despite the fact that it

is far inland.

Twelve Bens Galway L783 507 664 37

Benleagh Binn Liath (prob. Ir. Binn

Liath [PDT],

'grey peak')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T038 942 689 56

Benlettery;

Bendouglas

Binn Leitrí (Ir. Binn Leitrí

[TR], 'peak of the

wet hillsides')

The townland of Lettery (Leitrí, 'wet

hillsides') is on the S slopes of this

mountain. The alternative name

Bindowglass or Bendouglas (Binn

Dúghlais, 'peak of the black stream')

is recorded as early as 1684 by

Roderic O'Flaherty. Note that both

names refer to the wet state of the

mountain. O'Flaherty mentions a

pool of water on the summit which

turns the hair white of anyone who

washes in it. In the days before

accurate measurements of altitude,

he erroneously believed that

Bindowglass was the highest of the

Twelve Bens and was two miles

high. This misconception was

corrected by James Hardiman, who

edited O'Flaherty's work in 1846,

aware that the Ordnance Survey had

found that "Ben Corr and Ben Bawn

exceed it in height by several

hundred feet (O'Flaherty, 107)."

Twelve Bens Galway L775 495 577 44

Benlevy Binn Shleibhe (Ir. Binn

Shleibhe [OSI],

'peak of the

mountain/moorla

Benlevy dominates the narrow neck

of land between Lough Mask and

Lough Corrib, on which Clonbur and

Cong are situated. Walks: for a

route to the summit from the SE, see

Whilde & Simms, New Irish Walk

Partry/Joyce Country Galway M050 549 416 38

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

nd')

Guide - West and North, 58-59.

Bennaunmore An Beannán Mór (Ir. An Beannán

Mór [logainm.ie],

'the big (little)

peak')

Although dwarfed by its neighbours,

Mangerton and Crohane,

Bennaunmore is full of character and

offers much of interest to the walker.

On the west side is Cappagh Glen

with its atmospheric woodland. On

the east side an old pilgrimage path

leading to Gougane Barra passes

some columns of rock similar to "the

Organ" at the Giant's Causeway.

Bennaunmore is a remnant of an old

volcano.

Mangerton Kerry W034 819 454 79

Bentee (or

Benatee)

Binn an Tí (Ir. Binn an Tí

[UR#], 'peak of

the house')

This is the 'home mountain' to

inhabitants of Cahersiveen. Locally

spelt Benatee and pronounced

accordingly.

Iveragh NW Kerry V476 781 376 83

Benwee Head An Bhinn Bhuí (Ir. An Bhinn

Bhuí [GÉ], 'the

yellow cliff')

The environs of Benwee Head, with

its cliffs, arches, stacks and islands,

offers some of the most dramatic

coastal scenery in Ireland, with

which perhaps only SW Donegal and

Co. Clare can compete. To

appreciate them fully, you need to

see them from the sea. Benwee

Head is in the townland of

Kilgalligan, which has been studied

in detail in "The Living Landscape:

Kilgalligan, Erris, Co. Mayo by

Séamas Ó Catháin & Patrick

O'Flanagan."

North Mayo Mayo F816 443 255 22

Benwiskin

This peak is remarkable for its wave-

like profile when seen from near

Ballintrillick.

Dartry Mountains Sligo G723 491 514 16

Bessy Bell Sliabh Troim (Ir. Sliabh Troim

[DUPN],

'mountain of

elder')

Bessy Bell and its lower neighbour,

Mary Gray, are named after the

heroines of a Scottish ballad. This

begins "Bessie Bell and Mary Gray,

they were twa bonny lasses." The

obvious Scots origin of the name did

not deter Samuel Lewis from making

an extravagant connection between

Bessy Bell and the pagan deity Baal

in his Topographical Dicitionary of

Ireland (1843): “On the summit of

Bessy Bell, or ‘Boase-Baal’, on

which in pagan times sacrifice is

supposed to have been offered to

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H391 821 420 12

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Baal or Bel, is a large and curious

cairn.” Sliabh Troim is the original

Irish name. Also recorded as Sliab

Toad in Lebor Gabála Érenn (‘The

Book of Invasions’).

Big Collin Collann Mór (poss. Ir. Collann

Mór [PDT], 'big

height')

Along the east coast of Ireland there

is a cluster of names anglicised as

"Collin"/"Collon" from Irish collann,

meaning 'a height'. See also Collin

Top (Co. Antrim) and Collon Hill (Co.

Wicklow). They may ultimately show

the same root as Lat. collis, Fr.

colline and Eng. hill.

Antrim Hills Antrim J233 967 353 9/14

Binbane Binn Bhán (Ir. Binn Bhán

[SÓD#], 'white

peak)

According to OG this name is

derived from Benn Bogaine or Benn

Baghaine, 'peak of the Cenél

Bogaine'.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G838 869 453 11

Binevenagh Binn Fhoibhne (Ir. Binn

Fhoibhne

[DUPN], 'peak of

Foibhne')

According to legend, Foibhne, son of

Taircheltar, was slain here.

Binevenagh is unmistakable with its

impressive basalt cliffs, 1235 ft. high,

and a lower series of broken crags

resembling fangs.

Keenaght Derry C692 302 385 4

Bingorms Na Beanna

Gorma

(Ir. na Beanna

Gorma

[logainm.ie], 'the

blue peaks')

This name seems properly to apply

to a group of crags overlooking

Lough Barra and has also been

applied to the townland in which they

are situated.

Donegal NW Donegal B934 143 578 1

Binn an

tSaighdiúra (Ir.)

Binn an

tSaighdiúra

(Ir. Binn an

tSaighdiúra [TR],

'peak of the

soldier')

It is said that a sapper from the

Ordnance Survey fell to his death

here during survey work on the first

6" map series in the 1830s.

Twelve Bens Galway L811 528 653 37

Binn Bhán NE

Top

For origin of

name, see Binn

Bhán.

Luaghnabrogue is a nearby

townland.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G844 873 439 11

Binn Bhriocáin

(Ir.) NE Top

Binn Bhriocáin

NE Top

For origin of

name, see Binn

Bhriocáin.

Maamturks Galway L862 554 603 37

Binn Chaonaigh

(Ir.)

Binn Chaonaigh (Ir. Binn

Chaonaigh [TR],

'peak of moss')

Walks: for a route along the ridge,

taking in Binn Chaonaigh and Binn

idir an dá Log , see Kevin Corcoran,

West of Ireland Walks, 81-92.

Maamturks Galway L900 515 633 37

Binn idir an dá

Log (Ir.)

Binn idir an dá

Log

(Ir. Binn idir an

dá Log [TR],

'peak between

Walks: for a route along the ridge

taking in Binn Chaonaigh and Binn

idir an dá Log , see Kevin Corcoran,

West of Ireland Walks, 81-92.

Maamturks Galway L888 528 702 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

the two hollows')

Binn idir an dá

Log SE Top (Ir.)

Binn idir an dá

Log SE Top

For origin of

name, see Binn

idir an dá Log.

Maamturks Galway L894 526 659 37

Binn Mhairg (Ir.) Binn Mhairg (Ir. Binn Mhairg

[TR], 'peak of

woe')

Maamturks Galway L902 520 612 37

Binn Mhór (Ir.) Binn Mhór (Ir. Binn Mhór

[TR], 'great

peak')

Binn Mhór overlooks Mám Éan. This

is the site of a pattern "held annually

on the last Sunday of July, known

locally as Domhnach Mhám Éan and

as Domhnach Chrom Dubh

(MacNeill, 123)." It is also visited on

St. Patrick's Day and Good Friday.

Roderic O'Flaherty wrote in 1684: "At

Mam-en, there springs out of a stone

a litle water, named from St. Patrick,

which is a present remedy against

murrein in cattel, not only applyed,

but alsoe as soon as tis sent for they

begin to have ease. Next Mam-en

are the mountains of Corcoga, in the

confines of Balynahynsy

[Ballynahinch], Ross and Moycullin

countreys, where the fat deere is

frequently hunted; whereof no high

mountain in the barony of

Balynahinsy, or the half barony of

Rosse is destitude (O'Flaherty, 121-

22)." This peak has been called

Shannakeala.

Maamturks Galway L918 494 661 44

Binnasruell Binn na Sruthal (Ir. Binn na

Sruthal

[logainm.ie],

'peak of the

streams')

Sruell is a townland in the parish of

Killymard. Ir. sruthail is a feminine

noun meaning 'stream' derived from

sruth, though rather less common

than sruthán.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G917 898 505 11

Binnion Cnoc an Bhinnín (Ir. Cnoc an

Bhinnín [CMcG]

, 'hill of the little

peak').

It is likely that the name of this hill

was simply An Binnín and that the

name Cnoc an Bhinnín arose from

the need to distinguish the hill from

the townland of the same name.

Inishowen Donegal C369 489 250 3

Bird Hill

"Three miles short of Kilgarvan is,

left, Bird Hill rising steeply above the

road. Here there lived in the first half

of the 18th century a family of O

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W017 687 412 85

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Sullivans, three brothers and a son,

all poets of some quality in irish, their

poetry collected and published by

Risteard O Foghludha" (Barrington,

Discovering Kerry, 302).

Birreencorragh Birín Corrach (Ir. Birín Corrach

[logainm.ie],

'rocky little

spike')

The element birín is rare in Irish

names, but also occurs unqualified in

Birreen, an outlier of Croaghmoyle.

Walks: for a route to the summit from

the N, see Whilde & Simms, New

Irish Walk Guide - West and North,

70.

North Mayo Mayo G025 050 698 23/31

Birreencorragh

South Top

For origin of

name, see

Birreencorragh.

Named Berreen Corrough Beg on

Bald's map of Co. Mayo (1830).

North Mayo Mayo G024 032 564 31

Birreencorragh

West Top

For origin of

name, see

Birreencorragh.

North Mayo Mayo G015 050 551 23/31

Black Hill Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O041 090 602 56

Blackstairs

Mountain

Na Staighrí

Dubha

(Ir. na Staighrí

Dubha [GE], 'the

black stairs')

Caher Roe's Den is a cave on the

SW ridge of this peak. A jutting

pinnacle at this place is called

Sthurra [MacNeill, 225]. Caher

Roe's Den is named after Cathaoir

na gCapall of the O’Dempsey family

from Laois. After he was

dispossessed, he turned rapparee

and stole horses. He was hanged at

Maryborough (Port Laoise) in August

1735. The Den is reputed to hold his

treasure. However, Máire MacNeill

remarks: "We doubt if Cathaoir na

gCapall ever had to take refuge

there. The cave-dwelling abductor,

the owner of treasure in the bowels

of the mountain, was not, we are

sure, the eighteenth century raparee,

but an ancient deity, possibly the

remote divine ancestor of the

Leinstermen, Cathair Már." Local

people used to climb to Caher Roe's

Den on "Mountain Sunday", the last

Sunday of July [MacNeill, 225-27].

Blackstairs

Mountains

Carlow /

Wexford

S810 448 735 68

Bleantasour

Mountain

Bleantasour and

Bleantasourmountain are townlands

in the parish of Seskinan. Most of

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S236 088 402 75

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

the townland names containing the

word "mountain" in this part of Co.

Waterford refer not to summits but to

areas of mountain pasture.

Bloody Foreland Cnoc Fola (Ir. Cnoc Fola

[OSI], 'hill of

blood')

The Irish name Cnoc Fola only

applies to the hill and not the

headland, which is called An

Reannach Rua [ET].

Donegal NW Donegal B834 323 314 1

Bohaun Bothán (Ir. Bothán [OSI],

'little hut')

Partry/Joyce Country Galway M006 559 424 38

Bohilbreaga Buachaill Bréige (prob. Ir.

Buachaill Bréige

[PDT], 'false

shepherd' (a

cairn or rock

resembling

human figure)

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C760 002 478 8

Bolaght

Mountain

It is not certain whether Bolaght

represents Both Leachta, 'hut of the

monument' [TNCT] or Buaileacht,

'herd of cows, dairying place' [JOD].

In the absence of any archaeological

evidence for either a hut or burial

monument, the latter seems more

likely.

S Donegal/W Tyrone Tyrone H259 766 345 12

Bolus Cnoc Bhólais (Ir. Cnoc Bhólais

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of Bólas')

This peak is on a headland which

runs out between St. Finan's Bay

and Ballinskelligs Bay. The element

Bólas is obscure in meaning. It is

possible that the name originally

applied to Bolus Head, which is

recorded as Canboles in 1595 on

Mercator's map of Ireland. Canboles

probably represents Ir. Ceann

Bhólais.

Iveragh NW Kerry V399 635 410 83

Boolatin Top*

This peak is a western spur of

Keeper Hill.

Shannon Tipperary R804 662 440 59

Boughil Buachaill

Finnleithid

(Ir. Buachaill

Finnleithid [OSI],

'cowherd of

Finlehid')

The mountain is described in c. 1750

by the anonymous author of 'A

History of Kerry' (Royal Irish

Academy MS 24K43) as

"Sliavfionleahid, a spacious good

mountain in the barony of Dunkieron

but more remarkable for the report of

having a cowboy or herd on it that

never eats, drinks or sleeps, but still

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V842 765 631 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

found standing, taking a view of the

numerous flocks of cattle on said

mountain. This is in truth but a stone

standing of an end on a place from

which there is a full prospect of the

rest of said mountain, and att a

distance seems to some going by, to

be a man, as being much of that

shape and size, and is called

Buachaill Finnleithid, meaning the

aforesaid herd" (quoted in TH iv, 29,

see also 31). Derreenfinlehid is a

townland on the road from Moll’s

Gap to Sneem. Kerry’s Buachaill

has a number of Irish companions

and at least two Scottish ones in

Glen Coe, the well-known peaks

Buachaille Etive Mòr and Buachaille

Etive Beag.

Boultypatrick Buailte Pádraig (Ir. Buailte

Pádraig [OSI],

'Patrick's

dairying places')

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G968 980 429 11

Boviel Top*

Boviel is a townland in the parish of

Dungiven.

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C736 091 454 8

Bran Scultair*

(Ir.)

Bran Scultair*

Máire MacNeill, discussing the

customs associated with Caher

Roe's Den, reports: "Lesser piles

along the top of the mountain-ridge

are called after Fionn's dog, Bran,

which is said to have leaped from

one pile to another (MacNeill, 225)."

Bran Scultair and the nearby Dho

Bran appear to be two such names,

though their precise meaning is not

clear.

Blackstairs

Mountains

Carlow /

Wexford

S785 401 504 68

Brandon (or

Mount Brandon)

Cnoc Bréanainn (Ir. Cnoc

Bréanainn [OSI],

'Brendan’s hill')

Named Brandon Mountain on OS

maps. Brandon is the only one of

Kerry's 3,000 foot peaks located

outside the Reeks. It is strongly

associated in tradition with St.

Brendan the Navigator, from whom it

gets its name. The story of St.

Brendan, who set sail from Ireland in

a boat of wood and leather and

found new lands to the west, was

popular in many countries of

Brandon Group Kerry Q460 115 952 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

medieval Europe. The mountain

was the focus of a pilgrimage, which

probably goes back to a time before

both St. Brendan and the arrival of

Christianty altogether. Its

importance may be due to the fact

that, being so far west and so high, it

is the place where the sun can be

seen the latest as it sinks below the

horizon. Named Brandon Mountain

on OS Discovery map. Called Sliabh

nDaidche in Beatha Bhréanainn,

St.Brendan's Life, where it is written

that he spent three days on the

mountain and that he was visited by

an angel. It is described as being

surrounded by the ocean, which fits

well with the topography of Mount

Brandon. Alan Mac an Bhaird has

ingeniously interpreted mons Aitche

as 'mountain of Faithche'. Brandon

stands in Faha townland. For the

archaeology of this mountain,

including the Benagh promontory

fort, the Saints' Road, the pilgrimage

tradition and the links with St.

Brendan, see Archaeology Ireland

Heritage Guide No. 29 (published

March 2005). For the pilgrimage

tradition and customs associated

with Brandon, see Máire MacNeill,

The Festival of Lughnasa, 101-05.

For further information on the name

Sliabh nDaidche, see Paul Tempan,

"Some Notes on the Names of Six

Kerry Mountains", JKAHS, ser. 2,

vol. v (2005), 5-19.

Brandon Hill Cnoc Bhréanail (Ir. Cnoc

Bhréanail [OSI],

'hill of Bréanal')

This is the highest point in Co.

Kilkenny. Brandonhill is also the

name of a townland split between

the parishes of Graiguenamanagh

and The Rower and between the

baronies of Gowran and Ida. There

is also a townland named

Brandondale in the parish of

Graiguenamanagh.

South Midlands Kilkenny S697 402 515 68

Brandon North For origin of

Climbers who follow the Faha Ridge

Brandon Group Kerry Q461 122 891 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Top name, see

Brandon.

and stick to the crest will eventually

emerge on the summit ridge near the

grassy top of this peak. In clear

conditions it commands a

spectacular view of the Faha Ridge.

Brandon Peak Barr an

Ghéaráin

(Ir. Barr an

Ghéaráin [OSI],

'top of the fang')

From the vicinity of Cloghane church

there is a strange optical illusion

whereby this peak seems higher

than the summit, though it is actually

over 100m lower.

Brandon Group Kerry Q472 095 840 70

Brandon South

Top

Faill na

nDeamhan

(Ir. Faill na

nDeamhan

[TCCD], 'cliff of

the demons')

Máire MacNeill comments on the

place-names around Brandon as

follows: "From An Seabhac's

compendium of the place-names of

the district we learn that several

places on the mountain have names

suggestive of myths which recur at

other Lughnasa sites, e.g. Macha an

Mhíl (the Beast's Pasture), Faill na

nDeamhan (the Demons' Cliff), Com

na Caillighe (the Hag's Recess),

Loch na Mná (the Woman's Lake),

Cnoc an Tairbh (the Bull's Hill), etc."

[MacNeill, The festival of Lughnasa,

105] Faill na nDeamhan on Brandon

is paralled by Log na nDeamhan

(Lugnademon) on Croagh Patrick.

Brandon Group Kerry Q468 107 790 70

Brassel

Mountain

Cnoc Breasail (Ir. Cnoc

Breasail [TH] or

Breasail [OSI

1:25,000], 'hill of

raddle')

The Ordnance Survey Name Book

suggests that Breasal is a man's

name, but a connection with raddle,

the red dye traditionally used to mark

sheep, seems more likely.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V830 823 575 78

Bray Head Ceann Bhreagha (Ir. Ceann

Bhreagha

[logainm.ie],

'head(-land) of

Breagha')

The name is of the same origin as

Bray and Bray Head in Co. Wicklow.

Iveragh NW Kerry V334 737 239 83

Brickany Breicneach (Ir. Breicneach

[TCCD],

'speckled place')

This hill, located in the townland of

Ballynane, is unnamed on OS

Discovery map but named on the old

½" series and on road atlases.

Central Dingle Kerry Q632 022 374 71

Bricklieve

Mountains

An Bricshliabh (Ir. An

Bricshliabh

[logainm.ie], 'the

speckled

These hills are just north of the town

of Boyle. They overlook Loughs

Gara, Arrow and Key. The name

has nothing to do with the bird, the

curlew. This is merely an

Bricklieve/Curlew Sligo G753 117 321 25

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

mountain')

anglicisation of Ir. Corrshliabh.

However, the precise meaning of the

first element is unclear. The

interpretation 'pointed mountain'

offered by Flanagan & Flanagan

does not fit the landscape at all.

Joyce's 'rough or rugged mountain'

is more plausible, but even this

seems a bit exaggerated for these

hills, which are rather gently rolling,

especially in comparison to their

immediate neighbours, the Bricklieve

Mountains. An earlier name for this

range is Sliabh Seaghsa. Segais is

a legendary well of wisdom to which

the goddess Boann was forbidden to

go to. She defied this taboo, and to

show her displeasure at the

prohibition walked three times

tuathal (anti-clockwise) around it.

This ritual, often used in cursing,

showed disrespect at least, and the

water from the well rose up and

chased her to the sea at Drogheda,

thus forming the river named for her,

the Boyne. On a point of geography,

it should be noted that the real

source of the Boyne is actually some

way to the south-east near Carbury

in Co. Kildare. Though the name

Sliabh Seaghsa seems to have

some relation to the Well of Segais,

the Curlew Mountains are west of

the River Shannon.

Broaghnabinnia Bruach na Binne (Ir. Bruach na

Binne [OSI],

'verge of the

peak')

Ó Cíobháin gives Beann, 'peak', as

the true name of this mountain. This

is confirmed by Arthur Young's

description in 1766 of the view from

Killarney's Upper Lake: "Mac Gilly

Cuddy's Reeks, with their broken

points; Baum [i.e. Beann], with his

perfect cone; the Purple Mountain,

with his broad and more regular

head; and Turk [Torc]..." Apparently

the name Bruach na Binne really

belonged to a feature a few miles to

the W overlooking the Bridia Valley

and was mistakenly applied to this

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V801 814 745 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

peak by the sappers.

Brockagh

Mountain

Sliabh na Brocaí (poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

na Brocaí [PDT],

‘mountain of

Brocach or place

of badgers’)

Brockagh is a townland in the parish

of Derrylossary. Price derives this

name from Brocach, 'place

frequented by badgers' [PNCW].

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T108 990 557 56

Brockagh

Mountain SE

Top

For origin of

name, see

Brockagh

Mountain.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T125 985 470 56

Broemountain Breo (Ir. Breo

[logainm.ie],

meaning

obscure)

Broemountain is a townland split

between the parishes of Lickoran

and Seskinan. Ir. breo means ‘fire’,

‘flame’, ‘torch’, etc., but its meaning

in this place-name is unclear. There

is no evidence to suggest that it can

denote a beacon, nor that a beacon

existed on Broemountain.

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Waterford S144 066 429 74

Brougher

Mountain

Bruachar (Ir. Bruachar

[DUPN],

'edge/brink')

The townland of Brougher gets its

name from the hill. The name

meaning 'edge' or 'brink' may reflect

the fact that Brougher Mountain

stands on the border between

Tyrone and Fermanagh.

Fermanagh/S Tyrone Ferm/Tyr H349 528 317 18

Brown's Hill Bluestack Mountains Donegal H025 893 498 11

Bruse Hill Sliabh Brúis (Ir. Sliabh Brúis

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of the

hostel')

There are cairns near summit. The

name is associated with a place

called Brú Clochair or Cúil Clochair

[Philip O'Connell, "The Topography

of the Loch Ramor Region," Breifne

iii, no. 10, 231-64 and iii, no. 12,

443-8].

North Midlands Cavan N316 980 260 34

Búcán (Ir.) Búcán (Ir. Búcán [TR],

'spur')

The element búc seems to be

related to the dialect word buc,

meaning 'point, summit' found in

Southern France in mountain names,

e.g. Buc Pointu. Walks: for a walk

taking in Búcán and Binn Bhán

(Maumturkmore), see Paddy Dillon,

Connemara, 92-97.

Maamturks Galway L852 607 550 37

Buckoogh Boc Umhach (Ir. Boc Umhach

[OSNB],

'eminence rich in

copper')

North Mayo Mayo F995 017 588 31

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Bulbin Cnoc Bulaba (Ir. Cnoc Bulaba

[CMcG], 'hill' +

unknown

element)

There may be a connection between

this name and those of two other

peaks in Inishowen, Bulbinmore

(Bolbain Mhór) and Bulbinbeg

(Bolbain Bheag).

Inishowen Donegal C357 422 494 3

Bullaunmore An Bullán Mór (prob. Ir. An

Bullán Mór

[PDT], 'the big

round hollow')

North Mayo Mayo G007 086 388 23/31

Bunmore An Bun Mór (Ir. An Bun Mór

[logainm.ie], 'the

big bottom')

Bunmore West and East are

townland names. However, William

Bald's map of Co. Mayo (1830)

shows 'Bonmore' also a hill-name.

This is unusual in that Ir. bun,

'bottom, base' would not be expected

in a hill-name. This may be due to

confusion of bun with binn, 'peak'.

Has been called Ballycroy Hill.

North Mayo Mayo F814 115 243 22

Bunnacunneen Bun an Choinín (Ir. Bun an

Choinín

[logainm.ie], 'the

end or tail of the

rabbit')

Walks: for a route to the summit from

the SW, see Whilde & Simms, New

Irish Walk Guide - West and North,

54-55.

Partry/Joyce Country Galway L939 577 575 38

Bunnacunneen

SE Top

For origin of

name, see

Bunnacunneen.

Partry/Joyce Country Galway L947 562 479 38

Burren Boireann (prob. Ir.

Boireann [PDT],

'rocky place')

Boggeragh

Mountains

Cork W377 789 380 79

Butter Mountain;

Slievenamuck

Sliabh an Ime (Ir. Sliabh an Ime

[PNNI],

'mountain of the

butter')

The name 'Butter Mountain' is not a

reference to EU surpluses. It

probably comes from the practice of

burying butter to preserve it. It was

used by people who tended cattle in

the mountains during the summer

[Mícheál Ó Mainnín]. The name

Butter Mountain was marked at the

summit on the 1st edition of the OS

6 inch map (1834), but on the 1859

revision it had been shifted to the

north. The name Slievenamuck was

not on the 1st edition at all, but

appeared on the 1859 map on the

low ground south of this peak (near

Mourne Mountains Down J275 279 500 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

the Deer's Meadow). On the latest

editions of both the 1:50,000 and

1:25,000 maps this name has been

moved north to the summit itself. All

of the changes since 1834 are

somewhat doubtful, and since

Slievenamuck first appeared on low

ground rather than on a peak, there

is a strong suspicion that is simply a

variant form of Slieve Muck (a peak

south of the Deer's Meadow) which

has been wrongly placed.

Bweeng Little For origin of

name, see

Bweengduff.

Boggeragh

Mountains

Cork W465 908 414 80

Bweengduff

Whilst the origin of this unusual

name, along with Bweeng Little, is

unclear, they are almost certainly

related to the nearby settlement of

Bweeng (Ir. Na Boinn) and the

townlands of Beennamweel East and

West. One possibility is that Boinn is

a corruption of Ir. muing, ‘rushy

area’, and this explanation would fit

well with its application to an upland

areas of moderate height in Bweeng

Little and Bweengduff.

Boggeragh

Mountains

Cork W468 903 416 80

Caher Cathair (Ir. Cathair [OSI

1:25,000], 'stone

fort')

According to Ó Cíobháin, this

mountain is also known as Cathair

na Féinne, 'stone fort of the Fianna'.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V792 839 1001 78

Caher Mountain Cathair (Ir. Cathair

[logainm.ie],

'stone ring-fort')

Mizen/Sheeps Head Cork V793 380 338 88

Caher West Top For origin of

name, see

Caher.

Caher has three distinct tops, though

only two have sufficient prominence

to be listed here.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V789 840 975 78

Caherbarnagh An Chathair

Bhearnach

(Ir. An Chathair

Bhearnach

[OSI], 'the

gapped fort')

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 211-12) for details of

the festive assembly which took

place on Caherbarnagh on Latiaran

Sunday in late July.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork W192 871 681 79

Caherbarnagh

NW Top

For origin of

name, see

Caherbarnagh.

The name Glanaprehane probably

refers to the steep glen N of

Caherbarnagh rather than this peak.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork W188 876 668 79

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Caherbla Cathair Bhláth (Ir. Cathair

Bhláth [TCCD],

'stone fort of

flowers')

An Seabhac reports hearing from a

shanachee that the correct name

was Cathair Bhláthnaide, 'Bláthnaid's

stone fort'. Bláthnaid was the

daughter of the king of the Isle of

Man. Cú Chulainn and Cú Roí fell

out over who would have her hand.

See Caherconree.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q724 052 586 71

Caherconree Cathair Conraoi (Ir. Cathair

Conraoi [OSI],

'Cú Roí’s stone

fort')

A narrow but easily passable ridge

connects this peak to its higher

neighbour, Baurtregaum.

Caherconree is named after a stone

fort situated two-thirds of the way up

its western flank, overlooking the

mountain road called Bóthar na

gCloch ('road of the stones'). This is

an inland promontory-fort, consisting

of a natural projecting ledge

surrounded on three sides by steep

cliffs, the fourth side being defended

by a stone wall. In legend this is the

fort of Cú Roí mac Daire, hero of

Munster, who was able to make it

spin around at night to perplex any

attackers looking for the entrance.

The best known story connected

with it relates how Cú Chulainn

attacked the fort with the aid of

Blathnaid, the daughter of the king of

Man, whom Cú Roí had taken, none

too willingly, for his wife. Blathnaid

taunted Cú Roí that his fort was too

small for such a magnificent chieftain

as himself, and when the walls were

down during the construction of

bigger fort, she poured milk in a

stream (now the Finglas River, from

Ir. An Fhionnghlaise, 'the white

stream') as a signal to Cú Chulainn

that the moment was right to attack.

For a fuller account of the story, see

The Dingle Peninsula by Steve

MacDonogh, pp. 31-33. Nor is this

the hill's only legendary association.

The summit is known as Fin Mac

Cool's Table, while a rock feature on

the northern ridge connecting to

Gearhane is called Fin Mac Cool's

Slieve Mish Kerry Q733 073 835 71

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Chair.

Cahernageeha

Mountain

Sliabh Chathair

na Gaoithe

(poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

Chathair na

Gaoithe [PDT],

'mountain of

Cathair na

Gaoithe')

Cahernageeha is a townland in the

parish of Kilcrohane, whose name

means 'stone fort of the wind'.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V539 613 499 84

Cairngaver Carn Geamhair (prob. Ir. Carn

Geamhair [PDT],

'cairn of the

corn-grass')

Cairngaver is the highest point in the

Craigantlet Hills between Belfast and

Bangor. The name refers to a cairn

on the summit, which must once

have been of considerable size.

However, it appears to have been

robbed out, leaving only a high ring-

shaped bank. The summit is shaded

by a grove, open enough to permit

good views of the Ards and

Strangford Lough, in which Scrabo

Tower features prominently. The

anglicised form Cairngaver suggests

that the second element is geamhar,

'corn in the blade', 'corn-grass'

(Dinneen). This is more probable

than *Carn Gabhar, which one would

expect to yield anglicised forms like

*Cairngore in Ulster or *Carngower

elsewhere.

Belfast Hills Antrim J454 765 217 15

Camaderry

Mountain

Sliabh Cham an

Doire

(Ir. Sliabh Cham

an Doire

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of

Cam an Doire or

the bend of the

oak-wood')

Camaderry or Sevenchurches is a

townland in the parish of

Derrylossary. It includes several

ecclesiastical buildings that made up

the monastic city of Glendalough.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T081 980 698 56

Camenabologue Céim na mBulóg (Ir. Céim na

mBulóg [PNCW],

'step/pass of the

bullocks')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T023 959 758 56

Camenabologue

SE Top

For origin of

name, see

Camenabologue

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T037 954 663 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Camlough

Mountain; Slieve

Girkin

Sliabh gCuircín (poss. Ir. Sliabh

gCuircín [PDT],

'mountain of the

(cock's) comb')

Summit situated in the townland of

Cross. Had an army base on the

summit, dismantled around 2001.

The second element of Slieve Girkin

is suggestive of cuircín, 'crest' or

'comb', which would fit well with the

crinkly appearance of the summit

when seen from Camlough, but no

Irish forms have been found to

confirm this.

Cooley/Gullion Down J050 253 423 29

Caoinkeen An Caincín (Ir. An Caincín

[T6000], 'snub

nose or turned-

up nose')

The name refers to the ridge running

north from Knockboy which is

abruptly truncated in a cliff.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork / Kerry W010 646 692 85

Cappaghabaun

Mountain East

Cappaghabaun Mountain is properly

the name of a lower mountain to the

SW. Scalp is a lower mountain to

the N. Any information on the

correct name of this hill would be

welcome.

Shannon Clare R677 922 378 52

Carhoo Hill Cnoc na

Ceathrún

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

na Ceathrún

[PDT], 'hill of an

Ceathrú or the

quarter')

Eask Tower, an old signal tower, is

located on the summit of Carhoo Hill.

Ballymacadoyle Hill is a lower height

further west.

Dingle West Kerry V438 983 184 70

Carn Hill Cnoc an Chairn (prob. Ir. Cnoc

an Chairn [PDT],

'hill of the cairn')

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C750 078 448 8

Carn Mountain Sliabh an Chairn (Ir. Sliabh an

Chairn [PNNI],

'mountain of the

cairn')

There is now no trace of a significant

cairn at the summit.

Mourne Mountains Down J288 260 588 29

Carnanelly Carnán Aichle (Ir. Carnán

Aichle [DUPN],

'little cairn of the

look-out point')

The element aichill also occurs in

Glenelly, at the head which

Carnanelly stands. Patrick McKay

suggests that the look-out point in

both names may be the mountain of

Carnanelly itself (DUPN).

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H675 921 562 13

Carnanelly West

Top

For origin of

name, see

Carnanelly.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H664921 505 13

Carnavaddy Carn an

Mhadaidh

(Ir. Carn an

Mhadaidh [LL],

The summit cairn is indicated as an

antiquity on the Discovery map but

Cooley/Gullion Louth J113 138 475 36

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'cairn of the

dog')

the summit itself is nameless. The

name Carnavaddy is given on the

Táin Way map guide. Carrickrawor

(An Chreig Ramhar [LL]),

Slievetrasna, Slievestucan and the

Castle are marked as satellite peaks

or slopes of this mountain. Corrakit

(Corr an Chait) is a townland to the

east, on the north side of the Windy

Gap. [OSI]

Carnaween Carn na nÉan (Ir. Carn na

nÉan [SOD#],

'cairn of the

birds')

Unless Carnaween is a spelling error

for Carnaneen, it does not seem to

match with the Irish form Carn na

nÉan.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G876 891 521 11

Carncormick Carn Chormaic (prob. Ir. Carn

Chormaic [PDT],

'Cormac’s cairn')

The triangulation pillar on the summit

stands on the remains of a cairn.

Antrim Hills Antrim D169 143 436 9

Carnearny Carn Éireann (Ir. Carn Éireann

[DUPN], 'Ériu's

cairn')

The hill derives its name from a cairn

at the summit, and there is also a

townland called Carnearny. Neither

is named on the Discoverer map.

Ériu is a sovereignty goddess

embodying Ireland. Éire is the

Modern Irish form of this name. See

Arderin in Slieve Bloom, which has a

similar origin. Unfortunately, the

cairn is overgrown and the formerly

excellent view of Lough Neagh has

been totally blocked by newly

planted conifers. Tobernaveen Hill is

a slightly lower hill to the west.

Carnearny is recorded in the Annals

of the Four Masters as the site of a

battle in 912 AD where the local

chieftain Loingsech Ua Lethlobhair

(Lawlor) was defeated by Niall, son

of Aedh Finnliath of Tyrone [LNP].

Antrim Hills Antrim J176 927 319 14

Carntogher Carn Tóchair (Ir. Carn Tóchair

[DUPN], 'cairn of

the causeway')

The causeway referred to may be

that mentioned in Táin Bó Cuailnge.

Conchobar, King of Ulster, sends his

son throughout the kingdom to rouse

the warriors to battle. He passed

across a causeway before arriving in

the valley of Dungiven. See Máire

MacNeill, 'The Festival of Lughnasa'

(pp. 148-49) for details of the festive

assembly on Carntogher.

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C796 061 464 8

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Carntreena Carn Traonach (Ir. Carn

Traonach [OSI],

perhaps 'cairn of

corncrakes')

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 140-42) for details of

the festive assembly on Carn

Traonach and Cnoc na Bealtaine.

Donegal NW Donegal B888 252 425 1

Carrafull

Named Garrafull on Bald's map of

Mayo, but this variant does not seem

to be confirmed by other sources.

North Mayo Mayo F871 247 269 23

Carran An Carn (prob. Ir. An

Carn [PDT], 'the

cairn')

There is a substantial cairn on the

summit which gives the hill its name.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W052 678 604 85

Carran Far North

Top

For origin of

name, see

Carran.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W056 702 506 79

Carrane Hill

(or Corran)

Cnoc an

Chorráin

(Ir. Cnoc an

Chorráin

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the sickle')

Carrane Hill is the highest point in a

range of hills known as the Arigna

Mountains, or as Braulieve

(sometimes Brauslieve) from Ir.

Braidshliabh, 'plunder mountain'.

The latter name does not appear on

OSI maps but is still remembered in

the area. These hills straddle the

Sligo/Leitrim border, except for a

chunk in the south belonging to

Roscommon. An early alternative

name recorded in Bethu Pátraic (The

Life of St. Patrick) is Sliab hÚa n-

Ailella, 'mountain of the descendants

of Ailill'. See Máire MacNeill, 'The

Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 183-84)

for details of the festive assembly on

the mountain.

Arigna Mountains Sligo G845 206 458 26

Carran North-

East Top

For origin of

name, see

Carran.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W066 694 561 85

Carran South

Top

For origin of

name, see

Carran.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W055 671 567 85

Carranarah

"The hill of Carranarah, which,

immediately behind the town of

Foxford, rises to a height of 600 feet

above the lough - the winter level of

the lough itself being 42 feet -

commands a good view of Loughs

Cullin and Conn, and of the

Ox Mountains Mayo G286 029 197 31

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

mountains lying around its northern

shores, and generally of the poor,

wretchedly- cultivated, but romantic

country lying around Foxford."

(James Fraser, Hand Book for

Travellers in Ireland, 1844)

Carrauntoohil Corrán Tuathail (Ir. Corrán

Tuathail [GE],

'Tuathal's sickle'

[OSNB])

Just as the summit of Ireland's

highest mountain is often covered in

mist, its name is shrouded in

uncertainty. Unlike some lesser

peaks, such as Mangerton or Croagh

Patrick, it is not mentioned in any

surviving early Irish texts. P.W.

Joyce suggests that meaning of this

name is 'inverted reaping hook' and

that this sense can be appreciated

from the middle of the Hag's Glen.

He proposes that the reaping hook is

inverted in the sense that it is convex

rather than concave [Irish Names of

Places, vol. i, p. 6]. The serrated

ridges which run up the north face of

Carrauntoohil are certainly amongst

its most distinctive features and are

therefore likely to have given name

to the mountain. However, the

image of a 'convex reaping-hook' is

a very odd and complex one on

which to base a place-name, and the

use of tuathal to mean inverted,

while found in dictionaries, seems to

be without parallel in other Irish

place-names. It seems more likely

that the second element is simply the

personal name 'Tuathal' as John

O'Donovan believed. This forename

was common in Medieval Ireland

and is the basis of the surname Ó

Tuathail (O'Toole). It also occurs in

Lios Tuathail (Listowel, Co. Kerry)

and Carraig Thuathail (Carrigtwohill,

Co. Cork), which the Flanagans

interpret in both cases as a personal

name (Irish Place Names).

Intriguigingly, one of the earliest

accounts to mention Ireland's

highest mountain, written by Isaac

Weld in 1812, refers to it as

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V803 844 1039 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'Gheraun-tuel', which suggests that

the first element was not corrán, but

rather géarán, 'fang', which is found

in the name of several other Kerry

mountains. On the basis of this one

reference, it is difficult to say whether

this represents an earlier form of the

name or whether it was a corruption.

For further information on the name,

see Paul Tempan, "Some Notes on

the Names of Six Kerry Mountains",

JKAHS, ser. 2, vol. v (2005), 5-19.

Carrick Mountain

The name of this hill is documented

in various forms, such as

Carrigmurrely in 1756 and

Carrickmacreily in 1795. It is fairly

certain that the second element is a

personal name, but the forms are too

diverse to specify which name. Price

mentions the possibility that it is Ó

Murghaile.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T233 941 381 56

Carrickashane

Mountain

Carrickashane is mentioned in

PNCW under Mucklagh townland,

but no interpretation is given.

Carraig an tSionnaigh is possible.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T078 860 508 62

Carrickbyrne Hill Carraig Bhrain (Ir. Carraig

Bhrain

[logainm.ie],

'Bran's rock')

Carrickbyrne Hill, 7 miles east of

New Ross, may be the modern

name of Aird Leamhnachta, a height

which is the subject of a

Dindshenchas poem, in which it is

said to be in Uí Cheinnselaig

(HDGP). See Máire MacNeill, 'The

Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 227-28)

for details of the festive assembly

which took place on the Carrickbyrne

Hill on 'Rock Sunday' or 'Fraughan

Sunday' in mid-July. A grassy sward

on its summit is called the Green

Loft.

South Wexford Wexford S830 248 234 76

Carricktriss

Gorse

Located in the townland of

Mullenbeg. Carricktriss Gorse is the

highest point in the Walsh

Mountains. It is unusual that the

element Gorse has been added to

this name, but the most likely

explanation is the simple one: gorse

is abundant on this hill and was

probably even more abundant before

South Midlands Kilkenny S483 291 314 75

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

conifers were planted here. The

Ordnance Survey Letters for

Kilkenny explain the name as

"Carrick-Trost (Carraig a Triost) from

"Carrick" as above [a rock] and

"Troste" a crack or fissure."

Carrigalachan Blackstairs

Mountains

Wexford S790 427 463 68

Carrigalougha Carraig an

Locha

(Ir. Carraig an

Locha

[logainm.ie],

'rock of the lake')

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W148 718 423 79

Carrigatuke Carraig an

tSeabhaic

(Ir. Carraig an

tSeabhaic

[DUPN], 'rock of

the hawk')

Carrigatuke is in Armaghbrague

townland. It is the highest point in

the group of hills known as Sliabh

Fúait [OG]. See Máire MacNeill,

'The Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 157-

60) for details of the festive

assembly on Carrigatuke.

