Knocknashee Explained

Knocknashee
Elevation M:276
Elevation Ref:[1]
Prominence M:171
Listing:Marilyn
Translation:Hill of fairies
Language:Irish
Location:County Sligo, Ireland
Range:Ox Mountains
Map:Ireland
Coordinates:54.12°N -8.6798°W
Grid Ref Ireland:G556192

Knocknashee (Irish: Cnoc na Sí)[2] is a 2760NaN0 Marilyn in the Ox Mountains of County Sligo, Ireland.

Geography

The River Moy rises at the foot of Knocknashee.

Geology

Knocknashee hill consists of a limestone top with shales underlying the lower slopes.[3]

Archaeology

Knocknashee was identified as a hilltop fort in 1988. It is an enclosed hill fort with limestone ramparts containing cairns, burial chambers and hutsites. The fort is 700 metres long and 320 metres wide and is enclosed by two earth and stone ramparts covering an area of 53 acres. The site was discovered during an aerial survey of county Sligo by the Office of Public Works in 1988.

Name

The name of the plateau itself comes from Irish, ‘knock’ (cnoc) meaning ‘hill’ and ‘shee’ (sí) meaning ‘burial mound’ or 'of the fairies'. In older Irish Knocknashee is known as Mullinabreena.

Popular culture references

"Knocknashee" was a play by Irish playwright Deirdre Kinahan. It was first produced 24 January 2002 in the Civic Theatre, Tallaght, Dublin 24.[4]

"The Hills Of Knocknashee" is a traditional Irish song.The River Moy so gently flows from there unto the sea. Farewell to you, farewell to all from the hill of Knocknashee [5]

"Knocknashee" with music by Neil Martin and lyrics by Brendan Graham.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Mountain Views http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php
  2. Web site: Cnoc na Sí/Knocknashee . . 2 July 2024.
  3. GSI Knocknashee Hill http://www.gsi.ie/Education/Sites_Walks_Field+Trips/Knocknashee+Hill.htm
  4. Irish playography "Knocknashee" http://www.irishplayography.com/search/play.aspx?la=en&play_id=235
  5. "The Hills Of Knocknashee" lyrics and chords http://www.martindardis.com/id818.html
  6. "Knocknashee" lyrics http://www.anthonykearns.net/KnocknasheeLyrics.html