Moylussa | |
Other Name: | Maigh Lusa |
Photo Size: | 300 |
Elevation M: | 532 |
Elevation Ref: | [1] |
Prominence M: | 502 |
Location: | County Clare, Republic of Ireland |
Range: | Slieve Bernagh Mountains |
Map: | Ireland |
Map Size: | 255 |
Label Position: | right |
Coordinates: | 52.8335°N -8.5224°W |
Grid Ref Ireland: | R6484375917 |
Moylussa (Irish: Maigh Lusa) is a mountain[2] in the Slieve Bernagh range in western Ireland, and the highest point in County Clare at 532m (1,745feet).[1] [3]
It is situated in Kilbane, between the villages of Broadford and Bridgetown, in the east of the county and to the west of Lough Derg and the River Shannon.[4]
There are a number of routes to the summit; one of the most popular ascents starts from the forest car park at Ballycuggaran, Ogonnelloe.[5] The route passes through one of the conifer plantations that have been created on the shoulder of the mountain and other nearby hills by Coillte, the state owned forestry company. The route then follows part of the long-distance path known as the East Clare Way which runs in a circular route from Killaloe and passes along the eastern flanks of Moylussa, but does not ascend to its highest point.[6]
Beyond this the path climbs up into the open area of moorland. Originally this followed a bog road, but this has been improved by Coillte with a new shale track that extends all of the way to the summit, where a new marker stone has also been added.[5] [7]
There are good views from the summit of Lough Derg, Killaloe and the surrounding countryside.[5] It is sometimes listed as having a twin summit, but recent surveys have shown that the second peak at R6511 7557 is slightly lower.[3] The area around the summit is known to be very boggy.[5]
Moylussa is the highest point in the Slieve Bernagh mountain range; other nearby summits includes Cragnamurragh at 526m (1,726feet),[2] Glennagalliagh ("Witch Valley Mountain") at 446m (1,463feet), and Ballykildea at 412m (1,352feet).