Knockmealdown Explained

Knockmealdown
Other Name:Cnoc Mhaoldomhnaigh
Elevation M:792
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence M:683
Parent Peak:Galtymore
Map:Ireland
Map Size:300
Label Position:right
Translation:hill of Maoldomhnaigh
Language:Irish
Listing:County top (Waterford), P600, Marilyn, Hewitt
Location:Waterford, Republic of Ireland
Range:Knockmealdown Mountains
Coordinates:52.2281°N -7.9158°W
Grid Ref Ireland:S058084
Topo:OSi Discovery 74
Easiest Route:hiking
Type:Medium grained pink-purple sandstone bedrock

Knockmealdown (Irish: Cnoc Mhaoldomhnaigh, meaning 'hill of Maoldomhnach') is the highest peak of the Knockmealdown Range of mountains, located on the border between Co Tipperary and Co Waterford.[1]

Geography

The peak itself is located in County Waterford and is the highest point in that county. However, since the county border generally follows the summit line the main peaks are actually in both county Tipperary and in County Waterford (OSI Discovery Map 75).

Name

Knockmealdown is the Anglicised form of an older Irish name. The original Irish name is widely believed to be Cnoc Mhaoldomhnaigh, meaning "Muldowneys' hill".[2] It has also been suggested that it is derived from Cnoc Maol Donn, meaning "bald brown hill".[3] In 1654 the name was recorded as Knockmealdowny, indicating there was an extra syllable at the end.[2]

Hill walking

The peak is easily accessed from the west, via the layby overlooking Bay Lough on the Vee Gap. This involves first climbing Sugarloaf Hill. It may also be climbed by following the Glannandaree stream from the carpark at the point where the R668 and R669 roads meet.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Knockmealdown . . 2 June 2019.
  2. http://www.logainm.ie/49940.aspx Placenames Database of Ireland
  3. Web site: Knockmealdown Mountains . MountainViews. 24 February 2009.