Knockmealdown Mountains Explained

Knockmealdown Mountains
Other Name:	Sléibhte Chnoc Mhaoldomhnaigh
Country:	Republic of Ireland
Region:	Munster
Region Type:	Provinces of Ireland
Highest:	Knockmealdown
Elevation M:	794

The Knockmealdown Mountains (Irish: Sléibhte Chnoc Mhaoldomhnaigh) are a mountain range located on the border of counties Tipperary and Waterford in Ireland, running east and west between the two counties. The highest peak of the range is Knockmealdown, in County Waterford. On the western side of the summit, the range is crossed by a high pass called ‘The Vee’ through which runs the old mail coach road from Lismore to Clogheen.^[1]

The mountains were formerly known as Sliabh gCua,^[2] sometimes anglicized 'Slieve Gua' or 'Slieve Goe'.^[3]

Mountain peaks

List of peaks in the Knockmealdown Mountains ordered by height:

• Knockmealdown, Cnoc Mhaoldomhnaigh (794 m)
• Knockmoylan, Cnoc Maoláin (768 m)
• Knocknafallia, Cnoc na Faille (668 m)
• Sugarloaf Hill, Cnoc na gCloch (663 m)
• Knocknagnauv, Cnoc na gCnámh (655 m)
• Knockshanahullion, Cnoc Seanchuillinn (652 m)
• Knocknalougha, Cnoc na Loiche (630 m)
• Knockmeal, An Cnoc Maol (560 m)
• Crohan West, An Cruachán (521 m)
• Farbreaga, An Fear Bréige (518 m)

Wildlife

This mountain range is an important breeding ground for two endangered species, the red grouse and the hen harrier; cuckoo, nightjar, crossbill, buzzard and grasshopper warbler can also be seen.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Description of County Waterford from Atlas and Cyclopedia of Ireland (1900) . Library Ireland. 24 February 2009.
2. Web site: Knockmealdown Mountains . MountainViews. 24 February 2009.
3. Tempan, Paul. "Sliabh in Irish Place-Names". Queen's University Belfast. p.29