Cooley/Gullion Armagh H903 321 365 28

Carrigawaddra Carraig an

Mhadra

(prob. Ir. Carraig

an Mhadra

[PDT], 'the dog's

rock')

This peak is a south-eastern outlier

of Crohane.

Mangerton Kerry W060 820 425 79

Carrigeenamron

ety

Carraigín na

mBróinte

(prob. Ir.

Carraigín na

mBróinte [PDT],

'rock of the

querns')

Ballyhoura

Mountains

Limerick R701 160 401 73

Carrigfadda An Charraig

Fhada

(Ir. An Charraig

Fhada

[logainm.ie], 'the

long rock')

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W242 430 313 86/89

Carrigleitrim Carraig Liatroma (Ir. Carraig

Liatroma

[PNCW#], 'rock

of Liatroim or the

grey ridge')

Price has a good deal of information

on this name: "Pronounced

Corrig·leitrim. The name of the hill

which forms the northern spur of

Sorrel Hill. It is quite well known,

though it is not on the O. S. map.

The old track which crossed the

mountains between Douce Mountain

and Gravale must have passed close

to it... There is a cairn of stones on

the hill" [PNCW]. He also proposes

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O048 140 408 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

this place as the identification for

Liathdruim, mentioned in the 12th

century Metrical Dindshenchas,

suggesting it was of some

importance.

Carriglineen

Mountain

Sliabh Charraig

Linnín

(Ir. Sliabh

Charraig Linnín

[OSI], 'mountain

of Carraig

Linnín')

Price suggests that Carriglineen may

derive rather from Ir. Carraig Glinnín,

'rock of the little glen'.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T118 912 455 56

Carrignabinnia Carraig na Binne (Ir. Carraig na

Binne [OSI],

'rock of the

peak')

Galty Mountains Limerick R850 237 822 74

Carrignagower Carraig na

nGabhar

(Ir. Carraig na

nGabhar [PND],

'rock of the

goats')

A nearby point is marked

Carrignagower, height 2478 ft., on

the 1924 6" map. Named

Knocknalingady in Claude Wall's

book Mountaineering in Ireland, from

the nearby townland of

Coolnalingady.

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S311 122 767 75

Carrigroe An Charraig Rua (prob. Ir. An

Charraig Rua

[PDT], 'the red

rock')

"Carrigroe is a small hill eight miles

inland from the sea, which

commands a widespread view of the

coastal plain between Courtown and

Wexford Harbour and looks

westward over the pleasant

countryside surrounding Ferns… On

the last Sunday of July, known as

Fraughan Sunday, people went to

the hill to pick berries... On top of

the hill is a cleft rock called the

Giant's Bed" (Máire MacNeill, 'The

Festival of Lughnasa', p. 229).

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc na Carraige Rua

[PDT], 'hill of the red rock')

Blackstairs

Mountains

Wexford S793 415 495 68

Carrigroe Hill Cnoc na

Carraige Rua

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

na Carraige Rua

[PDT], 'hill of the

red rock')

North Wexford Wexford T092 498 232 69

Carrigshouk Carraig an

tSeabhaic

(Ir. Carraig an

tSeabhaic

[logainm.ie],

'rock of the

This peak lies SE of

Mullaghcleevaun and just W of the

Military Road.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O097 051 573 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

hawk')

Carrigvore An Charraig

Mhór

(Ir. An Charraig

Mhór [PNCW#],

'big rock')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O123 102 682 56

Carroll's Hill

This peak is on a spur extending

between Glendossaun and

Glenafelly.

Slieve Bloom Offaly N225 020 482 54

Carron Mountain Ballyhoura

Mountains

Limerick R608 178 440 73

Carronadavderg Carn an Daimh

Dheirg

(Ir. Carn an

Daimh Dheirg

[LL], 'cairn of the

red ox')

Carronadavderg is the highest point

in the Drum Hills (Ir. Drom Fhinín

[LL]). Canon Power says of this

height: "This carn is erroneously

marked as Sliabh Grainn on old

maps. A remarkable eminence

visible for many miles in three

directions. A wild legend accounts

for the name. Fionn and a

contemporary giant had a difference

as to the ownership of a certain red

bull. In the heat of the dispute the

rival proprietors seized each a horn

of the beast and pulled the creature

in twain."

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford X174 869 301 82

Cashel Hill Cnoc an Chaisil (Ir. Cnoc an

Chaisil [OSI], 'hill

of an Caiseal or

the stone ring-

fort')

Cashel / An Caiseal is the name of a

settlement south of the hill, and also

a townland. "The townland is named

from the earth- and stone-banked

'ringfort' or cashel surrounding the

old cemetery in Caiseal Ard / High

Cashel. This is probably an Early

Christian religious site (TR, 72)."

Walks: for a route to the summit from

the SW, see Whilde & Simms, New

Irish Walk Guide - West and North,

30.

South Connemara Galway L800 436 311 44

Cashlaundrumla

han

Caisleán Dhroim

Leathan

(prob. Ir.

Caisleán Dhroim

Leathan [PDT],

'castle of the

broad ridge')

Cashlaundrumlahan is the highest

point on the Galway side of Slieve

Aughty, though Maghera in Clare is

the culmination of this range.

Shannon Galway M586 048 358 52

Cashloura*

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

It is situated in the townland of

Cashloura. Any information on the

correct name of this hill would be

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W210 485 298 85/89

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

welcome.

Castle Hill

As this peak is rather far from any

castle (at Castledrum or

Castlemaine), it may be simply

named from its commanding

position.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q756 063 600 71

Castleconor*

This peak is SW of Glendelour and

is unnamed on the Discovery map.

Any information on its correct name

would be welcome. Castleconor is a

townland in the parish of Offerlane.

Slieve Bloom Laois N282 023 407 54

Knocklineghan Cnoc

Laighneacháin

(prob. Ir. Cnoc

Laighneacháin

[PDT], 'hill of

Laighneachán')

This peak is unnamed on OS

maps. It is situated in the

townland of

Cloghanelineghan. On the

map of Co. Kerry in Lewis'

Atlas of Ireland (1837) it is

named Knockdyneghan.

Although this suggests the

name Ó Duibhneacháin

(Deenihan), it is much more

likely that the d is an error for

l and that the name of the hill

includes the same personal

name as the townland.

Iveragh NW Kerry V470 821 361 83

Caunoge

This name is rather puzzling. Ir.

cánóg means 'puffin', but there

seems to be no other instances of its

use as a generic in place-names.

Glenbeigh Horsehoe Kerry V582 800 502 83

Chimney Rock

Mountain

Sliabh an Aoire (Ir. Sliabh an

Aoire (?) [PNNI],

'mountain of the

shepherd')

Granite was quarried on the northern

slopes of this mountain. Mourne

granite is typically grey and of high

quality. Vast quantities used to be

exported for construction. The

streets and docks of Liverpool were

built of Mourne granite. Walter

Harris refers to a peak called Slieve

Neir in 'The Antient and Present

State of the County of Down' (1744),

which may well be an earlier Irish

name for Chimney Rock Mountain.

This is probably derived from Ir.

Sliabh an Aoire, 'mountain of the

shepherd', which links it with

Mourne Mountains Down J364 257 656 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Ballaghanery (Ir. Bealach an Aoire,

'pass of the shepherd'), the townland

on the western flanks of this peak

(PNNI 3, p. 129). Both names

preserve the memory of Boirche, the

mythical shepherd of the Mourne

Mountains (Beanna Boirche).

Bloody Bridge and the ruined church

of St. Mary's are in Ballaghanery

townland.

Church

Mountain; Slieve

Gad

Sliabh gCod (Ir. Sliabh gCod

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of

[obscure

element]')

This mountain is first mentioned

under the name Sliabh an Chodaigh,

'mountain of the covenant' in a tale

dating from before the 12th century.

Subsequently the name appears as

Sliabh gCod or similar, which is

obscure in meaning, unless it is

simply a corruption of the earlier

form. "The site is pre-Christian.

There are the remains of a large

cairn on top of the mountain. The

stones have evidently been

scattered into irregular heaps. There

is a partially cleared space in the

middle, in which there are the

foundations of a building, apparently

a small ancient church.... Lewis

(Topog. Dictionary, 1837, s.v.

Donard) says that numerous pilgrims

resort to the church on the top of the

mountain to visit a well which is

close to the walls. This well is still

known, and I have heard it called St.

Gad's Well by local people" [Price,

PNCW]. See Máire MacNeill, 'The

Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 96-101)

for details of the mountain

pilgrimage.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow N949 012 544 56

Claggan

Mountain NE

Top

Sliabh na

Cloigne NE Top

(Ir. Sliabh na

Cloigne

[logainm.ie‡],

'mountain of the

skull or skull-

shaped top')

Note that this peak is higher than

Claggan Mountain itself. Claggan

Mountain (383m) is named

Knocknatintree on William Bald's

map of Co. Mayo (1830). Claggan

Mountain NE Top, however, is

unnamed on Bald's map.

North Mayo Mayo F858 011 501 30

Claragh

Mountain

Clárach (Ir. Clárach

[Oxford Irish

Mentioned in the saying 'Ceo ar

Mhuisire is Clárach lom, an

comhartha soininne is fearr ar

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork W250 891 452 79

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Quotations], ‘flat-

topped

(mountain)’)

domhan', 'Mist on Mushera and

Claragh is the best sign of good

weather in the world'. There is a hill-

fort on the summit of Claragh.

Clermont

This name, like Clermont Carn,

records the association with Lord

Clermont of Ravensdale, whose

residence was Ravensdale Park in

the early 19th century.

Cooley/Gullion Louth J099 171 444 36

Clermont Carn;

Black Mountain

Carnán

Mhaighréid Náir

(Ir. Carnán

Mhaighréid Náir

[HU], 'cairn of

noble Margaret')

Marked as Black Mountain on the

Discovery map. The more common

name, Clermont Carn, appeared on

the old ½" map. This name records

the association with Lord Clermont of

Ravensdale, whose residence was

Ravensdale Park in the early 19th

century.

Cooley/Gullion Louth J099 157 510 29/36A

Clermont Carn

NE Top

For origin of

name, see

Clermont Carn

Cooley/Gullion Louth J103 166 448 36

Cloghernagh Clocharnach (Ir. Clocharnach

[PNCW], 'stony

place')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T057 919 800 56

Clogherny Top

This peak is named after the

townland of Clogherny Glebe, which

is in the parish of Bodoney Upper.

Clogherny Top is on the watershed

which forms the boundary between

the parish of Bodoney Upper and

Lower.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H589 908 408 13

Cloghervaddy*

Cloghervaddy is a townland in the

parish of Kilteevoge.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal H027 902 402 11

Cloghmeen Hill Bluestack Mountains Donegal G856 874 429 11

Clogrennan Hill Cnoc Chloch

Grianáin

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

Chloch Grianáin

[PDT], 'hill of

Cloch Grianáin

or stone of the

sunny spot')

This is the highest point in Slieve

Margy. The name Clogrennan Hill

does not appear on OS maps but is

confirmed by sources such as

Richard Griffith's Geological and

Mining Report on the Leinster Coal

District (1814), which states that the

River Dinan "has its source near the

summit of Clogrennan-Hill."

Clogrenan is a townland straddling

the Laois/Carlow border and also a

district. On the summit plateau is

also Rossmore Bog, Rossmore

South Midlands Laois S669 740 336 61

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

being a townland in the parish of

Killeshin, barony of Slievemargy.

This hill appears to be the location of

Temair Mairge (the Tara of Margy)

mentioned in Lebor na hUidre and

the Yellow Book of Lecan.

Clomantagh Hill Cnoc na Cloiche

Mantaí

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

na Cloiche

Mantaí [PDT],

'hill of An Chloch

Mhantach or the

gapped stone')

The name Clomantagh Hill is given

by Eoghan Ó Ceallaigh in Cois

Feoire. The word mantach is usually

applied to teeth. It means 'gummy'

or 'gap-toothed'. Clomantagh is a

parish in the barony of Crannagh.

The Irish form of this name is An

Chloch Mhantach [logainm.ie].

South Midlands Kilkenny S333 654 349 60

Clondermot Hill Cnoc Chlann

Diarmada

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

Chlann

Diarmada [PDT],

'hill of Clann

Diarmada or

Diarmuid's

progeny')

The name Clondermot Hill is referred

to numerous times in the Ordnance

Survey Memoir for the parish of

Clondermot. It is odd that the name

does not appear on OSNI maps.

Has been called Corrody Hill.

Sperrin Mountains Derry C434 128 220 7

Cloonacool*

Cloonacool is a townland in the

parish of Achonry. Any information

on the correct name of this peak

would be very welcome.

Ox Mountains Sligo G455 199 440 24

Cluidaniller West

Top

Cnoc an Iolair

(Mullach Thiar)

(Ir. Cnoc an

Iolair [An tOrdú

Logainmneacha

(Ceantair

Ghaeltachta)

2008], 'hill of the

eagle')

The highest peak on the island of

Aranmore. The anglicised form

suggests an alternative name, Clúid

an Iolair, 'the eagle's nook'.

Donegal NW Donegal B654 158 227 1

Cnoc an Bhráca

(Ir.)

Cnoc an Bhráca (Ir. Cnoc an

Bhráca [OSI

1:25,000], 'hill of

the rough

ground')

On reaching Cnoc an Bhráca when

traversing the eastern Reeks,

Cruach Mhór , the Big Gun and the

ridge between come into full view.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V858 854 731 78

Cnoc an

Chuillinn (Ir.)

Cnoc an

Chuillinn

(Ir. Cnoc an

Chuillinn [OSI

1:25,000], 'hill of

the steep slope')

The name Holly Mountain appears

between the Gap of Dunloe and

Garrountoohil Mountain

[Carrauntoohil] on a sketch map of

1837 entitled "A Panoramical View of

the Lakes of Killarney, County

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V823 833 958 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Kerry", made by Cornelius K.

Farrelly. It seems likely that Holly

Mountain refers to this peak, though

this suggests that the name was

understood (at least by the map-

maker) to come from cuileann,

'holly', rather than cuilleann, 'slope'.

Cnoc an

Chuillinn (Ir.)

East Top

Cnoc an

Chuillinn East

Top

For origin of

name, see Cnoc

an Chuillinn.

Located mid-way between Cnoc an

Chuillinn itself and Maolán Buí.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V828 834 926 78

Cnoc Bólais (Ir.) Cnoc Bólais (prob. Ir. Cnoc

Bólais [Penelope

Durell], 'hill of

the cow-

pasture')

There is a signal tower at the highest

point on Dursey in the townland of

Tilickafinna. It seems likely that this

hill was called Cnoc Bólais, since

Penelope Durell records this name in

Discovering Dursey with the

meaning 'beacon hill'. Although the

translation seems incorrect (bólas is

probably related to dairying, from bó,

'cow'), this clearly links the name

with the signal tower. A cliff nearby

to the north called Foilbolus supports

this.

Slieve Miskish Cork V472 404 252 84

Cnoc Breasail

(Ir.)

Cnoc Breasail (Ir. Cnoc

Breasail [TH],

'hill of raddle')

This peak, unnamed on the

Discovery map, is a satellite of

Knocknagantee. Lough Keimaneigh

is near the summit.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V653 725 591 78/83

Cnoc Íochtair

(Ir.)

Cnoc Íochtair (Ir. Cnoc Íochtair

[OSI 1:25,000],

'lower hill')

The first peak on the northern side of

Coomloughra.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V785 859 747 78

Cnoc Mordáin

(Ir.)

Cnoc Mordáin (Ir. Cnoc

Mordáin

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of Mordán')

Mordán is a wizard connected in

folklore with this hill [TR]. The name

is very suggestive of the Welsh

Merddyn (Merlin). Walks: for a route

around Binn Bhuí, S of Cnoc

Mordáin, see Walking in Connemara,

3.2. For a walk along the ridge

(named Derryrush to Kilkieran, rather

than Cnoc Mordáin), see Whilde &

Simms, New Irish Walk Guide - West

and North, 28-29.

South Connemara Galway L864 377 354 44

Cnoc na

Bánóige (Ir.)

Cnoc na

Bánóige

(Ir. Cnoc na

Bánóige [TCCD],

'hill of the grassy

patch')

Central Dingle Kerry Q548 048 641 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Cnoc na

Bánóige (Ir.) N

Top

Cnoc na

Bánóige N Top

For origin of

name, see Cnoc

na Bánóige.

This hill is a small rise on the plateau

east of Commanare Lakes.

Central Dingle Kerry Q552 061 445 70

Cnoc na dTarbh

(Ir.)

Cnoc na dTarbh;

Srón

(Ir. Cnoc na

dTarbh [OSI

1:25,000], 'hill of

the bulls')

Ó Cíobháin also gives the alternative

name Srón [TH], 'nose'.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V862 850 655 78

Cnoc na gCapall

(Ir.)

Cnoc na gCapall (Ir. Cnoc na

gCapall [OSI

1:25,000], 'hill of

the horses')

The first of three peaks on the ridge

to the west of Boughil.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V834 767 639 78

Cnoc na

hUilleann North

Top

For origin of

name, see Cnoc

na hUilleann.

The name Maumean / Mám Éan in

this location seems open to some

doubt. It ought to refer to a col

rather than a peak, but it is not

mentioned by Tim Robinson either

on his map or in the gazetteer, and

since there is a Mám Éan about 6km

further to the SW, there seems

reason to suspect a confusion with

this name.

Maamturks Galway L872 545 541 37

Cnoc na Stuaice

(Ir.)

Cnoc na Stuaice (Ir. Cnoc na

Stuaice [TCCD],

'hill of the peak')

This is the first peak on a ridge rising

NE from Inch.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q666 029 483 71

Cnoc na Toinne

(Ir.)

Cnoc na Toinne;

An Caisleán

Geal

(Ir. Cnoc na

Toinne [OSI

1:25,000], 'hill of

the wave')

Ó Cíobháin also gives the alternative

name An Caisleán Geal [TH], 'the

bright castle'. The path known as

Bóthar na Gíge or the Zig-Zags

attains the ridge near the summit of

Cnoc na Toinne.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V811 833 845 78

Cnoicín an

tSeabhaic (Ir.)

Cnoicín an

tSeabhaic

(Ir. Cnoicín an

tSeabhaic

[www.gaeltalk.ne

t], 'little hill of the

hawk')

This peak, located in the townland of

Cill Leice Fórabháin, is unnamed on

OS maps. The old lighthouse stands

on this hill.

Mizen/Sheeps Head Cork V972 222 160 88

Cock Mountain Sliabh an

Choiligh

(Ir. Sliabh an

Choiligh [PNNI],

'mountain of the

cock')

There is a veritable aviary

hereabouts: Cock Mountain has

neighbours named Hen Mountain,

Eagle Mountain and Pigeon Rock

Mountain.

Mourne Mountains Down J253 268 504 29

Collin Top

Along the east coast of Ireland there

is a cluster of names anglicised as

"Collin"/"Collon" from Irish collann,

Antrim Hills Antrim D218 168 429 9

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

meaning 'a height'. See also Big

Collin (Co. Antrim) and Collon Hill

(Co. Wicklow). They may ultimately

show the same root as Lat. collis, Fr.

colline and Eng. hill.

Collon Hill

This hill is unnamed on OS maps,

but it is mentioned in the

Parliamentary Gazetter of Ireland:

"Collon-hill, 3¾ miles south-south-

west of Wicklow, 782 feet." James

Fraser describes in more detail in A

Hand Book for Travellers in Ireland:

"Two miles to the seaward of Kilboy

bridge [near Kilbride] is the Hill of

Collon. It attains an elevation of 782

feet and is remarkable as rising

considerably over the lower hills with

which the surface of the country is

varied; and from it an extensive view

of the coast and country around are

obtained." The townlands of Cullen

Upper and Lower appear to have the

same name in a variant spelling. For

origin of name, see also Collin Top

and Big Collin (Co. Antrim). Has

been called Castletimon Hill.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T302 867 238 62

Colly An Bheann Mhór (Ir. An Bheann

Mhór

[logainm.ie], 'the

big peak')

Overlooks Ballaghisheen (Ir. Bealach

Oisín, 'pass of Oisín' from the north.

A ridge to the north connects with

Meenteog on the Glenbeigh

Horseshoe. This is one of several

peaks named An Bheann/Bhinn

Mhór on the Iveragh Peninsula.

Colly may be an anglicised form of

an alternative name. There are

several names mentioned by Ó

Cíobháin with the element collach,

lit. 'a boar', but referring to boulders.

This may be the origin of Colly, but

there are other possibilities.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V650 807 679 78/83

Commaun Beg*

Commaun Beg is a townland in the

parish of Templederry. Any

information on the correct name of

this peak would be very welcome.

Shannon Tipperary R927 657 403 59

Common

Mountain

Sliabh Chamáin (Ir. Sliabh

Chamáin

[logainm.ie],

The nearby townland of Roechrow

also appears to get its name from a

hill (poss. Ir. Ruachruach, 'red

stack').

Donegal SW Donegal G709 859 501 10

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

poss. 'mountain

of the crooked

place')

Conavalla Ceann an

Bhealaigh

(Ir. Ceann an

Bhealaigh

[PNCW#], 'head

of the

road/pass')

The second part of the name refers

to the old road (bealach) which led

from the west over the mountains

into Glendalough.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T039 972 734 56

Conigar An Coinigéar;

Maolach

(Ir. An Coinigéar

[OSI], 'the

warren')

It seems that Conigar is the name

applied to the south-western peak

(566m) which overlooks Borlin, whilst

Maolach, meaning 'bald hill', is the

north-eastern peak overlooking

Gougane Barra.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W060 628 566 85

Conwal North*

Conwal North is a townland in the

parish of Rossinver. Any information

on the correct name of this peak

would be very welcome.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G871 512 421 16

Coolcross Hill

Overlooks Trawbreaga Bay and

Doagh Island

Inishowen Donegal C404 470 291 3

Coolcurtoga Paps/Derrynasaggar

Kerry W097 833 425 79

Coolfree

Mountain

Sliabh Chúil

Fhraoigh

(poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

Chúil Fhraoigh

[PDT], 'mountain

of Cúil Fhraoigh

or nook of

heather')

Coolfree is a townland in the parish

of Kilflyn.

Ballyhoura

Mountains

Limerick R672 161 430 73

Coolnasillagh

Mountain

This peak overlooks the Glenshane

Pass. Coolnasillagh is a townland in

the parish of Ballynascreen.

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C775 007 423 8

Coolroe

Coolroe Lower and Upper are

townlands in the parish of Glanbehy.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V669 881 414 78

Coolsnaghtig*

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

It is situated in the townland of

Coolsnaghtig. Any information on

the correct name of this hill would be

welcome. Carrigaphuca is a feature

on the western slopes of this hill.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W208 551 295 85

Coomacarrea Com an Charria;

An Sagart

(Ir. Com an

Charria [UR#],

'hollow of the

stag')

As with many names beginning with

com, this name originally applied to a

deep hollow on the side of the

mountain. According to Seán Ó

Súilleabháin the peak is also known

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V611 825 772 78/83

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

as An Sagart. A cliff on the north-

east side is named Leam a

Soggorth, an anglicisation of Ir. Léim

an tSagairt, 'leap of the priest' , a

name which probably preserves a

memory of a tale of a priest escaping

from pursuing soldiers in Penal

times, much like the Priest's leap

between Bonane and Coomhola,

near Glengarriff. On the Discovery

map no. 78 the Irish name of the

summit is An Tráigh [OSI], 'the

strand'. Perhaps this is a humorous

name for the large stony patch

without turf cover near the summit.

For further information on the name,

see Paul Tempan, "Some Notes on

the Names of Six Kerry Mountains",

JKAHS, ser. 2, vol. v (2005), 5-19.

Coomacloghane Com an

Chlocháin

(Ir. Com an

Chlocháin

[T6000], 'hollow

of the stone

building')

Caha Mountains Cork / Kerry V733 548 599 84

Coomagearlahy Paps/Derrynasaggar

Kerry W095 772 506 79

Coomagearlahy

W Top

For origin of

name, see

Coomagearlahy.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Kerry W086 773 462 79

Coomataggart Com an tSagairt (Ir. Com an

tSagairt [OSI],

'hollow of the

priest')

Shehy/Knockboy Cork / Kerry W100 690 530 85

Coombane An Com Bán (Ir. An Com Bán

[OSI], 'the white

hollow')

Marked as 'Coombane' on the 6"

map. The name refers originally to a

hollow in the upper reaches of

Kilcummin Beg townland.

Central Dingle Kerry Q568 092 610 70

Coomcallee Com Caillí; An

Ghuala Ghorm

(Ir. Com Caillí

[T6000], 'hollow

of the hag')

Also known as An Ghuala Ghorm

[TH], 'the blue shoulder'. As with

other mountain names beginning

with coom-, this name has been

transferred from a nearby corrie to

the summit itself. It is not hard to

guess which is the corrie in question

as the presence of nearby Lough

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V624 677 650 83

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Coomcallee gives it away. Another

Coomcallee is a townland on the

north side of Macgillycuddy’s Reeks,

though it is now better known by the

English translation: The Hag’s Glen.

Coomcathcun Com Cait Con (Ir. Com Cait

Con

[logainm.ie‡],

'hollow of the cat

and the hound')

The name Com Cait Con, which

applies properly to the coom to the N

of this peak, is understood locally as

the 'hollow of the cat and the

greyhound'. Thanks to An Brainse

Logainmneacha for providing this

information. The anglicised form

Coomeathcun on the OSI map is a

mis-spelling.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V642 708 578 78/83

Coomclogheran

e Top

Com Clocharáin (Ir. Com

Clocharáin

[logainm.ie],

'coom of the little

stony place')

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry V988 679 449 85

Coomhola

Mountain

Sliabh Chom

Sheola

(Ir. Sliabh Chom

Sheola [OSI#],

'mountain of

Com Sheola')

Coomhola is a valley to the SE.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork V995 594 472 85

Coomnacronia* Com na Cróine (Ir. Com na

Cróine, 'hollow

of the red cow')

This peak is situated between the

valleys containing Eagles Lough and

Lough Coomnacronia. Note that

there is another valley called

Coomnacronia in the Glenbeigh

Horseshoe.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V680 734 636 78

Coomnadiha Com na

Daibhche

(Ir. Com na

Daibhche [OSI],

'hollow of the

hole')

Dabhach (gen. daibhche), a vessel,

vat, press or well, is also used in

place-names to refer to some

depression or recess; cf. Letterdyfe,

Leitir Daibhche, a townland in

Connemara where the hole in

question may be a cave, and

Culdaff, Cúil Dabhcha, Co. Donegal,

where it seems to refer to a stone

with holes bored in it.

Caha Mountains Kerry V847 600 644 85

Coomnahorna*

Unnamed on the Discovery map, this

peak is immediately S of

Slievenashaska Lough, the lake of

the fiddle, so named from its shape.

Coomnahorna East and West are

townlands in the parish of

Kilcrohane. Ir. Com na hEorna

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V640 685 590 83/84

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

means 'hollow of the barley'.

Coomnalack Top Caha Mountains Kerry V863 602 435 85

Coomura

Mountain

Named from nearby coum, where

the River Inny rises. The crags at

the back of Lough Reagh, dubbed

the 'Aiguilles', are remarkably

complex and offer many possibilities

for climbing.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V677 752 666 78/83

Cooneen Hill Cnoc an

Chuainín

(Ir. Cnoc an

Chuainín [OSI],

'hill of An

Cuainín or the

little recess')

Cooneen / An Cuainín [LL] is a

townland in the parish of Dolla. The

recess referred to may well be the

narrow defile with waterfalls on the

SE slope of Cooneen Hill.

Shannon Tipperary R903 681 467 59

Copes Mountain

This peak is lower than its neighbour,

Crockauns, but is remarkable for the

rugged pinnacles it presents to

Glencar on its northern side.

Dartry Mountains Sligo G744 414 452 16

Coppanagh (or

Cappanagh)

Sliabh Chopanaí (poss. Ir. Sliabh

Chopanaí [PDT],

'mountain of

Copanach or

place abounding

in dock-leaves')

Named Sliabh Copanach in Cinnlae

Amhlaoibh Uí Shúileabháin ("Diary

of Humphrey O'Sullivan"), it is

mentioned as one of the hills which

the diarist is able to see from his

home near Callan. Also spelt

Cappanagh.

South Midlands Kilkenny S650 434 365 68

Corcogemore Corcóg (Ir. Corcóg [TR],

'cone' or

'beehive')

As Tim Robinson points out, "the

Ordnance Survey has been

incorrectly calling this mountain

'Leckavrea' for a hundred and fifty

years." Leckavrea (Ir. Leic

Aimhréidh) is the mountain to the E

on the other side of Mám Aodha.

Maamturks Galway L952 492 609 45

Corick Mountain Cnoc an

Chomraic

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

an Chomhraic

[PDT], 'hill of the

combat')

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C761 037 430 8

Corn Hill Carn Clainne

Aodha

(Ir. Carn Clainne

Aodha

[logainm.ie],

'cairn of Clann

Aodha or the

children of

Hugh')

There are two cairns at the summit.

Clann Aodha were a sept of the

O'Farrells according to Rev. Joseph

MacGivney. He gives Sliabh Cairbre

as the earlier name of the hill.

North Midlands Longford N188 842 278 34

Cornasaus Corr na Sás (Ir. Corr na Sás

There is a cairn on the summit.

North Midlands Cavan N721 960 339 35

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

[logainm.ie],

'round hill of the

nooses')

Cornasaus is also the name of a

townland in Meath.

Corran An Carn (prob. Ir. An

Carn [PDT], 'the

cairn')

There is a cairn at the summit.

Nagles Mountains Cork W658 957 407 80

Corranabinnia;

Cushcamcarrag

Coire na Binne (Ir. Coire na

Binne [OSNB],

'hollow of the

peak')

This peak is unnamed on the OSI

Discovery map, surely one of the

highest peaks to lack a name. The

name Corranabinnnia is found in

walking guides. It is also named

Cushcamcarragh (from Ir. Coiscéim

Charrach, 'rocky step') in atlases.

This name also appears on Bald's

map of Mayo (1830), while the name

Curranabinna is applied to the cirque

north of the peak. Walks: for a route

taking in Bengorm, Corranabinnia

and Glennamong, see Whilde &

Simms, New Irish Walk Guide - West

and North, 72-73.

North Mayo Mayo F903 032 716 30

Corranabinnia

SW Top

For origin of

name, see

Corranabinnia.

North Mayo Mayo F894 026 681 30

Corraun Hill Cnoc an

Chorráin

(Ir. Cnoc an

Chorráin

[OSNB#], 'hill of

the hook')

The large peninsula, which is very

nearly an island, lying between Achill

and the mainland of Mayo is called

Corraun (Ir. Corrán Acla, 'sickle of

Achill'). The name may refer to the

shape of this hill or perhaps to the

promontory Gubnahardia, near

which the village of Corraun is

situated. Corraun is part of the

parish of Achill. For a walk on the S

slopes of Corraun Hill, see Siúlóidí

Acla, walk M.

Achill/Corraun Mayo L754 960 524 30

Corraun Hill East

Top

For origin of

name, see

Corraun Hill.

Note that this peak is higher than

Corran Hill itself. It was the tradition

for local children to gather bilberries

on the mountain, and also another

kind of small white berry called caora

aitinn, which were bottled in whikey,

buried, and kept as remedies for

ailments. This took place on the last

Sunday of July, known locally as

Garlic Sunday (apparently a

Achill/Corraun Mayo L777 961 541 30

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

corruption of 'garland') or Domhnach

Chrom Dubh [MacNeill, 191-92].

Corriebracks Coire Breac (Ir. Coire Breac

[PNCW],

'speckled

hollow')

Knocknaboley is the name of a

townland, though obviously it

originally applied to a hill, and indeed

may have referred to the same peak

as Corriebracks.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow N967 003 531 56

Corrig Mountain An Charraig (Ir. An Charraig

[OSI], 'rock')

Nowadays there are actually no

rocks on this boggy top. The name

was reported as Corriganoura by

Price's informant (PNCW).

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin /

Wicklow

O091 194 618 56

Corrigasleggaun Carraig na

Sliogán

(Ir. Carraig (n)a

Sliogán [PNCW],

'rock of the

shells or flat

stones')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T047 910 794 56

Coumaraglin

Mountain

Sliabh Chom

Airglinn

(poss. Ir. Sliabh

Chom Airglinn

[LL‡], 'mountain

of Coumaraglin')

Coumaraglin, from Ir. Com Airglinn,

is a townland name meaning 'hollow

of the Araglin River'.

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S282 043 617 75

Coumfea Com Fia (Ir. Com Fia [LL],

'hollow of the

deer')

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S295 097 744 75

Coumfea North

Top

For origin of

name, see

Coumfea.

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S296 107 730 75

Coumfea West

Top

Srón Chom Fia (Ir. Srón Chom

Fia [PND#],

'nose of the

hollow of the

deer')

Srón Chom Fhiaidh is the form given

by Power. Other hills in the same

townland (Lyre) are: Cnoc Bán,

'white hill', Cnoc a' Ghirrfhéidh, 'hill of

the hare' and Cnoc a' Chrocaire, 'hill

of the hangman' (PND).

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S281 095 711 75

Cove Mountain (no Irish form

known)

This name was interpreted by E.

Estyn Evans as 'Cave Mountain'

(Mourne Country, p. 232), and this is

exactly the form in which it appears

on James Williamson's map of 1810.

There is a cave which enters into a

spur of the mountain, climbs

upwards and emerges on a ledge

half way up a cliff on the other side

of the spur. Cove is a Scots word for

a cave, cavern or man-made

underground passage such as a

Mourne Mountains Down J336 271 655 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

souterrain. As pointed out in PNNI,

this cave is actually on neighbouring

Slievelamagan, but perhaps the

explanation is that it can be visited

on the way up Cove Mountain, whilst

Slievelamagan is usually climbed

from the vicinity of Blue Lough to the

south. The cave is described as

follows by Walter Harris in 'The

Antient and Present State of the

County of Down' (1744): "... a huge

natural cave, affording an entrance

as wide as the cave itself. This

frightful chamber is lined with fern

grass and several other mountain

plants, and inhabited by a huge

number of hawks, jackdaws, owls,

etc. and at the further ends of it the

light breaks through the natural

crevices. To the left of this cave you

climb up through a very narrow

passage to the top of the rock and

land on one of the most beautiful,

most magnificent and romantic spots

that can well be conceived."

Cragnamurragh Shannon Clare R629 749 526 58

Craigagh Hill

Name explained as "rocky hill" in

OSRNB

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

H717 987 460 13

Craigcannon Creig

Cheannann

(prob. Ir. Creig

Cheannann

[PDT], 'white-

topped crag')

The name Craigcannon appears only

on the 6" map. Binnacaghig and

Binnacolla are slightly lower peaks

nearby on the same mountain.

Donegal NW Donegal C244 303 357 2

Craignamaddy Creig na Madaí (prob. Ir. Creig

na Madaí [PDT],

'crag of the

dogs')

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H522 895 385 13

Cratlieve;

Legananny

Mountain

Crotshliabh (prob. Ir.

Crotshliabh

[PDT], 'hump-

mountain')

Mourne Mountains Down J297 447 429 20

Crenville Of uncertain

origin

Mícheál Ó Mainnín discusses this

difficult name in PNNI 3, 133 and

concludes that its origin is unclear.

As it only occurs in the name of this

Mourne Mountains Down J207 187 460 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

hill, it seems that –ville must be a

corruption of something else. A

derivation from Ir. Críonmhaol,

‘withered/dry round hill’ or Críonchoill

‘withered/dry wood’ is worth

considering.

Cruach na Rad

SW Top

For origin of

name, see

Cruach na Rad.

Donegal SW Donegal G669 776 471 10

Croagh Patrick Cruach Phádraig (Ir. Cruach

Phádraig [GE],

'Patrick’s stack')

Saint Patrick is said to have fasted

for forty days on Croagh Patrick. It is

from here that he is said to have

banished a flock of evil black birds

as well as the serpents of Ireland (a

hollow to the north of the summit

named Lugnademon commemorates

this story). This explains its

significance as a place of pilgrimage,

though it was already sacred in

pagan times, being a Lughnasa site

[see MacNeill, 71-84]. Locally

Croagh Patrick is called ‘The Reek’,

a variant of the word ‘rick’ (i.e. a

hayrick or haystack). ‘Cruach’ has

the same meaning. In pagan times

the mountain was known as

Cruachán Aigle or Cruachán

Garbrois. Garbros seems to be a

place-name for the locality.

Croagh Patrick Mayo L906 802 764 30

Croagh Patrick

East Top

For origin of

name, see

Croagh Patrick.

Croagh Patrick Mayo L921 804 487 31

Croagh Patrick

Far East Top

For origin of

name, see

Croagh Patrick.

Croagh Patrick Mayo L929 804 500 31

Croaghacullin Cruach an

Chuilinn

(prob. Ir. Cruach

an Chuilinn

[PDT], 'stack of

the holly')

Donegal SW Donegal G690 806 405 10

Croaghacullion Cruach an

Chuilinn

(Ir. Cruach an

Chuilinn [OSI],

'stack of the

holly')

Donegal SW Donegal G570 870 374 10

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Croaghagranagh Cruacha Gránna (Ir. Cruacha

Gránna

[logainm.ie],

'ugly stacks')

This peak is on the SW slopes of

Croaghanirwore, an area full of

knolls and lochans.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G995 881 440 11

Croaghan Cruachán (prob. Ir.

Cruachán [PDT],

'little stack')

Antrim Hills Antrim D118 308 417 5

Croaghan Hill Cruachán (prob. Ir. An

Cruachán [PDT],

'little stack')

S Donegal/W Tyrone Donegal H299 975 217 6/12

Croaghanirwore Cruach an Fhir

Mhóir

(Ir. Cruach an

Fhir Mhóir

[SOD], 'stack of

the big man')

An Fear Mór, 'the big man', occurs in

a number of Irish place-names. It

may refer to a giant or be a

euphemism for the Devil. Cf.

Crockanirmore, Crockanirvore and

Oweyanirvore, all in

Termmonmaguirk parish, Co. Tyrone;

also Cuan an Fhir Mhóir, Greatman's

Bay in Connemara, where the name

is associated with the legend of a

giant who fished for whales.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal H002 892 548 11

Croaghanmoira;

The Mottie

Cruachán

Mhaigh Rath

(prob. Ir.

Cruachán

Mhaigh Rath

[PDT], 'little

stack of Moira')

The second element in

Croaghanmoira is most likely from

the title of the Earl of Moira who had

lands in the vicinity of Greenan.

Papers of the Kemmis family record

that Thomas Kemmis purchased the

Ballinacor Estate, comprising lands

in the area around Greenan in 1805

from the Right Honourable Francis

Rawdon Hastings, Earl of Moira (see

also Ballinacor Mountain).

Croaghanmoira stands above

Ballinacor House and would clearly

have been part of this estate. It

would thus be the Cruachán on the

Earl of Moira's land, prior to the sale

of the land in 1805, in contrast to

Croghan Kinsella, which lies about

10 miles to the S.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T099 865 664 62

Croaghaun Cruachán (Ir. Cruachán

[logainm.ie],

'little stack')

It was the tradition for local children

to pick berries on the mountain on

the last Sunday of July, known

locally as Garlic Sunday (apparently

a corruption of 'garland') (MacNeill,

191). Walks: for a cliff-top walk near

Achill/Corraun Mayo F559 061 688 22/30

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Achill Head, see Siúlóidí Acla, walk

Croaghaun An Cruachán (prob. Ir. An

Cruachán [PDT],

'the little stack')

Croaghaun is at the northern end of

the Blackstairs Mountain. It has the

conical profile of peaks with this

name.

Blackstairs

Mountains

Wexford S834 576 455 68

Croaghaun SW

Top

For origin of

name, see

Croaghaun.

This is a lower top just 600m W of

Croaghaun itself. A little caution is

required on the summit in poor

visibility due to the precipice to the

N. Offshore winds, which can blow

walks towards or even over the cliffs,

are not unknown here.

Achill/Corraun Mayo F554 058 664 22/30

Croaghbane An Chruach

Bhán

(prob. Ir. An

Chruach Bhán

[PDT], 'white

stack')

Situated on the boundary of the

townlands of Edergole, Cronakerny

and Crolack. Name from J. Glover.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G978 911 641 11

Croaghbarnes Cruach an

Bhearnais

(Ir. Cruach an

Bhearnais

[SÓD#], 'stack of

the gap')

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G990 903 499 11

Croaghbrack An Chruach

Bhreac

(Ir. An Chruach

Bhreac

[logainm.ie], 'the

speckled stack')

Bluestack Mountains Donegal H035 902 401 11

Croaghcarragh Cruach

Charrach

(prob. Ir. Cruach

Charrach [PDT],

'rocky stack')

Inishowen Donegal C314 425 400 2 & 3

Croaghconnellag

Cruach

Conallach

(Ir. Cruach

Conallach

[SOD], 'stack of

the Cenél

Conaill')

"The prominent hill to the east of the

Gap, near Lough Mourne, is

Croaghonagh, or Cruach

Eoghanach, signifying the western

boundary of Cenel or Tír Eoghain,

while the hill facing it on the western

side is Croaghconnelagh or Cruach

Conallach, the frontier of Tír

Chonaill" (www.donegallibrary.ie).

Bluestack Mountains Donegal H023 863 523 11

Croaghegly

Overlooks Maghery and Trawenagh

Bay.

Donegal NW Donegal B736 073 245 1

Croaghgorm An Chruach

Ghorm

(Ir. An Chruach

Ghorm [DUPN],

'the blue stack')

Situated in the townland of Sruell.

