Slievenamon
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| Slievenamon | |
|---|---|
| Sliabh na mBan | |
 Slievenamon viewed from the northeast | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 721 m (2,365 ft) |
| Prominence | 638 m (2,093 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn, Hewitt |
| Coordinates | 52°25′48″N 7°33′47″W / 52.430°N 7.563°W |
| Naming | |
| English translation | mountain of the women |
| Language of name | Irish |
| Geography | |
  Slievenamon Location in Ireland | |
| Location | County Tipperary, Ireland |
| OSI/OSNI grid | S297307 |
| Topo map | OSi Discovery 67 |
Slievenamon (Template:Lang-ga, [ˈʃlʲiəw n̪ˠə ˈmˠanˠ], "mountain of the women") is a mountain which is situated northwest of Carrick on Suir and northeast of Clonmel in County Tipperary, Ireland. It stands at 721 m (2,365 ft). Sitting at the western end of a range of low hills, Slievenamon is a striking conical mass, offering a dramatic view from the top over the counties of Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford. Much of its lower slopes is wooded. A low hill attached to Slievenamon, known as Carrigmaclea (aka Carraigmoclear), was the site of a battle during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.
Etymology
The origin of the mountain's name is explained in Irish mythology. According to the tale, Fionn mac Cumhaill was sought after by many young women, but he said that he could have only one partner. His partner would be whichever woman won a footrace to the top of the mountain. Fionn stood on the cairn atop the mountain and gave a signal to start the race. The winner was Gráinne.[1]
Archaeology
There are two prehistoric cairns on Slievenamon. One is at the very top, and the other is on a lower summit to the northeast known as Sheegouna (from Irish Sí Ghamhnaí, meaning 'fairy mound of the heifers').
Cultural references
The song Slievenamon, written in the mid 19th century by revolutionary and poet Charles Kickham, is a well-known patriotic and romantic song about an exile who longs to see "our flag unrolled and my true love to unfold / in the valley near Slievenamon". It is regarded as the unofficial "county anthem" of Co. Tipperary, regularly sung by crowds at sporting events.[2]
The mountain is mentioned in the books The Hidden Side of Things (1913) and The Lives of Alcyone (1924, with Annie Besant) written by the theosophist clairvoyant Charles Webster Leadbeater.[citation needed]
Upon creation of the Irish Free State, the name Slievenamon was unofficially given to one of the 13 armoured Rolls Royce motor cars which were handed over to the new Free State army by the outgoing administration. Slievenamon was escorting the army's commander-in-chief, Michael Collins, when he was ambushed and killed near Béal na Bláth.[3] The car, since renamed to the Irish Sliabh na mBan, has been preserved by the Irish Defence Forces.
See also
References
- ^ Monaghan, Patricia. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore. Infobase Publishing, 2004. p.192
- ^ "The Story of Slievenamon". Tipperary Star. 2008-11-03.
- ^ "Kenny first sitting Taoiseach to address Béal na mBláth". The Irish Times. 2012-08-07.
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