Marked as "Bluestack" on 1st series

of 6" maps. Locally the range is

simply known as "na Cruacha" or

"the Crows".

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G948 896 674 11

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Croaghleconnell Cruach Leac

Chonaill

(prob. Ir. Cruach

Leac Chonaill

[PDT], 'stack of

Conall's

flagstone')

Leac Chonaill is the name of a stone

near the holy well of St. Conall.

Recesses on it are said to be the

marks of the saint's knees and elbow

(Kay Muhr, Celebrating Ulster's

Townlands, p. 23). Leac Chonaill

also gives its name to the townlands

of Derryleconnell Far and

Derryleconnell Near.

Donegal NW Donegal B841 057 266 11

Croaghleheen Cruach Léithín (Ir. Cruach

Léithín

[logainm.ie],

'stack of Léithín')

In local legend, Léithín was a

chieftain who had a son,

Feardhomhain, and a daughter,

Finngheal. Glenleheen (Ir. Gleann

Léithín) is also named after him.

Feardhomhain was assailed by a

ferocious pig. Finngheal, hearing his

cries, swam across across a lake to

come to the aid of her brother, but

was confused as to his whereabouts

by the echoes of his cries. After

swimming back and forth several

times, her feet became entangled in

her long blond hair and she drowned

in the lake, which was called Loch

Finne (Lough Finn) thereafter. As

Feardhomhain continued fighting the

pig, they are said to have formed a

hole, which was later filled by Lough

Muck (Ir. Loch Muc, 'lake of pigs').

Bluestack Mountains Donegal B879 033 385 11

Croaghmarhin Cruach

Mhárthain

(Ir. Cruach

Mhárthain [OSI],

'stack of

Márthain')

This peak has the classic hay-stack

shape which is typical of mountains

whose names begin with cruach.

Márthain / Marhin is the name of a

townland and a parish.

Dingle West Kerry Q336 025 403 70

Croaghmeen An Chruach

Mhín

(prob. Ir. An

Chruach Mhín

[PDT], 'the

smooth stack')

Bluestack Mountains Donegal H030 804 401 11

Croaghmore An Cró Mór (Ir. An Cró Mór

[OSI], 'the big

sheep-pen')

This name has been misleadingly

anglicised as if it contained the

element cruach, 'stack'. It actually

contains cró, 'sheep-pen', and it

seems that the name has been

transferred from a pen to the hill on

which it was situated.

Dingle West Kerry V246 958 292 70

Croaghmoyle An Chruach

Mhaol

(Ir. An Chruach

Mhaol

Croaghmoyle overlooks Beltra Lough

and Glenhest, while Glen Nephin lies

North Mayo Mayo M098 983 430 31

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

[logainm.ie], 'the

bare-topped

stack')

to the north. Walks: for a route to

the summit from the W, see Whilde

& Simms, New Irish Walk Guide -

West and North, 68.

Croaghnageer Cruach na

gCaor

(Ir. Cruach na

gCaor [SOD],

'stack of the

berries')

Bluestack Mountains Donegal H011 886 571 11

Croaghnamaddy Cruach na

Madadh

(Ir. Cruach na

Madadh [PWJ‡],

'stack of the

dogs')

The highest point on Horn Head.

The Metrical Dindsenchas contains a

reference to Sliab Irguill, which the

editor Edward Gwynn identifies with

Horn Head, so it be an old name for

Croaghnamaddy or may have

referred to all the upland on Horn

Head. For origin of name, see

Ganiamore re the name Sliab Guill.

There is another Croaghnamaddy

SW of Dungloe.

Donegal NW Donegal C029 402 252 2

Croaghnameal Cruach na Míol (Ir. Cruach na

Míol [SÓD],

'stack of the

midges/cattle')

S Donegal/W Tyrone Donegal H038 793 438 11

Croaghnasaggar

Cruach na

Sagart

(Ir. Cruach na

Sagart [OSI],

'stack of the

priests')

Donegal NW Donegal B968 190 480 6

Croaghonagh Cruach

Eoghanach

(Ir. Cruach

Eoghanach

[www.donegallibr

ary.ie], 'stack of

the Cenél

Eogain')

Erroneously marked on OS maps as

Barnesmore, which is the name of

the gap below.

S Donegal/W Tyrone Donegal H038 854 451 11

Croaghskearda Cruach Sceirde (Ir. Cruach

Sceirde [OSI],

'stack of the

exposed place')

"Near a path over the brow of the hill

between Gowlin and Lisdargan there

is an underground passage called

Staighre Chaitlín (Cathleen's Stairs)

which leads to a cave. The tale is

told of a local man who dreamed of a

treasure on the Bridge of Limerick,

went there and met a stranger who

said that he had dreamed of treasure

at a place unknown to him called

Staighre Chaitlín; the local man who

Central Dingle Kerry Q509 039 608 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

knew the place well returned home

and found the treasure" (Máire

MacNeill, 'The Festival of Lughnasa',

pp. 207-08). MacNeill also mentions

several legends connected with the

nearby hills to the east.

Croaghubbrid Cruach

Thiobraide

(Ir. Cruach

Thiobraide [OSI],

'stack of the

well')

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G917 935 416 11

Croaghugagh Cruach Ugach (Ir. Cruach

Ugach

[logainm.ie],

'stack' +

[unknown

element])

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G917 942 410 11

Crockalough Cnoc an Locha (prob. Ir. Cnoc

an Locha [PDT],

'hill of the lake')

Antrim Hills Antrim D208 234 402 9

Crockalough Cnoc an Locha (prob. Ir. Cnoc

an Locha [PDT],

'hill of the lough')

The northernmost peak in the

current MV list, lying about 8km ESE

of Malin Head. Has been called The

Bens. See Máire MacNeill, 'The

Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 146-47)

for details of the festive assembly on

Crockalough.

Inishowen Donegal C461 568 282 3

Crockalougha Cnoc an Locha (prob. Ir. Cnoc

an Locha [PDT],

'hill of the lake')

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C716 012 407 8

Crockaneel Cnoc an Aoil (Ir. Cnoc an Aoil

[PNNI], hill of the

lime')

Also recorded as Glenmakeerin Top

in an Ordnance Survey Revision

Name Book, Glenmakeerin being the

valley to the north which lead down

towards Ballycastle.

Antrim Hills Antrim D191 338 403 5

Crockaulin Cnoc Álainn (Ir. Cnoc Álainn

[OSI], 'beautiful

hill')

Inishowen Donegal C625 420 325 3/4

Crockauns Na Cnocáin (prob. Ir. Na

Cnocáin [PDT],

'the little hills')

Crockauns is the highest peak in the

hills between Glencar and Lough

Gill, sometimes called the Castlegal

Hills.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G759 410 463 16

Crockballaghgee

Cnoc Bhealach

Gaoithe

(Ir. Cnoc

Bhealach

Donegal NW Donegal B957 171 480 1

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Gaoithe

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of Bhealach

Gaoithe or pass

of the wind')

Crockbrack;

Rock Hill

Cnoc Breac (Ir. Cnoc Breac

[PNNI],

'speckled hill')

Sperrin Mountains Derry H718 957 526 13

Crockdooish Cnoc Dhubhaise (prob. Ir. Cnoc

Dhubhaise

[PDT], 'hill of

Dubhais or black

ridge')

Sperrin Mountains Derry C530 024 321 7

Crockfadda An Cnoc Fada (Ir. An Cnoc

Fada [OSI], 'the

long hill')

Donegal NW Donegal B950 164 485 1

Crockfadda An Cnoc Fada (Ir. An Cnoc

Fada [OSI], 'the

long hill')

Note that there is another hill of this

name between Slieve Snaght and

Dooish.

Donegal NW Donegal B910 136 529 1

Crockfadda E

Top

For origin of

name, see

Crockfadda.

Donegal NW Donegal B955 164 454 1

Crockfadda

North-East Top

For origin of

name, see

Crockfadda.

Donegal NW Donegal B915 144 502 1

Crockglass An Cnoc Glas (Ir. An Cnoc

Glas [OSI], 'the

green hill')

Donegal NW Donegal B892 166 489 1

Crockkinnagoe Cnoc Chionn an

Ghabha

(prob. Ir. Cnoc

Chionn an

Ghabha [PDT],

'hill of Cionn

Gabha or head

of the smith')

The name Cionn an Ghabha also

occurs in Inishowen, Co. Donegal.

Incorrectly spelt Crockinnagoe on

the Ireland North map and OS Road

Atlas.

S Donegal/W Tyrone Donegal H125 724 361 12

Crockmain Cnoc Meáin (prob. Ir. Cnoc

Meáin [PDT],

'middle hill')

Inishowen Donegal C334 449 460 3

Crockmore An Cnoc Mór (prob. Ir. An Donegal NW Donegal C101 259 349 2

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Cnoc Mór [PDT],

'the big hill')

Crockmulroney Cnoc Uí

Mhaolruanaidh

(Ir. Cnoc Uí

Mhaolruanaidh

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of Ó

Maolruanaidh')

This peak overlooks the head of

Glenveagh.

Donegal NW Donegal B967 167 430 6

Crocknafarragh Cnoc na

bhFaircheach

(Ir. Cnoc na

bhFaircheach

[OSI], 'hill of the

[obscure

element]')

Donegal NW Donegal B878 167 517 1

Crocknafarragh

SE Top

For origin of

name, see

Crocknafarragh.

Donegal NW Donegal B884 164 470 1

Crocknalaragag

Na Leargacha (Ir. Na

Leargacha [OSI],

'the slopes')

Donegal NW Donegal B984 262 471 2

Crocknamoghil Cnoc na

mBuachall

(Ir. Cnoc na

mBuachall

[NIPNP replies],

'hill of the lads')

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H579 851 335 13

Crocknapeast Cnoc na Péiste (prob. Ir. Cnoc

na Péiste [PDT],

'hill of the

serpent')

Donegal SW Donegal G693 838 497 10

Crocknasharrag

Cnoc na

Searrach

(Ir. Cnoc na

Searrach

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the foals')

Named Crockatarrive on the 1st

series of 6" maps.

Donegal NW Donegal B898 127 495 1

Crocknasleigh Cnoc na Sleá (Ir. Cnoc na Sleá

[An tOrdú

Logainmneacha

(Ceantair

Ghaeltachta)

2008], 'hill of the

spear')

Cnoc na Sleá is the modern Irish

form. Arguably the Classical Irish

form Cnoc na Sleighe is more faithful

to the pronunciation.

Donegal NW Donegal C123 429 163 2

Crockrawer Cnoc Ramhar (prob. Ir. Cnoc Donegal SW Donegal G559 771 435 10

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Ramhar [PDT],

'fat hill')

Crockstoller Cnoc an

Stualaire

(Ir. Cnoc an

Stualaire [OSI],

'hill of the

pile/standing

stone')

Crockastroller on the Discovery map

sheet 6 is a mis-spelling. The

correct form appears on sheet 1.

Donegal NW Donegal B962 103 418 6

Crockuna Cnoc Onna (poss. Ir. Cnoc

Onna [OSI‡], 'hill

of Onna')

The Irish form Cnoc Onna can be

inferred from Lag Onna on the

Discovery map.

Donegal SW Donegal G628 881 400 10

Croghan Hill Cnoc Cruacháin;

Brí Éile

(Ir. Cnoc

Cruacháin

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the little

stack')

Brí Éile, '(fortified) hill of Éile', is the

earlier Irish name of this hill. Éile

(Ely) is a large territory covering

parts of Offaly and Tipperary.

Bearnán Éile (Devilsbit Mountain) is

at the other end of it. The Hill of

Croghan is the remains of an old

volcano. A bog body, known as 'Old

Croaghan Man', was found in the

vicinity in 2003.

North Midlands Offaly N482 332 234 48

Croghan

Kinsella;

Croghan

Mountain

Cruachán (Ir. Cruachán

[GE], 'little

stack')

The Uí Chinnsealaigh were the

dominant Gaelic family in this area

and the mountain gets the fuller

version of its name from them. This

helps to distinguish it from

Croaghanmoira, which is a little

further north.

Dublin/Wicklow Wexford /

Wicklow

T130 729 606 62

Crohan West Cruachán (Ir. Cruachán

[OSI], 'little

stack')

Crohan is also the name of a

townland in the parish of Newcastle.

According to Power, this place is

mentioned in the life of St. Declan.

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary S097 102 521 74

Crohane An Cruachán (Ir. An Cruachán

[OSI], 'little

stack')

This peak has the classic hay-stack

shape which is typical of mountains

whose names in cruach/cruachán.

Near Lough Nabroda are some

crags with rhyolite formations which,

though less spectacular, resemble

the organ pipe formations at the

Giant's Causeway.

Mangerton Kerry W050 829 650 79

Crohane SW

Top

For origin of

name, see

Crohane.

Mangerton Kerry W043 821 477 79

Crohaun Cruachán

Déiseach

(Ir. Cruachán

Déiseach [PND],

The full name of this peak is

Cruachán Déiseach, to distinguish it

from Cruachán Paorach in Mothel

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S275 006 484 75

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'little stack of the

Decies')

Parish [PND].

Cronamuck Bluestack Mountains Donegal H011 919 444 11

Croslieve Croisshliabh (Ir. Croisshliabh

[OSNB], 'cross-

mountain')

Cooley/Gullion Armagh J002 164 308 28/29

Cross Slieve Croisshliabh (Ir. Croisshliabh

[OSNB#], 'cross

mountain')

This name may signify 'cross

mountain' in the sense 'transverse',

but since this does not seem to suit

the topography, it may rather be due

to a cross once located on it.

Antrim Hills Antrim D237 295 206 5

Crossderry*

This peak, overlooking

Cummeenduff Lough, is unnamed on

the Discovery map. Crossderry is a

townland in the parish of Knockane.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V836 802 489 78

Croughaun Hill Cruachán

Paorach

(Ir. Cruachán

Paorach [PND],

'little stack of the

de Poers or

Powers')

The full name of this peak is

Cruachán Paorach, to distinguish it

from Cruachán Déiseach in

Kilgobinet Parish. This part of Co.

Waterford is known as Power

Country. A rock on the summit is

called Carraig a' Bhrannra, 'rock of

the cattle-pen' [PND].

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S379 110 391 75

Croveenananta Cruach Mhín an

Fheannta

(Ir. Cruach Mhín

an Fheannta

[logainm.ie], 'the

stack of the

mountain

pasture of the

flaying')

The form Cruach Mhín an Fheannta

from logainm.ie is supported by

James O’Kane (Séamas Ó Catháin),

who interprets it as 'the stack of the

high field of the flaying' in his place-

name survey of the parishes of

Inishkeel and Kilteevoge. The

Discovery map has a slightly

different version: Cruach Mhín an

Neanta, apparently 'the stack of the

high field of the nettles'.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G941 947 476 11

Crovehy Cnoc Chró

Bheithe

(Ir. Cnoc Chró

Bheithe [OSI],

'hill of Cró

Bheithe or

hollow of birch')

The Irish version given on the

Discovery map, Cró Bheithe, is

properly the name of the townland

only, as indicated by the information

at logainm.ie.

Donegal NW Donegal B828 114 315 1

Crownarad Cruach na Rad (Ir. Cruach na

Rad [logainm.ie],

'stack of the

[obscure

element])

There is a nearby townland in the

civil parish of Kilcar named

Crowanrudda , which looks like a

variant form of the name of this hill.

However, the townland name is

interpreted at logainm.ie as Ir. Cró

Donegal SW Donegal G677 787 493 10

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

na Roda, 'round valley of the red iron

scum'.

Cruach Mhór (Ir.) Cruach Mhór (Ir. Cruach Mhór

[OSI 1:25,000],

'big stack')

The summit has a grotto built by a

local farmer who dragged the

cement, sand and water up from his

home in Ballyledder on his back.

There is also a lower peak to the

east known as An Chruach Bheag

(TH). Both have the sharply pointed

shape associated with peaks called

cruach, and this also accounts for

the Irish name of the range: na

Cruacha Dubha (Mhic Giolla Mo

Chuda).

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V841 848 932 78

Cruiscín Cruiscín (Ir. Cruiscín [TR],

perhaps 'jug')

This peak lies NE of Mullach Glas.

Maamturks Galway L942 495 432 45

Cuilcagh Binn Chuilceach (Ir. Binn

Chuilceach

[HDGP],

'cloaked peak')

Cuilcagh lies on the Shannon-Erne

watershed. The Shannon rises on

the north-western slopes of Cuilcagh

at Shannon Pot, a steep-sided pool

where the underground river

emerges. Strictly speaking, there

are streams a mile or two further

uphill. Originating in Ulster, the

Shannon’s journey through this

province lasts less than ten miles,

before it enters Connacht. It forms

the boundary between Connacht and

Leinster for much of its length, and

ultimately meets the sea in the

province of Munster. Thus it is both

a boundary and a link between all

four provinces of Ireland. In fact, it

even formed the western boundary

of the ancient fifth province of Meath.

Around Cuilcagh there is a belief

concerning the ‘Northern Shannon’,

an underground river that

supposedly connects the waters at

Shannon Pot to the River Claddagh,

which emerges at Marble Arch

Caves and then flows into the Erne.

Several works on place-names

suggest Cuilceach is a variant of

cailceach, 'chalky', but even if the

name is taken loosely to refer to its

colour rather than its precise

geology, it is puzzling, as the

Breifne Cavan /

Fermanagh

H123 281 665 26

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

mountain consists predominantly of

sandstone and shale, covered with

much bog and heather. Where the

rock does outcrop, as at the summit

cliffs, it is mainly grey. The name

could refer to the limestone rock on

the lower northern flanks where

there are several caves which form

part of the Marble Arch cave system.

If so, the name would mean

'calcareous' rather than 'chalky'.

However, the interpretation 'cloaked

peak' offered in Historical Dictionary

of Gaelic Placenames is more likely

and this fits better with historical

forms of the name, e.g. Beann

Choilctheach in the Book of

Magauran.

Cullaghacro Coileach an

Chró

(Ir. Coileach an

Chró

[logainm.ie],

'moorcock/grous

e of the round

hollow')

This peak, a western spur of Silver

Hill, is in the townland of

Cronacarkfree (Ir. Cró na gCearc

Fraoigh, 'round hollow of the grouse-

hens').

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G896 909 476 11

Cullaun Collán (Ir. Collán [OSI],

poss. 'height')

Given its altitude , Collán is more

likely to be the element meaning

'height' which appears in names

such as Sliabh gCallann (Slieve

Gallion in Derry) and Collann

(Collon, Co. Louth) than coll(-án),

'hazel' . See also Slievecallan, Co.

Clare.

Shannon Limerick R824 574 460 66

Cullenagh

Mountain

Sliabh

Chuileannaí

(poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

Chuileannaí

[PDT], 'mountain

of Cuileannach

or place of holly')

Cullenagh Mountain is the highest of

a group known as the Slieve Lough

Hills or Dysart Hills. On the northern

edge of this range is the Pass of the

Plumes (Ir. Bearna na gCleití), site of

a famous battle in 1599, in which the

O'Moores of Leix routed the forces of

the Earl of Essex.

South Midlands Laois S499 894 317 60

Culliagh SE Top An Coileach (Ir. An Coileach

[OSI], 'the cock')

Situated in Culliagh townland. An

Coileach, 'the cock', and An Chearc,

'the hen', are neighbouring

mountains.

Donegal NW Donegal C082 020 369 6/11

Cúlóg (Ir.) Cúlóg (Ir. Cúlóg [TR],

'little nook')

Maamturks Galway L889 543 435 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Cummeen Sliabh an

Choimín

(Ir. Sliabh an

Choimín

[TCCD],

'mountain of the

little hollow')

An Seabhac also mentions a peak

called An Bhinn Bháin above Lough

Acummeen, but this may refer to a

cliff rather than the summit.

Central Dingle Kerry Q630 077 477 71

Cummeenbaun An Coimín Bán (prob. Ir. An

Coimín Bán

[PDT], 'the white

little hollow')

This peak is less conspicuous than

its higher neighbour, Droppa, which

has very steep cliffs on its N side,

though it is Cummeenbaun which

has slightly more prominence.

Caha Mountains Kerry V831 582 510 84

Cummeenboy Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork W117 744 442 79

Cummer Shannon Tipperary R916 626 405 59

Cupidstown Hill Cnoc Bhaile

Cupid

(Ir. Cnoc Bhaile

Cupid

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of Cupidstown')

Cupidstown Hill is the highest point

in Co. Kildare. However, it is on the

fringes of the Dublin Mountains and

is dwarfed by other nearby hills such

as Seefingan and Kippure, both on

the Dublin/Wicklow county boundary.

It is therefore less well known than

certain lesser heights in Co. Kildare,

such as Dunmurry Hill (231m) and

the Hill of Allen (202m), which

dominate their surroundings to a

greater extent. Cupidstown and

Cupidstownhill are names of

townlands in the parish of Kilteel.

Dublin/Wicklow Kildare O006 206 379 50

Curlew

Mountains

An Corrshliabh (Ir. An

Corrshliabh

[logainm.ie], 'the

rough or rugged

mountain')

An earlier name for this range is

Sliabh Seaghsa or simply Segais.

There is another Corrshliabh in North

Mayo, anglicised as Corslieve. The

interpretation 'pointed mountain'

offered by Flanagan & Flanagan

does not fit the landscape. Joyce's

'rough or rugged mountain' is more

suitable.

Bricklieve/Curlew Roscommon G750 047 255 33

Curra Hill

Laghtshee is the name of a burial

cairn near the eastern end of this hill.

This name is misspelt Faghtshee on

the Discovery map. A height near

the western end is named

Stookaniller. The true summit is

unnamed on maps but is locally

known as Curra Hill.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V654 903 275 78

Curracahill*

Curracahill is a townland in the

parish of Drishane. Any information

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork W228 872 478 79

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

on the correct name of this peak

would be very welcome.

Curraghchosaly

Mountain

The origin of this name is unclear,

but it may be derived from Ir.

Corrach Cois Sailí, 'bog beside the

willow'. If so, the anglicised form

would be slightly corrupt.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H478 839 416 13

Cush Cois (Ir. Cois [OSI],

'side, flank')

The name may well be a shortened

form of Cois na Binne, which

appears in several place-names in

this area. This mountain is referred

to as Binnia in 'The Mountains of

Ireland' by Paddy Dillon.

Galty Mountains Tipperary R894 262 639 74

Cushbawn Cuisleán (prob. Ir.

Cuisleán [PDT],

'soft green strip

in bog')

This peak overlooks the Macreddin

valley and the village of Aughrim.

Price reports that the name

Cushbawn is unknown locally, but

that he once heard this hill called

Cushlawn.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T141 830 400 62

Cushnaficulla Cois na Fiacaile (Ir. Cois na

Fiacaile [T6000],

'beside the

tooth')

Along with Tooth Mountain,

Knocknaveacle, Keecragh and

Hungry Hill (Daod), this is yet

another Caha hill-name relating to

teeth or eating.

Caha Mountains Cork / Kerry V821 559 594 84

Damph An Damh (Ir. An Damh

[OSI], 'the stag'

or 'the ox')

Inishowen Donegal C431 371 420 3

Dart Mountain An Dairt (Ir. An Dairt

[OSM], 'the

lump')

Cloudberries are found on the

western slopes. This rare alpine

plant resembles the strawberry plant,

to which it is related. The fruit are

like orange pearls. The OS Memoirs

derive the name from Ir. dart, 'a

lump', explaining that "When viewed

at a distance, it looks like a a lump

on Sawel." However, Daigart is the

name of a district mentioned by

Tírechán in the Tripartite Life.

O'Ceallaigh reviewed this

information, along with MacNeill's

assessment of it, and concluded that

"Daighart was probably the mountain

country of Gleann Fhoichle

(Glenelly), in the parish of Both

Domhnaigh (Bodoney) and at the

bottom of Samhail (Sawel)" [GUH,

p. 23].

Sperrin Mountains Derry / Tyrone H603 964 619 13

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Derkbeg Hill Cnoc na Deirce

Bige

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

na Deirce Bige

[PDT], 'hill of an

Deirc Bheag or

the little cavity')

An Deirc Bheag / Derk Beg is a

townland in Inishkeel parish. The

word deirc may refer to a steep-

sided cirque or to a cave.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G829 988 332 11

Derroograne*

Derroograne is a townland in the

parish of Kilmocomoge. Any

information on the correct name of

this peak would be very welcome.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork V973 577 468 85

Derrybawn

Mountain

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T119 954 474 56

Derryclancy Doire Cluainsí (Ir. Doire

Cluainsí [T6000],

'oak-grove of ?

Cluainseach')

Caha Mountains Cork / Kerry V769 513 554 84

Derryclare Binn Doire Chláir (Ir. Binn Doire

Chláir [TR],

'peak of

Derryclare')

Ir. clár can mean both a plain and a

board. In the latter sense it can refer

to a plank-bridge in some place-

names. Thus Derryclare, from Ir.

Doire Chláir, could either mean 'oak-

wood of the plain' or 'oak-wood of

the plank-bridge'. The name seems

to have been transferred by the

Ordnance Survey from the townland

of Derryclare situated to the east to

the mountain itself. In this respect

the Ir. name Binn Doire Chláir makes

much more sense as a mountain

name.

Twelve Bens Galway L815 510 677 37

Derrygarriff Doire Gharbh (Ir. Doire Gharbh

[OSI], 'rough

(oak-)grove')

There is a mapping problem

regarding the names of several

peaks in this area in that the Irish

and English names are not matched

up. The Irish version of Derrygarriff

is given as Péicín, but this name

clearly belongs to Peakeen

Mountain. The correct Irish version

is Doire Gharbh, which has been

assigned (erroneously?) on the

1:25,000 map to the lower peak

between Moll's Gap and Lough

Barfinnihy.

Mangerton Kerry V872 774 492 78

Derrylahard

East*

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

It lies on the boundary of the

townlands of Glanlough and

Mizen/Sheeps Head Cork V983 411 301 85/88

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Derrylahard. Any information on the

correct name of this hill would be

welcome.

Derrynafulla

SW*

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

It lies on the boundary of the

townlands of Derrynafulla and

Coomarkane. Any information on

the correct name of this hill would be

welcome. Having been unable to

defend Dunboy Castle against the

English cannons, it was from

Derrynafulla (Ir. Doire na Fola, 'oak-

grove of the blood') that Donal Cam

O'Sullivan Beare regrouped his

forces and followers on December

31st 1602 before their arduous and

perilous march northwards to meet

the O'Rourkes in Leitrim.

Caha Mountains Cork V888 546 375 85

Derrysallagh*

Derrysallagh is a townland in the

parish of Tuosist.. Any information

on the correct name of this peak

would be very welcome.

Caha Mountains Kerry V867 640 410 85

Devilsbit

Mountain

Bearnán Éile;

Sliabh Aildiúin

(Ir. Bearnán Éile

[OSI], 'little gap(-

ped hill) of Éile'')

Both the Irish and English names

refer to the characteristic shape of

this hill, which looks as if a chunk

has been bitten out of it between the

main peak and Little Rock. Éile is

the Irish name for Ely O’Carroll

Country. It also appears in Durlas

Éile (Thurles). See Máire MacNeill,

'The Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 217-

20) for details of the festive

assembly on the Devil's Bit which

took place on 'Rock Sunday' in late

July.

Shannon Tipperary S058 744 480 59

Devilsmother Binn Gharbh (Ir. Binn Gharbh

[TR], 'rough

peak')

An anglicised form of Binn Gharbh is

found in some sources, e.g. Ben

Garrif on Bald's map of Co. Mayo

(1830) and Bengoriff on the map

accompanying Knox's "The History

of the County of Mayo" (1908). The

Discovery map has Magairlí an

Deamhain, 'the demon’s testicles', as

the Irish name. This, however,

appears originally to be the name of

a knobbly ridge located north of the

summit (see Devilsmother North

Top), whereas Binn Gharbh applies

Partry/Joyce Country Galway / Mayo L916 624 645 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

to the hill as a whole. The English

name Devilsmother appears to have

some relationship with Magairlí an

Deamhain, either being a

euphemistic false translation or

deriving from a variant name. The

Caoránach, the female demon of

Irish mythology, whom St. Patrick

banishes to Lough Derg, is also

known as the Devil's Mother, though

there is no evidence to support a

connection with this hill. For a road

walk in Glannagevlagh, see Walking

in Connemara, 8.1.

Devilsmother

North Top

For origin of

name, see

Devilsmother.

This hill is named Mogarlyandoon on

William Bald's map of Co. Mayo

(1830). This is clearly from Ir.

Magairlí an Deamhain, 'the demon’s

testicles', (see Devilsmother). The

name appears to refer to hillocks on

this ridge. There is another instance

of this colourful name in Glencalry

(between Slieve Fyagh and

Maumakeogh) on Bald's map, where

it appears as Moggerlyandoon.

There is also Magairle, a western

spur of An Chailleach in the Twelve

Bens, marked on Tim Robinson's

map of Connemara.

Partry/Joyce Country Mayo L920 643 601 37

Diamond Hill;

Bengooria

Binn Ghuaire (Ir. Binn Ghuaire

[TR], 'Guaire's

peak')

This is the westernmost peak of the

Twelve Bens. "On the north-west of

Ballynahinsy [Ballynahinch], are the

twelve high mountaines of

Bennabeola, called by marriners the

twelve stakes [i.e. stacks], being the

first land they discover as they come

from the maine (O'Flaherty, 106-07)."

Guaire Aidne was a king of

Connacht. His name was a by-word

for hospitality and generosity. He

was known as ‘Guaire of the

extended hand’. He is the title

character in W.B. Yeats’ play, ‘The

King’s Threshold’. He is also

associated with Dún Guaire, a castle

near Kinvara. Bengooria is an

anglicised form of Binn Ghuaire.

Oddly enough, the Discovery map

Twelve Bens Galway L732 571 442 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

shows the name Benhoowirra on the

western slopes, which appears to be

an alternative anglicisation of the

same name. Spelt Diomond Hill on

the Discovery map, but this is not the

locally accepted spelling. This name

relates to glittering quartz crystals

found on the peak (Aspell 2011: 11).

Disert*

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

It is in the townland of Disert. Any

information on the correct name of

this hill would be welcome.

Slieve Miskish Cork V653 427 205 84

Divis Dubhais (Ir. Dubhais

[DUPN], 'black

ridge/peak')

For a long time dominated by a

Ministry of Defence military zone,

Divis was acquired by the National

Trust in 2004 with assistance from

the Heritage Lottery Fund and the

Department of the Environment NI.

About 1 km W of the summit on

Armstrongs Hill is the site of a cairn,

which is named Carn Sheaain

Bhuidhe (Yellow Johns Cairn) on the

1:25,000 OS map of Belfast City

LGD. F. J. Bigger suggests that the

Seán Buí in question was one of the

O'Neill dynasty (Proceedings of the

Belfast Naturalists' Field Club, ser. 2,

vol. iv (1893-94, 105). There were

several chiefs of the name Shane

O'Neill. Although Divis and Black

Mountain are nowadays perceived

as names for two separate peaks,

both are ultimately derived from the

Ir. Dubhais [DUPN], 'black

ridge/peak', Divis being an

anglicisation and Black Mountain

being a (loose) translation. The

name Black Mountain is now applied

to the lower peak which immediately

overlooks West Belfast. This has

given rise to another Irish form, An

Sliabh Dubh, but it is important to

realise that this a recent back-

translation or re-Gaelicisation from

the English form.

Belfast Hills Antrim J281 755 478 15

Djouce

(sometimes

Dowse in

Dioghais (Ir. Dioghais

[GE], 'fortified

height')

Djouce dominates the views of the

Wicklow Mountains from Roundwood

and Newtown Mountkennedy. The

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O179 103 725 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

historical

sources)

Old Irish word dígas is defined by

the Dictionary of the Irish Language

as 'high, lofty; a height'. There is a

Sliab Digsa mentioned in the

Metrical Dindshenchas, where the

second element is interpreted as a

woman's name. This shows that the

meaning of dígas was already

obscure by the time of the Metrical

Dindshenchas (12th century) and a

story was probably invented to

account for the name. Named

Djouce Mountain on the OSI

Discovery Map.

Doan Dún Maol

Chobha

(Ir. Dún Maol

Chobha [PNNI],

'Maol Chobha's

fort')

There is no record of an actual fort

here, so the name probably comes

from the imagined resemblence of

the craggy summit to a fortress. For

origin of name, see PNNI for info on

Maol Chobha.

Mourne Mountains Down J303 262 593 29

Donald's Hill;

Knocknahurkle

Cnoc na

hEarcola

(Ir. Cnoc na

hEarcola [Ó

Ceallaigh], 'hill of

the [obscure

element]')

The Ordnance Survey Memoirs of

1834 record this hill as Donalds Hill

or Knocknahurkle (OSM, ix, 34).

Séamas Ó Ceallaigh derives this

from "something like Cnoc na

hEarcola" in his comments on the

Topographical Fragments in the

Franciscan Library.

Keenaght Derry C743 173 399 8

Dooish An Dubhais (Ir. An Dubhais

[DUPN], 'the

black ridge')

Dooish overlooks Lough Beagh and

the Glenveagh National Park. Divis

Mountain, overlooking Belfast,

shows a different anglicisation of the

same name.

Donegal NW Donegal B982 210 652 6

Dooish An Dubhais (Ir. An Dubhais

[DUPN], 'black

ridge/peak')

S Donegal/W Tyrone Tyrone H315 698 340 18

Dooish Mountain An Dubhais (Ir. An Dubhais

[logainm.ie], 'the

black ridge')

An Dubhais is a common hill name

in Ulster, especially Cos. Donegal

and Tyrone, and the name has been

applied to several of the towlands in

which this hills stand. Divis near

Belfast is a different aglicisation of

the same Irish name.

Inishowen Donegal C300 108 266 6/7

Dooish South-

East Top

For origin of

name, see

Dooish.

Donegal NW Donegal B989 206 555 6

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Douce Mountain Damhais (Ir. Damhais

[OSI], possibly

'ox-back' or 'ox

ridge'')

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W123 614 476 85

Dough Mountain Sliabh Dúch (Ir. Sliabh Dúch

[OSI], poss. 'the

dark/misty

mountain')

The meaning of dúch in this name is

uncertain. It seems unlikely that it

refers to 'ink', the usual sense of this

word, but it may be a related

adjective meaning 'dark' or 'misty', a

shortened form of Ir. dubhach (or

dumhach).

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G942 423 462 16

Doughill

Mountain

Dúchoill (prob. Ir. Dúchoill

[PDT], 'black

wood')

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W112 632 471 85

Doughruagh Dúchruach (Ir. Dúchruach

[TR], 'black

stack')

Half-way up Doughruagh on very

steep ground is a statue of the

Sacred Heart, erected in 1932 by the

Benedictine nuns of Kylemore Abbey

in thanks for their safe delivery to

Kylemore. They had been forced to

abandon their convent near Ypres in

Belgium during hostilities in World

War I. Walks: for a route on the S

face of Doughruagh , see Kevin

Corcoran, West of Ireland Walks, 93-

101 or Paddy Dillon, Connemara,

38-44.

Twelve Bens Galway L751 594 526 37

Douglas Top

Douglas is a townland in the parish

of Glenwhirry.

Antrim Hills Antrim D245 029 402 9

Dromavally

Mountain

Cnoc Dhrom an

Bhaile

(Ir. Cnoc Dhroim

an Bhaile

[TCCD#], 'hill of

Dromavally')

Three cairns on the summit ridge of

Dromavally Mountain are named Cú

Chulainn's House, Cú Chulainn's

Bed and Cú Chulainn's Grave. It is

intriguing that there are several folk-

tales about Cú Chulainn recorded on

the Dingle Peninsula, far away from

his home area in Cooley and SE

Ulster. See Knockmulanane for the

legend concerning Scál Ní Mhurnáin,

Cú Chulainn and the giant.

Central Dingle Kerry Q606 067 552 71

Dromderalough Drom idir Dhá

Loch

(prob. Ir. Drom

idir Dhá Loch

[PDT], 'ridge

between two

lakes')

Located on the extensive plateau

SW of Mangerton. The lakes are

more distinctive landmarks than the

hills hereabouts. The name is only

recorded in English, but probably

has the same origin as the townland

Mangerton Kerry V961 790 650 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

of Dromdiralough, which is a few

kilometres to the NE near Lough

Guitane.

Dromderalough

NE Top

For origin of

name, see

Dromderalough.

This peak is slightly higher than

Dromderalough itself.

Mangerton Kerry V969 796 654 78

Drumnalifferny

Mountain

Sliabh Dhroim

na Luifearnaí

(poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

Dhroim na

Luifearnaí [PDT],

'mountain of

Drumnalifferny')

The townland name Drumnalifferny,

from Ir. Droim na Luifearnaí, means

'ridge of the weeds'.

Donegal NW Donegal B934 156 596 1

Drung Hill Cnoc Droinge (Ir. Cnoc Droinge

[UR#], ‘hill of the

throng/assembly’

)

A fair was held regularly on Drung

Hill (Barrington, 'Discovering Kerry',

p. 267), which would account for the

throng. There is another hill of the

same name near Lauragh on the

Beara Peninsula. Barrington

connects Drung Hill in Iveragh with

the 'kingdom of Drung', which

apparently paid a tribute of thirty

oxen to Cashel. Leacht Fhionáin on

Drung Hill is the reputed grave of St.

Fionán. It is not at the summit, as

marked on the Discovery map, but

on a knoll halfway down the N.

slope. The penitential station and

well were visited on the last Sunday

of July (MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa', pp. 134-37).

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V602 878 640 78/83

Duff Hill An Cnoc Dubh (Ir. An Cnoc

Dubh [OSI],

'black hill')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O094 083 720 56

Dunaff Hill Cnoc Dhún

Damh

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

Dhún Damh

[PDT], 'hill of

Dún Damh or

fort of oxen')

Inishowen Donegal C309 487 230 2/3

Eagle Mountain Sliabh an Iolair (Ir. Sliabh an

Iolair [PNNI],

'mountain of the

eagle')

The approach from Attical gives you

a view of the spectacular Great

Gully. The eastern slopes are dotted

with quarries.

Mourne Mountains Down J245 230 638 29

Eagles Hill An Bhinn

Riabhach; Péicín

(Ir. An Bhinn

Riabhach [TH],

Also known as Péicín [SWoI],

'boundary marker'.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V583 632 549 83/84

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'the brindled

peak')

Edenacarnan Éadan an

Charnáin

(Ir. Éadan an

Charnáin

[logainm.ie],

'brow of the little

cairn')

This low ridge overlooks

Kilmacrenan. The name

Edenacarnan appears only on the 6"

map.

Donegal NW Donegal C140 173 192 6

Errigal An Earagail (Ir. An Earagail

[DUPN], poss.

'oratory')

Errigal is well-known for the pinkish

glow of its quartzite in the setting

sun. It is located on the boundary of

four townlands: Beltany Mountain,

Dunlewy Near, Procklis, Money

More. Despite the name, there are

no known remains of an oratory. It

may therefore be a metaphorical

name for the mountain itself. Named

Errigal Mountain on the OSI

Discovery Map.

Donegal NW Donegal B928 207 751 1

Errisbeg Iorras Beag (Ir. Iorras Beag

[OSI], 'little

peninsula')

This solitary hill is the only peak of

any height near Roundstone, making

it easy to recognise from as far away

as the Burren. Roderic O'Flaherty

wrote of its conspicuous position in

1684: "Westward of Inisnee and

Round-stone haven, in Inisleth-

dhuine [identified by the editor,

Hardiman, as the modern Inis

Leacainn or Shelving Island], a small

island which leads to Irrosbeg haven,

called Portnafedoigge [Port na

Feadóige, 'harbour of the grey

plover']; over which is Irrosbeg hill,

the second place discovered by

marriners [after the Twelve Bens]

coming from the sea, on top of which

is a poole where trouts breed

(O'Flaherty, 108)." Iorras Beag is

also one of the habitats of the rare

Mackay's heath and St. Dabeoc's

heath. Walks: for routes to the

summit of Errisbeg from the W side,

see Kevin Corcoran, West of Ireland

Walks, 72-80, or Whilde & Simms,

New Irish Walk Guide - West and

North, 31.

South Connemara Galway L697 401 300 44

Eskaheen Sliabh Uisce (poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

Eskaheen is a townland in the parish

of Muff. It is said that Eoghan died

Inishowen Donegal C441 288 418 7

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Mountain Chaoin Uisce Chaoin

[PDT], 'mountain

of Uisce Chaoin

or fair water')

of grief for his brother, Conall

Gulban, and was buried here.

According to Colgan it received its

named from a fine spring where

anciently existed a monastery [PWJ,

vol. 1, 446].

Eskatarriff Eisc an Tairbh (Ir. Eisc an

Tairbh [T6000],

'ravine of the

bull')

Pluais an Rábaigh or The Rábach's

Cave is situated at the foot of

Eskatarriff, at the end of the valley

known as the Pocket. It was used in

the late 19th century as a hideout by

Seán an Rábach after committing

two notorious murders.

Caha Mountains Cork / Kerry V736 533 600 84

Eskatarriff East

Top

For origin of

name, see

Eskatarriff.

Caha Mountains Kerry V743 532 531 84

Esknabrock Eisc na mBroc (Ir. Eisc na

mBroc

[logainm.ie],

'ravine of the

badgers')

Esknabrock proper seems to be the

lower peak to the SE in the townland

of Redtrench North. The name has

been borrowed for this otherwise

nameless peak.

Mangerton Kerry W027 772 406 79

Esknaloughoge Eisc na Leathóg (Ir. Eisc na

Leathóg

[logainm.ie],

'ravine of the

[obscure

element]')

Ó Cíobháin suggests that the

element leathóg may mean 'flat

place' [TH]. On the basis of the

anglicisation Esknaloughoge, John

O'Donovan interpreted the name as

Eisc na Luchóg , 'ravine of the mice'.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V621 655 416 84

Esknaloughoge

N Top

For origin of

name, see

Esknaloughoge.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V622 658 420 84

Faha Ridge Na Poirt (Ir. Na Poirt

[TCCD#], 'the

fortifications')

This is the airy arete located west of

Benagh promontory fort. It drops

steeply to the south into Com an

Chnoic, and even more abruptly to

the north into Coimín na gCnámh.

Brandon Group Kerry Q464 120 809 70

Faill an tSáis (Ir.) Faill an tSáis (Ir. Faill an tSáis

[OSI], 'cliff of the

noose')

Sauce Creek is derived from Irish

sás, 'noose', a name referring to the

fact that waves and currents make it

very difficult to leave this cove by

boat.

Brandon Group Kerry Q497 150 429 70

Fananierin Fán an

Fhearainn

(Ir. Fán an

Fhearainn

[PDT], 'slope of

The modern anglicisation suggests

an original Irish name Fán an

Iarainn, 'slope of the iron'. However,

as Price points out, there is no

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T112 890 426 62

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

the demesne')

evidence for iron mining in this area

and the historic forms of the name

(recorded as early as the 13th c.)

make it more likely that the second

element is fearann, 'estate land,

demesne'. If this is reliable, it

suggests that there was a medieval

estate centred around a house/fort

on a site close to that of Ballinacor

House, which was built in the late

17th century.

Farbreaga Fear Bréige (Ir. Fear Bréige

[PND], 'false

man')

The name Fear Bréige is commonly

applied to a rock or heap of stones

resembling a man.

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary R968 092 518 74

Farbreague;

Hardyman

Fear Bréige (prob. Ir. Fear

Bréige [PDT],

'false man')

There is a local tradition that the

weather for the festive assemby on

Arderin was nearly always wet, due

a curse put on it by a priest when a

man was killed in faction-fighting at

the Hardyman [MacNeill, 223].

Farbreague (from Ir. Fear Bréige or

Fear Bréigeach, 'false man') is a

common name throughout Ireland for

a heap of stones, sometimes

occurring as Buachaill Bréige or

Bréigeach ('false boy/shepherd').

Although these heaps are often

unremakable nowadays, they may

once have stood as tall columns,

resembling a human figure when

seen from a distance. Hardyman

seems to be an English translation of

such a name, probably being a

variant pronunciation of the word

herdman or herdsman. Cf. the

surname Hardiman, common in

Galway and Mayo, often used as an

anglicisation of Ó hArgadáin, but

perhaps with the same origin as the

English names Herdman and

Hardman, common in Ulster.

Slieve Bloom Offaly S203 972 430 54

Farbreiga Fear Bréige (prob. Ir. Fear

Bréige [PDT],

'false man')

The name Fear Bréige ('false man')

usually refers to a rock or heap of

stones resembling a man. The

name is a common one, being found

also in the Galtees,

Knockmealdowns, Ballyhoura

Mountains, Comeraghs and Slieve

North Mayo Mayo G170 025 395 31

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Bloom. This occurrence of the name

in North Mayo appears to be the

northernmost. It is also unusual in

that it applies to a very prominent

hill. Most of the other occurrences

apply to low hills at the end of

ranges.

Farraniaragh

Mountain

An Léis; Cnoc

an Fhearainn

Iarthaigh

(Ir. An Léis

[logainm.ie], 'the

sheep-pen')

This peak overlooks the Coomakista

Pass and also gives a fine view of

Derrynane, Ballinskelligs Bay and

Lough Currane. Farraniaragh is a

townland in the parish of Kilcrohane.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V520 611 468 84

Farscallop

This peak overlooks the head of

Glenveagh. The name Farscallop is

probably related to that of

Crockscolabagh (Ir. Cnoc Scolbach,

'jagged hill'), its lower neighbour to

the NE.

Donegal NW Donegal B994 172 423 6

Fauscoum* Fáschom (Ir. Fáschom,

'empty hollow')

Despite being the highest of the

Comeraghs, this is a rather

unremarkable summit above the

spectacular valley of Coumshingaun.

The circuit of Coumshingaun

comprises the ascent and descent of

two dramatic ridges. The cliffs at the

back of the valley offer some of the

finest rock-climbs in Ireland. The

name Fáschom properly refers to the

next coom immediately south of

Coumshingaun. The name may refer

either to its wild nature or to the fact

that, unlike many of the cooms which

cut into the Comeragh plateau, it has

no lake. Knockaunapeebra / Cnocán

an Phíopaire is the name of a lower

peak to the SW.

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S316 105 792 75

Feorus East*

Feorus East is a townland in the

parish of Tuosist. Any information

on the correct name of this peak

would be very welcome.

Caha Mountains Kerry V860 647 474 85

Finnararagh* An Corrán (Ir. An Corrán

[TH], 'the

crescent' or 'the

sickle')

Finnararagh is a corruption of

Finnavogagh, the name of an area of

rough pasture on the plateau W of

this peak. The name is correctly

recorded in the Ordnance Survey

Name Book, but was misspelt when

transferred to the map. The peak

itself is locally called An Corrán,

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V697 737 667 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

which aptly describes its crescent-

shaped cliffs that dominate Lough

Coomeen.

Foardal*

Foardal is a townland in the parish of

Knockane. A pass near here called

Mameordile or Mamanordill is a

feature on the boundary of the

baronies of Glanarought and

Dunkerron as described in the Civil

Survey of 1654-56. This name

seems to be related to Ir. Fordal and

appears to refer neither Moll's Gap

nor Windy Gap, but to a pass

between these two places. If so, it is

not a pass which is in use now. This

is perhaps unsurprising, given the

boggy terrain around the Glas

Loughs, and if the name Fordal

means 'wandering, going astray', it

may indicate that it was never

considered a particularly useful

route.

Mangerton Kerry V885 781 411 78

Foilclogh Faill an Locha (Ir. Faill an

Locha [UR*],

'cliff of the

lough')

According to An Seabhac this peak

is named after Loch na

Réidhchoilleach (Lough Rehill),

which is at its foot. The anglicised

form Foilclogh is misleading, as it

suggests the second element is

cloch, 'stone'. Foilalough would

have been more faithful to the

original Irish name.

Iveragh NW Kerry V508 745 497 83

Foildarg An Fhaill Dearg (Ir. An Fhaill

Dearg

[logainm.ie], 'the

red cliff')

Foildarg is a townland in the parish

of Doon, probably named after the

steep north-western slopes of this

peak.

Shannon Tipperary R896 512 440 66

Foilduff An Fhaill Dubh (Ir. An Fhaill

Dubh [OSI], 'the

black cliff')

Shannon Tipperary R863 632 400 59

Forth Mountain Sliabh Fothart (Ir. Sliabh

Fothart [GE] ,

'mountain of the

Fothairt')

The summit is named Raven Rock

[OS 6" map]. Located in the

townlands of Forth Commons, Bargy

Commons and Shelmaliere

Commons. The Fothairt were an

early people of S.E. Ireland. They

also gave their name to the barony

of Forth.

South Wexford Wexford S981 192 237 77

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Galtybeg Cnoc Beag na

nGaibhlte

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

Beag na

nGaibhlte [PDT],

'little hill of the

Galtees')

Galty Mountains Tipperary R890 241 799 74

Galtymore Cnoc Mór na

nGaibhlte

(Ir. Cnoc Mór na

nGaibhlte [GE],

'big hill of the

Galtees')

The summit of Galtymore is marked

as Dawson's Table. Captain

Dawson was a landowner in this

area (Tipperary Directory 1889). Cf.

Percy's Table on Lugnaquilla. The

diarist Amhlaoibh Ó Súilleabháin

(Humphrey O'Sullivan) recorded a

different Irish name for the peak:

Beann na nGaillti (Cinnlae

Amhlaoibh Ó Súilleabháin, iv, 102).

The names of three nearby places

are derived from this:

Glencoshnabinnia (PW Joyce, Irish

Names of Places iii, 366),

Slievecoshnabinnia and

Carrignabinnia. The anglicised

name Galtymore is recorded as early

as the Civil Survey of Co. Tipperary

(Down Survey, 1654-56), where it is

mentioned (spelt exactly as today)

as a boundary feature of the barony

of Clanwilliam. Named Galtymore

Mountain on the OSI Discovery Map.

Galty Mountains Limerick /

Tipperary

R879 238 919 74

Ganiamore Gáinne Mór (Ir. Gáinne Mór

[An tOrdú

Logainmneacha

(Ceantair

Ghaeltachta)

2008], 'great

arrow/dart')

The highest hill on Rosguill. The

Metrical Dindsenchas contains a

reference to Sliab Guill, which the

editor Edward Gwynn identifies with

Rosguill, so it may be an old name

for Ganiamore or may have referred

to all the upland/rough pasture on

Rosguill. See Máire MacNeill, 'The

Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 142-43)

for details of the festive assembly on

Ganiamore.

Donegal NW Donegal C112 400 207 2

Garraun Maolchnoc (Ir. Maolchnoc

[TR], 'bald hill')

Locally only the name Maolchnoc is

used according to Tim Robinson,

while the anglicised name Garraun

marked on OS maps is no longer in

use. There are several other hills in

the area where the same

discrepancy can be observed: Binn

Fraoigh/Altnagaighera, Letter

Twelve Bens Galway L767 610 598 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Hill/Tully Mountain. Garraun is

clearly also a name of Irish origin. It

may either be from Ir. garrán, 'grove',

or, more likely, from Ir. géarán, 'fang'.

The summit is flattish, but the

eastern ridge leading to it is sharp

enough to have deserved this name.

If this suggestion is correct, the

anomaly of two different Irish names

for the peak is only an apparent

problem, not a real one. The name

Maolchnoc would aptly describe the

rounded summit, while An Géarán

would denote the sharp ridge

descending to Lough Fee. Walks:

see Paddy Dillon, Connemara, for

routes approaching from the SE (45-

50) and the NW (51-56).

Garraun South

Top

For origin of

name, see

Garraun.

The townland south of this top,

running down to Kylemore Lough, is

Lemnaheltia (Ir. Léim na hEilte, 'the

doe's leap'). It appears on

Mercator's map of Ireland (1595) as

Dosleape. This must originally have

been the name of a mountain or cliff.

According to legend Fionn Mac

Cumhail's dog Bran pursued a doe

here. When the doe leapt from the

summit, Bran fell from the cliff into

the lake. Most likely it refers to the

steep south face of Doughruagh

overlooking Kylemore Lough and

Pollacappul Lough, though

Doughruagh is not in Lemnaheltia

but the neighbouring townland of

Pollacappul. Variations of this story

can be found throughout Ireland. In

Kerry, for instance, there is a lake

named Lough Brin (Ir. Loch Broin,

'Bran's lake') south of the Reeks.

Altnagaighera is the name of a spur

to the W which is lower than Garraun

South top but more sharply defined.

Twelve Bens Galway L763 606 556 37

Garraunbaun*

This is the last peak at the SW end

of the Slieve Bloom range and is

unnamed on the Discovery map.

Any information on its correct name

would be welcome. Garranbaun is a

Slieve Bloom Laois S196 955 406 54

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

townland in the parish of Offerlane.

Gartan Mountain Sliabh Gartáin (Ir. Sliabh

Gartáin

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of

Gartán')

This peak is unnamed on OS maps,

but the name of the townland,

Gartan Mountain, has been adopted.

Any information on the correct name

of this hill would be welcome.

Donegal NW Donegal C050 208 357 6

Gaugin

Mountain

An Gáigín (Ir. An Gáigín

[OSI], 'the little

cleft')

In a note on the townland of

Dergroagh, James O'Kane says that

it is sometimes called Cúl Gáigín.

He also records the name Sruthán

an Chut Chaoil in Dergroagh, which

may relate to the same cleft feature

from which Gáigín is named (JOK).

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G983 950 565 6/11

Gearhane An Géarán (Ir. An Géarán

[OSI], 'the fang')

The name refers to the peak's

pointed profile when seen from the

S. Note its relationship with its

higher neighbour, Brandon Peak,

which is Barr an Ghéaráin, 'top of the

fang' in Irish.

Brandon Group Kerry Q468 087 803 70

Gearhane An Géarán (Ir. An Géarán

[OSI], 'the fang')

Between Gearhane and the summit

of Caherconree is an outcrop known

as Finn Mac Cool's Chair. Another

rock feature below in the Derrymore

valley is called Finn Mac Cool's

Table.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q733 082 792 71

Geokaun;

Feaghmaan

Mountain

An Geocán (Ir. An Geocán

[logainm.ie],

perhaps 'the

pipe or reed' or

'the lump' )

This name is pronounced 'yokawn'.

It is of obscure origin, but may refer

to a pole or mast on the summit. It

may have a parallel in Gokane Point,

a headland south of Skibbereen.

Feaghmaan East and West are

townlands on the slopes of

Geokaun.

Iveragh NW Kerry V386 771 266 83

Gibbet Hill Cnoc na Croiche (poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

na Croiche

[PDT], 'hill of the

gallows')

The Irish form Cnoc na Croiche is

not attested for this name. It has

been borrowed from the townland of

Gibbethill in Co. Waterford.

North Wexford Wexford S946 591 315 68/69

Glanbeg* Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V578 685 484 84

Glenaneagh*

Any information on the correct name

of this peak would be very welcome.

Shannon Tipperary R957 550 420 66

Glenbeg East*

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

It lies on the boundary of the

townlands of Glenbeg East, Glenbeg

West and Kilbride. Any information

Partry/Joyce Country Mayo M036 600 372 38

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

on the correct name of this hill would

be welcome.

Glencappul Top

This peak is on the ridge separating

the Devil's Punchbowl from Lough

Erhogh and the Horses Glen.

Mangerton Kerry V991 819 700 78

Glendoo

Mountain (or

Glendhu

Mountain)

Log na hEala (Ir. Log na hEala

[PNCW#],

'hollow of the

swan')

Also known as Glendhu.

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin /

Wicklow

O142 204 586 50

Glenkeel Top* Caha Mountains Cork V840 542 417 85

Glennagalliagh

Mountain

Sliabh Ghleann

na gCailleach

(Ir. Sliabh

Ghleann na

gCailleach [OSI],

'mountain of

Ghleann na

gCailleach or

glen of the

hags')

Shannon Clare R636 739 446 58

Glennagleragh

Mtn

An Cnoc Beag (prob. Ir. An

Cnoc Beag

[PDT], 'the little

hill ')

Named Knock Beg on Bald's map of

Co. Mayo (1830).

Partry/Joyce Country Galway / Mayo L952 622 617 38

Glennamong

The name makes no sense as

applied to a summit. However,

nearby is the Glennamong River,

S.E. of the summit, flowing into L.

Feeagh, so Glennamong is clearly

the valley through which the river

flows. OSNB mentions it only as a

townland name, not that of a peak,

so the error may have arisen at the

stage of printing the 6" map. Walks:

for a route taking in Bengorm,

Corranabinnia and Glennamong, see

Whilde & Simms, New Irish Walk

Guide - West and North, 72-73.

North Mayo Mayo F913 059 628 23/30

Glennamong E

Top

For origin of

name, see

Glennamong.

North Mayo Mayo F926 055 415 31

Glinsk Glinsce (Ir. Glinsce

[logainm.ie],

poss. 'valley

There are several townlands named

Glinsce in the west of Ireland

(anglicised as Glinsk, Gleensk or

Gleesk). Several, though not all, are

North Mayo Mayo F948 421 304 23

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

difficult of

access')

in rather remote valleys or ravines, of

which the ravine N of this peak is a

fine example. The name is obscure

but may refer to a valley difficult of

access. The remains of a signal

tower are located SE of the summit.

Walks: for a cliff-top route from

Porturlin to Belderg, passing near

Glinsk, see Whilde & Simms, New

Irish Walk Guide - West and North,

78-79.

Gortagarry*

Gortagarry is a townland in the

parish of Aghnameadle. Any

information on the correct name of

this peak would be very welcome.

Shannon Tipperary S032 732 458 59

Gortmonly Hill

Gortmonly is a townland in

Donaghedy parish. Gortmonly Hill is

also known as Dullerton Mountain or

Sollus, names derived from other

townlands on its slopes. No Irish

name is now known for it, but it is

possible that the one or both of the

names Dowletter mountayne and

Mullaghnegerry, which occur in the

Civil Survey of ca. 1655, refer to this

hill.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone C396 080 218 7

Gortnagarn

This peak is on the upland above the

steep cliffs of Glenade. Nearby

Glenade Lough is one of many Irish

lakes reputedly inhabited by a water-

monster called the Dobharchú.

Gortnagarn is a townland in the

parish of Killasnet. Previously

Gortnagara in MV.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G785 462 450 16

Gortnageragh* Gort na

gCaorach

(Ir. Gort na

gCaorach [OSI],

'field of the

sheep')

Shannon Tipperary R858 522 418 66

Gravale Droibhéal (Ir. Droibhéal

[PNCW], 'difficult

passage')

Eoin Mac Neill believed that the

name Drobeóil, mentioned in the

Metrical Dindshenchas and

seemingly referring to a pass, had

survived in the mountain name

Gravale (JRSAI lxv, 14). On Nevill's

map of 1760 the high ground W of

Gravale is marked as Lavarna. Price

says that this is pronounced

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O105 094 718 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Lavarnia and is derived from Leath-

Bhearna. On the Downshire Estate

map of 1806 Lavarna Gap is marked

on the ridge above Lavarney Spout,

between Gravale and Duff Hill. Price

comments that this was a route from

Lough Dan to Blessington.

Great Skellig Sceilg Mhichíl (Ir. Sceilg

Mhichíl

[logainm.ie],

'rock of St.

Michael')

The highest point on the island is

known as Cró na Snáthaide, 'eye of

the needle', and was visited by

pilgrims who kissed a cross-

inscribed slab overhanging the

abyss. This fell into the sea at some

time during the 19th century. As

access to the summit is now

forbidden to protect the site, a visit to

the monastery will count as an

ascent of this peak.

Iveragh NW Kerry V246 606 217 83X

Great Sugar

Loaf

Ó Cualann (Ir. Ó Cualann

[OSI], 'lump of

Cualu')

In his pioneering article on the place-

names of North Wicklow and South

Dublin mentioned in the tale Togail

Bruidne Da Derga (JRSAI lxv, 1935),

Eoin Mac Néill had some difficulty

with the name Ó Cualann, for which

he suggested the meaning 'sheep of

Cualu' , due to some imagined

resemblance. However, although

this meaning is known in Old Irish,

there is good reason to believe that

ó here is a hill-name element, simply

meaning 'lump'. It is rare, but is

found in Gleann Ó (Glenoe, Co.

Antrim [DUPN]) and in Mullach an Ó

(East Mayo). For the English name

Sugarloaf, For origin of name, see

Sugarloaf Hill in the

Knockmealdowns.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O238 131 501 56

Greenane An Grianán (Ir. An Grianán

[OSI], 'sunny

spot')

Galty Mountains Tipperary R925 239 802 74

Greenane West For origin of

name, see

Greenane.

Galty Mountains Tipperary R910 239 786 74

Greenoge An Grianóg (prob. Ir. An

Grianóg [PDT],

'the little sunny

Grianóg has essentially the same

meaning as the more common name

Grianán.

Blackstairs

Mountains

Wexford S863 571 425 68

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

height')

Gregory Hill Cnoc Mhic

Gréagóir

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

Mhic Gréagóir

[PDT], 'hill of the

Gregory family')

Overlooks Letterkenny. "So named

from a family in whose possession it

was about 60 years since." [OSNB]

Donegal NW Donegal C116 124 336 6

Grinlieve Cruinnshliabh (poss. Ir.

Cruinnshliabh

[PDT], 'round

mountain')

Marked Crinlieve on the OS 1" map.

Inishowen Donegal C490 384 371 3

Grogan More An Grogán Mór (Ir. An Grogán

Mór [OSI], poss.

'the big hard

patch of land')

Grogán may be a variant of

gruagán/grógán. This can mean a

pyramidal heap of turf-sods set on

end to dry, or alternatively a hard

patch of land [Dinneen]. The second

meaning may be the appropriate

one. The same word also appears in

An Grogán Beag and An Grogán

Carrach, two neighbouring hills.

Donegal NW Donegal B857 181 457 1

Gruggandoo Gruagán Dubh (Ir. Gruagán

Dubh [Lett],

'place of dark

sedges')

Gruggandoo is the highest point on a

mountain known locally as Lindsay's

Mountain, after a landowner [Ciarán

Dunbar].

Mourne Mountains Down J201 255 382 29

Gullaba Hill Cnoc Ghullaba (Ir. Cnoc

Ghullaba

[T6000], 'hill of

the beak/snout')

Gullaba is also the name of a

townland in the parish of Kilgarvan.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W005 683 603 85

Hag's Tooth;

Stumpeenadaff

Stumpa an

tSaimh

(Ir. Stumpa an

tSaimh [TH],

'stump of the

sorrel')

The rock is remarkably unstable on

the western slopes and boulders can

tumble down unexpectedly. Also

known as Stumpeenadaff, from Ir.

Stuimpín an Daimh [OSNB], 'little

pinnacle of the ox'.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V809 850 650 78

Hangmans Hill Dartry Mountains Leitrim G782 398 400 16

Holywell Hill Cnoc an Tobair (Ir. Cnoc an

Tobair

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the well')

Situated in Altaghaderry townland.

There is a holy well and megalithic

cairn on this hill [The Heritage of

Inishowen, Mabel R. Colhoun].

Inishowen Dgl/Drry C385 171 260 7

Hungry Hill Cnoc Daod (Ir. Cnoc Daod

[OSI] or Daod

[T6000], 'hill of

the tooth/set of

Hungry Hill is the title of a novel by

Daphne du Maurier based on the

story of the family of her friend,

Christopher Puxley, whose family

acquired Dunboy Castle and its

Caha Mountains Cork V761 497 685 84

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

teeth'))

lands after the defeat of Donal Cam

O'Sullivan Beare. The copper mines

located on the hill in the novel are in

reality further west near Allihies. The

second element of the Irish name,

Cnoc Daod, has long been regarded

as obscure, but it is probably simply

a dialectal variant of déad meaning

‘tooth’, ‘jaw’ or ‘set of teeth’. A family

living at the foot of the hill are known

locally as the Bun Daods.

Inch Top

The highest point on Inch Island in

Lough Swilly.

Inishowen Donegal C313 253 222 2/7

Inishnabro Inis na Bró (Ir. Inis na Bró

[logainm.ie],

'island of the

quernstone')

This island is higher and more

rugged than its neighbour,

Inishvickillane. Tomás Ó

Criomhthain records in An t-

Oileánach (The Islandman) how the

well-known melody Port na bPúcaí

magically came to one of the Daly

family living on Inishnabro. This

story in turn inspired Seamus

Heaney's poem The Given Note.

Dingle West Kerry V213 930 175 70

Inishtooskert Inis Tuaisceart (Ir. Inis

Tuaisceart

[logainm.ie],

'northern island')

The remarkable form of Inis

Tuaisceart seen from the mainland,

which resembles a recumbent

human figure, has given rise to

several names, such as An Fear

Marbh ('the dead man'), 'the Bishop'

and 'the Sleeping Giant'. To the

south of the island's summit lies an

early Christian structure known as

Teampall Bréanainn or St. Brendan's

Oratory.

Dingle West Kerry Q233 008 172 70

Inishturk Inis Toirc (Ir. Inis Toirc

[logainm.ie],

'island of the

boar')

The highest point on Inishturk is in

the townland of Mountain Common.

The peak is unnamed on the OS 6"

map, though the names Knockleckan

and Knocknagormore appear to the

west near the coast.

Mweelrea Mountains Mayo L606 752 191 37

Keadeen

Mountain

Céidín (Ir. Céidín [OSI],

'flat-topped hill')

The flat-topped aspect of Keadeen

Mountain which gives it its name is

only evident from the E or W.

Keadeen is also the name of a

townland in the parish of Kilranelagh.

In Irish the peak was sometimes

called Céidín Uí Mháil in full, a name

derived from the population group

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow S954 897 653 62

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

who also gave their name to the

Glen of Imaal.

Keamconneragh Céim an

Chonaire

(prob. Ir. Céim

an Chonaire

[PDT], 'step of

the pass')

The name Keamconneragh is

marked at this exact spot on the OS

6" map. It describes the narrow

arete leading E off Teeromoyle

Mountain, rather than the minor peak

on it.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V615 841 593 78/83

Keeloges

The western flanks of this peak

descend steeply to Glenade and are

guarded by crags, including some

resembling a row of teeth. Keeloges

is the name of a townland in the

parish of Rossinver. Any information

on the correct name of this hill would

be welcome.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G813 502 452 16

Keelogyboy

Mountain

Sliabh na

gCaológ Buí

(poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

na gCaológ Buí

[PDT], 'mountain

of Na Caológa

Buí ')

Keelogyboy is a townland in the

parish of Calry whose name means

'the yellow narrow ridges'.

Dartry Mountains Sligo G771 391 438 16

Keelogyboy Mtn

Far E Top

For origin of

name, see

Keelogyboy

Mountain.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G786 387 418 16

Keelogyboy Mtn

NE Top

For origin of

name, see

Keelogyboy

Mountain.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G776 394 435 16

Keelogyboy Mtn

SW Top

For origin of

name, see

Keelogyboy

Mountain.

Dartry Mountains Sligo G768 387 417 16

Keeper Hill (or

Slievekimalta)

Sliabh Coimeálta (Ir. Sliabh

Coimeálta [GE],

'mountain of

guarding')

Keeper Hill gets its name from a

little-known story about Sadb,

daughter of Conn Cétcathach,

raising her children Eogan and

Indderb on this mountain after they

had been rejected by their father Ailill

Ólom, king of Munster. See Máire

MacNeill, 'The Festival of Lughnasa'

(pp. 215-16) for details of the festive

assembly which took place on

Keeper Hill in mid-August. A stone

Shannon Tipperary R823 664 694 59

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

circle in Bauraglanna townland on

the NE slopes is known as Firbrega

('false men'). It consists of eleven

orthostats of varying heights, with

several prostrate stones around the

perimeter. There is a large, flat

recumbent stone in the centre

[Archaeological Inventory of North

Tipperary].

Keeraunnageera

Caorán na

gCaorach

(Ir. Caorán na

gCaorach

[logainm.ie],

'moor of the

sheep')

A cairn at the summit is named Carn

Seefin on the old ½ inch map (from

Carn Suí Finn, 'cairn of Fionn's

seat'). This is probably the hill

named Knock Siffingen, located

between Galway Bay and L. Corrib,

on Speed's map of Connaught

(1610).

South Connemara Galway M050 474 305 45

Kells Mountain

East Top*

For origin of

name, see Kells

Mountain.

This is the last peak on the ridge at

the other end from Knocknadobar. It

overlooks Kells and Roads Lough.

Iveragh NW Kerry V537 861 612 83

Kells Mountain*

Kells Mountain is the NE spur of

Knocknadobar. Kells (Ir. Na Cealla)

is a coastal townland at the NE end

of Knocknadobar. It has a shop,

post office and pier.

Iveragh NW Kerry V529 858 633 83

Keshcorran Céis Chorainn (Ir. Céis

Chorainn [DCM],

'[obscure

element] of

Corann')

Irish Place Names by Deirdre and

Laurence Flanagan relates the name

of the nearby village of Kesh to a

wicker causeway, presumably with

the name then being transferred to

the village and the hill. However,

ceis meaning causeway has a short

vowel, wheareas this name is Céis

with a long vowel. Furthermore,

there seems to be no historical or

archaeological evidence for such a

causeway, and given that the

bedrock in this area is porous

limestone, which generally creates a

very dry landscape, it is doubtful that

a wicker causeway would ever have

been needed in this area. Whatever

Céis may mean, it seems that the

name originally applied to the hill.

Corran is a barony and ultimately the

name of a people called the Coraind

who inhabited this region. They are

probably the Coriondi recorded on

Bricklieve/Curlew Sligo G713 126 359 25

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Ptolemy's map of Ireland. "In the

mountain are seventeen small caves

in which were found the remains of

animals such as reindeer, Irish elk,

cave bear and arctic lemming, as

well as traces of ancient human

occupation. Keshcorran figures in

the literary legends of Cormac mac

Airt and of Diarmait and Gráinne.

(One cave in the W. escarpment is

Umhaigh Chormaic mhac Airt,

"Cormac mac Airt's Cave", for here

the she-wolf reared him. ¾ m. N. of

this, in Cross, is Tobar Chormaic,

"Cormac's Well", where Cormac's

mother delayed his birth, as witness

a stone with the imprint of the

infant's head.) The greatest of Co.

Sligo's Lughnasa celebrations was

held on Garland Sunday in front of

the caves of the W. escarpment

[Shell Guide to Ireland]."

Kilduff Mountain Cnoc Na Coille

Duibhe

(Ir. Cnoc Na

Coille Duibhe

[OSI], 'hill of the

black wood')

Shannon Tipperary S061 760 445 59

Killaha Mountain Caha Mountains Kerry V906 669 400 85

Killane Mountain An Calán (Ir. An Calán

[T6000], 'gallon'

or 'vessel')

Caha Mountains Cork / Kerry V873 596 537 85

Killelan

Mountain

Killelan Mountain is the last peak on

the peninsula which ends at Doulus

Head. This district, which lies on the

northern side of the Valentia River, is

simply known to the inhabitants of

Cahersiveen as 'over the water '.

Killelan East and West are

townlands in the parish of Caher.

Iveragh NW Kerry V415 808 275 83

Killerry

Mountain; Slish

Mountain

Sliabh Chill

Oiridh

(poss. Ir. Sliabh

Chill Oiridh

[PDT], 'mountain

of Cill Oiridh')

Killerry, from Ir. Cill Oiridh

[logainm.ie], is the name of a

townland and a parish in the barony

of Tirerrill. This peak is also known

as Slish Mountain, a name

connected with Slishwood, a

townland on the western side of the

hill.

Ox Mountains Sligo G751 317 293 25

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Killurly*

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

It lies near the southern boundary of

the townland of Killurly. Any

information on the correct name of

this hill would be welcome.

Iveragh NW Kerry V407 673 331 83

Kings Mountain;

Slievemore

An Sliabh Mór (Ir. An Sliabh

Mór [AMacAB#],

'the big

mountain')

This peak presents an imposing line

of cliffs to Glencar, riven by several

gullies. Kingsmountain or

Slievemore is a townland in Drumcliff

parish. The name Kingsmountain

comes from a Mr. King, a local

landowner.

Dartry Mountains Sligo G703 445 462 16

Kippure Cipiúr (Ir. Cipiúr [OSI],

origin obscure)

The River Liffey rises high on the

slopes of Kippure. The name as

shown on Discovery map is simply a

transliteration of a pronunciation

collected locally, but without any

clear meaning. It resembles ciop,

'stump' and iúr, 'yew', but 'stump of

yew' would be Ciop Iúir. Yew is

unlikely to have ever grown near

such a high exposed summit, but the

name also refers to a townland

which descends to the valley, so a

connection with yew is not

impossible.

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin /

Wicklow

O116 154 757 56

Kirikee Mountain Sliabh Chíor

Mhic Aodha

(Ir. Sliabh Chíor

Mhic Aodha

[OSI], 'mountain

of Cíor Mhic

Aodha or Mac

Aodha's crest')

Kirikee is a townland in the parish of

Knockrath. Price suggests that it

may be derived from Tir Meicc I, the

first element being tír, 'land'.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T139 912 474 56

Knockacommee

Cnoc an

Choimín

(Ir. Cnoc an

Choimín

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the little

coom')

Like Knockbwee, which is on the

other side of the County Bounds

road, this peak is in the very

extensive townland of

Derrynasagart.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Kerry W158 808 426 79

Knockacullion

This peak is located half-way

between Slieve Anierin and

Bencroy/Gubnaveagh.

Knockacullion is a townland in the

parish of Oughteragh.

Breifne Leitrim H031 178 562 26

Knockacummer Cnoc an

Chomair

(Ir. Cnoc an

Chomair [OSI],

'hill of the

W Limerick / N Kerry Cork R255 134 408 72

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

ravine')

Knockadigeen

Hill

Cnoc Duíginn (Ir. Cnoc Duíginn

[OSI], 'hill of

Duígeann')

Duígeann or Duibhgeann is a

personal name meaning 'dark head'.

It is the origin of the surname Ó

Duibhginn, which is anglicised as

Deegan, Duigan or Deighan.

Shannon Tipperary R935 708 402 59

Knockaffertagh Cnoc

Eachmarcaigh

(prob. Ir. Cnoc

Eachmarcaigh

[PDT], 'hill of

Eachmarcach')

Eachmarcach is a personal name

meaning 'horse-rider'. It is the origin

of the surname Mac Eachmharcaigh,

which can be anglicised Cafferkey or

McCafferty and is a common

surname in Mayo [Sloinnte Uile

Éireann, De Bhulbh]. It would seem

that this is the most likely origin of

Knockaffertagh, though an Irish form

for the name has not been found to

support this. The t in Knockaffertagh

is not a problem as the anglicisation

McCafferty shows that such a

pronunciation of Eachmarcach is

possible. The hill is named

Ummeraufferty on William Bald's

map of Co. Mayo (1830), which

appears to be a similar name with Ir.

iomaire, 'ridge' as the first element

instead of cnoc.

North Mayo Mayo G047 048 517 23/31

Knockagarrane Cnoc an

Ghearráin

(Ir. Cnoc an

Gharráin

[T6000], 'hill of

the grove')

This northern shoulder of

Knockreagh overlooks Lough

Inchiquin and the Cloonee Loughs.

Caha Mountains Kerry V818 624 414 84

Knockaghaleagu

Cnoc Achadh

Liag

(prob. Ir. Cnoc

Achadh Liag

[PDT], 'hill of

Achadh Liag or

field of the

standing stone')

This hill above the town of

Ballycastle is unnamed on OS maps,

but is named named

Knockaughaleeg on William Bald's

map of 1830. It is located in the

townland of Aghaleague. A cairn on

the summit is called Seefin (from Ir.

Suí Finn, 'Fionn's seat', a common

name for hill-top megaliths

throughout Ireland). Has been called

Ballycastle Hill.

North Mayo Mayo G117 349 237 23

Knockahunna Cnoc an

Chonnaidh

(Ir. Cnoc an

Chonnaidh [LL],

'hill of the

firewood')

South Midlands Tipperary S302 327 502 67

Knockakishaun Cnoc an (prob. Ir. Cnoc

This peak, situated in the townland

Croagh Patrick Mayo L869 758 390 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Chiseáin an Chiseáin

[PDT], 'hill of the

little basket')

of Tangincartoor, is unnamed on OS

maps. It is named Knockakishaan

on William Bald's map of Co. Mayo

(1830). The spur to the NW (spot

height 311m) is named

Knocknabru_ky (with a letter

apparently missing between U and

K). This may represent

Knocknabrusky.

Knockalla; The

Devil's

Backbone

Cnoc Colbha (Ir. Cnoc Colbha

[OSI], 'hill of the

ledge or edge')

Knockalla has twin summits of the

same height. Named Knockalla

Mountain on the Discovery map.

Donegal NW Donegal C236 343 363 2

Knockalongy Cnoc na Loinge (Ir. Cnoc na

Loinge

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the

encampment')

The Annals of the Four Masters

record that in 1490 "there was an

earthquake at Sliabh Gamh, by

which a hundred persons were

destroyed, among whom was the

son of Manus Crossagh O'Hara.

Many horses and cows were also

killed by it, and much putrid fish was

thrown up; and a lake, in which fish

is now caught, sprang up in the

place." According to tradition the

lake in question is Lough Aghree,

situated north-east of Knockalongy.

Ir. long usually means a boat, but in

the absence of any story to explain

this, the sense 'encampment' seems

more plausible.

Ox Mountains Sligo G504 275 544 25

Knockalough Cnoc an Loig (Ir. Cnoc an Loig

[OSI], 'hill of the

hollow')

Shannon Tipperary R982 585 427 66

Knockanaffrin Cnoc an Aifrinn (Ir. Cnoc an

Aifrinn [OSI], 'hill

of the mass')

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S285 154 755 75

Knockanaguish Cnoc an Uaignis (Ir. Cnoc an

Uaignis [TH#],

'hill of the

solitude')

The Irish and anglicised forms do not

seem compatible.

Mangerton Kerry V919 768 509 78

Knockanallig

This is the highest point on Bere

Island.

Caha Mountains Cork V704 431 267 84/88

Knockanaskill Cnoc na nEascal (Ir. Cnoc na

nEascal [TH],

'hill of the

This peak overlooks Templenoe and

Dromore Castle.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V834 718 356 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

tempests')

Knockanbane

Mountain

Cnocan Bán (Ir. Cnocan Bán

[OSNB], 'white

hillock')

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C651 002 441 7

Knockane An Cnocán (prob. Ir. An

Cnocán [PDT],

'the hillock')

This hill is named Knockane

Ichyatow in the Civil Survey of 1654-

56, where it is mentioned as part of

the boundary of the barony of

Owney and Arra. The second part of

this name may represent the genitive

of the surname Ó Céatfhadha, still

found in this corner of Tipperary, and

anglicised Keaty (when not adapted

to the more common name Keating).

If so, Knockane Ichyatow would

represent Ir. Cnocán Uí

Chéatfhadha, 'Keaty's hillock'.

Shannon Tipperary R845 668 411 59

Knockanimpaha

The second element in this name

appears to be derived from the verb

iompaím. It may be iompú, gen.

iompaithe, giving the meaning 'hill of

the turning or retreat'. Alternatively,

it may be iompaithe, 'turned,

converted', in which case the sense

is 'hill of the converted (person)'.

W Limerick / N Kerry Limerick R217 346 344 64

Knockanora Cnoc an

Fhothraigh

(Ir. Cnoc an

Fhothraigh

[OSI], 'hill of the

ruin')

Shannon Tipperary S010 712 433 59

Knockanore Cnoc an

Fhómhair

(Ir. Cnoc an

Fhómhair

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the autumn')

The Irish form on the Discovery map

is different from that found at

logainm.ie: Cnoc an Óir, 'hill of the

gold'. Knockanore is "said to have

been the scene of a great slaughter

in ancient times." [OSNB] "Tis said

that there was a great monument

erected in memory of the slaughter

in the spot where the trigl. Station

stands; it was called Lact na Fulla."

[OSNB] This battle is mentioned in

O'Sullevan Beare's Historiae

Catholicae Iberniae Compendium.

The tradition of a great battle is

based on the intrepretation of the

name as Cnoc an Áir [OSNB, OG],

'hill of the slaughter'.

North Kerry Kerry Q910 426 267 63

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Knockanoughani

Cnoc an Uaignis (Ir. Cnoc an

Uaignis [T6000],

'hill of the

solitude')

Caha Mountains Cork V801 599 386 84

Knockantooreen Cnoc an Tuairín (Ir. Cnoc an

Tuairín [OSI#],

'hill of the little

field')

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W038 670 450 85

Knockanuarha

Has been called Knockaphunta.

Shannon Clare R536 698 309 58

Knockaphuca Cnoc an Phúca (prob. Ir. Cnoc

an Phúca [PDT],

'hill of the pooka

or sprite')

Mizen/Sheeps Head Cork V823 307 237 88

Knockastakeen Cnoc an Stáicín (Ir. Cnoc an

Stáicín [OSI], 'hill

of the little

stack')

Ir. stáca can be a stack of hay or

corn. The name appears to refer to

the hill's shape.

Galty Mountains Tipperary R915 258 583 74

Knockastanna Cnoc an Stanna (Ir. Cnoc an

Stanna [OSI],

'hill of the barrel')

Shannon Tipperary R863 560 444 66

Knockatee Cnoc an tSí (Ir. Cnoc an tSí

[T6000], 'hill of

the fairy mound')

Caha Mountains Cork V775 604 330 84

Knockaterriff Cnoc an Tairbh (Ir. Cnoc an

Tairbh [OSI], 'hill

of the bull')

Galty Mountains Limerick R848 216 692 74

Knockaterriff

Beg

Cnoc an Tairbh

Beag

(prob. Ir. Cnoc

an Tairbh Beag

[PDT], 'little hill

of the bull')

Galty Mountains Limerick R844 222 679 74

Knockaunanattin Stumpa an

Aitinn

(Ir. Stumpa an

Aitinn [OSI -

1:25,000],

'stump of the

gorse')

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V769 791 569 78

Knockaunanattin

W Top

For origin of

name, see

Knockaunanattin

This peak overlooks Ballaghbeama

Gap (Ir. Bealach Béime).

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V756 787 467 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Knockbane An Cnoc Bán (prob. Ir. An

Cnoc Bán [PDT],

'white or grassy

hill')

A cairn at the summit is named

Laghtseefin, probably from Ir. Leacht

Suí Finn, 'burial monument of

Fionn's seat').

Shannon Tipperary R943 525 433 66

Knockboy An Cnoc Buí (Ir. An Cnoc Buí

[OSI],

'yellow/golden

hill')

Knockboy is the highest point in Co.

Cork, although its summit is shared

with Co. Kerry. It is less spectacular

than some of the hills further west,

such as Hungry Hill. It is perhaps a

surprise that Cork's highest point is

lower than Mount Leinster on the

boundary between Carlow and

Wexford, two counties which are

hardly known for their mountains. All

of this goes to show that ruggedness

and height do not always go hand in

hand.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork / Kerry W005 620 706 85

Knockboy North

Top

For origin of

name, see

Knockboy.

Located about 600m N of Knockboy.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork / Kerry W003 626 649 85

Knockboy South

Top

For origin of

name, see

Knockboy.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W006 605 532 85

Knockbrack Cnoc Breac (Ir. Cnoc Breac

[TR], 'speckled

hill')

One of the National Park deer-

fences crosses the ridge between

this hill and Benbrack. Walks: for a

route taking in Cnoc Breac, Binn

Bhreac and Binn Bhán or Maolán,

see Paddy Dillon, Connemara, 163-

67.

Twelve Bens Galway L749 565 442 37

Knockbrack Gulba Mór (Ir. Gulba Mór

[TH], 'big beak')

This is a spur which branches

northwards from the other hills of the

Coomloughra Horseshoe. It

overlooks Ballyledder. In

accordance with the information in

Breandán Ó Cíobháin's Toponomia

Hiberniae, it is named Gulba Mór on

the 1991 edition of the Reeks

1:25,000 map, while Cnoc Breac is

higher up the slope leading to

Stumpa Bharr na hAbhann.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V802 881 425 78

Knockbrack Cnoc Breac (prob. Ir. An

Cnoc Breac

[PDT], 'speckled

The top is rather indistinct and

difficult to find, which is characteristic

of a a number of peaks on the

Mangerton Kerry V953 779 610 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

hill')

plateau SW of Mangerton.

Knockbrack An Cnoc Breac (prob. Ir. An

Cnoc Breac

[PDT], 'the

speckled hill')

Note that the south top of

Knockbrack is higher than this point.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry V985 698 440 85

Knockbrack An Cnoc Breac (Ir. An Cnoc

Breac [TCCD],

'the speckled

hill')

Overlooks a hollow to the north

called Coumastabla.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q702 051 459 71

Knockbrack S

Top

For origin of

name, see

Knockbrack.

Note that this peak is higher than

Knockbrack itself.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry V982 685 458 85

Knockbrinnea

(E)

Cnoc Broinne

(Thoir)

(Ir. Cnoc Broinne

[TH], 'hill of the

breast')

Knockbrinnea is a shoulder of

Beenkeragh overlooking the Hag's

Glen. It features in an early

description of the ascent of

Carrauntoohil by G.N. Wright in

1834: "And, crossing the Gaddah

river, and passing a gradually sloping

vale of moss and rock, (very

fatiguing to the pedestrian whose

feet are not protected by very strong

shoes,) the Hag's Glen is entered. To

the right a lofty green mountain,

called Konnock à Brianihn, i. e. the

hill of the sheep-raddle, darkens the

valley, and opposite is the beetling

brow of the lower reeks, perfectly

inaccessible to all but the wild birds

which nestle in their fronts." Wright's

Konnock à Brianihn is clearly

Knockbrinnea, though his translation

seems mistaken and more

appropriate to Brassel Mountain.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V810 857 847 78

Knockbrinnea

(W)

Cnoc Broinne

(Thiar)

(Ir. Cnoc Broinne

[TH], 'hill of the

breast')

Knockbrinnea is a shoulder of

Beenkeragh overlooking the Hag's

Glen.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V807 858 854 78

Knockbwee Cnoc Buí (Ir. Cnoc Buí

[logainm.ie],

'yellow/golden

hill')

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork W124 790 461 79

Knockchree Cnoc Croidh (poss. Ir. Cnoc

Croidh [MÓM],

Knockchree is somewhat isolated

from other peaks of the Mournes.

Mourne Mountains Down J271 171 306 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'hill of the cattle')

The airfield of the Mourne Flying

Club is situated on the flattish

ground between Knockchree and

Aughrim Hill.

Knockcraugh

Named Knockcraugh Mountain on

the Discovery map.

Boggeragh

Mountains

Cork W398 857 434 79

Knockeenatoung Cnoicín na

Teanga

(prob. Ir. Cnoicín

na Teanga

[PDT], 'little hill

of the tongue-

shaped land')

Galty Mountains Tipperary R895 219 601 74

Knockeirka Cnoc Adhairce (Ir. Cnoc

Adhairce [OSI],

'hill of the horn')

Caha Mountains Kerry V930 667 426 85

Knockfeerina (or

Knockfierna)

Cnoc Fírinne (Ir. Cnoc Fírinne

[LL], poss. 'hill of

truth')

Cnoc Fírinne is strongly associated

with fairies. Mentioned in Aodhagán

Ó Rathaille's poems and in the Fionn

tales, it was regarded as the seat of

a deity or fairy-king called Donn

Fírinne. It was also the focus of a

Lughnasa gathering. It seems that

Fíreann ('truth') is a re-interpretation

of an old personal name Frigriu, with

genitive Frigrinn. For origin of name,

see Ó Maolfabhail, Logainmneacha

na hÉireann – Contae Luimnigh.

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 201-06) for details of

the festive assembly on the hill.

Locally also spelt Knockfierna.

W Limerick / N Kerry Limerick R451 361 288 80

Knockfune An Cnoc Fionn (Ir. An Cnoc

Fionn [OSI], 'the

white hill')

Shannon Tipperary R845 644 452 59

Knockiveagh Cnoc Uíbh

Eachach

(Ir. Cnoc Uíbh

Eachach [PNNI],

'hill of the Uí

Eachach or

descendants of

Eochu')

The Uí Eachach Coba were an

ancient population group who gave

their name to four baronies in Mid-

Down.

Mourne Mountains Down J182 378 235 29

Knocklaur Cnoc Láir (prob. Ir. Cnoc

Láir [PDT],

'middle hill')

The name Knocklaur is marked

about 1 km E of this peak on the

Discovery map. As there is no

summit at this point, it is not clear

Partry/Joyce Country Galway / Mayo L935 631 518 38

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

exactly which hill the name applies

to.

Knocklayd Cnoc Leithid (Ir. Cnoc Leithid

[DUPN], 'hill of

the

slope/expanse')

With its characteristic conical shape,

it can be recognised in many views

from the northern part of County

Antrim. The summit is surmounted

by a cairn known as Carn an Truagh,

interpreted in the Ordnance Survey

Memoirs as 'cairn of the three', but

the anglicised form is not compatible

with this interpretation, and Fiachra

Mac Gabhann described it as 'of

unknown origin' in PNNI vol vii.

Antrim Hills Antrim D115 364 514 5

Knockletragh Cnoc Leitreach (prob. Ir. Cnoc

Leitreach [PDT],

'hill of the wet

hillside')

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

On William Bald's map of Co. Mayo

(1830) it is named Knockletragh.

Achill/Corraun Mayo F782 005 452 30

Knocklettercuss Leitir Cois (Ir. Leitir Cois

[amended from

OSNB], 'wet

hillside of the

river-bank')

The Ordnance Survey Name Book

gives Leitir Cos as the derivation of

this name, which it interprets as

'spewy hillside of the foot'. Leitir

Cos appears to be an error for Leitir

Cois.

North Mayo Mayo F876 198 370 23

Knocklomena Cnoc an

Mheannáin

(Ir. Cnoc an

Mheannáin [TH],

'hill of the kid

(goat)')

In the OS Name Book John

O'Donavan suggests the derivation

Cnoc Lomannach [OSNB], 'hill of the

pinnacle'. This would account for the

anglicised form Knocklomena.

There seems to be some confusion

between Ir. meannán, 'a kid goat'

and mionnán, 'a pinnacle'.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V797 766 641 78

Knockmaroe Cnoc an Arbha (Ir. Cnoc an

Arbha [OSI], 'hill

of the corn')

Arbha is a variant genitive form of

arbhar, 'corn' [Dinneen].

Knockmaroe appears to be a corrupt

anglicisation of the Irish name.

Shannon Tipperary R934 609 411 59

Knockmeal Seisceann na

Maoile

(Ir. Seisceann na

Maoile [OSI],

'marsh of the

bare hill')

Another possible interpretation is

'sedge of the hornless cow' as maol

is feminine in this name. However,

note that this peak is in the townland

of Meoul, which actually suggests Ir.

meall, 'lump', rather than maol.

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary /

Waterford

S102 084 560 74

Knockmealdown Cnoc

Mhaoldomhnaig

(Ir. Cnoc

Mhaoldomhnaig

h [OSI], 'hill of

Maoldomhnach')

Knockmealdown gives its name to

the range as a whole, but the earlier

name for these hills, along with the

lower hill country to the east, is

Sliabh gCua. There is a traditional

air entitled "Sliabh Geal gCua na

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary /

Waterford

S058 084 794 74

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Féile", meaning 'bright Sliabh gCua

of the festival'. The name

Maoldomhnach means ‘devotee of

the church’. The surnames derived

from this are Ó Maoldomhnaigh

(anglicised Muldowney) and its

variant Ó Maoldhomhnaigh

(anglicised Moloney). Moloney is

still a common surname in the

vicinity. Some sources translate the

name as Cnoc Maol Donn, 'bare

round hill', but this is a poor attempt

to interpret the name only on the

basis of the modern anglicised form.

The form Knockmealdowny,

recorded in the Civil Survey in 1654,

shows that was clearly an additional

syllable.

Knockmore An Cnoc Mór (Ir. An Cnoc Mór

[PDT], 'the big

hill')

For a walk to the summit of

Knockmore, see Siúlóidí Acla, walk

Achill/Corraun Mayo L691 994 337 30

Knockmore (or

Croaghmore)

An Cnoc Mór (prob. Ir. An

Cnoc Mór

[PDT], 'the great

hill')

Knockmore is the highest peak on

Clare Island. Of all the Irish islands,

only Achill has higher mountains

than Clare. Walks: for a route taking

in Bengorm, Corranabinnia and

Glennamong, see Whilde & Simms,

New Irish Walk Guide - West and

North, 74-75. According to this

source, the hill is also known as

Croaghmore.

Achill/Corraun Mayo L669 862 462 30

Knockmoylan;

Knockshane

Cnoc Maoláin (prob. Ir. Cnoc

Maoláin [PDT],

'hill of the little

round or bald

place')

The lake below this peak is Lough

Moylan. The name Knockshane is

marked on the lower northern slopes

on the Discovery map.

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary S058 093 768 74

Knockmoyle Cnoc Maol (prob. Ir. Cnoc

Maol [PDT],

'bald or round

hill')

Overlooks the valley of Coomura.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V665 749 684 78/83

Knockmulanane Cnoc

Mhaoilionáin

(Ir. Cnoc

Mhaoilionáin

[OSI], 'Mulfinan's

hill' [OSNB])

"The legend is told of Loch an Scáil,

the mountain lake. The word scál…

has associations with Lugh, but in

this legend it is the name of a

woman who lived near the lake.

Central Dingle Kerry Q568 049 593 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Scál Ní Mhurnáin she was called. A

giant was about to carry her off and

she sent word to Cúchulainn to

defend her. Cúchulainn stood on top

of the mountain to the east of the

lake [Dromavally Mountain]. The

giant was on the summit of the

opposite western mountain

[Knockmulanane]. They exchanged

challenges in verse-form and then

began their battle which consisted of

throwing rocks at each other across

the valley. It lasted for a week, at the

end of which Cúchulainn was hit and

moaned with pain. When Scál heard

the moaning she thought her

defender was killed and she leaped

into the lake and was drowned"

(Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' , pp. 208-09).

Knocknabreeda An Cnoc Breac (Ir. An Cnoc

Breac [TH], 'the

speckled hill')

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V815 793 569 78

Knocknabro

West Top

(Ir. Cnoc na Bró

[OSNB], 'hill of

the quern')

Knocknabro itself, which is

somewhat lower (530m), is not

currently in the list due to insufficient

prominence.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Kerry W154 854 592 79

Knocknabrone

Hill

Cnoc na Brón (Ir. Cnoc na Brón

[TH], 'hill of the

quern')

Ó Cíobháin suggests that the name

Derryfanga, which appears on the

Discovery map, may be a corruption

of Doire na Féinne / Derrynafeana, a

nearby townland. It is otherwise

difficult to explain.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V757 868 353 78

Knocknacloghog

Cnoc na

Clochóige

(prob. Ir. Cnoc

na Clochóige

[PDT], 'hill of the

stony land')

Possibly identical with the hill named

as The Dalty or Foolya by Price

[PNCW].

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O143 054 534 56

Knocknacusha Cnoc Osaidh (Ir. Cnoc Osaidh

[TH], 'hill of the

encampment')

This peak overlooks Ballaghisheen

(Ir. Bealach Oisín). The anglicisation

Knocknacusha seems unrelated to

Cnoc Osaidh and suggests an Irish

form Cnoc na Coise.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V675 782 547 78/83

Knocknadobar Cnoc na dTobar (Ir. Cnoc na

dTobar [OSI], 'hill

of the wells')

Knocknadobar is a hill of pilgrimage.

The stations of the cross were

erected by Canon Brosnan in 1855.

One of the wells referred to in the

Iveragh NW Kerry V506 845 690 83

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

name is St. Fursey's Well, located at

the foot of the mountain, near the

start of the pilgrimage route to the

summit. It is visited for a cure for

eye complaints. See Máire MacNeill,

'The Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 137-

39) for details of the mountain

pilgrimage.

Knocknadobar

North Top

For origin of

name, see

Knocknadobar.

The northern flanks of this hill

descend steeply to a stretch of

rugged and isolated coastline.

Iveragh NW Kerry V500 854 602 83

Knocknafallia Cnoc na Faille (Ir. Cnoc na

Faille [LL], (?)'hill

of the cliff')

Ir. faill can be a cliff, but the map

indicates no cliff nearby. It can also

mean ‘negligence, omission.'

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Waterford S090 075 668 74

Knocknagantee Cnoc na gCainte (Ir. Cnoc na

gCainte [TH], 'hill

of the

conversations')

The track to the summit makes

Knocknagantee one of the more

easily accessible peaks on the long,

remote ridge between Ballaghbeama

and Coomakista.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V668 729 676 78/83

Knocknagapple Cnoc an

Chapaill

(Ir. Cnoc an

Chapaill

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the horse')

This peak, immediately north of

Ballaghisheen, offers a route on to

Colly and the Glenbeigh Horseshoe.

The anglicisation Knocknagapple

suggests horses in the plural.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V672 797 466 83

Knocknagapple

N W Top

For origin of

name, see

Knocknagapple.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V668 802 458 83

Knocknagnauv Cnoc na

gCnámh

(Ir. Cnoc na

gCnámh [OSI],

'hill of the

bones')

Canon Power names the main hills

of Lismore and Mocollop parish as

Knockmaeldown, 2609 ft, and

Knocknarea, 2149 ft (PND). This

latter height translates to 655m,

which shows that it is an alternative

name for Knocknagnauv. Cnocán na

Ré means 'little hill of the flat top'.

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary /

Waterford

S081 083 655 74

Knocknagorrave

ela

Cnoc na

gCorrmhíolta

(Ir. Cnoc na

gCorrmhíolta

[OSI], 'hill of the

midges')

Alternatively this name may derive

from Cnoc na Garbhghaile [T6000],

'hill of the rough wind'.

Caha Mountains Kerry V871 625 507 85

Knocknagorrave

ela NE Top

For origin of

name, see

Knocknagorrave

ela.

Caha Mountains Kerry V881 633 464 85

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Knocknagowan Cnoc na

nGamhann

(Ir. Cnoc na

nGamhann

[OSNB], 'hill of

the calves')

This southern outlier of

Caherbarnagh overlooks the upper

reaches of the Clydagh Valley.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Kerry W186 850 574 79

Knocknagree Cnoc na Groí (Ir. Cnoc na Groí

[T6000], 'hill of

the horses')

Caha Mountains Cork V727 506 586 84

Knocknagree E

Top

For origin of

name, see

Knocknagree.

Caha Mountains Kerry V739 508 461 84

Knocknagree SE

Top

For origin of

name, see

Knocknagree.

Caha Mountains Cork V739 498 442 84

Knocknagullion Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V762 696 413 84

Knocknagun Cnoc na gCon (prob. Ir. Cnoc

na gCon [PDT],

'hill of the dogs')

Cloch na gCon, 'stone of the dogs',

is the name of the remarkable

boulder near the summit [PNCW].

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin /

Wicklow

O163 187 555 56

Knocknagussy Binn Dhubh (Ir. Binn Dhubh

[TR], 'black

peak')

The English name, Knocknagussy,

appears to be an anglicisation of a

different Irish name from the one

recorded by Tim Robinson on his

map of Connemara: Binn Dhubh.

Knocknagussy suggests Cnoc na

Giúise, 'hill of the pine tree', or Cnoc

na Giúsaí, giúsach being a collective

noun. In Connemara it can refer to

pine found in the bog or bog-deal

(giús portaigh) [Dinneen].

Partry/Joyce Country Galway L979 534 456 38

Knocknahillion Cnoc na

hUilleann

(Ir. Cnoc na

hUilleann Thiar

[TR], 'hill of

Uillinn Thiar')

Rather than a hill-name, Uillinn Thiar

is the name of a townland meaning

'elbow - west'.

Maamturks Galway L870 537 607 37

Knocknakilton

This name is not mentioned by An

Seabhac in TCCD. It is unclear what

the second element is.

Central Dingle Kerry Q638 062 423 71

Knocknalougha Cnoc na Loiche (Ir. Cnoc na

Loiche [LL], 'hill

of the lake')

In the form Cnoc na Loiche provided

in LL the word loch is feminine, 2nd

declension. Presumably there is

historical evidence for this variant

rather than the usual masculine 1st

declension form.

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary /

Waterford

S019 100 630 74

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Knocknamaddre

Cnoc na Madraí (prob. Ir. Cnoc

na Madraí

[PDT], 'hill of the

dogs')

Mizen/Sheeps Head Cork V790 298 313 88

Knocknamanagh Cnoc na Manach (prob. Ir. Cnoc

na Manach

[PDT], 'hill of the

monks')

On the Discovery map the name

Knocknamanagh is oddly positioned

N of Lough Akinkeen part way up a

slope. Here it has been taken to

apply to the peak about 2km to the

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry V990 661 637 85

Knocknamanagh

NE Top

For origin of

name, see

Knocknamanagh

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W002 673 625 85

Knocknamuck Cnoc na Muc (prob. Ir. Cnoc

na Muice or

Cnoc na Muc

[PDT], 'hill of the

pig or pigs')

Knocknamuck is the highest point in

Slieveardagh.

South Midlands Tipperary S317 549 340 67

Knocknanacree Cnoc na nAcraí (Ir. Cnoc na

nAcraí [OSI], 'hill

of na hAcraí or

the acres')

Acres (na hAcraí) is a townland

name.

Central Dingle Kerry V572 998 286 70

Knocknanask Cnoc na nEasc (Ir. Cnoc na

nEasc [OSI], 'hill

of the

quagmires')

The word easc has a number of

meanings according to Dinneen,

including a marsh or quagmire; a

narrow glen between rocks; a

stream.

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Waterford S116 072 486 74

Knocknapeasta Cnoc na Péiste (Ir. Cnoc na

Péiste [OSI

1:25,000], 'hill of

the

serpent/monster'

)

The lake below this peak is Loch

Coimín Piast, 'lake of the little hollow

of serpents'. Like many another Irish

mountain lake, there was probably a

story of a water-monster associated

with it which has now been lost. In

December 1943 an American Dakota

aircraft crashed into the slopes of

Cnoc na Péiste just above the lake.

Pieces of the aircraft are still visible.

A plaque here commemorates the 5

victims and there is another plaque

at Cronin's Yard (Jim Ryan,

Carrauntoohil and MacGillycuddy's

Reeks, 80-81).

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V836 842 988 78

Knocknarea Cnoc na Riabh (Ir. Cnoc na

P.W. Joyce preferred the

Ox Mountains Sligo G626 346 327 16/25

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Riabh [GÉ], 'hill

of the stripes')

interpretation Cnoc na Riaghadh, 'hill

of the executions'. Cnoc na Riogha,

'hill of the kings', has also been

suggested. The huge cairn on the

summit plateau is called Meascán

Méabha, 'Maeve's mound'. It is

considered likely that it conceals a

passage tomb, though it has not yet

been excavated. For more

information on the archaeology, see

"Transforming Knocknarea - the

archaeology of a mountain" by

Stefan Bergh, Archaeology Ireland,

vol. 14, no. 2 (2000), pp. 14-18.

Knocknascollop

NW Top

Cnoc na Scolb (prob. Ir. Cnoc

na Scolb [PDT],

'hill of the

scollops')

This hill, which is the highest point

on a ridge consisting of three peaks,

is unnamed on OS maps. However,

the name Knocknascollop is given

for the SE peak on the Discovery

map, and on William Bald's map of

Co. Mayo (1830) the NW peak is

marked Knock-na-Skalib (effectively

the same name), showing that this

name applies to the whole ridge.

Scollops are looped sticks used to

secure thatch on a roof. The name

probably refers to the notched

appearance of the ridge.

North Mayo Mayo F801 298 244 22

Knocknashee Cnoc na Sí (Ir. Cnoc na Sí

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the fairies')

Located in the townland of

Knocknashee Common,

Knocknashee is topped by huge

Bronze Age hill-fort measuring 700m

by 320m. Ir. sí can mean both 'fairy'

and 'fairy mound'. It is usually

masculine, and therefore this name

appears to mean 'hill of the fairies'.

However, since it can occasionally

be feminine, the meaning 'hill of the

fairy mound' cannot be ruled out.

Ox Mountains Sligo G556 192 276 25

Knocknasheega Cnoc na Síge (Ir. Cnoc na Síge

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the cheek')

Knocknasheega is a townland in the

parish of Affane. It is near the head

of the beautiful wooded valley of

Glenshelane. As this peak is the

principal hill in the townland, it

seems probable that it gives the

townland its name. Canon Power

proposed a different interpretation:

'hill of the streak'.

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Waterford S137 060 428 74

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Knocknasilloge Cnoc na Saileog (Ir. Cnoc na

Saileog [An

tOrdú

Logainmneacha

(Ceantair

Ghaeltachta)

2008], 'hill of the

little willows')

The OS 6" map shows the name

Knocknasilloge. This is confirmed by

the draft place-names order for

Gaeltacht areas. Shannawona is a

townland name, but one clearly

derived from a hill name (Ir. Seanadh

means 'slope', and it is also widely

used as the name of this area of hilly

moorland. Leaca Donna /

Lackadunna is the name of a lower

peak about 1km SW of the summit.

South Connemara Galway M012 397 346 45

Knocknaskagh Cnoc na Sceach (prob. Ir. Cnoc

na Sceach

[PDT], 'hill of the

thorn-trees')

Nagles Mountains Cork W703 950 428 80

Knocknaskagh N

Top

For origin of

name, see

Knocknaskagh.

Nagles Mountains Cork W699 961 407 80

Knocknaskereig

hta

Sceithigh

Riabhach

(Ir. Sceithigh

Riabhach

[logainm.ie],

'grey or brindled

[obscure

element]')

It is unclear what the element

sceithigh (nom. sceitheach ?) means

in this name, but it may be derived

from sceach, ‘thorn tree’. The

anglicised form reflects a name

including cnoc, but the final -ta is

also rather odd. The spur to the

west is Kilkeaveragh Hill (Cnoc Chill

Chaomhrach) or Lateeve Hill.

Iveragh NW Kerry V408 709 395 83

Knocknasliggau

Knocknasliggaun is a townland in

the parish of Kilmacteige. The name

is probably derived from Cnoc na

Sliogán, 'hill of the shells'.

Ox Mountains Sligo G371 156 417 24

Knockomagh

The name Knockomagh appears

only on the 6" map.

Mizen/Sheeps Head Cork W088 292 197 89

Knockoura Cnoc Cumhra (Ir. Cnoc

Cumhra

[logainm.ie],

'fragrant hill')

The Bearhaven copper mines,

located to the west of Knockoura on

the low but rugged hills above

Allihies, were run by the Puxley

family of Dunboy. Daphne du

Maurier relocated them on Hungry

Hill for her novel of the same name.

Slieve Miskish Cork V621 463 490 84

Knockowen Cnoc Eoghain (Ir. Cnoc

Eoghain [OSI],

'hill of Eoghan')

This is the highest peak in the Cahas

between the Healy Pass and the

Tunnels Road. Knockowen is also

the name of a townland in the parish

of Tuosist.

Caha Mountains Cork / Kerry V809 554 658 84

Knockpasheemo Binn Charrach (Ir. Binn

Walks: see Paddy Dillon,

Twelve Bens Galway L807 557 412 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

re Charrach [TR],

'rocky peak')

Connemara, for routes including

Knockpasheemore around the

Gleann Carbad (Glencorbet)

Horseshoe (168-73) and Gleann

Eidhneach (Gleninagh) Horseshoe

(174-78).

Knockreagh An Cnoc

Riabhach

(Ir. An Cnoc

Riabhach [OSI],

'the

grey/brindled

hill')

Caha Mountains Kerry V827 613 500 84

Knockroe Cnoc Rua (Ir. Cnoc Rua

[PNCC#], 'red

hill')

Blackstairs

Mountains

Carlow S819 497 540 68

Knockrower Cnoc Ramhar (prob. Ir. Cnoc

Ramhar [PDT],

'fat hill')

Named Péicín on the Discovery

map, but this seems an error.

Mangerton Kerry V937 785 554 78

Knocksculloge Cnoc na Scológ (Ir. Cnoc na

Scológ [OSI], 'hill

of the farmers')

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary S128 078 432 74

Knockshanahulli

Cnoc

Seanchuillinn

(Ir. Cnoc

Seanchuillinn

[OSI], 'hill of the

old holly' or 'hill

of the old steep

slope')

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary R999 104 652 74

Knocksheegown

Cnoc Sí

Ghamhna

(Ir. Cnoc Sí

Ghamhna

[PND#], 'hill of

the calf's fairy

mound ')

Sídh Ghabhnaighe and Carraig

Sídhe Ghabhnaighe

[Carrigsheegowna] are minor names

given by Canon Power under the

townland of Glenpatrick. The more

famous Knocksheegowna is near

Ballinderry in North Tipperary. There

is much fairy folklore connected with

it, as it was considered to be the

residence of Úna, queen of the

fairies of Ireland and guardian of the

O'Carroll family, the dominant Gaelic

dynasty in this district. "The name

Cnoc Sidhe Úna (Una's fairy-hill)

sounded so much like Cnoc Sidhe

Ghamhna (the calf's fairy-hill) that a

story of the fairy queen taking the

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S277 165 678 75

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

shape of a calf came to be told of it

and is printed in Croker's Fairy

Legends of the South of Ireland

[MacNeill, 216-17]." The Waterford

Knocksheegowna seems to be

secondary and refers only to a calf,

not to Úna, so perhaps it was named

once the tale of the calf had become

popular and spread beyond its point

of origin in North Tipperary.

Knockullane Cnoc na nUlán (Ir. Cnoc na

nUlán

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the blocks of

stone')

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork W225 800 462 79

Knockullane E

Top

For origin of

name, see

Knockullane.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork W241 799 408 79

Krinnuck Cruinneog (Ir. Cruinneog

[Siúlóidí Acla#],

'little round one')

This hill is unnamed on OS maps but

is mentioned in the Co. Mayo

Development Plan as Doogort Hill.

However, a local bi-lingual walking

guide names as Cruinneoc (which

has here been standardised to

Cruinneog), a wonderfully descriptive

name for this little round hill. The

round shape is very evident from the

pattern of concentric oval-shaped

contours on the map. The anglicised

form Krinnuck is found on William

Bald's map of Mayo (1830). This is

a good example of how easily local

names can be lost and are

sometimes unknown even to local

authorities in whose area they are

located. For a walk around the base

of Krinnuck, see Siúlóidí Acla, walk

Achill/Corraun Mayo F681 079 214 22/30

Lack Mountain Sliabh na Lice (Ir. Sliabh na

Lice [OSI],

'mountain of the

flagstone')

Slieve Mish Kerry Q706 045 465 71

Lackabane Leaca Bhán (Ir. An Leaca Caha Mountains Kerry V751 537 602 84

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Bhán [T6000],

'the white

hillside')

Lackabaun An Leaca Bhán (Ir. An Leaca

Bhán

[logainm.ie], 'the

white/grassy

hillside')

On the Cork side of Lackabaun is a

townland of the same name, which is

in the parish of Inchigeelagh.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W112 707 472 79

Lackacroghan Leac an

Chruacháin

(prob. Ir. Leac an

Chruacháin

[PDT], 'slab of

the stack')

Slieve Miskish Cork V543 421 260 84

Lackagh

Mountain; Ben

Scardaun

Binn Scardáin (prob. Ir. Binn

Scardáin [PDT],

'peak of the

spout')

Also called Ben Scardaun. See

Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 182-83) for details of

the festive assembly on the

mountain. The name Boleybrack

marked south of the summit on the

Discovery map belongs to a

townland.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G931 321 449 26

Lackavrea Leic Aimhréidh (Ir. Leic

Aimhréidh [TR],

'rugged rock-

slab')

Walks: for a route to the summit from

the W, see Whilde & Simms, New

Irish Walk Guide - West and North,

48-49.

Maamturks Galway L983 495 396 45

Lackawee An Leaca Bhuí (Ir. An Leaca

Bhuí [T6000],

'the yellow

hillside')

This satellite of Maulin overlooks

Glenbeg Lough from the south.

Caha Mountains Cork V704 517 572 84

Lackenacreena Shannon Tipperary R946 541 413 66

Lacroagh An Leathchruach (Ir. An

Leathchruach

[OSI], 'the side

of the stack', lit.

'half-stack')

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G932 945 403 11

Laghtnafrankee Leacht na

Francaí

(Ir. Leacht na

Francaí

[logainm.ie],

'burial

monument of the

rat')

Canon Power gave the two

alternative translations: 'burial

monument of the Frenchmen or of

the rats', apparently unaware of any

story which would resolve the

mystery, but logainm.ie records the

meaning 'cairn of the rat'. A rat in

the singular fits better with the

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S235 181 520 75

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

anglicised pronunciation. There is a

small cairn at the summit, which

could be the remains of the

monument in question.

Laghtnafrankee

SW Top

For origin of

name, see

Laghtnafrankee.

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S220 172 425 75

Laghtshanaquilla Leacht

Sheanchoille

(poss. Ir. Leacht

Sheanchoille

[PDT], 'burial

monument of the

old wood')

This peak is unnamed on the

Discovery map. There is a cairn

near the summit, which could be the

leacht in question.

Galty Mountains Tipperary R951 250 631 74

Lakeen Leaicín (Ir. Leaicín

[PDT], 'little

slope')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow S977 711 357 62

Largan Hill Ox Mountains Sligo G391 177 413 24

Lateeve Leataoibh (poss. Ir.

Leataoibh [OSI],

'hill-side')

The element leataoibh appears in

the name of three townlands ranged

along the northern slopes of this hill.

No name is recorded for the hill by

An Seabhac, but since the townland

names are clearly topographical in

origin, it seems reasonable to take

Leataoibh as the name of the hill

itself.

Dingle West Kerry Q400 035 318 70

Lavagh Beg An Leamhach

Bheag

(Ir. An

Leamhach

Bheag [GE],

poss. 'the little

place of

elms/mallows')

Locally known as An Leamhaigh

Bheag. See Lavagh More regarding

this name.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G926 915 650 11

Lavagh More An Leamhach

Mhór

(Ir. An

Leamhach Mhór

[GE], poss. 'the

big place of

elms/mallows')

Locally known as An Leamhaigh

Mhór. Given the ruggedness of the

terrain and height of the mountain, a

connection with (marsh-)mallows

seems unlikely, and with elms even

more so. The name is therefore

somewhat puzzling.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G935 910 671 11

Leahan Liathán (Ir. Liathán

[JON], 'little grey

one')

Donegal SW Donegal G518 803 427 10

Leahanmore An Liathán Mór (prob. Ir. An

Leahanmore is in the Glenveagh

National Park and is the highest

Donegal NW Donegal C017 166 442 6

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Liathán Mór

[PDT], 'big grey

one ')

point in the group of hills between

Lough Beagh and Gartan Lough.

Learmount

Mountain

Learmount (Ir. Ard na Laidhre) is a

parish which straddles the

Tyrone/Derry county boundary.

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

H580 982 489 13

Learmount Mtn

S Top

For origin of

name, see

Learmount

Mountain.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H583 971 492 13

Leean Mountain

For information on the archaeology

of this area, which includes hut sites

and "rocking stones", see the article

"The Leean Mountain area of County

Leitrim: a prehistoric landscape

revealed" by Stephen Clarke and

Tatjana Kytmannow in Archaeology

Ireland No. 68 (Summer 2004), 36-

39.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G806 388 417 16

Leenaun Hill An Meall Dubh (Ir. An Meall

Dubh [TR#],

'black knoll')

Walks: see Paddy Dillon,

Connemara, 80-85, for a route to the

summit from Leenaun village.

Sometimes called Bunnaviskaun.

Maamturks Galway L874 593 618 37

Letterbreckaun Binn Bhriocáin (Ir. Binn

Bhriocáin [TR],

'Brecan’s peak')

The anglicised name Letterbreckaun

comes from Leitir Bhriocáin [TR],

'Brecan’s wet hillside', and is the

name of a townland on the slope of

the hill. St. Brecan is a saint

associated particularly with Co.

Galway, who "is said to have been

the successor to St. Enda in Cill

Éinne, the Aran Islands [TR, 106]."

His name is also remembered in

another townland called

Letterbrickaun in Leenane parish

and in the parish of Cill Bhriocáin /

Kilbrickan, located south of Maam

Cross.

Maamturks Galway L856 551 667 37

Letterettrin Binn Mhór (Ir. Binn Mhór

[TR], 'big peak')

This hill is in the townland of

Letterettrin / Leitir Eitreann, 'hillside

of furrows' [TR], a name which is

topographical in origin and may

indeed be an alternative name for

the same hill. Walks: for a route

along the S shore of Killary Harbour,

see Kevin Corcoran, West of Ireland

Twelve Bens Galway L796 620 333 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Walks, 102-10. See Paddy Dillon,

Connemara, for a similar walk (62-

68) and also for a routes to the

summit of Binn Mhór (57-61) and

across Salrock Pass (69-73).

Lettertrask Leitir Treasc (prob. Ir. Leitir

Treasc [PDT],

'wet hillside of

turf-spades')

Has been called Bunaveela Hill.

North Mayo Mayo F971 095 279 23/31

Lissoughter Cnoc Lios

Uachtair

(Ir. Cnoc Lios

Uachtair

[logainm.ie] , 'hill

of the upper

ring-fort')

An isolated hill occupying the centre

of the valley between Lough Inagh

and Recess. The quarry on the

southern slopes produces the

famous Connemara green marble.

Walks: for a route to the summit and

to Bun na gCnoc, see Paddy Dillon,

Connemara, 129-33.

Maamturks Galway L859 495 401 44

Little Carron Ballyhoura

Mountains

Limerick R615 173 439 73

Little Sugar Loaf;

Giltspur

Mountain

Giolspar (Ir. Giolspar

[logainm.ie], a

transliteration of

Giltspur)

This hill is also known as Giltspur

Mountain [PNCW], of which the Irish

version Giolspar is a transliteration.

The name Giltspur, which originally

refers to a townland on the northern

slopes, is explained by a transaction

in the late 12th century, whereby

Dermod MacGiollamocholmog

granted one carucate of land in

Kilruddery to Richard de Felda for a

pair of gilt spurs, to be presented to

him and his heirs each year at

Michelmas [PNCW]. Giltspur

Mountain is thus a rare example of

an English language name which is

so old that it has been replaced by

another, Little Sugar Loaf.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O261 144 342 56

Lobawn Lúbán (Ir. Lúbán

[PNCW], 'little

bend')

Lobawn is also the name of a

townland in the parish of

Donaghmore. In 1839 John

O'Donovan interpreted this name as

Leomhach Bán, 'white leo or land

abounding in marsh mallows'. Cf.

Leoh townland and Leoh Mountain N

of Lugnaquilla.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow S978 978 636 56

Long Hill Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S229 198 404 75

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Lough Curra Mtn Galty Mountains Tipperary R869 242 600 74

Loughermore Luachair Mhór (prob. Ir.

Luachair Mhór

[PDT], 'big rushy

area')

Keenaght Derry C589 157 396 7

Loughsalt

Mountain

Cnoc an Liatháin (Ir. Cnoc an

Liatháin

[MacNeill#], 'hill

of the little grey

one')

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 143-44) for details of

the festive assembly on Loughsalt

Mountain.

Donegal NW Donegal C133 265 469 2

Lugduff Log Dubh (Ir. Log Dubh

[PNCW], 'black

hollow')

The name has been transferred from

one of the valleys or hollows near

Glendalough. In 1617 it was

recorded as Barnelogduffe, but in

1668 as just Lug Duffe and similarly

as Lugduff in 1760.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T072 953 652 56

Lugduff SE Top For origin of

name, see

Lugduff.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T081 949 637 56

Luggala; Fancy Log an Lá (Ir. Log an Lá

[logainm.ie],

'hollow of the

[obscure

element]')

Also known as Fancy, from Ir.

Fuinnse [PNCW], 'ash-tree', and

Cloghoge. Price's interpretation of

this name as Log an Lágh, 'hollow of

the hill', is doubtful. There is no

evidence in dictionaries for the

existence of a word lágh with this

meaning. The second element does

not appear to be lá, 'day', either.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O150 074 595 56

Lugnabrick NE

Top

Log na Brice (Ir. Log na Brice

[logainm.ie],

'hollow of the

speckled place')

Partry/Joyce Country Galway L963 553 494 38

Lugnabrick SW

Top

Log na Brice (Ir. Log na Brice

[logainm.ie],

'hollow of the

speckled place')

Partry/Joyce Country Galway L960 552 494 38

Lugnagun Log na gCon (Ir. Log na gCon

[OSNB*], 'hollow

of the hounds')

This peak overlooks Blessington and

Pollaphuca Reservoir. Lugnagun

Great and Lugnagun Little are

townlands in the parish of

Blessington.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O013 125 446 56

Lugnaquilla Log na Coille (Ir. Log na Coille

Named Lugnaquillia Mountain on OS

maps, though the Placenames

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T032 917 925 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

[logainm.ie],

'hollow of the

wood')

Branch prefers Lugnaquilla

Mountain. Presumably the name is

transferred from some nearby hollow

to the mountain itself. Price has a

useful note to this effect, but is

unable to determine the hollow in

question. There are three valleys in

the vicinity: Fraughan Rock Glen to

the north-east, the South Prison to

the south-east and the North Prison

to the north-west. The first two are

both forested nowadays. The

summit is marked as Percy's Table,

named after a local landowner of the

18th century. Cf. Dawson's Table on

Galtymore. P.W. Joyce gave the

original form as Log na Coilleach,

'hollow of the (grouse) cocks'.

However this seems doubtful. It

does not show the urú which would

be expected. Nor is the name

connected with the deity Lug.

Lyracappul Ladhar an

Chapaill

(Ir. Ladhar an

Chapaill [OSI],

'fork/confluence

of the horse')

This peak may be named after the

channels on its north-western

slopes. The glen here is named

Lyraveg Glen.

Galty Mountains Limerick R845 232 825 74

Macklaun Mothallán (poss. Ir.

Mothallán [PDT],

'little tufted hill')

The summit of Macklaun is rather

flat, but it offers good views of the

peaks on the Glenbeigh Horseshoe

as well Seefin, Caragh Lake and the

western Reeks. The name is rather

obscure, but it seems to be the peak

mentioned in the Civil Survey (1654-

56) as forming part of the boundary

between the baronies of Iveragh and

Dunkerron. It appears in the

description of Dunkerron as

Milohane, but under Iveragh as

Moahulane. The Iveragh form

suggests Ir. Mothallán, rather like

Mothaillín to the south of the Reeks.

If so, the anglicisation Macklaun is

slightly corrupt.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V660 837 607 78/83

Mackoght; Wee

Errigal

Mac Uchta (Ir. Mac Uchta

[OSI], 'son of the

mountain-

Also known as Wee Errigal. The

ucht referred to in Mac Uchta is

Errigal itself.

Donegal NW Donegal B940 215 555 1

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

breast')

Maghera An Machaire (Ir. An Machaire

[OSI], 'the plain')

Shannon Clare R518 911 400 52

Mamore Hill Cnoc an Mháim

Mhóir

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

an Mháim Mhóir

[PDT], 'hill of An

Mám Mór or the

great pass')

This peak is situated immediately NE

of Mamore Gap.

Inishowen Donegal C324 434 423 3

Mangerton An Mhangarta (Ir. An

Mhangarta

[OSI], poss. 'the

long-haired

(mountain)')

The Horses' Glen and the Devil's

Punchbowl carve deep hollows on

the north side of Mangerton, but the

southern flanks form a huge plateau,

one of the most extensive areas of

mountain wilderness in Ireland.

Herds of red deer and sika deer

roam this moorland. The northern

slopes of Mangerton were the scene

of a great battle in 1262 between the

MacCarthys and Geraldine (Anglo-

Norman) forces, following the rout at

Callan Glen near Kilgarvan the

previous year. The battle-site is

known as Tooreencormick (Tuairín

Cormaic, 'little field of Cormac') from

the fall of Cormac MacCarthy,

brother of the chief Fingen

MacCarthy, in this battle. The battle

was less decisive than Callan, but as

a result of these two encounters the

Anglo-Normans were kept out of

South Kerry and West Cork for over

three centuries afterwards. An

alternative interpretation of An

Mhangartach may be worth

considering: it could be the noun

mangart + suffix -ach. Dinneen

defines mangart as 'movement' or

'shaking'. Thus the adjective (not

listed in any dictionary) could mean

'moving', 'shaking', 'quaking'. This

could refer to the physical movement

of the bog which is prevalent on the

southern slopes, but perhaps it could

be understood figuratively as

'vacillating' or 'fickle'. For further

information on the name, see Paul

Mangerton Kerry V980 807 839 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Tempan, "Some Notes on the

Names of Six Kerry Mountains",

JKAHS, ser. 2, vol. v (2005), 5-19.

Named Mangerton Mountain on the

OSI Discovery Map.

Mangerton North

Top

For origin of

name, see

Mangerton.

This peak is on the ridge separating

the Devil's Punchbowl from Lough

Erhogh and the Horses Glen.

Mangerton Kerry V984 818 782 78

Maolán Buí (Ir.) Maolán Buí (Ir. Maolán Buí

[OSI 1:25,000],

'yellow/golden

round knoll')

Sometimes called Bearna Rua. The

ridge known as the Bone descends

NW from this peak. This is a good

escape route off the eastern Reeks.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V832 838 973 78

Masatiompan Más an

Tiompáin

(Ir. Más an

Tiompáin [OSI],

'rump of the

drum/hump/hollo

w')

Tiompán can also mean a deep

sheltered cove. Nearby there is

such a cove at Sauce Creek.

Brandon Group Kerry Q465 145 763 70

Maughanaclea

Hills E Top

Cnoic Mhacha

na Cléibhe –

Mullach Thoir

(Ir. Cnoic

Mhacha na

Cléibhe [OSI],

'hills of Macha

na Cléibhe')

The Maughanaclea Hills are

remarkable for their megaliths as a

number of standing stones, stone

rows and stone circles dot the lower

slopes. Maughanaclea is a townland

in the parish of Kilmocomoge. The

name means ‘field of the basket’.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W123 551 470 85

Maughanaclea

Hills W Top

Cnoic Mhacha

na Cléibhe –

Mullach Thiar

(Ir. Cnoic

Mhacha na

Cléibhe [OSI],

'hills of Mhacha

na Cléibhe')

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W109 547 452 85

Mauherslieve Motharshliabh (Ir.

Motharshliabh

[OSI],

'wilderness

mountain')

Also referred to as Mother Mountain

in some sources, though this seems

to have no basis. Locally also called

Moherclea or simply Moher. A pile of

stones at the summit is called the

Terrot. See Máire MacNeill, 'The

Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 214-15)

for details of the festive assembly

which took place on Mauherslieve at

the end of June.

Shannon Tipperary R873 619 543 59

Maulin Málainn (Ir. Málainn

[OSI], possibly

'high or sloping

Misspelt Málaínn on Discovery map.

Caha Mountains Cork V713 505 621 84

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

ground')

Maulin Málainn (Ir. Málainn

[PNCW],

possibly 'high or

sloping ground')

Málainn is rare element of obscure

origin and meaning, occurring in a

handul of place-names scattered

throughout the country. For origin of

name, see articles by Paul Tempan:

"The Element Málainn in Place-

names" in the Kerry Magazine, No.

18, 2008 (15-16) and "An Eilimint

Málainn i Logainmneacha" in the

Donegal Annual 2006 (218-19).

There are references in early Irish

texts to Málu, site of a battle in

Leinster. This mountain has been

proposed as an identification by Eoin

MacNeill (JRSAI lxv, 14), but this is

far from certain.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O184 131 570 56

Maulin Mountain Málainn (Ir. Málainn

[OSNB], poss.

'high or sloping

ground')

Málainn is rare element of obscure

origin and meaning, occurring in a

handul of place-names scattered

throughout the country. For origin of

name, see articles by Paul Tempan:

"The Element Málainn in Place-

names" in the Kerry Magazine, No.

18, 2008 (15-16) and "An Eilimint

Málainn i Logainmneacha" in the

Donegal Annual 2006 (218-19).

North Kerry Kerry Q721 303 217 63

Maumakeogh Mám an Cheo (Ir. Mám an

Cheo [GÉ], 'pass

of the mist')

The neolithic farming complex of the

Céide Fields lies on the northern

slopes. "Mám an Cheo" is the title of

a poem which talks of agricultural life

and coring (Ir. comhar, co-operation

between neighbours in the tasks of

farming). It is available in Amhráin

Chearbhalláin (Poems of Carolan,

Irish Texts Society, edited by Tomás

Ó Máille, 249-51), though it is one of

the poems in the collection not

attributed to Carolan.

North Mayo Mayo G037 368 379 23

Maumfin Mám Fionn (Ir. Mám Fionn

[TR], 'white

pass')

Maumfin is properly the name of a

townland on the slopes of this hill.

Tievegarriff is another townland

which extends to the summit and

whose name may be connected with

this hill.

Twelve Bens Galway L647 588 172 37

Maumlack Mám an Leaca (Ir. Mám an

Leaca

This peak overlooks the village of

Dunlewy, and lies across the valley

from Errigal.

Donegal NW Donegal B958 189 480 1

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

[logainm.ie],

'pass of the

hillside')

Maumonght Mám Uchta (prob. Ir. Mám

Uchta [PDT],

'pass of the

breast/ridge')

Unnamed on Tim Robinson's map,

but a lower peak (454m) to the SW

is named Binn Bhreac. 'Maumonght'

is odd as an anglicised form and

does not suggest any Irish version.

It is probably a typo for 'Maumought'.

Twelve Bens Galway L749 539 602 37

Maumonght SW

Top

Binn Bhreac (Ir. Binn Bhreac

[TR], 'speckled

peak')

Twelve Bens Galway L744 534 454 37

Maumthomas

NE Top

Maumthomas is the name of the col

at the head of Glenthomas. The col

is unmarked on OS maps, but is

recorded as Mame Thomaas on

William Bald's map of Co. Mayo

(1830). This peak stands NE of

Maumthomas.

North Mayo Mayo F877 015 440 30

Maumthomas

SW Top

Maumthomas is the name of the col

at the head of Glenthomas. The col

is unmarked on OS maps, but is

recorded as Mame Thomaas on

William Bald's map of Co. Mayo

(1830). This peak stands SW of

Maumthomas.

North Mayo Mayo F870 008 477 30

Maumtrasna;

Formnamore

Mám Trasna (Ir. Mám Trasna

[OSI], 'pass

across')

There are numerous spurs running

off Maumtrasna, such as Knocklaur,

Benwee, Leynabricka, Skeltia and

Buckaun, but few are peaks in their

own right. This area was formerly in

Co. Galway, but is now in Mayo. An

earlier name for Maumtrasna is

Formnamore (Ir. Formna Mór, 'great

shoulder'). Roderic O'Flaherty

mentions in this 1684 as one of the

boundaries of Iarchonnacht or West

Connacht: "It is surrounded on the

east with Loughmeasg [Lough

Mask], the isthmus and river of

Cong, Lough Orbsen [Lough Corrib],

and the river of Galway; on the south

with the bay of Gallway [sic] and the

western ocean; on the west and

north with the same ocean, and with

the mountains of Formna more

further on the north." [O'Flaherty, 7-

Partry/Joyce Country Mayo L961 637 682 38

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

8] That the name Formnamore

corresponds to Maumtrasna is

confirmed by a reference in H. C.

Hart's Climbing in the British Isles

(1895). The name Maumtrasna

originally applies to the pass on the

road between L. Nafooey and L.

Mask, which also gives its name to a

townland in this area. Walks: for a

route around Lough Nadirkmore and

over the shoulder of Buckaun, see

Kevin Corcoran, West of Ireland

Walks, 123-32.

Maumturkmore Binn Bhán (Ir. Binn Bhán

[TR], 'white

peak')

"There is a well in memorie of St.

Fechin at Mam-tuirk (O'Flaherty,

121)." This is the holy well marked

at the col south of this peak. The col

is Mám Toirc, 'pass of the boar', from

which the whole range of mountains

is named.

Maamturks Galway L855 568 488 37

Meenamaddo*

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

It lies on the boundary of the

townlands of Bellanaboy and

Meenamaddo. Any information on

the correct name of this hill would be

welcome.

Ox Mountains Sligo G426 219 330 24

Meenanea Bluestack Mountains Donegal H011 912 435 11

Meenard

Mountain

Mín Ard (Ir. Mín Ard +

Eng. Mountain

[OSM], 'high

mountain

pasture' )

Sperrin Mountains Derry / Tyrone H673 985 620 13

Meenard Mtn W

Top

For origin of

name, see

Meenard

Mountain.

Cloghornagh is a feature lower

down, probably the Irish name for

the County Rock.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H646 983 480 13

Meenteog Muing (Ir. Muing

[SWoI], 'boggy

area with long

grass')

Muing is originally the dative form of

mong (hair; figuratively: thick growth

of grass, fen, morass, swamp), often

used as the nominative. However,

on the Discovery map this peak is

named Meenteog. This could derive

from Mínteog, meaning 'small area

of pasture'. There is a townland

near Barraduff called Meentoges,

seemingly of the same origin.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V638 826 715 78/83

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Mid Hill Antrim Hills Antrim D202 157 440 9

Milane Hill Cnoc an

Mhaoláin

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

an Mhaoláin

[PDT], 'hill of an

Maolán')

Milane is a townland in the parish of

Fanlobbus. An Maolán is given as

the Irish form of the electoral ward of

the same name at logainm.ie. On

the Discovery map this name is

given as An Meallán.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W168 499 355 85/89

Milk Hill Cnoc an

Bhainne

(Ir. Cnoc an

Bhainne

[logainm.ie‡],

'hill of the milk')

The peak has an English translation

of the Irish Cnoc an Bhainne, while

the townland Knockavannia is an

anglicisation of the same name.

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S243 102 451 75

Millstone

Mountain

Of English origin

[PNNI].

Meaning

transparent.

This is an eastern shoulder of Slieve

Donard. There has been

considerable quarrying activity on

Slieve Donard and its neighbours

over the centuries. Walter Harris

records in 1744 that millstones were

cut from stone quarried on Millstone

Mountain (The Antient and Present

State of the County of Down, 125).

Mourne Mountains Down J373 285 460 29

Minaun (or

Menawn)

An Mionnán (Ir. An Mionnán

[www.achillisland

hotel.com], 'the

pinnacle')

The cliffs of Minaun are spectacular

when viewed from Keel. They offer

a popular launch site for hang-

gliding. The summit is a magnificent

viewpoint, giving a surprisingly broad

view of all of Achill and much of

West Mayo, considering its moderate

height. For a walk to the TV mast on

Minaun, see Siúlóidí Acla, walk K.

The summit is a little further on.

Sometimes spelt Menawn.

Achill/Corraun Mayo F661 019 466 30

Miskish

Mountain

Mioscais (Ir. Mioscais

[T6000], 'spite or

malice')

Slieve Miskish Cork V643 479 386 84

Mizen Peak

Mizen Head is Carn Uí Néid in Irish.

Mizen/Sheeps Head Cork V745 247 232 88

Moanbane Móin Bhán (Ir. Móin Bhán

[PNCW], 'white

bog')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O034 068 703 56

Moanlaur Móin Láir (Ir. Móin Láir

[TCCD], 'middle

bog')

This is the highest of a number of

peaks on a ridge stretching NE from

Inch.

Slieve Mish Kerry Q690 045 566 71

Monabrack Móin Bhreac (prob. Ir. Móin

Bhreac [PDT],

On the Discovery map the name

Monabrack does not appear. The

name Carrigeen Mountain is in

Galty Mountains Limerick R859 219 629 74

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'speckled moor')

roughly the same position but this is

a townland name (i.e. the mountain

pasture belonging to Carrigeen

townland).

Moneyoran Hill Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C793 075 414 8

Moneyteige

North*

Moneyteige North is a townland in

the parish of Ballintemple. Any

information on the correct name of

this peak would be very welcome.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T147 759 427 62

Mongorry Hill Cnoc Mhóin

Ghofraidh

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

Mhóin Ghofraidh

[PDT], 'hill of

Móin Ghofraidh')

Mongorry is a townland in Raphoe

parish. The Irish form of this name is

Móin Ghofraidh [logainm.ie],

meaning ‘Gofraidh's bog’.

Inishowen Donegal C243 050 284 6

Mothaillín (Ir.) Mothaillín (Ir. Mothaillín

[OSI - 1:25,000],

'little tufted hill')

This peak is at the eastern end of

the ridge separating the Owenreagh

Valley and the Black Valley /

Cummeenduff.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V852 805 506 78

Mouldy Hill Inishowen Donegal C354 289 312 2/7

Mount Alto Cnoc Ruairí (Ir. Cnoc Ruairí

[CF#], 'Rory's

hill')

The name Mount Alto is quite recent

and it seems likely that it was given

by the Tighe family, local landowners

whose residence was at Woodstock

House near Inistioge, at the foot of

the hill. Máire MacNeill (234)

suggests that Sceachánach is likely

to have been an earlier name for this

hill. This name is interpreted as

'abounding in whitethorns' by

Eoghan Ó Ceallaigh [CF, 31],

although he makes no link with

Mount Alto.

South Midlands Kilkenny S630 350 276 68/76

Mount Eagle Sliabh an Iolair (Ir. Sliabh an

Iolair [OSI],

'mountain of the

eagle')

Mount Eagle is the final up-thrust of

the Dingle Peninsula, its seaward

flanks descending steeply to Slea

Head and Dunmore Head (the most

westerly point of the Irish mainland),

but the islands of the Great Blasket,

Inishnabro and Inishvickillane are the

partly submerged continuation of the

same mountain range. Mount Eagle

Lough nestles high in a hollow on

the eastern flank. Along the

southern slopes in the townlands of

Fahan and Glenfahan are the

promontory fort of Dunbeg and the

Dingle West Kerry V334 989 516 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

remains of a monastic settlement

consisting of beehive huts. By

comparison, the featureless summit

holds little interest except for the

spectacular view of West Kerry's

Atlantic coast. The mountain is

mentioned, along with Slieve Mish,

the Reeks and Brandon, in one

verse of a lament by Piaras Féiritéar:

"Ar Shliabh Mis níor chis an mór-

ghol, 's ar Shliabh Fionnaghlan

Fiolair na Feola, Ar Chruachaibh na

Tuatha do thóscuin, 's ar Chnoc

Bréanainn bréid-gheal bómhar."

Mount Eagle;

Croaghane

Sliabh an Iolair (Ir. Sliabh an

Iolair

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of the

eagle')

The name Sliabh an Iolair is

recorded as the official Irish name of

an electoral division. The hill is also

known as Croaghane [OSNB].

W Limerick / N Kerry Kerry R093 103 431 72

Mount Eagle

Mount Eagle may be a translation of

Ir. Sliabh an Iolair, as is the case with

the mountain of the same name in

West Kerry. However, no Irish form

has been found to support this.

North Mayo Mayo G004 044 427 31

Mount Gabriel Cnoc Osta (Ir. Cnoc Osta

[logainm.ie],

poss. 'hill of the

encampment')

Mount Gabriel was an important

source of copper in the Early Bronze

Age, with more than 30 mines

having been found on its southern

slopes, consisting of small tunnels

dug into the mountainside. These

are remarkably well preserved since

they were mostly covered over by

massive bog growth, leaving them

untouched since the miners of the

Early Bronze Age abandoned them

[Daphne Pochin Mould, Discovering

Cork]. The area was excavated in

1985 by William O'Brien, who judges

that the mining was on such a large

scale that it cannot have been

merely for use in Ireland, but rather

that the copper was mainly exported

to Europe. The Irish name of the hill

recorded by Bruno O'Donoghue in

his Parish Histories and Placenames

of West Cork is Cnoc Fhosta, 'hill of

the encampment'.

Mizen/Sheeps Head Cork V931 348 407 88

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Mount Hillary Mullach Allaíre (Ir. Mullach

Allaíre

[logainm.ie],

'summit of the

echo')

Mount Hillary is both a hill and a

townland. There is no connection

with the forename Hilary or any

similar surname. The Irish form of

the townland name is Mullach Allaíre

according to logainm.ie, meaning

'summit of the partial deafness or

echo' . Michael Bowman gives a

different origin: "Locally called Cnoc

an Fhiolair – Hill of the Eagle. This

is a great range of mountains

extending east and west through the

parishes of Clonmeen and

Kilshannig." (Place Names and

Antiquities of the Barony of

Duhallow, 296) It is possible that this

is a re-interpretation due to the

influence of numerous Irish place-

names referring to eagles, including

the nearby townlands of Nadanuller

More and Nadanuller Beg, from Ir.

Nead an Iolair, 'nest of the eagle'.

Boggeragh

Mountains

Cork W425 956 391 80

Mount Leinster Stua Laighean (Ir. Stua

Laighean [OSI],

'prince or warrior

of Leinster')

Mount Leinster is not the highest

peak in the province of Leinster.

That distinction belongs to

Lugnaquillia, but Mount Leinster is

the highest outside Wicklow. Due to

the transmitter mast, there is a road

to the top. There is also a

substantial cairn on summit. On the

saddle connecting to Slievebawn is a

stone alignment called the Nine

Stones (though there are actually

ten).

Blackstairs

Mountains

Carlow /

Wexford

S827 525 795 68

Mount Leinster

East Top

For origin of

name, see

Mount Leinster.

Blackstairs

Mountains

Wexford S844 528 654 68

Mount Oriel Sliabh Collann (poss. Ir. Sliabh

Collann [PDT],

'mountain of the

height')

Mount Oriel is located above the

village of Collon (collann, 'height').

In the Book of Ballymote (late 14th

century), its name is given as Sliabh

Collain or Sliabh Leitreach, the latter

meaning 'mountain of the wet slope'.

It is the highest point in a range of

hills on the Louth/Meath border

which was anciently called Sliabh

Breagha. Those peaks on the Louth

side of the border are known in

East Coast Louth N980 834 251 36

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

English as the Ferrard Hills, from the

name of the local barony. Oriel is a

very ancient name denoting a

population group, the Airghialla,

whose territory extended at its height

all the way from North Louth to the

vicinity of Derry in a diagonal band

across Ulster. However, it was later

much reduced and the name Oriel

came to be used as a by-name for

Co. Louth. The application of the

English name Mount Oriel to this hill

seems even more modern. It may

be linked to the title of Baron Oriel of

Ferrard, granted to John Foster,

whose residence was at Collon, in

1821.

Moylenanav Maol na nDamh (prob. Ir. Maol na

nDamh [PDT],

'bald hill of the

oxen/stags')

There is another hill of the same

name in SW Donegal near the

Glengesh Pass, but there it is

anglicised Mulnanaff.

Donegal NW Donegal B955 133 539 1

Moylussa

Two tops of same height, the second

at R651755. This is the highest

point in Co. Clare.

Shannon Clare R648 759 532 58

Muckanaght Meacanacht (prob. Ir.

Muiceanach

[PDT] or

Meacanacht

[TR], 'hill like a

pig's back')

There are several other place-names

with Muiceanach (pig-like) in

Connemara (Muiceanach Choille

and Muiceanach Idir Dhá Sháile).

This element is found mainly in

Connacht and refers to a hill or ridge

shaped like a pig's back.

Twelve Bens Galway L767 541 654 37

Muckish An Mhucais (Ir. An Mhucais

[DUPN], 'the pig

back/ridge')

So named from a fancied

resemblance according to Joyce.

The mountain does indeed have the

shape of a pig's back, with a curve

before a steep downward drop on

the S side. A quarry on the N side of

the mountain was used to extract

high-grade quartz sand for optical

glass. Named Muckish Mountain on

the OSI Discovery Map.

Donegal NW Donegal C004 287 666 2

Mullach Glas (Ir.) Mullach Glas (Ir. Mullach Glas

[TR], 'grey/green

summit')

Mullach Glas is the middle peak in a

group of three 600m peaks at the SE

end of the Maamturk Mountains.

Sometimes called Shannagirah.

Maamturks Galway L937 493 622 45

Mullacor Mullach Mhór (Ir. Mullach Mór

The séimhiú of mhór is odd, since

mullach is usually masculine and so

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T093 939 657 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

[PNCW#], 'big

summit')

one would expect 'Mullach Mór'.

Price recorded the pronunciation

'Mullawore'. Theoretically, it could

be Mullach Corr. However, in

addition to the difficulty of explaining

the cited pronunciation, corr as an

adjective in place-names usually

means 'pointed' rather than 'round',

which would certainly not be

appropriate for the dome of Mullacor.

Mullaghanattin Mullach an

Aitinn

(Ir. Mullach an

Aitinn [OSI],

'summit of the

gorse')

Dubbed "the Matterhorn of Kerry" by

Richard Mersey, Mullaghanattin

stands proud above Ballaghbeama

(Ir. Bealach Béime, 'way/pass of the

notch'. Together with its neighbour

Beann and their satellites, it forms a

horseshoe ridge that confines a

narrow glen known as the Pocket.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V739 773 773 78

Mullaghaneany Mullach an

Ionaidh

(Ir. poss. Mullach

an Ionaidh

[DUPN‡],

'summit of the

wonder')

The OS Memoirs give two local

versions of the name but state that

the meaning is not understood.

Sperrin Mountains Derry / Tyrone H686 986 627 13

Mullaghanish Mullach an Ois (Ir. Mullach an

Ois [OSI],

'summit of the

deer')

Ir. os is a literary word for deer. The

name Oisín means 'little deer', 'fawn',

as Oisín's mother Sadhbh (Sive)

came to Fionn in the form of a doe.

There is another Mullach an Ois

(anglicised Mullaghanuish) in the W

Limerick / N Kerry.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Cork / Kerry W215 818 649 79

Mullaghanoe Mullach an Ó (Ir. Mullach an Ó

[logainm.ie],

'summit of the

mass or lump')

The word ó as a hill-name element is

also found in Gleann Ó/Glenoe, Co.

Antrim, and in Ó Cualann/Great

Sugarloaf, Co. Wicklow.

North Midlands Mayo M524 990 234 32

Mullaghareirk Mullach an

Radhairc

(Ir. Mullach an

Radhairc

[logainm.ie],

'summit of the

view')

This peak, located between

Rockchapel and Broadford, has the

same name as the range in which it

stands.

W Limerick / N Kerry Cork R260 198 414 72

Mullaghash Mullach Aise (prob. Ir. Mullach

Aise [PDT],

'summit of the

ridge')

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

C641 020 480 7

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Mullaghasturrak

een

Mullach an

Starraicín

(prob. Ir. Mullach

an Starraicín

[PDT], 'summit

of the steeple')

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H548 950 581 13

Mullaghbane Mullach Bán (prob. Ir. Mullach

Bán [PDT],

'white summit')

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H658 930 467 13

Mullaghbeg Mullach Bog (Ir. Mullach Bog

[TH], 'soft

summit')

This hill is in the delightfully named

townland of Inchfarrannagleragh

Glebe.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V559 637 509 83/84

Mullaghbolig

Named as Mulloghbollgee in the Civil

Survey of 1654-56.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H569 894 442 13

Mullaghcarbatag

Mullach

Carbadach

(prob. Ir. Mullach

Carbadach

[PDT], 'boulder-

strewn summit')

Referred to as Sliabh cCarbatach in

the Annals of the Four Masters

(entry for 1567 AD). The element

carb/carbad is found in a number of

Irish place-names. Although carpat

can mean a chariot in Old Irish,

many of the places in question have

boulders and this seems more likely

to be the sense of such place-names

in mountain areas.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H517 948 517 13

Mullaghcarn Mullach Cairn (Ir. Mullach Cairn

[DUPN], 'summit

of the cairn')

"No cairn now remaining, but the top

of the hill is stony" (OS Memoirs).

Cairn Sunday is the last Sunday in

July, and the old tradition of climbing

Mullaghcarn on this day has recently

been revived.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H510 810 542 13

Mullaghcleevaun Mullach

Cliabháin

(Ir. Mullach

Cliabháin

[logainm.ie],

'summit of the

cradle/basket')

Joyce says it is named after a

cradle-like depression near the top,

presumably the one occupied by

Cleevaun Lough.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O068 070 849 56

Mullaghcleevaun

East Top

For origin of

name, see

Mullaghcleevaun

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O082 067 790 56

Mullaghclogha Mullach Clocha (prob. Ir. Mullach

Clocha [PDT],

'summit of

stones')

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H556 958 635 13

Mullaghclogher Mullach Clochair (prob. Ir. Mullach Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H530 949 572 13

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Clochair [PDT],

'summit of the

stony patch')

Mullaghcroy Mullach Crua (Ir. Mullach Crua

[OSNB#], 'hard

summit ' )

Forster's Mountain is an area on the

northern shoulder of Mullaghcroy.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H330 819 242 12

Mullaghmeen Mullach Mín (Ir. Mullach Mín

[logainm.ie],

'smooth summit')

Mullaghmeen is the highest point in

Co. Westmeath but, at 261m, it has

the distinction of being the lowest of

all the county tops in Ireland. A walk

to its summit is described in Paul

Clements' book The Height of

Nonsense (147-53). The hill also

gives name to the townland (par.

Foyran) in which it is located.

North Midlands Westmeath N469 793 258 41

Mullaghmesha Mullach Méise (Ir. Mullach

Méise

[logainm.ie],

'summit of the

altar')

The word mias (gen. méise) has a

range of meanings including board,

table, altar and dish. P.W. Joyce

relates this name to a landscape

feature, interpreting it as 'summit of

the dish or dish-like hollow' (Irish

Names of Places ii, p. 196). Bruno

O'Donoghue prefers 'height of the

altar stone or table', which may refer

to a dolmen or other archaeological

site.

Shehy/Knockboy Kerry W091 514 494 85

Mullaghmore Mullach Mór (Ir. Mullach Mór

[PNNI], 'big

summit')

Sperrin Mountains Derry C739 008 550 8

Mullaghnarakill (prob. Ir. Mullach

na ? [PDT] ,

'summit of the

[obscure

element]')

The sharp ridge which climbs to

Mullaghnarakill between

Coomaglaslaw and Coomnacronia

provides one of the most challenging

walks in the Glenbeigh Horseshoe

area. The lower part of this ridge is

known locally as Drom an Bháid or

Bottom of the Boat, from its

resemblance to an upturned keel.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V601 850 665 78/83

Mullaghsallagh Mullach Saileach (prob. Ir. Mullach

Saileach [PDT],

'summit of

willows')

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H694 954 485 13

Mullaghturk Mullach Torc (Ir. Mullach Torc

[NIPNP replies],

Sperrin Mountains Derry / Tyrone H670 892 416 13

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'summit of boar')

Mullaleam Mullach Léim (prob. Ir. Mullach

Léim [PDT],

'summit of the

leap')

This peak overlooks Florencecourt.

Mullalemcarke may well be an

anglicisation of an earlier and fuller

name for this peak. This name

appears on the Calendar of Patent

Rolls of James I in 1613 among a list

of mountain areas in Cos. Tyrone,

Monaghan and Fermanagh granted

by the King to John Sandford. The

final element may be a form of Ir.

cearc, 'hen'.

Breifne Fermanagh H152 319 424 26

Mulmosog

Mountain

Maol Mosóg (Ir. Maol Mosóg

[OSI], 'bald hill of

saturated

ground')

Mulmosog, alias Altnagapple, is a

townland in Inishkeel parish, barony

of Banagh. The element mosóg also

occurs in Mullaghmossog Glebe, a

townland in Clonfeacle parish, Co.

Tyrone. Kay Muhr explains mosóg

as "a variant of maosóg, derived

from maoth 'moist, soft.'”

Donegal SW Donegal G741 867 351 10

Mulnanaff Maol na nDamh (Ir. Maol na

nDamh [OSI],

'bald hill of the

stags')

Donegal SW Donegal G677 827 475 10

Murren Hill Cnoc na Boirne (Ir. Cnoc na

Boirne [OSI], 'hill

of the rocky

district' or 'hill of

An Mhoirinn')

The highest hill on Fanad N of

Knockalla. The name of the hill

appears to be connected with the

townland of An Mhoirinn/Murren in

Clondavaddog parish. The initial B-

of the genitive may seem

anomolous, given that the

nominative has M-, but these are the

forms which have been collected

locally. "OWEN: You know that old

limekiln beyond Con Connie Tim's

pub, the place we call the Murren? –

do you know why it's called the

Murren? (MANUS does not answer.)

I've only just discovered. It's a

corruption of Saint Muranus. It

seems Saint Muranus had a

monastery somewhere about there

at the beginning of the seventh

century. And over the years the

name became shortened to the

Murren. Very unattractive name,

isn't it? I think we should go back to

Donegal NW Donegal C215 424 227 2

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

the original – Saint Muranus. What

do you think? The original's Saint

Muranus. Don't you think we should

go back to that? (No response.

OWEN begins writing the name into

the Name-Book.)" (Brian Friel,

Translations, Faber & Faber, 1981)

Musherabeg Muisire Beag (Ir. Muisire Beag

[OSI], 'little

(mountain) of the

Múscraige')

See Musheramore for more on the

origin of this name. There is a

remarkable concentration of

megalithic monuments around

Mushera. One of the best known

sites is the stone circle and cairn at

Knocknakilla on the slopes of

Musherabeg.

Boggeragh

Mountains

Cork W309 838 497 79

Musheramore Muisire Mór (Ir. Muisire Mór

[OSI], 'great

(mountain) of the

Múscraige')

Dinneen gives a longer, more poetic

name for this mountain: Muisire na

Móna Móire, 'Muisire of the great

bog'. Móin Mhór was the old name

for a chain of hills including the

Boggeragh Mountains and Nagles

Mountains. The element muisire

does not appear elsewhere in Irish

place-names. Judging by the late

16th century forms from maps, e.g.

Knock Muskery, it appears to be

connected with the Múscraige, who

gave their name to the barony of

Muskerry. It is on the NE edge of the

ancient territory of this people. "

Mushera has two holy wells: one at

the summit for sick animals and one

on its northern slopes [St. John's

Well] for humans, at which mass is

celebrated at midsumer" (Daphne

Pochin Mould, 'Discovering Cork',

p.22).

Boggeragh

Mountains

Cork W329 850 644 79

Muskeagh Hill

Has been called Tinahely Hill.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T011 730 397 62

Mweelin Maoileann (Ir. Maoileann

[logainm.ie],

'rounded hill')

This peak is south of the Coom on

the Kilgarvan-Ballyvourney road.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W129 717 487 79

Mweelrea Maol Réidh (Ir. Cnoc Maol

Réidh [GE], 'bald

hill with the

smooth top')

Mweelrea is the highest mountain in

Connacht.

Mweelrea Mountains Mayo L789 668 814 37

Mweelrea SE For origin of

This peak itself has no name on the

Mweelrea Mountains Mayo L796 654 495 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Spur name, see

Mweelrea.

Discovery map. However, a spot

slightly to the west is named

Tawnagradia on the OS 6 inch map.

Breandán S. Mac Aodha suggests

Tamhnach na gCreathaidí, 'green

field of the small seed potatoes' as a

possible interpretation (MNIMA,

147). If correct, this would be a

graphic illustration of the desperate

farming conditions here in the past,

given the altitude, remote location

and rugged terrain.

Nareera* Caha Mountains Cork V855 532 530 85

Naweeloge Top*

This peak is unnamed on the

Discovery map. It is near Lough

Naweeloge and is on an eastern arm

of the Ben Scardaun / Lackagh

Mountain massif. Any information on

its correct name would be welcome.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G998 338 441 26

Nephin Néifinn (Ir. Néifinn [OSI],

poss. 'sanctuary'

[PDT])

Nephin is a problematic name and

few sources venture an

interpretation. It is mentioned as one

of the twelve great mountains of

Ireland in Cath Maige Tuired (The

Second Battle of Moyturra), where it

is called Nemthenn. This is

suggestive of nemeton, a Gaulish

term for "a sacred clearing in a wood

or sacred grove. The word recurs

throughout the Celtic world, from the

Galatian Drunemeton ('sacred oak-

grove' in modern Turkey) to

Nemetobriga in Spain and Aquae

Arnemetiae, the sacred spring at

Buxton in Derbyshire. The Old Irish

fidnemed refers to a shrine in a

forest." [Barry Cunliffe, The Ancient

Celts]. There seem to be no

survivals of traditions connected

directly with Nephin to confirm this.

However, Nephin's much lower

neighbour Tristia (322m, 4km to the

NW) was the site of Lughnasa

celebrations until recent times [Máire

MacNeill]. Glen Nephin is the only

example of an Irish glen (apparently)

named after the mountain

overlooking it. Walks: for a route to

North Mayo Mayo G103 079 806 23/31

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

the summit from the E, see Whilde &

Simms, New Irish Walk Guide - West

and North, 69.

Nephin Beg Néifinn Bheag (Ir. Néifinn

Bheag [OSI],

poss. 'little

sanctuary'

[PDT])

Oddly, Nephin Beg is some distance

from Nephin and there are other

intervening mountains between

them. Why it is so named is,

therefore, something of a mystery,

unless it too was a sanctuary. For

origin of name, see Nephin. Walks:

for a route to the summit from the

SE, see Whilde & Simms, New Irish

Walk Guide - West and North, 71.

North Mayo Mayo F932 102 627 23

Nephin Beg S

Top

For origin of

name, see

Nephin Beg.

North Mayo Mayo F935 082 410 31

Nowen Hill Cnoc na

nAbhann

(Ir. Cnoc na

nAbhann [OSI],

'hill of the rivers')

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W141 529 535 85

Nowen Hill Far

W Top

For origin of

name, see

Nowen Hill.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W112 518 402 85

Nowen Hill SW

Top

For origin of

name, see

Nowen Hill.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W128 520 509 85

Ott Mountain Ucht (Ir. Ucht [PNNI],

'mountain-

breast')

This peak overlooks the top of the

mountain road between Fofanny

Dam and Attical. Ucht literally

means 'breast', and applied to

landscape it can translated as

'mountain-breast' or 'flank'. It is

frequently found with mám, 'pass',

e.g. Ucht Máma in Co. Clare or Mám

Uchta in Co. Galway. It is possible in

the name in question that ucht

applies to the flank of mountain

crossed by the road (or an earlier

track) at its highest point. The top of

Ott Mountain is only half a mile from

this section of the road.

Mourne Mountains Down J238269 524 29

Oughtmore Ucht Mór (prob. Ir. Ucht

Mór [PDT], 'big

mountain-

breast')

Sperrin Mountains Derry / Tyrone H700 975 569 13

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Oughtmore Ucht Mór (prob. Ir. Ucht

Mór [PDT], 'big

mountain-

breast')

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H724 837 382 13

Owenreagh Hill Cnoc na

hAbhann

Riabhaí

(poss. Ir. Cnoc

na hAbhann

Riabhaí [CUT‡],

'hill of An

Abhainn

Riabhach')

Owenreagh is from Ir. Abhainn

Riabhach, 'grey river'. The name

refers to a river and also a townland.

Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H420 959 400 12

Peakeen

Mountain

Péicín (prob. Ir. Péicín

[PDT], 'boundary

marker')

Oddly there is no Irish given on the

Discovery map for this name,

although two other peaks are named

Péicín, possibly erroneously. Also

known as Kilcurrane.

Mangerton Kerry V903 765 555 78

Peakeen

Mountain West

Top

For origin of

name, see

Peakeen

Mountain.

Mangerton Kerry V890 765 541 78

Pierasmore Piaras Mór (Ir. Piaras Mór

[OSI], 'big

[obscure

element]')

This name is interpreted as 'big

Pierce' in the Ordnance Survey

Name Book. However, An Seabhac

reports that in his time, nearly a

century later, nobody in the locality

had an explanation for the name but

they did not think it was related to

the personal name Piaras. There is

a lower peak to the N called Piaras

Beag. On the saddle between

Piaras Mór and Masatiompan is an

ogham stone bearing an inscription

which translates as: Ronan, the

priest son of Camogann. There is a

chi-ro monogram (representing

'Christ') above it and a Greek cross

in a circle on the other side

(Barrington, Discovering Kerry, 180).

Brandon Group Kerry Q464 136 748 70

Pigeon Rock

Mountain

Droim Lao (Ir. Droim Lao

[PNNI], 'ridge of

the calf')

There are two spots marked with the

height 534m. The grid reference

given here relates to the northern

one. The Irish and English names

are unrelated. Pigeon Rock is a crag

overlooking the road from Kilkeel to

Hilltown. The Irish name is also

preserved in Drumlea Stream, which

Mourne Mountains Down J261 250 534 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

flows NE down to Spelga Dam.

Pollnalaght;

Pigeon Top

Poll na Leacht (Ir. Poll na

Leacht [ET],

'pool of the

burial mounds')

The element poll, which seems

unusual for a hill name, is explained

by the fact that there is a pool

virtually on the summit. A surprising

number of streams rise on the

slopes of this hill. No graves are

evident to explain the element

leacht. Also known as Pigeon Top.

S Donegal/W Tyrone Tyrone H371 708 293 12

Preban Hill

Preban is a townland in the parish of

the same name. Has been called

Ballymanus Hill.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T086 791 389 62

Prince William's

Seat

Apparently named after William, son

of George IV, after a royal visit in

1821. This begs the question: "What

was it called before that?" There

must have been a native Irish name.

Unfortunately Price provides no

answer to this in PNCW. On the

map of Wicklow contained in

Wright's A Guide to the County of

Wicklow (1827) this area is named

Commons B.nulty, i.e. Commons of

Ballynulty, which is a sub-division of

the townland of Annacrivey. Since

Prince William's Seat and

Knocknagun they are only separated

by a small saddle, it is possible that

the name Knocknagun was applied

to both peaks, but this is only

conjecture.

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin /

Wicklow

O177 182 555 56

Puffin Island Oileán na

gCánóg

(Ir. Oileán na

gCánóg

[logainm.ie],

'island of the

puffins')

Iveragh NW Kerry V339 677 159 83

Purple Mountain An Sliabh Corcra This is almost

certainly a name

coined in

English.

In his Topographical Dictionary of

Ireland of 1837, Samuel Lewis

reports that Purple Mountain is ‘so

called from the colour of the shivered

slate on its surface.’ The Irish

version looks like a back-translation

from the English by OSI.

References to Tomish or Toomish

Mountain (i.e. Tomies) in "The

Ancient and Present State of the

County of Kerry" (1756) by Charles

Purple Mtn Kerry V887 852 832 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Smith make it clear that this name

applied to the whole of what is now

known as Purple Mountain. A

number of 19th century sources

confirm this, and this explains why

Purple Mountain is not marked on

the 6" map, though Tomies and

Shehy Mountain are.

Purple Mountain

NE Top

For origin of

name, see

Purple Mountain.

Purple Mtn Kerry V894 858 757 78

Raghtin More Reachtain Mhór (Ir. Reachtain

Mhór [OSI], 'big

[obscure

element]')

This mountain has a megalithic cairn

and circles at the summit [The

Heritage of Inishowen, Mabel R.

Colhoun]. It is known as Raghtin on

the Buncrana side and as Coing

(meaning 'roof beam') on the Urris

side.

Inishowen Donegal C339 455 502 2/3

Reenconnell Rinn Chonaill (Ir. Rinn Chonaill

[An tOrdú

Logainmneacha

(Ceantair

Ghaeltachta)

2008], 'Conall's

point')

Dingle West Kerry Q413 068 274 70

Ridge of Capard

Capard is a townland in the parish of

Rosenallis. A lower peak on the

same ridge has the unusual name of

Antonian.

Slieve Bloom Laois N342 045 483 54

Rinavore Roighne Mhór (Ir. Roighne

Mhór [TR], 'big

excellent

portion')

Tim Robinson suggests roighne is

righin, 'tough or stubborn', (TR, 103)

but it seems more likely that it is

simply roighne, 'the best part',

perhaps a praise-name for an old

land division rather than the hill itself.

Partry/Joyce Country Galway L916 585 426 37

Ring Hill Shannon Tipperary R966 542 426 66

Rocky Mountain PNNI suggests

that this name

may have been

coined in

English.

There are two other peaks of this

name in the Mourne Mountains, and

the Irish form Sliabh na gCloch,

'mountain of the stones', is attested

for both.

Mourne Mountains Down J351 252 524 29

Rocky Mountain Sliabh na gCloch (Ir. Sliabh na

gCloch [PNNI],

There are three instances of the

name Rocky Mountain in the

Mournes. This one is the neighbour

Mourne Mountains Down J234 258 404 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'mountain of the

stones/rocks')

of Hen Mountain and Cock Mountain

near Hilltown. The summit is less

obviously rocky than that of

neighbouring Tornamrock, but the

northern and western slopes justify

the name.

Saggart Hill Cnoc Theach

Sagard

(Ir. Cnoc Theach

Sagard [OSI],

'hill of Teach

Sagard or

Saggart')

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin O018 228 395 50

Saggartnadooish Sagart na

Dubhaise

(Ir. Sagart na

Dubhaise

[DUPN],

'chaplain/attenda

nt of Dooish')

This is a subsidiary peak of Dooish

and the name is based on this peak

being viewed as an attendant to its

higher master.

Donegal NW Donegal B991 217 501 6

Saggartnadooish

E Top

For origin of

name, see

Saggartnadooish

Donegal NW Donegal C000 216 470 6

Sallagh Caora Bhán (Ir. Caora Bhán

[TH], 'white

sheep')

The name Sallagh is recorded in

Toponomia Hiberniae by Breandán Ó

Cíobháin.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V705 747 570 78

Sawel Samhail Phite

Méabha

(Ir. 'Samhail

Phite Méabha'

[DUPN],

'resemblance of

Maeve’s vulva')

This rather colourful name seems to

derive from the appearance of the

glen on the S side of Sawel. Named

Sawel Mountain on the OSNI

Discoverer Map.

Sperrin Mountains Derry / Tyrone H618 973 678 13

Scalp Mountain An Scailp (Ir. An Scailp

[ÉT], 'the cleft' or

'rock shelter')

Inishowen Donegal C406 272 484 7

Scarr Scor (Ir. Sceir or Scor

[PNCW], 'sharp

rock')

Formerly known as Knockree,

according to Price.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O133 018 641 56

Scarriff Island An Scairbh (Ir. An Scairbh

[logainm.ie],

poss. 'rough

place')

Why Scarriff is so named is

something of a mystery, as it is quite

some distance from the mainland in

deep water. One possible solution is

to interpret the name as Ir. garbh,

'rough', with a prosthetic s-, as

happens with many other words,

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V444 552 252 84

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

such as teach and creag.

Scraigs An Screig Mhór (Ir. An Screig

Mhór

[logainm.ie], 'the

big crag')

This peak near Fintown is located in

an angle between Lough Muck and

Lough Finn.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal B934 014 426 11

Seahan Suíochán (Ir. Suíochán

[PWJ#], 'seat' )

Seahan has two megalithic cairns on

its summit. Liam Price noted that

Seahan appears on the Down

Survey maps as "Seavick na

bantree" and rightly interpreted this

as Ir. Suidhe Mhic na Baintrighe,

'seat of the widow's son'. However,

he believed that the story behind the

name would never be understood:

"This curious name must have some

reference to old traditions about the

ancient burial cairns which crown the

top of this mountain. All such

traditions about this place have long

ago disappeared ("The Antiquities

and Place Names of South County

Dublin", Dublin Historical Record,

vol. ii, no. 4, 121-33)." While the

precise story may never be

recovered, it should be noted that

Mac na Baintrí, the widow's son, is a

common figure in Irish folktales

whose characteristics are eternal

persistence and ingenuity in the face

of adversity.

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin O081 197 648 56

Seefin Suí Finn (prob. Ir. Suí

Finn [PDT],

'Fionn's seat')

There are no less than ten ranges

with a peak or summit cairn called

Suí Finn listed at Mountain Views.

This is testimony to the popularity of

the Fionn Cycle of tales throughout

Ireland.

Boggeragh

Mountains

Cork W359 865 491 79

Seefin Suí Finn (prob. Ir. Suí

Finn [PDT],

'Fionn's seat')

Mizen/Sheeps Head Cork V824 397 345 88

Seefin Suí Finn (prob. Ir. Suí

Finn [PDT],

'Fionn's seat')

The monument at the summit is

known as Leacht. See Máire

MacNeill, 'The Festival of Lughnasa'

(pp. 213-14) for details of the festive

assembly (known as 'going up to

Leacht') which took place on Seefin

in mid-July.

Nagles Mountains Cork W679 943 424 80

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Seefin Suí Finn (prob. Ir. Suí

Finn [PDT],

'Fionn's seat')

This peak dominates the village of

Glenbeigh. The Kerry Way makes a

complete loop around Seefin.

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V688 900 493 78

Seefin Suí Finn (Ir. Suí Finn

[OSI], 'Fionn's

seat')

Galty Mountains Tipperary R890 197 447 74

Seefin Suí Finn (Ir. Mullach Suí

Finn [LL] ,

'summit of

Fionn’s seat')

Comeragh

Mountains

Waterford S274 068 726 75

Seefin Suí Finn (Ir. Suí Finn

[PNCW#],

'Fionn’s seat')

There is an impressive megalithic

cairn on Seefin. It is still possible to

enter it, although the roof has

collapsed at the centre.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O074 162 621 56

Seefin E Top For origin of

name, see

Seefin.

Boggeragh

Mountains

Cork W375 864 491 79

Seefin Mountain

W Top

Suí Finn (prob. Ir. Suí

Finn [PDT],

'Fionn's seat')

The association with Fionn Mac

Cumhaill is reinforced by the fact

that Seefin Mountain overlooks a

valley named after his son:

Glenosheen (Ir. Gleann Oisín, 'valley

of Oisín').

Ballyhoura

Mountains

Limerick R644 181 528 73

Seefin Mountain

E Top

Suí Finn (prob. Ir. Suí

Finn [PDT],

'Fionn's seat')

Although this peak is lower than the

W top, this is the true Suí Finn, as

evidenced by the two ancient cairns

on the summit. The association with

Fionn Mac Cumhaill is reinforced by

the fact that Seefin Mountain

overlooks a valley named after his

son: Glenosheen (Ir. Gleann Oisín,

'valley of Oisín'). Long Mountain is a

spur to the S.

Ballyhoura

Mountains

Limerick R653 179 510 73

Seefin N Top For origin of

name, see

Seefin.

Galty Mountains Tipperary R888 206 444 74

Seefingan Suí Fingain (Ir. Suí Fingain

[OSNB#],

'Fingan's seat')

Seefingan, like Seefin and Seahan,

has a large megalithic cairn on its

summit.

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin /

Wicklow

O086 169 724 56

Seltannasaggart;

Corrie/Corry

Mountain

Sailtean na

Sagart

(Ir. Sailtean na

Sagart [PWJ],

'willow-plantation

The summit plateau bears the scars

of industrial activity and a substantial

quarry is in operation. A point on the

SE slopes of this summit is the

Arigna Mountains Leitrim G901 202 428 26

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

of the priests')

highest point in Co. Roscommon

(412m). Note, however, that the

summit is in Co. Leitrim.

Seltannasaggart or Corry Mountain

is also the name of a townland in the

parish of Inishmagrath. Corry

appears to be from Ir. corrach,

'marsh or moor'.

Seltannasaggart

SE Slope

For origin of

name see

Seltannasaggart

This point is included because it is

the highest point in Roscommon.

Arigna Mountains Leitrim/

Roscommon

G903 196 412 26

Seskin An Seisceann (prob. Ir. An

Seisceann

[PDT], 'the

marsh')

Dublin/Wicklow Carl/Wick S960 728 344 62

Shaking Rock

The name refers to a delicately

balanced boulder which is near the

summit of this peak.

Mangerton Kerry V928 793 402 78

Shanlieve Seanshliabh (Ir. Seanshliabh

[PNNI], 'old

mountain')

"What is meant by 'old mountain'?",

one may ask. Names of this type

usually refer to the fact that a place

was cleared for agricultural

exploitation at an early date and

acquired their name when activity

shifted to a new area.

Mourne Mountains Down J240 227 626 29

Shannavara Seanadh Bhéara (Ir. Seanadh

Bhéara

[logainm.ie],

'slope of Béara')

On Tim Robinson's map of

Connemara, Seanadh Bhéara

(Shannavara) only appears as a

townland name. This hill is named

Cnoc Úraid. A legend predicts that

"Cnoc Úraid / Oorid Hill will be the

site of the last battle for Christianity."

[TR]

South Connemara Galway L933 438 358 45

Shehy More An tSeithe Mhór (Ir. An tSeithe

Mhór [OSI],

poss. 'the big

hide')

There are several places in Ireland

whose names include the word

Seithe or Seiche, apparently

meaning 'an animal hide'. It is

something of a mystery why places

should be so named. There is no

connection with the English land

unit, a hide, as this has a quite

different origin from the word for a

skin. One possibility is that there

may be a connection with stories of

the sale of a tiny plot of land

corresponding to the area that could

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W152 600 546 85

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

covered by a hide. A late medieval

tale tells of a trickster who cut an ox-

hide into very thin strips and so

enclosed a vast area of land. A

variant of this tale explains how St.

Brigid acquired the land for the

convent at Kildare from a local

chieftain who refused to give her any

more land than her cloak would

cover. Brigid laid her cloak on the

ground and it began to spread

miraculously, until the chieftain

begged her to stop, for fear he would

lose all his land (Ó hÓgáin, The Lore

of Ireland, 54). Previously

Carrigmount in MV.

Shehy More SW

Top

For origin of

name, see

Shehy More.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork W137 592 440 85

Shehy Mountain Seiche (Ir. Seiche [TH],

‘a hide or skin’)

The name Shehy Mor, found on the

OSI 1:25,000 map of the Reeks

(1991), was the personal creation of

J. C. Coleman ('The Mountains of

Killarney', p. 30).

Purple Mtn Kerry V902 857 762 78

Silsean Soillsean (Ir. Soillsean

[PNCW], 'place

of lights')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O023 056 698 56

Silver Hill;

Croaghanarget

Cruach an Airgid (Ir. Cruach an

Airgid [OSI],

'stack of the

silver')

Also known as Croaghanarget

[PWJ], which is the name of the

townland.

Bluestack Mountains Donegal G906 913 600 11

Silvermine

Mountains E Top

Sliabh an Airgid (Ir. Sliabh an

Airgid

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of the

silver')

"The mineral works of earliest

celebrity are the copper and lead

mines of the Silvermines. They were

first worked by an English company

in the seventeenth century, who

extracted a considerable quantity of

silver from the ore [Gleeson - History

of Ely O'Carroll Territory]."

Shannon Tipperary R833 694 479 59

Silvermine

Mountains Far E

Top

For origin of

name, see

Silvermine

Mountains E

Top.

This peak is a short distance E of a

pass crossing the Silvermine

Mountains, known as the Step.

Shannon Tipperary R846 693 410 59

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Silvermine

Mountains W

Top

A mountain in this vicinity named

Mullaghnedryny is mentioned in the

Civil Survey of 1654-56 as part of

the boundary of the barony of

Owney and Arra. It may be this peak

or a lower shoulder to the west. The

name seems to represent Ir. Mullach

na Droighní, 'summit of the

blackthorn'.

Shannon Tipperary R821 697 489 59

Skerry Hill Cnoc na Sceire (poss. Ir. Cnoc

na Sceire [PDT],

'hill of the rocky

place')

Skerry East and West are townlands

in Newtown Crommelin parish,

barony of Kilconway. The feature to

which the name originally referred is

probably Skerry Rock. The parish of

Skerry further south in Co. Antrim

near Slemish is unrelated.

Antrim Hills Antrim D137 206 459 9

Skregbeg Screig Bheag (Ir. Screig Bheag

[OSI], 'little rocky

outcrop')

Ir. screig is a variant of creag/creig,

'a crag' (Ó Donaill, Foclóir Gaeilge-

Béarla).

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V787 874 573 78

Skregmore Screig Mhór (Ir. Screig Mhór

[OSI], 'big rocky

outcrop')

Ir. screig is a variant of creag/creig,

'a crag' (Ó Donaill, Foclóir Gaeilge-

Béarla).

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V792 860 848 78

Sleamaine Sliabh Meáin (prob. Ir. Sliabh

Meáin [PDT],

'middle

mountain')

Ballinvalla or Sleamaine is a

townland in the parish of Calary.

The name Sleamaine probably refers

originally to an area of mountain

pasture, but has been adopted for

this peak. The obsolete name Sliabh

Boc seems to have referred to a

peak in this vicinity in the 19th

century (see Ballinafunshoge).

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O170 055 430 56

Slemish Sliabh Mis (Ir. Sliabh Mis

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of

Mis')

Slemish is remarkable for its

pudding-like shape, which makes it

unmistakable from any angle. It is

particulary prominent seen from the

west near Ballymena. This shape is

due to its origin as a volcanic plug.

According to tradition, it was on

Slemish that St. Patrick spent six

bleak years as a slave herding

sheep and swine. Patrick was

captured in Britain at the age of 16

and sold as a slave to an Irish chief

named Milchú.

Antrim Hills Antrim D221 054 437 9

Slievanea Sliabh Macha

Ré

(Ir. Sliabh Macha

Ré [OSI],

The anglicised form Slievanea would

appear to derive from Ir. Sliabh an

Fhia, 'mountain of the deer'. The

Central Dingle Kerry Q508 057 620 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'mountain of the

smooth plain' )

deer is also an important symbol in

Celtic mythology. In many tales they

lure people into the realm of the

gods. Remains of several fulachta

fia (venison-cooking pits) can be

found around Lough Adoon.

Slievanea NE

Top

For origin of

name, see

Slievanea.

This peak is actually higher than the

top marked as Slievanea. Its steep

cliffs plunge down to Loch Chom

Calláin.

Central Dingle Kerry Q515 064 670 70

Slieve Alp Sliabh Ailp (Ir. Sliabh Ailp

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of the

lump')

This ambitiously named hill lies west

of Slieve Carr. 'Alp' means a lump or

protuberance and has the same

origin as the Alps of Central Europe

according to P.W. Joyce. There is a

cairn at the summit. The link with

the Alps goes further, even if it is a

only link of the imagination: a stirring

tale recounted by Geoffrey Keating

in his Foras Feasa ar Éirinn (History

of Ireland, ca. 1634) and also by

Duald Mac Firbis in the Genealogies,

Tribes and Cusoms of Hy-Fiachrach

(1650) tells of the voyage to the

continent of King Dathi of Connacht,

the last pagan king of Ireland, in

order to avenge the death of Niall of

the Nine Hostages. He dies in AD

427 when struck by lightning on

Sliabh Ealpa (taken to be the Alps).

His army, led by his son Amalgaid,

fights a number of battles to bring his

body back to Ireland to be buried in

the Releg of Cruachan. The places

in Europe mentioned in this account

were identified by Sir Samuel

Ferguson, but Hubert Knox, author

of the History of the County of Mayo,

rightly doubts its historicity. Instead

he suggests that Sliabh Ealpa where

Dathi died was not the Alps, but

rather Slieve Alp near Ballycroy, and

that the tale of the invasion of the

Roman Empire was an inspired

piece of fantasy concocted by

somebody unaware of [or

deliberately ignoring] the existence

of Slieve Alp in Mayo. The

North Mayo Mayo F866 131 329 23

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

association of Dathi with this part of

Mayo may be confirmed by the

presence of a cairn named

Laghtdauhybaun on Slieve Carr and

Lough Dahybaun near Bellacorick

[Knox, 25-26]. The moral of the

story is: make sure you say your

prayers if you don't want to be struck

by lightning when climbing Slieve

Alp!

Slieve Anierin Sliabh an Iarainn (Ir. Sliabh an

Iarainn [OSI],

'mountain of the

iron')

This area is area is known for its

mineral resources, particularly the

coal which was mined in the vicinity

of Arigna. There were also iron

workings beside Lough Allen at the

base of this mountain, still operating

in the late 19th century. A local

legend holds that they were worked

by Goibnenn, the smith-god of the

Tuatha Dé Danann.

Breifne Leitrim H018 159 585 26

Slieve Bawn Sliabh Bána (Ir. Sliabh Bána

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of

Badbgna')

6km NW of Lanesborough. The

name has nothing to do with bán,

'white'. Bána is the modern form of

Badbgna, name of a Fir Bolg

chieftain of this area. In clear

conditions it is possible to see as far

as Crough Patrick. There is also a

fine view of the many islands on

Lough Ree.

North Midlands Roscommon M954 744 262 40

Slieve Beagh Sliabh Beatha (Ir. Sliabh

Beatha [DUPN],

prob. 'mountain

of birch')

This hill straddles the counties of

Fermanagh, Tyrone and Monaghan.

A point just E of the summit is the

highest point in Co. Monaghan

(366m), but the summit itself is on

the Fermanagh/Tyrone border.

According to Irish mythology, Bith, a

son of Noah, was buried here. He

took part in the first invasion of

Ireland led by his daughter, queen

Cesair. However, it is likely that

'mountain of Bith' is a re-

interpretation of the name and that

its original meaning is more

mundane: 'mountain of birch'. The

summit of Slieve Beagh is marked

by a cairn named Doocarn. Near

the summit is a Shane Barnagh's

Lough and a rocky area called

Fermanagh/S Tyrone Fermanagh/Tyr

one

H524 436 380 18

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Shane Barnagh's Stables. These

are named after the rapparee Shane

Barnagh O'Donnelly. His activities

must have covered a wide area, as

there is also a knoll known as Shane

Barnagh's Sentry-Box in the hills

above Pomeroy, some 30 km to the

north-east. On the northern slopes

of Slieve Beagh is Altadavin Glen,

which was once a place of pagan or

druidic worship. Saint Patrick is said

to have banished the evil spirits into

Lough Beg nearby. See Máire

MacNeill, 'The Festival of Lughnasa'

(pp. 153-55) for details of the festive

assembly at Altadavin.

Slieve Beagh

South East Top

For origin of

name, see

Slieve Beagh.

This point is included because it is

the highest point in Monaghan.

Fermanagh/S Tyrone Monaghan H532 437 373 18

Slieve Bearnagh Sliabh Bearnach (Ir. Sliabh

Bearnach

[PNNI], 'gapped

mountain')

One of the most recognisible peaks

of Mourne and perhaps the only one

that necessitates removing hands

from pockets. Slieve Bernagh gets

its name from the two rocky granite

tors which crown the summit and the

gap or saddle betweeen them.

Mourne Mountains Down J313 281 739 29

Slieve Bearnagh

North Tor

For origin of

name, see

Slieve

Bearnagh.

Mourne Mountains Down J316 284 680 29

Slieve Beg Sliabh Beag (Ir. Sliabh Beag

[PNNI], 'little

mountain')

The most notable feature of Slieve

Beg is the scree-run known as the

Devil's Coachroad which dissects its

eastern flank.

Mourne Mountains Down J341 275 590 29

Slieve Binnian;

Binnion

Sliabh Binneáin;

Binneán

(Ir. Sliabh

Binneáin [PNNI],

'mountain of the

small peak')

Also simply known as /Binneán.

Dominates views of the Mourne

Mountains from Annalong and

Kilkeel. The folklore of Mourne

explains the name Beanna Boirche

as 'peaks of Boirche', a personal

name. This character is said to have

ruled his kingdom from Slieve

Binnian. The name Binneán refers to

the rocky tors which outcrop along

the summit ridge. E. Estyn Evans, in

his book Mourne Country, gives the

name of one of these tors as "The

Mourne Mountains Down J320 235 747 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Buckie". In a discussion of the boats

used at Kilkeel and other ports along

the Co. Down coast, he explains the

name as follows: "Other variants of

the "lugger" which old salts speak of,

all of them of Scottish types, were

the Fifie, Zulu, Banff and Buckie.

One of the lesser tors on the long

spine of Slieve Binnian is known as

the Buckie, a name which was

meaningless to me until I saw it from

the east against the sky and

recognised a vessel in full sail [Estyn

Evans, Mourne Country, p. 159]."

On the facing page is a sketch

showing "Slieve Binnian's backbone

seen from the east" including the

Buckie.

Slieve Binnian

East Top

For origin of

name, see

Slieve Binnian.

Mourne Mountains Down J327 232 630 29

Slieve Binnian

North Top

For origin of

name, see

Slieve Binnian.

Mourne Mountains Down J317 245 678 29

Slieve Binnian

North Tor

For origin of

name, see

Slieve Binnian.

Mourne Mountains Down J320 246 670 29

Slieve Carn (or

Slieve Horn)

Sliabh Chairn (Ir. Sliabh Chairn

[NÓM],

'mountain of the

cairn')

Not named on the OS Discovery

Series. Known locally as Slieve

Carn or sometimes Slieve Horn. The

Metrical Dindsenchas (11th century)

refers to Sliabh Cairthinn "i

nGaileangaibh" (barony of Gallen).

If this is the same hill, as seems

likely, Sliabh Cairthinn (perhaps

connected with Ir. cairthe, 'standing

stone') would be an early alternative

name to Sliabh Chairn, 'mountain of

the cairn'.

North Midlands Mayo M297 881 262 31

Slieve Carr (or

Slieve Cor, or

Corslieve)

Corrshliabh (Ir. Corrshliabh

[OSNB#],

'conspicuous/poi

nted mountain')

Also known as Slieve Cor or

Corslieve. The Discovery map links

the name Corslieve with a

neighbouring peak (541m) situated

about 3 miles to the south, but the

Ordnance Survey Name Book and

William Bald's map of Mayo (1830)

North Mayo Mayo F915 145 721 23

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

show quite clearly that it is simply an

alternative for Slieve Carr, with the

same elements inverted. A cairn on

the summit is named

Laghtdauhybaun on the old ½ inch

map, but is unnamed on the

Discovery map. This is probably

derived from Ir. Leacht Dáithí Bháin,

'burial monument of white Dáithí'.

There may be a connection with

Dáithí, a king of Connacht and

reputed last pagan high-king of

Ireland (see Slieve Alp).

Slieve

Commedagh

Sliabh

Coimhéideach

(Ir. Sliabh

Coimhéideach

[PNNI],

'watching/guardi

ng mountain')

As on Slieve Meelmore, there is a

tower near the summit of Slieve

Commedagh. On the southern side,

at the head of the Annalong Valley, is

a spectacular group of granite tors

known as 'the Castles'. These can

be appreciated from the Brandy Pad,

a track once used by smugglers.

During the 18th Century the Mourne

Mountains were notorious for

smuggling commodities such as

wine, silk, tobacco, tea and brandy,

mainly from Britain. The cargo would

be brought ashore under the cover of

darkness and taken over the

mountains to Hilltown and the

surrounding areas.

Mourne Mountains Down J346 286 767 29

Slieve Corragh Sliabh Corrach (Ir. Sliabh

Corrach [PNNI],

'rugged/pointed

mountain')

A number of pinnacles line the

northern slopes.

Mourne Mountains Down J337 286 640 29

Slieve Croob Sliabh Crúibe (Ir. Sliabh Crúibe

[DUPN],

'mountain of the

hoof')

The River Lagan rises on the

northern slopes of Slieve Croob.

The three parishes of

Magherahamlet, Kilmegan and

Drumgooland converge on the

summit, which has excellent

panoramic views, including a

particularly fine view of the northern

peaks in the Mourne Mountains.

Until the mid-20th century, there was

a tradition of climbing the mountain

on "Blaeberry Sunday" at the end of

July or beginning of August. This is

Mourne Mountains Down J318 453 534 20

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

clearly a survival of a Lughnasa

tradition [see MacNeill, 155-56]. The

summit cairn is locally known as the

Twelve Cairns, but this seems to be

a relatively modern name arising

from damage causing the break-up

of a single cairn into several smaller

heaps.

Slieve Daeane Sliabh Dá Éan (Ir. Sliabh Dá

Éan [OG#],

'mountain of two

birds')

On Slieve Daeane there is a

passage tomb named Cailleach

Bhearra's House, just as on Slieve

Gullion, Co. Armagh. The Annals of

the Four Masters record that in 1597

Hugh Roe O'Donnell encamped in

Breifny of Connaught, to the east of

Sliabh-da-en, after having plundered

the faithful people of O'Conor.

Ox Mountains Sligo G712 299 275 25

Slieve Donard Sliabh Dónairt (Ir. Sliabh

Dónairt [PNNI],

'mountain of (St.)

Domhangart')

Slieve Donard is the highest

mountain in Northern Ireland and in

9-county Ulster. St. Domhangart

(modern form Dónart), a

contemporary of St. Patrick, founded

a monastery at Maghera north of

Newcastle. According to tradition he

was appointed by St. Patrick to

guard the surrounding countryside

from the summit of Slieve Donard.

He is supposed not to have died, but

to be a 'perpetual guardian' (see

MacNeill, 84-96). In pagan times

this mountain was known as Sliabh

Slainge. Slainge, the son of

Partholon, was the first physician in

Ireland. According to the Annals of

the Four Masters, he died in Anno

Mundi 2533 (2533 years after the

creation of the world according to

Irish mythology) and was buried here

in a cairn. "On the top of Slieve

Donard there are two cairns, one on

the very summit and the other, called

the 'Lesser Cairn', on the Ordnance

Survey maps, some eight hundred

feet to the north-east. Both of them

have been much disturbed. The

Summit Cairn has been tampered

with by sappers and water

commissioners: the Lesser cairn has

Mourne Mountains Down J357 277 850 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

small piles of stones about it, but it is

difficult to say whether these are

ancient structures or just re-

arrangements by modern hands. Dr.

Estyn Evans, who calls the Summit

Cairn 'the oldest mark of man in the

Mournes', says that it is a 'corbelled

passage grave of the early Bronze

Age.' The Lesser Cairn, he points

out, is visible from the sandhills of

the shore, although the Summit

Cairn is not (MacNeill, 85)."

Slieve Elva Sliabh Eilbhe (Ir. Sliabh Eilbhe

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of

Eilbhe')

The summit of Slieve Elva is

geologically quite different from its

slopes, this being the only place in

the heart of the Burren where the

layer of shale above the limestone

has not been eroded away. This

shale cap makes the top of Slieve

Elva surprisingly boggy, and

therefore it tends to be explored only

by determined peak-baggers. An

entry for A.D. 239 in the Annals of

the Four Masters records "the seven

battles of Eilbhe (Mount Elva) by

Cormac, son of Art, son of Conn of

the Hundred Battles, King of

Ireland." Walks: for a route on the

NE slopes of Slieve Elva, see Kevin

Corcoran, West of Ireland Walks, 20-

29; for one including the slopes of

Slieve Elva with Gleninagh Mountain

and Black Head, see Whilde &

Simms, New Irish Walk Guide - West

and North, 22-23.

West Clare Clare M150 043 344 51

Slieve Felim Sliabh Eibhlinne (Ir. Sliabh

Eibhlinne [OSI],

'mountain of

Ébliu')

Slieve Felim / Sliabh Eibhlinne is the

name of a range. Nowadays the

name it is often used to refer just to

those hills south of the Newport-

Rear Cross road, but it once denoted

a much larger area. John

O'Donovan described as stretching

north to Silvermines and east to

Dundrum. This means that it

included Keeper Hill, Mauherslieve

and the Silver Mine Mountains. The

earliest reference to this name is in

the Annals of Inisfallen, 531 A.D.,

Shannon Limerick R809 577 427 66

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'Bellum Eblinne'. The female name

Eibhlinn (the name of a goddess)

seems to have been confused with

the male name Feidhlim, perhaps

because Eibhlinn is not used as a

name in modern Irish, and Feidhlim

was more familiar. Feidhlim was the

name of three early kings of

Munster.

Slieve Felim S

Top

For origin of

name, see

Slieve Felim.

Shannon Limerick R807 570 407 66

Slieve Foye;

Carlingford

Mountain

Sliabh Feá (Ir. Sliabh Feá

[GE], 'mountain

of rushes')

Locally the name is understood as

Sliabh Fathaigh, 'mountain of the

giant', which accounts for the

anglicised form “Foye” and ties in

with local lore about a giant being

discernible among the summit rocks.

According to one version of the story,

it was the Scottish giant

Benandonner who stood on the Co.

Louth side of Carlingford Lough,

exchanging missiles with Finn Mac

Cool, who stood on the Co. Down

side. See Slievemeen for further

details.

Cooley/Gullion Louth J169 120 589 29/36A

Slieve Fyagh Sliabh Fíoch (Ir. Sliabh Fíoch

[GÉ], poss.

'mountain

abounding in

deer')

Fíoch is the modern Irish form of

fiadhach, 'abounding in deer'

(fia/fiadh).

North Mayo Mayo F920 283 335 23

Slieve Gallion Sliabh gCallann (Ir. Sliabh

gCallann

[DUPN],

'mountain of the

heights')

Slieve Gallion is an isolated outlier of

the Sperrins which dominates the

western shore of Lough Neagh. The

earliest reference to it is in AD 670 in

the Book of Armagh where it is

called Collunt Patricii, 'the height of

St. Patrick'. There is a traditional

song called Slieve Gallion’s Braes.

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 150-52) for details of

the festive assembly on Slieve

Gallion. The names Tintagh

Mountain and Glenarudda Mountain

seem to refer to areas of mountain

pasture on Slieve Gallion's slopes

Sperrin Mountains Derry H799 878 528 13

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

rather than separate peaks.

Slieve Gallion

NE Top

For origin of

name, see

Slieve Gallion.

Sperrin Mountains Derry/Londond

erry

H814 895 496 13

Slieve Glah Sliabh gCleath (Ir. Sliabh

gCleath

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of

wattle')

Slieve Glah, near Cavan Town, is the

highest point in Central Co. Cavan.

It has fine views Lough Sheelin,

Lough Gowna, Lough Oughter and

Upper Lough Erne. "There is a

Giant's Grave on Slieve Glah; and a

big stone at Lavey two miles east is

said to have been thrown by the

Slieve Glah giant at his brother in

Lavey" (Máire MacNeill, 'The

Festival of Lughnasa', p. 174).

North Midlands Cavan H461 008 320 34

Slieve Gullion Sliabh gCuillinn (Ir. Sliabh

gCuillinn

[DUPN],

'mountain of the

steep

slope/holly')

The Cailleach Bhéirre is

remembered in several names on

and around Slieve Gullion. A

passage tomb on the summit is

known as Calliagh Birra’s House.

This is one of the highest megalithic

tombs in the country (after those on

Slieve Donard and the Paps in

Kerry). The legend is that when

Fionn Mac Cumhaill was enticed

inside, he went fresh and youthful

but emerged as an exhausted old

man. A small lake on the plateau

north of the summit is called Calliagh

Berra’s Lough. Lower down in the

townland of Aghadavoyle on a hillock

called Spellick is a rock feature

known as the Cailleach Bearea’s

Chair. This is was regularly visited

on 'Blaeberry Sunday', when

everybody on the outing would take

a turn to sit in the chair. It is recorded

by Máire MacNeill as a Lughnasa

site (160-61).

Cooley/Gullion Armagh J025 203 573 29

Slieve League Sliabh Liag (Ir. Sliabh Liag

[DUPN],

'mountain of the

flagstones')

The quartzite on Slieve League splits

into flagstones and was used for

flooring or roof tiles. The mountain is

noted for its spectacular array of

cliffs descending straight from the

summit to the sea, and for the

dramatic One Man's Pass (Casán an

Aonair). This narrow arete leading to

Donegal SW Donegal G544 784 595 10

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

the summit is not for the faint-

hearted, especially on a windy day.

All the same, it is a doddle beside

the route taken in the 19th century

by the botanist H.C. Hart, who

traversed the cliffs of Slieve League

at half-height, 1,000 ft. above the

sea and 1,000 ft. below the summit.

The entire journey, ending at Malin

Beg, took him three days. At one

point he was astonished to see

footprints in front of him on this

precipitous route. As he rounded the

next eminence, he met an old man

with his son, both eating samphire

flowers. The old man was in a state

of consternation to see a stranger

there and pleaded with him to turn

back, but Hart carried on. He

reported that the route is known as

Thone-na-Culliagh (prob. Tóin na

Caillí). Robert Lloyd Praeger was

very enthusiastic about the wide

range of alpine plants on the north

face above Lough Agh. There was a

hermitage on Slieve League

connected with St. Assicus of Elphin,

Co. Roscommon. The ruins are the

piles of stone still to be seen just NE

of the One Man's Pass.

Slieve

Loughshannagh

Sliabh Loch

Seannach

(Ir. Sliabh Loch

Seannach

[PNNI],

'mountain of

Lough

Shannagh')

Seannach is an Ulster variant of

sionnach. Lough Shannagh, 'lake of

the foxes', is to the south below Carn

Mountain.

Mourne Mountains Down J294 272 619 29

Slieve Maan Sliabh Meáin (prob. Ir. Sliabh

Meáin [PDT],

'middle

mountain')

There are two peaks in South

Wicklow of this name, though the

other, near Lugnaquillia is written as

a single word.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T083 887 550 62

Slieve Main Sliabh Meáin (prob. Ir. Sliabh

Meáin [PDT],

'middle

mountain')

This peak is located between the

higher peak of Slieve Snaght and the

lower Crocknamaddy.

Inishowen Donegal C413 378 514 3

Slieve Meelbeg Sliabh Míol Beag (Ir. Sliabh Míol

Oddly enough, despite the adjective

Mourne Mountains Down J301 279 708 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Beag [PNNI],

'little mountain of

the ants')

beag ('small'), it is actually higher

than Slieve Meelmore, so perhaps it

is a question of bulk rather than

height.

Slieve Meelmore Sliabh Míol Mór (Ir. Sliabh Míol

Mór [PNNI], 'big

mountain of the

ants')

A substantial tower has been built on

the summit. The spot height is given

as 704m on the 1:25,000 map, but

this does not square with the

contours, which only go up to 680m.

Spellack (speilic, ' a splintery rock') is

a spur on Slieve Meelmore.

Mourne Mountains Down J306 287 680 29

Slieve Muck Sliabh Muc (Ir. Sliabh Muc

[PNNI],

'mountain of the

pigs')

Overlooks the Spelga Dam and the

Deer's Meadow, the source of the

River Bann. It is surprising to think

that this river rises less than 10 miles

from the coast near Newcastle, and

yet it empties into the sea near

Coleraine.

Mourne Mountains Down J281 250 674 29

Slieve Na

Calliagh

Sliabh na Caillí (Ir. Sliabh na

Caillí

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of the

hag')

The archaeological complex on

several of the tops of these hills,

consisting of passage tombs with

megalithic art on their walls, is best

known as Loughcrew. This is the

name of a townland and a parish in

the area, and the complex lies within

this parish. Several of the most

important monuments in the complex

are located in the townland of

Carnbane. The name Sliabh na

Caillí refers to the Cailleach Bhéirre

or Hag of Beara. Here she is said to

have jumped from one hill to the

next, dropping stones from her apron

to form the cairns.

North Midlands Meath N587 775 276 42

Slieve Rushen

(or Slieve

Russell)

Sliabh Roisean (Ir. Sliabh

Roisean

[AMacAB],

'mountain' +

uncertain

element)

This isolated peak is on the

Fermanagh/Cavan county bounds

and overlooks Upper Lough Erne.

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 174-75) for details of

the festive assemblies at Tory Hole,

a cave on the western slopes of

Slieve Rushen, and on Ballyheady

Hill, south of Ballyconnell.

Breifne Cavan H234 226 404 27/27A

Slieve Snaght Sliabh Sneachta (Ir. Sliabh

Sneachta

[DUPN],

'mountain of

There are two mountains of this

name in Donegal, the other one

being in Inishowen.

Donegal NW Donegal B924 148 678 1

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

snow')

Slieve Snaght Sliabh Sneachta (Ir. Sliabh

Sneachta

[DUPN],

'mountain of

snow')

There is a tradition of pilgrimage to

Slieve Snaght and a well near the

summit is associated with a cure for

blindness (Tobar na Súl) [Colhoun].

See Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival of

Lughnasa' (pp. 145-46) for details of

the festive assembly on Slieve

Snaght. The mountain is said to be

so named because snow lies on it

until the fair of Carndonagh, which is

the 21st of May [OSNB]. Its

satellites are Slieve Main,

Crocknamaddy and Damph. A

limelight erected on the summit of

Slieve Snaght was observed on Divis

by the Ordnance Survey in 1825.

This enabled them to establish

trigonometrical baselines and link the

Irish survey to the English one,

before going on to survey the whole

country of Ireland.

Inishowen Donegal C424 390 615 3

Slieveanard Sliabh an Aird (Ir. Sliabh an

Aird [OSI],

'mountain of the

height')

Galty Mountains Tipperary R992 258 438 74

Slieveanard NE

Top

Sliabh an Aird

NE Top

For origin of

name, see

Slieveanard.

Galty Mountains Tipperary S005 264 449 74

Slieveanorra (or

Orra More)

Sliabh an Earra (Ir. Sliabh an

Earra [DUPN],

'mountain of the

tail/ridge')

The Battle of Orra, between the

McQuillans and McDonnells, took

place on this mountain c. 1583. The

McQuillans were Lords of the Route

and the dominant clan of the region.

The McDonnells were a family

originating from Scotland who

usurped the McQuillans' castles and

land.

Antrim Hills Antrim D134 266 508 5

Slievebaun Sliabh Bán (prob. Ir. Sliabh

Bán [PDT],

'white or grassy

mountain')

This is a shoulder of Blackstairs

Mountain lying completely in Co.

Wexford. Note that there is another

hill of this name NW of Mount

Leinster, though it is spelt

Slievebawn in English.

Blackstairs

Mountains

Wexford S814 430 444 68

Slievebawn Sliabh Bán (Ir. Sliabh Bán

[OS 6"], 'white

Cairn on summit. This is an outlier

Mount Leinster lying completely in

Blackstairs

Mountains

Carlow S807 548 520 68

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

mountain')

Co. Carlow. Note that there is

another hill of this name S of

Blackstairs Mountain, though it is

spelt Slievebaun in English.

Slieveboy North Wexford Wexford T023 572 420 69

Slievecallan;

Mount Callan

Sliabh Calláin (Ir. Sliabh Calláin

[logainm.ie] ,

poss. 'mountain

of the height')

Slievecallan is an isolated peak, the

highest in SW Clare. Given the

altitude and boggy, infertile terrain,

Callán/Collán is more likely to be the

element meaning 'height' which

appears in names such as Sliabh

gCallann (Slieve Gallion in Derry)

and Collann (Collon, Co. Louth) than

coll(-án), 'hazel' . The monuments

and place-names on the mountain

were the subject of some

considerable controversy in the late

18th and 19th centuries, when

theories were advanced that rituals

of pre-Christian sun worship took

place here. See Máire MacNeill,

'The Festival of Lughnasa' (pp. 193-

201) for details of the festive

assembly on Slievecallan.

West Clare Clare R146 774 391 57

Slievecarran Sliabh Cairn (Ir. Sliabh Cairn

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of the

cairn')

There is a substantial cairn on the

summit named Carnbower.

West Clare Clare M324 054 326 52

Slievecoiltia Sliabh Coltair (Ir. Sliabh Coltair

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of

Coltar')

Coltair is the personal name from

which the surname Ó Coltair

(Coulter) is derived.

South Wexford Wexford S727 212 270 76

Slievecorragh An Sliabh

Corrach

(Ir. An Sliabh

Corrach

[logainm.ie], 'the

rocky/rugged

mountain')

Despite the name, this peak is quite

grassy, except for the summit cairn.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow N948 041 418 56

Slievecushnabin

nia

Sliabh Chois na

Binne

(Ir. Sliabh Chois

na Binne [OSI],

'mountain beside

the peak')

Joyce suggests that the peak (binn)

in question is Galtymore, which

seems logical. Glencushabinnia is a

townland north-east of here.

Galty Mountains Limerick /

Tipperary

R857 240 766 74

Slievefoore An Sliabh Fuar (prob. Ir. An

Sliabh Fuar

Slievefoore is a townland in the

parish of Killahurler.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T155 725 414 62

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

[PDT], 'the cold

mountain')

Slievekirk Sliabh Circe (Ir. Sliabh Circe

[DUPN],

'mountain of the

hen')

The name probably refers to a

grouse or moorhen [DUPN].

Sperrin Mountains Drry/Tyr C452 083 370 7

Slievelamagan Sliabh

Lámhagáin

(Ir. Sliabh

Lámhagáin

[PNNI],

'creeping/crawlin

g mountain')

So named, according to Walter

Harris (author of The Antient and

Present State of the County of

Down, 1744 ), because it has to be

climbed in a crawling position. The

southern slopes are, indeed,

relentlessly steep. An alternative

name, Sliabh Snámháin, has the

same meaning. Below Lamagan

Slabs is a cave at a spot called

Percy Bysshe, which suggests a

connection with the poet Shelley.

The opening verse of his ode ‘To

Night’ evokes a “misty eastern cave”,

so could the name have been coined

by a well-read speleologist familiar

with this poem?

Mourne Mountains Down J329 260 704 29

Slievemaan Sliabh Meáin (Ir. Sliabh Meáin

[OSI], 'middle

mountain')

There are two peaks in South

Wicklow of this name, though the

other, near Croaghanmoira, is written

in English as two words.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T018 908 759 56

Slievemartin Sliabh Mártain (Ir. Sliabh

Mártain [PNNI],

'Martin's

mountain')

Slievemartin dominates the village of

Rostrevor. The name of Slievemartin

may be derived either from a

forename or a surname (Mícheál Ó

Mainnín, PNNI 3, 163-64). It is

possible that the name comes from

an association with the Martin family

of Kilbroney House, in which case

the correct Irish form would be

Sliabh Mhic Giolla Mhártain.

However, the name may date to an

earlier time.

Mourne Mountains Down J202 176 485 29

Slievemeel Sliabh Míol (Ir. Sliabh Míol

[PNNI],

'mountain of the

ants')

The word míol, although often used

of ants and other insects, is a

generic term for animals of sorts. It

can be applied to beasts ranging

from grasshoppers to whales, though

it is usually qualified by another word

in these cases. Slieve Meelmore

and Slieve Meelbeg, further north in

Mourne Mountains Down J212 206 420 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

the Mournes, have a similar origin.

Slievemeen Sliabh Mín (Ir. Sliabh Míol

[PNNI], 'smooth

mountain')

Two-thirds of the way up the western

slopes of Slievemeen is a boulder

called Cloghmore, from Ir. An Chloch

Mhór, 'the big stone'. "Legend has it

that this stone was thrown across

Carlingford Lough during an

encounter between the gigantic Finn

MacCool and his Scottish

counterpart Benandonner. In this

contest Finn was victorious and

Benandonner fell in Co. Louth where

his body can be seen in silhouette

stretched along the summit of Slieve

Foy" (Edward Atkinson, Dromore: an

Ulster Diocese, p.254). In another

version of the story Finn's adversary

was the Devil himself and the great

boulder was thrown by Finn. The

Devil threw a huge clod of earth, but

missed. The missile landed in the

Irish sea, forming the Isle of Man,

while the hollow left where he

scooped it up filled with water,

forming Lough Neagh.

Mourne Mountains Down J202 170 472 29

Slievemore An Sliabh Mór (Ir. An Sliabh

Mór [GE], 'the

big mountain')

For a walk visiting the deserted

village and megalithic tomb on the S

side of Slievemore, see Siúlóidí Acla,

walk E.

Achill/Corraun Mayo F650 086 671 22/30

Slievemore;

Shantavny

Mountain

An Sliabh Mór (Ir. An Sliabh

Mór [DUPN], 'the

big mountain')

The summit of Slievemore is in the

townland of Shantavny Irish. It is

also known as Shantavny Mountain

[DUPN].

Fermanagh/S Tyrone Tyrone H593 616 314 18

Slievemoughan

Of uncertain

origin [PNNI].

The name appears on 16th century

maps as Slew Mogh or just Mogh. It

is the element -moughan- which is

obscure in this case. The modern

local pronunciation of the name is

with a hard g.

Mourne Mountains Down J250 241 560 29

Slievenaglogh Sliabh na gCloch (Ir. Sliabh na

gCloch [PNNI],

'mountain of the

stones/rocks')

This is the higher of two peaks in the

Mourne Mountains called

Slievenaglogh, the other being

situated further south, facing Slieve

Binnian across the Silent Valley.

This peak is east of Hare's Gap. On

the western flanks is a huge granite

boulder with a scooped-out face so

that it resembles a giant's seat

Mourne Mountains Down J328 291 586 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

(David Kirk, 'The Mountains of

Mourne - A Celebration of a Place

Apart', p. 121).

Slievenaglogh Sliabh na gCloch (Ir. Sliabh na

gCloch [PNNI],

'mountain of the

stones/rocks')

This is the lower of two peaks in the

Mourne Mountains called

Slievenaglogh, the other being

situated further north near Hare's

Gap. This Slievenaglogh overlooks

the Silent Valley Reservoir,

constructed in the 1920s to supply

water for Belfast. Before it was

flooded, the Silent Valley was known

as the 'Happy Valley'. Labourers

from the Happy Valley constructed

the Mourne Wall for the Belfast and

District Water Commissioners to

delimit the catchment area. It is 2-

2.5m high and 1m thick, encloses

9,000 acres of land (3,600 hectares)

and passes over the summit of many

of Mourne's highest peaks.

Mourne Mountains Down J299 230 445 29

Slievenagower Sliabh na

nGabhar

(Ir. Sliabh na

nGabhar

[TCCD],

'mountain of the

goats')

The Irish form is given as Slí na

gCorr on the OS Discovery map.

However, this is clearly not the name

of a mountain. It either refers to a

track or is perhaps a corruption of

Sliabh na nGabhar.

Central Dingle Kerry Q539 072 484 70

Slievenahanagh

Sliabh na

hAnachaine

(Ir. Sliabh na

hAnachaine

[DUPN],

'mountain of the

mischance/disas

ter')

Antrim Hills Antrim D117 219 418 9

Slievenalargy;

Tullynasoo

Mountain

Sliabh na

Leargadh

(Ir. Sliabh na

Leargadh

[PNNI],

'mountain of the

sloping

expanse')

Tullynasoo is a townland in the

parish of Kilcoo. The name is

derived from Ir. Tulaigh na Subh,

'hillock of strawberries'. The name

Tullynasoo Mountain probably refers

to the mountain pasture of the

townland. Slievenalargy appears to

be the name of the peak.

Mourne Mountains Down J298 355 280 29

Slievenalecka An Starraicín (Ir. An Starraicín

[OSI], 'the

steeple')

This peak earns its name with its

pointed peak.

Central Dingle Kerry Q528 064 456 70

Slievenamiskan Sliabh Meascáin (prob. Ir. Sliabh

The name may have arisen either

from a discovery of bog-butter or

Mourne Mountains Down J259 272 444 29

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Meascáin

[PNNI],

'mountain of the

pat of butter')

from a perceived resemblance to the

shape of a butter-dish.

Slievenamon Sliabh na mBan (Ir. Sliabh na

mBan [OSI],

'mountain of the

women')

This mountain is steeped in

mythology. The name is derived

from the following legend: Fionn Mac

Cumhaill sat waiting at the top while

women raced up it to win his hand.

Since Fionn and Gráinne were in

love, he had shown her a short-cut

and she duly won the race. Yeats

preferred the name Knockfefin. The

mountain rises from the plain of

Femen, which represents ‘woman’ or

‘femininity’.

South Midlands Tipperary S297 307 721 67

Slievenamuck Sliabh Muice (Ir. Sliabh Muice

[logainm.ie],

'mountain of the

pig')

Galty Mountains Tipperary R842 306 369 66

Slievenanee Sliabh na Nia (Ir. Sliabh na Nia

[Buile

Shuibhne#],

'mountain of the

warriors')

The name Sliabh Níadh is mentioned

in Buile Shuibhne, the 12th century

narrative known in English as The

Frenzy of Suibne or The Madness of

Sweeeny. Another line in Buile

Shuibhne refers to Sliabh na nEach,

'mountain of the steeds', which may

be a variant name for the same

mountain, although this is further

away from the modern anglicised

form.

Antrim Hills Antrim D167 213 543 9

Slievenisky Sliabh an Uisce (Ir. Sliabh an

Uisce [OSNB#],

'mountain of the

water')

This peak is a south-eastern spur of

Slieve Croob.

Mourne Mountains Down J324 443 446 20

Slievereagh An Sliabh

Riabhach

(prob. Ir. An

Sliabh Riabhach

[PDT], 'the

grey/brindled

mountain')

The Pinnacle appears to be the

name of the summit. The mountain

as a whole is known as Slievereagh.

The Irish form An Sliabh Riabhach is

also used to refer to the whole

Ballyhoura range, even though this is

not the highest peak (Seefin is

considerably higher).

Ballyhoura

Mountains

Limerick R725 252 465 73

Slievetooey Sliabh Tuaidh (poss. Ir. Sliabh

Tuaidh [DUPN],

Located in Meenacurrin townland.

Slievetooey is on the north side of

Donegal SW Donegal G629 899 511 10

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'northern

mountain')

the peninsula, while Slieve League is

on the south. The cliffs and stacks

along Slievetoey’s seaward side

form one of the most spectacular

stretches of coastal scenery in

Ireland. The highest point at 511m is

actually unnamed on the Discovery

map, while the name is positioned

on a lower peak (472m). There are

many possible interpretations of the

specific element in this name.

O'Neill mentions tuagh, an axe or

hook, and tuathach, a lord or ruler of

a tuath. If the early forms can be

relied open, there appears to have

been an article between the two

elements, which would make

"northern mountain" rather unlikely.

Slievetooey Far

W Top

Sliabh Tuaidh

Far W Top

For origin of

name, see

Sliabh Tuaidh.

Donegal SW Donegal G593 904 460 10

Slievetooey W

Top

Sliabh Tuaidh W

Top

For origin of

name, see

Sliabh Tuaidh.

Although this peak is marked as

Slievetooey on the Discovery map, it

is only a lower satellite of the 511m

peak, which is the true summit of

Slievetooey.

Donegal SW Donegal G618 907 472 10

Slievetrue; Carn

Hill

Sliabh an Triúir (Ir. Sliabh an

Triúir [AMacAB],

'mountain of the

three (brothers)')

Marked as Carn Hill on the OSNI

Discoverer map, but better known as

Slievetrue. Locally this is

pronounced "Slieveytrue" with 3

syllables. The mountain derives its

Irish name from 3 standing stones

known as "The Three Brothers",

located about half a mile SW of the

summit. These are now somewhat

disguised as they have been

integrated into a field wall.

Belfast Hills Antrim J347 891 312 15

Soarns Hill;

Slievebane

Sliabh Bán (Ir. Sliabh Bán

[OSI], 'white or

fallow mountain')

The Irish name, Sliabh Bán, is fairly

transparent. However, the origin of

the English name, Soarns Hill, is

obscure. It may be derived from Ir.

sorn, 'kiln', but the hill seems rather

too high and remote for this. There

were limekilns near the coast at

Carnlough.

Antrim Hills Antrim D221 141 403 9

Sorrel Hill

The granite characteristic of the

north-west part of Co. Wicklow has

been quarried for construction for

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O042 119 599 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

many years. It was used to make

millstones, possibly as early as the

Early Christian Period, and a number

of broken millstones discarded in this

area are reminders of this activity.

Four such stones have been found

in the townland of Ballynasculloge

on the slopes of Sorrel Hill.

Unfinished millstones are particularly

valuable to archaeologists as they

give important clues to the

techniques and the different stages

of production. See 'Cracking

Millstones in Wicklow' by Christiaan

Corlett in Archaeology Ireland no. 91

(Spring 2010), 16-19.

Spaltindoagh Sperrin Mountains Tyrone H628 896 420 13

Spinans Hill Cnoc na

Spíonán

(Ir. Cnoc na

Spíonán

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of na Spíonán or

the gooseberry

bushes')

Spinans Hill is also the name of a

townland, one of several townlands

in the parish of Donaghmore with

Spinans in the name.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow S920 916 409 55

Spinans Hill SE

Top

For origin of

name, see

Spinans Hill.

Brusselstown Ring is at the SE end

of Spinans Hill. This fort is

mentioned in several Irish annals as

Dún Bolg [PNCW].

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow S930 911 400 56

Sruffaungarve

Top

Ox Mountains Sligo G454 230 400 24

Staghall

Mountain

Cnoc Chró an

Locháin

(Ir. Cnoc Chró

an Locháin

[OSI], 'hill of

Chró an Locháin

or hollow of the

little lake')

The Irish version given on the

Discovery map, Cró an Locháin, is

properly the name of the townland

only, as indicated by the information

at logainm.ie.

Donegal NW Donegal B969 180 486 6

Staigue N E

Top*

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V599 639 435 84

Staigue Top*

Staigue is a townland in the parish of

Kilcrohane. It is best known as the

site of Staigue Fort.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V594 633 459 84

Stillbrook Hill

Stillbrook Hill is properly the name of

the ridge extending NW between

Glendossaun and Glenregan,

whereas this peak is on the main

Slieve Bloom Offaly N262 030 514 54

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

watershed of the Slieve Bloom and

is slightly higher.

Stookeennalack

areha

Stuaicín na

Leaca Réidhe

(prob. Ir.

Stuaicín na

Leaca Réidhe

[PDT], 'pinnacle

of the smooth

hillside')

This western shoulder of Knockowen

overlooks Glanmore Lake and the

northern side of the Healy Pass.

Caha Mountains Kerry V792 551 412 84

Stoney Top

This is the northern shoulder of

Tonelagee. There is a cross-

inscribed standing stone between

Stoney Top and Tonelagee.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O082 027 714 56

Stookeen Stuaicín (Ir. Stuaicín

[PNCW],

'pinnacle')

Stookeen is "the name of the highest

point in Aghowle Upper" [PNCW].

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow S945 682 420 62

Stoompa Stumpa (prob. Ir. Stumpa

[PDT], 'stump')

This outlier of Mangerton overlooks

Lough Guitane.

Mangerton Kerry W006 817 705 79

Stoompa East

Top

For origin of

name, see

Stoompa.

Mangerton Kerry W018 819 608 79

Stradbally

Mountain

Cnoc an

tSráidbhaile

(Ir. Cnoc an

tSráidbhaile

[OSI], 'hill of

Stradbally')

Beenoskee and Stradbally Mountain

are twin peaks, the latter being

slightly lower.

Central Dingle Kerry Q587 092 798 70

Stragraddy

Mountain

Sliabh an

tSratha

Greadaithe

(poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

an tSratha

Greadaithe

[PDT], 'mountain

of An Srath

Greadaithe')

Stragraddy is a townland in

Kilmacrenan parish. The Irish form

is An Srath Greadaithe [logainm.ie],

‘the thrashed river-valley’.

Donegal NW Donegal C083 245 285 2

Strickeen Struicín (Ir. Struicín [TH],

'little peak')

Struicín is sometimes the first peak

visited on a traverse of the Reeks

ridge starting from Kate Kearney's

Cottage. It is topped by a tall cairn.

The word struicín denotes the crest

of a bird, such as a cock's comb. An

old track simply known as An

Bealach, 'the way', which connects

the Beaufort/Dunloe area with the

Black Valley, passes by Struicín

before crossing the main watershed

at the saddle between Cnoc an

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V866 882 440 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Bhráca and Cnoc na dTarbh (TH).

This col, known as Bearna an

Bhealaigh, 'gap of the way', or

Ballagh Pass, is marked slightly too

far to the north and west on the

Discovery map. On the northern

side of the Reeks, this track begins

in Coolcummisk. Another track

coming from a townland called

Ballagh / An Bealach joins it above

Struicín.

Stumpa Bharr na

hAbhann (Ir.)

Stumpa Bharr na

hAbhann (or

Stuaic Bharr na

hAbhann)

(Ir. Stumpa

Bharr na

hAbhann [OSI

1:25,000#] ,

'stump of the top

of the river')

Also known as Stuaic Bharr na

hAbhann (TH).

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V796 858 851 78

Stumpa Dúloigh

(Ir.)

Stumpa Dúloigh;

Maol

(Ir. Stumpa

Dúloigh [OSI

1:25,000],

'stump of the

black lake')

The alternative name Maol is

confirmed by the presence of Coimín

na Maoile and Loch na Maoile on its

slopes.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V787 794 784 78

Stumpa Dúloigh

(Ir.) SE Top

Stumpa Dúloigh

SE Top

For origin of

name, see

Stumpa Dúloigh.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V790 792 780 78

Stumpa Dúloigh

(Ir.) SW Top

Stumpa Dúloigh

SW Top

For origin of

name, see

Stumpa Dúloigh.

Dunkerron

Mountains

Kerry V778 789 663 78

Sturrakeen;

Carrigphierish

An Starraicín (Ir. An Starraicín

[OSI], 'the

pointed peak' or

'the steeple')

Also known as Carrigphierish, Ir.

Carraig Phiarais, 'Pierce's rock'.

Note that this peak is actually

unnamed on the Discovery map,

while both Carrigphierish and

Sturrakeen are marked a little to the

NW of this peak.

Galty Mountains Tipperary R973 253 541 74

Sugarloaf Hill Cnoc na gCloch (Ir. Cnoc na

gCloch [OSI],

'hill of the

stones')

The name 'Sugarloaf' is widely

applied to hills of a conical shape in

Ireland and Britain. Its equivalent

'pain de sucre' is common in France.

It is also found further afield, e.g. at

Rio de Janeiro in Brazil (Pão de

Açúcar in Portuguese) and the

Montmorency Falls in Canada,

where the name 'Pain de Sucre' is

Knockmealdown

Mountains

Tipperary /

Waterford

S039 105 663 74

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

applied to the cone of ice which

forms at the base of the waterfall in

winter. There is a widespread

misconception nowadays that

'sugarloaf' is some kind of bread. In

fact, the word refers to the form in

which sugar was usually sold all over

the world, at least up to the 19th

century, until granulated sugar

became widely available in packets.

The sugary liquid was dripped onto a

surface and a solid mass formed in a

conical or torpedo-like shape, like a

sugary stalagmite. Sugar is still

available in this form in North Africa,

and it is also used in Germany to

make the drink 'Feuerzangenbowle',

for which the sugarloaf must first be

soaked in rum.

Sugarloaf

Mountain

Gabhal Mhór (Ir. Gabhal Mhór

[OSI], 'big fork')

The Irish name Gabhal Mhór may

seem odd as a name for a mountain,

but it appears to have developed

from Sliabh na Gaibhle, 'mountain of

the fork'. This accounts for the

anglicised form Slieve Goul found in

several 19th century sources. It is

unclear what exactly the fork is, but it

may be a confluence of streams

referred to in the name of the nearby

townland, Kealagowlane (Ir. Caol an

Ghabhláin, 'marsh/narrowing of the

little fork'). Gabhal Mhór stands in

contrast to Gabhal Bheag, Gowlbeg

Mountain, its lower neighbour. For

the origin of the English name, see

Sugarloaf Hill in Wicklow for an

explanation of hills called Sugarloaf.

Caha Mountains Cork V874 529 574 85

Sugarloaf Mtn

West Top

For origin of

name, see

Sugarloaf

Mountain.

Caha Mountains Cork V862 531 560 85

Sybil Head Ceann Sibéal (Ir. Ceann Sibéal

[OSI], 'head(-

land) of Sybil')

"Sybil Point and Sybil Head are said

to be named after Sybil Lynch, and

near Doon Point a stump of masonry

is all that remains of Sybil Castle,

also known as Ferriter's Castle. In

fact, they were named earlier than

Dingle West Kerry Q314 063 206 70

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

her time but the story is worth

recording. The Ferriters – originally

le Furetur – were a Norman family

who settled here in the 13th Century.

Sybil Lynch of Galway eloped with

one of the Ferriters and was pursued

by her father. She hid in a cave while

her father laid seige to the castle, but

when the fight was over it was found

that the sea had swept through the

cave and washed her away" (Steve

MacDonogh - The Dingle Peninsula:

History, Folklore, Archaeology). A

full account of the story is given by

Captain Crane in the Kerry

Archaeological Magazine, vol. i, no.

3 (1909), 143-47.

Table Mountain

This peak is flat-topped, but

otherwise bears no comparison with

its namesake above Cape Town.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T019 973 701 56

Taobh Dubh (Ir.) Taobh Dubh (Ir. Taobh Dubh

[TR], 'black

(hill-)side')

Walks: for a walk including Cnoc an

Doirín (Taobh Dubh) and Meall Dubh

(Leenaun Hill), see Paddy Dillon,

Connemara, 86-91.

Maamturks Galway L897 565 422 37

Tara Hill Torrchoill (Ir. Torrchoill

[logainm.ie], 'tor-

wood')

Contrary to appearances this name

has nothing to do with the word

Teamhair that occurs in Tara, Co.

Meath, nor even with the Eng. word

'hill'.

North Wexford Wexford T205 624 253 62

Taur Teamhair (Ir. Teamhair

[logainm.ie],

'sanctuary')

This peak is located in the townland

of Taurmore. Despite the fact that

there no substantial archaeological

remains to prove it, it is likely that

this is the location of the ancient

royal site Teamhair Luachra,

residence of the south Munster

kings, especially Eochaid mac

Luachta. It is also sometimes

considered to be the residence of Cú

Roí mac Daire, hero of Munster

(MacKillop, Dictionary of Celtic

Mythology, 356). Teamhair is an

ancient word meaning 'sanctuary',

most familiar in the name Teamhair

na Rí, Tara of the Kings in Co.

Meath. Michael Bowman records

the name of this peak as Bucaura.

This appears to be an anglicisation

W Limerick / N Kerry Cork R231 102 405 72

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

of Búc/Buaic Theamhrach, 'pinnacle

of Taur'.

Taurbeg Teamhair Bheag (prob. Ir.

Teamhair Bheag

[PDT], 'little

sanctuary')

For further information on the name,

see Taur.

W Limerick / N Kerry Cork R229 111 405 72

Tawnaghmore An Tamhnach

Mhór

(Ir. An Tamhnach

Mhór

[logainm.ie], 'the

big field')

Tawnaghmore appears to be

identical with Thauney, one of the

peaks mentioned by Máire MacNeill,

which is visited on Garland Sunday

by the children of Belderg. Berries

are gathered, and if the berries are

plentiful, it is said that the crops will

be good [MacNeill, 189]. Walks: for

a cliff-top route from Porturlin to

Belderg, passing near

Tawnaghmore, see Whilde & Simms,

New Irish Walk Guide - West and

North, 78-79.

North Mayo Mayo F960 395 340 23

Tawny Rower Sheeffry Hills Mayo L918 714 510 37

Tawnyard Tamhnaigh Ard (Ir. Tamhnaigh

Ard [logainm.ie],

'high field or

isolated arable

area')

There are several peaks in the

Sheeffry Hills and elsewhere in Mayo

whose names begin with Tawny-.

These are derived from Ir. tamhnach,

the original meaning of which seems

to be a clearing. It comes to mean

'field' and in upland areas it often

has the meaning of an arable area

amongst rough upland pasture. This

hill is named Sheffry Hill on William

Bald's map of Co. Mayo (1830).

Sheeffry Hills Mayo L903 687 436 37

Tearaght Island An Tiaracht (Ir. An Tiaracht

[logainm.ie], 'the

westerly

(island)')

This is the most westerly of the

Blasket Islands. Its profile is

remarkably similar to that of Skellig

Michael. Its only human inhabitants

were the lighthouse-keepers and

their families. As the lighthouse was

on the side facing the Atlantic, the

view only reinforced their isolation.

A natural rock-arch connects the two

parts of the island.

Dingle West Kerry V181 949 200 70

Teeromoyle

Mountain

Sliabh Thír Ó

mBaoill

(poss. Ir. ‡Sliabh

Thír Ó mBaoill

[PDT], 'mountain

of Tír Ó mBaoill')

This name is derived from a

townland to the west of the

Glenbeigh Horseshoe. Teeromoyle

Mountain rises up from this

townland, which is consistently spelt

'Teeromoyle' (Tír Ó mBaoill).

Glenbeigh

Horseshoe

Kerry V604 833 760 78/83

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Teevnabinnia Taobh na Binne (Ir. Taobh na

Binne [MNIMA],

'side of the

peak')

Located on the townland boundary

of Tonatleva and Bundorragha.

Mweelrea Mountains Mayo L826 642 379 37

Temple Hill Cnoc an

Teampaill

(Ir. Cnoc an

Teampaill [OSI],

'hill of the

church')

Galty Mountains Limerick R834 218 785 74

The Big Gun An Gunna Mór (Ir. An Gunna

Mór [TH], 'the

big gun')

This peak is at the S end of the arete

connecting it to Cruach Mhór.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V840 845 939 78

The Bones

A rocky arete between Carrauntoohil

and Beenkeeragh.

MacGillycuddy's

Reeks

Kerry V800 847 959 78

The Foxes Rock

The Foxes Rock is situated near two

other peaks named after animals:

the Ravens Rock and the Eagles

Rock.

Cooley/Gullion Louth J140 138 404 36

The Paps East An Dá Chích

Anann - An

Chíoch Thoir

(Ir. An Dá Chích

[OSI], 'the two

breasts')

The Dictionary of Celtic Mythology

gives the full name as Dá Chích

Anann, 'the two breasts of Anu'.

This goddess was reputedly

responsible for the fertility of the

whole province of Munster. A line of

stones, known as na Fiacla,

connects the two tops and is

believed to have formed a

processional route.

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Kerry W134 855 694 79

The Paps West An Dá Chích

Anann - An

Chíoch Thiar

(Ir. An Dá Chích

[OSI], 'the two

breasts')

The Dictionary of Celtic Mythology

gives the full name as Dá Chích

Anann, 'the two breasts of Anu'.

This goddess, also called Danu, was

reputedly responsible for the fertility

of the whole province of Munster.

The summit cairns on both peaks,

believed to be prehistoric, resemble

nipples on the breasts. Strangely

enough, the two peaks have the

rounded aspect of a comely

maiden's figure when viewed from

the north-west (Killarney) or south-

east (Ballyvourney), but have a

triangular profile more reminiscent of

a war goddess breastplate when

seen from the north-east (Rathmore)

or south-west (Kenmare).

Paps/Derrynasaggar

Kerry W125 855 690 79

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

The Playbank;

The Playground;

Slievenakilla

The name The Playbank relates to

the festive assembly held on the

mountain on the last Sunday of July,

at which sports and dancing took

place (Máire MacNeill, 'The Festival

of Lughnasa' (pp. 181-82). Named

The Playground on the OS ½" map.

Breifne Leitrim H033 258 542 26

The Priests Leap Léim an tSagairt (poss. Ir. ‡Léim

an tSagairt

[PDT], 'the

priest's leap')

The Priest's Leap is properly the

name of a rock at the top of the pass

between Kenmare and Bantry.

There are various versions of the

story which account for the name.

Seán Ó Súilleabháin reports that

"the most commonly accepted one

relates how a Father James Archer

SJ, in search of volunteers for the

defence of the O'Sullivan Beara

castle at Dunboy in 1602, was

chased across the mountain by

enemy soldiers. From the rock here,

he is said to have jumped his horse

onto a rock a mile from Bantry town.

As you reach the road below, you

meet an iron cross erected to

commemorate the feat (Walk Guide -

Southwest of Ireland, 28)." The

circumstances behind the pursuit of

the priest are historical, though the

fantastic leap recalls the

superhuman feats of earlier eras by

legendary characters such as Cú

Chulainn and the Cailleach Bhéirre.

Also Knockboy West Top.

Shehy/Knockboy Cork / Kerry V978 606 519 85

The Ravens

Rock

Speilg an

Fhiaigh

(Ir. Speilg an

Fhiaigh

[logainm.ie‡],

'the rock of the

raven')

This peak gives its name to the

townland of Spellickanee. However,

it is located in Glenmore townland,

while Spellickanee is a little to the

south.

Cooley/Gullion Louth J149 132 457 36

Thur Mountain An Tor (prob. Ir. An Tor

[PDT], 'the tor')

Known as Torr by the people who

live on the N side of Lough Macnean

(Kay Muhr). There are crags facing

NE immediately below the summit,

which justify the name. A reference

in the Annals of the Four Masters to

Tor Glinne Fearna in the year 1235

is probably to this hill rather than a

tower, as no such tower is known at

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G980 404 442 17

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

Glenfarne. The name Thorne

Mountains, which appears on

several 16th and 17th century maps

of Ireland, Connacht and Ulster,

would also seem to have some

connection with Thur Mountain.

Tibradden

Mountain

Sliabh Thigh

Bródáin

(Ir. Sliabh Thigh

Bródáin [OSI],

'mountain of

Tigh Bródáin or

the house of

Bródán')

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin O148 223 467 50

Tievealehid Taobh an Leithid (Ir. Taobh an

Leithid [OSI],

'(hill-)side of the

expanse')

Donegal NW Donegal B873 262 429 1

Tievebaun Taobh Bán (prob. Ir. Taobh

Bán [PDT],

'grassy slope')

This peak is more notable for the

dramatic cliffs and pinnacles on its

north and east sides (especially the

pinnacle called Eagles Rock) than its

actual summit. Landslips have

contributed to the formation of this

landscape, which is best appreciated

from Glenade. A cave in the steep

north-western face of Tievebaun is

known as Cormac Reagh's Hole.

Named Tievebaun Mountain on the

OSI Discovery Map.

Dartry Mountains Leitrim G768 498 611 16

Tievebulliagh Taobh Builleach (Ir. Taobh

(?)Builleach

[NIPNP replies],

'beating/striking

(mountain)side'

or Taobh

(?)Búilleach

[NIPNP

seminar],

'(mountain)side

of the

clods/heavy

ground')

The first element of this name is

clearly Ir. taobh, 'side'. The second

element appears to be an adjective

meaning 'beating' or 'striking',

although this structure is slightly

unusual. This name would be very

apt as Tievebulliagh is the site of a

Neolithic axe factory. Axes were

made from a rare stone called

porcellanite which outcrops only here

on Tievebulliagh and at Brockley on

Rathlin Island. They were an

important item of exchange and were

exported all over Ireland. Many also

reached Britain by trade. For origin

of name, see The Archaeology of

Ulster by Mallory and McNeill, pp.

44-6. However, whether knowledge

Antrim Hills Antrim D193 268 402 5

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

of the purpose of the axe factory

continued in local folklore from the

Neolithic to the modern day is open

to some doubt. It is possible that the

second word may rather be Ir.

búilleach, 'heavy, soggy ground;

clods' in the genitive plural, giving an

alternative interpretation:

'(mountain)side of the clods/heavy

ground'.

Tievecrom An Taobh Crom (Ir. An Taobh

Crom [OSNB],

'the crooked

(hill-)side')

This peak offers a fine view north to

Slieve Gullion and its satellites, and

south to County Louth, but access is

difficult due to dense undergrowth.

A group of stones beside the

triangulation pillar on the summit

may be the Bohil Breaga of Tiffcrum

(i.e. the false lad or shepherd)

referred to by Michael J. Murphy in

his book 'Mountain Year' (p. 40).

Cooley/Gullion Armagh J024 154 264 29

Tievedockaragh Taobh Docrach (Ir. Taobh

Docrach [PNNI],

'difficult hillside')

The name was incorrectly spelt

Tievedockdarragh on the old OSNI

1:25,000 map, but this has been

corrected on the new edition (2009).

The rocky tor called Pierces Castle is

located NE of this peak.

Mourne Mountains Down J223 232 473 29

Tievereivagh Taobh Riabhach (prob. Ir. Taobh

Riabhach [PDT],

'grey or striped

(hill-)side')

This peak is unnamed on OS maps.

On William Bald's map of Co. Mayo

(1830) the name Tievereivagh

appears on the W slopes. Whilst it is

not certain that this this is the name

of the hill as a whole, as opposed to

a particular flank, it appears to be

the only name available for this

peak. For a walk around the base of

Tievereivagh, see Siúlóidí Acla, walk

Achill/Corraun Mayo L710 958 286 30

Tievnabinnia Taobh na Binne (prob. Ir. Taobh

na Binne [PDT],

'side of the

peak')

Walks: for a route along the main E-

W ridge of the Sheeffry Hills, see

Whilde & Simms, New Irish Walk

Guide - West and North, 62-63.

Sheeffry Hills Mayo L881 706 742 37

Tievnabinnia

East Top

For origin of

name, see

Tievnabinnia.

Walks: for a route along the main E-

W ridge of the Sheeffry Hills, see

Whilde & Simms, New Irish Walk

Guide - West and North, 62-63.

Sheeffry Hills Mayo L897 705 590 37

Tievummera Taobh Iomaire (prob. Ir. Taobh

Iomaire [PDT],

Named Cuscamecurragh on Bald's

map of Co. Mayo (1830). This

Sheeffry Hills Mayo L862 695 762 37

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'side of the

ridge')

seems to represent the Ir. Coiscéim

Charrach, 'rocky footstep', a name

which is also found further north in

Mayo in the Nephin Beg Range.

Walks: for a route along the main E-

W ridge of the Sheeffry Hills, see

Whilde & Simms, New Irish Walk

Guide - West and North, 62-63.

Tinoran Hill Cnoc Theach

nOdhráin

(poss. Ir. ‡Cnoc

Theach

nOdhráin [PDT],

'hill of Teach

nOdhráin or

house of

Odhrán')

There is a hillfort on summit known

as "the round O" [PNCW]. MacNeill

(235) also mentions three wells on

its lower slopes named

Tobernasleiga, Tobergorey and

Tobersool. Price interprets Tinoran

as Tigh an Odhráin, without

explaining the offending presence of

the article before a personal name

(Odhrán). More likely is that the n

comes from the urú caused by teach,

which was a neuter noun in Old Irish.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow S851 905 312 55

Tirkslieve Toircshliabh (poss. Ir.

Toircshliabh

[PDT], 'boar

mountain')

The name Tirkslieve is known from

the Ordnance Survey Name Book.

The peak is unnamed on the

Discovery map.

North Mayo Mayo F954 038 401 31

Tomaneena;

Turlough Hill

Tuaim an

Aonaigh

(Ir. poss. Tuaim

an Aonaigh

[PNCW], 'mound

of the fair')

The first element may alternatively

be Ir. tom, 'bush' or 'knoll'. Ir. aonach

means 'a fair or assembly'. It is

therefore curious that the mountain

NW of Tomaneena is called Fair

Mountain in English. Its Irish name

is An Chaor. The valley below Fair

Mountain is named Glenceera

according to Price [PNCW].

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T063 982 681 56

Tomies Mountain An Chathair (Ir. An Chathair

[logainm.ie],

'stone fort')

The name Cathair applies properly to

the highest point (735m) of Tomies

Mountain rather than the mountain

as a whole (TH). References to

Tomish or Toomish Mountain in The

Ancient and Present State of the

County of Kerry (1756) make it clear

that this name applied to the whole

of what is now called Purple

Mountain. When the name Purple

Mountain gained currency in the

19th century as the name applied to

the massif in general and its highest

top, the name Tomies Mountain was

Purple Mtn Kerry V895 868 735 78

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

probably relegated in status,

referring only to the subsidiary peak.

Joyce gives the Irish name as

Tuamaidhe and explains it in

reference to the two sepulchral

heaps of stones on the summit (PW

Joyce, Irish Names of Places, vol. I,

p. 336).

Tonduff Tóin Dubh (Ir. Tóin Dubh

[OSI], 'black

bottom')

The marking of Tonduff North and

Tonduff South as separate hill-

names on the Discovery map does

not seem justified, as there is only a

single peak.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O159 137 642 56

Tonelagee (or

Tonelegee)

Tóin le Gaoith (Ir. Tóin le

Gaoith [GE],

'backside to the

wind')

Tandragee (Tóin re Gaoith), the town

in Co. Armagh, has the same

meaning, as do several other places

in Ireland, but it is difficult to know

what they have in common.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O085 016 817 56

Tonelagee NE

Top

For origin of

name, see

Tonelagee.

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O095 018 668 56

Tooreen Shannon Tipperary R911 561 457 66

Tooreenbaha Tuairín Beatha (poss. Ir. Tuairín

Beatha [PDT],

'arable field')

Caha Mountains Kerry V760 544 406 84

Tooth Mountain Cnoc na

bhFiacal

(Ir. Cnoc na

bhFiacal

[T6000], 'hill of

the teeth')

Tooth Mountain and Knocknaveacal

appear to be repectively a translation

and an anglicisation of the same

name, but they are marked as two

separate peaks about 1km apart.

Caha Mountains Kerry V742 553 590 84

Torc Mountain Sliabh Torc (Ir. Sliabh Torc

[OG#], 'mountain

of wild boar')

The name of Torc Mountain, like

Mount Eagle and the Wolf's Step on

the Dingle Peninsula, reminds us of

a wild animal once common in the

forests of Ireland. Wild boar is

significant in Celtic mythology, being

depicted on Celtic artefacts found in

continental Europe, Ireland and

Britain. It represents physical

strength and heroic fighting skills.

Mangerton Kerry V955 839 535 78

Torc Mountain W

Top

For origin of

name, see Torc

Mountain.

Mangerton Kerry V950 837 470 78

Tory Hill Sliabh gCruinn (Ir. Sliabh

gCruinn [OG],

The name Sliabh gCruinn also

occurs in Co. Waterford

South Midlands Kilkenny S596 222 292 75/76

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

'round

mountain')

(Slievegrine). The English name,

Tory Hill, refers to a raparee. There

is also a hill of this name in Co.

Limerick. According to Rev. William

Carrigan (the History and Antiquities

of the Diocese of Ossory, 1905), Tory

Hill in Kilkenny was so named from

"a famous outlaw named Edmund

Den, who flourished in this locality,

about the year 1700". Carrigan also

reports that an annual pattern took

place on the 2nd Sunday of July,

locally known as 'Tory Hill Sunday' or

'Frochan Sunday'. On the flat

ground below [the hill] called the

Faithche (now the townland of

Fahy), great games of hurling were

said to have been held, sixty players

to a side" (MacNeill, 230-231).

Tountinna Tonn Toinne (Ir. Tonn Toinne

[OSI], 'wave of

the wave')

This tautological name is explained

by the fact that it has been corrupted

from its original form, Tul Toinne,

'hillock of the wave'. The wave in

question was the biblical flood,

which, according to Lebor Gabála

Érenn (commonly known as the

Book of Invasions), drowned most of

the members of the first invasion of

Ireland, led by Cesair. Fionntán was

the only member of the party who

took refuge in this mountain. While

the others were drowned in the

deluge, he survived to tell the tale to

later generations. Near the summit

is a tomb known as the Graves of

the Leinstermen. A legend

associates this with a bloody dispute

between some of Brian Boru's men

and some visiting nobles from

Leinster, but the tomb is actually

prehistoric. A lower hillock to the N

is called Knockaunreelyon (Cnocán

Rí Laighean, 'hillock of the king of

Leinster').

Shannon Tipperary R737 773 457 59

Tristia Troiste (Ir. Troiste

[logainm.ie],

'tripod')

There are several hills of this name,

one further west in Mayo, one in

Fermanagh (anglicised Trustia) and

one near Mullaghmast in Co. Kildare

North Mayo Mayo G073 095 322 23/31

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

(Trustiu in the Metrical

Dindshenchas). Why these hills

have a name meaning 'tripod' is

unclear, but some at least appear to

have had a ritual significance. There

are traditions connected with Tristia

in Mayo which preserve elements of

the pagan festival of Lughnasa. As

well as climbing the hill, it was

tradition to visit St. Patrick's Well and

the Blessed Virgin's Well at its foot.

These wells were reputed to offer

cures for eye ailments and for

jealousy [MacNeill, 106-07].

Trooperstown

Hill

Maoilín (Ir. Maoilín [OSI],

'little round hill')

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow T166 952 430 56

Trostan Trostán (Ir. Trostán

[DUPN],

'pole/staff'

[DUPN])

Joyce's suggestion (INP, iii, 586) that

this peak is so named because of its

resemblance to a pilgrim's staff with

a crooked top seems without

foundation.

Antrim Hills Antrim D179 236 550 9

Truskmore Trosc Mór (Ir. Trosc Mór

[OSI], 'big

[obscure

element]')

The summit, which is the highest

point in Co. Sligo, is surmounted by

a TV mast. An access road climbs

to the mast from Gleniff.

Dartry Mountains Sligo G759 473 647 16

Truskmore SE

Cairn

For origin of

name see

Truskmore

This point is included because it is

the highest point in Leitrim.

Dartry Mountains Sligo/ Leitrim G764 471 631 16

Tully Mountain;

Letter Hill

Tully Mountain is sufficiently

detached from the Twelve Bens to

offer fine views of the range as a

whole, as well as coastal views

including Inishbofin, Inishturk, Clare

Island and Achill. Also known as

Letter Hill [TR]. Walks: a route for

this peak is described in New Irish

Walk Guides by Tony Whilde and

Patrick Simms, p. 44.

Twelve Bens Galway L673 611 356 37

Tullybrack Tulaigh Bhreac (Ir. Tulaigh

Bhreac

[OSNB#],

'speckled

hillock')

The summit is located in the

townland of Aghamore. The

Discoverer Map shows the name

Tullybrack to the NW and Mulderg to

the SE. It is not clear which applies

to this hill, if either, but the former

has been chosen as it is slightly

nearer. The hill Sliabh Dá Chon,

Fermanagh/S Tyrone Fermanagh H090 458 386 17

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

mentioned in the Annals of the Four

Masters, is a lower point in these

uplands to the NW. Note that there

is also a townland of Tullybrack or

Ora More nearby, but this is lower

down near Belcoo.

Turners Rock

Turners Rock is immediately east of

the tunnel at the summit of the Caha

Mountain Pass. The rocks

hereabouts are grooved due to the

passage of ice according to T.J.

Barrington (Discovering Kerry).

Shehy/Knockboy Cork V910 602 420 85

Two Rock

Mountain

Binn Dá

Charraig

(Ir. Binn Dá

Charraig

[logainm.ie],

'peak of two

rocks')

Two Rock Mountain may be the peak

mentioned in the 12th c. Metrical

Dindshenchas as Sliab Lecga,

'mountain of flagstones'. The

summit is known as Fairy Castle.

Dublin/Wicklow Dublin O172 223 536 50

Urris Hills Cnoic Iorrais (Ir. Cnoic Iorrais

[OSI], 'hills of the

peninsula')

Inishowen Donegal C307 418 417 7

War Hill Cnoc an Bhairr (Ir. Cnoc an

Bhairr [PNCW#],

'hill of the

summit')

Price's suggested Irish derivation for

War Hill, whilst possible, seems

rather tautological and is not backed

up by any Irish attestations. Barr is

itself a common term denoting a hill

and is usually the first element in

names, e.g. Barr Trí gCom

(Baurtregaum), Barr na Coilleadh

(Barnakillew), etc. Also "hill of the

top" seems a strange way to

describe War Hill, since it's really

only a lower outlier of Djouce. An

alternative is that the name was

created in English, and this is

supported by a reference to a battle

on War Hill in a letter written on 15th

December 1838 by Eugene O'Curry.

“In the Townland of Lackandarragh

in the Powerscourt Parish they shew

a place called the Churchyard, but it

does not retain the least vestige of

either a church or churchyard. Some

say that it was the place of sepulture

of persons killed in a battle fought

between the English troops and the

O’Tooles some three hundred years

Dublin/Wicklow Wicklow O169 113 686 56

Anglicised

Name(s) (or

Irish name

where not

available)

Irish Name(s)

(where

available)

Name Origin

and Meaning

Notes about peak and

name(s)

Area County Grid Ref.

Height (in

metres)

1:50,000

Map Sheet

ago. This battle was fought on War

Hill, immediately overhanging this

Churchyard, on the opposite side of

the river.” Of course, one would

expect these events to give rise to

"Battle Hill", rather than "War Hill", so

this suggestion must also be

considered tentative.

Wee Binnian Broinn

Bhinneáin

(Ir. Broinn

Bhinneáin

[PNNI], 'breast of

Binneán')

Mourne Mountains Down J317 225 460 29

Wee

Slievemoughan

Of uncertain

origin [PNNI].

As with Slievemoughanmore, it is the

element –moughan which is

obscure.

Mourne Mountains Down J245 248 428 29

White Mountain Sliabh Bán (Ir. Sliabh Bán

[OSM], 'white

mountain')

Sperrin Mountains Derry C742 022 537 8

Wolftrap

Mountain

Wolftrap Mountain is traversed by

the General's Road, which was built

as a famine-relief scheme organised

by General Edward Dunne of Brittas

Castle. On the south side of the

mountain is Hugh O'Neill's Well.

Hugh O'Neill led his forces over

Slieve Bloom here in 1601.

Slieve Bloom Offaly N273 047 487 54

Woodcock Hill Cnoc na

gCreabhar

(Ir. Cnoc na

gCreabhar

[logainm.ie], 'hill

of the

woodcocks')

This hill is named in the Yellow Book

of Lecan as: "a mullach Slebe Shuidi

in Rig" ('mountain of the king's seat')

and in the Book of Lismore as:

"Sliabh Uighi in Rig" ('mountain of

the king's grave') .

Shannon Clare R523 635 310 58