Slieve Rushen

Slieve Rushen is a mountain which straddles the border of Counties Cavan and Fermanagh and thus the international border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is also called Slieve Russell or Ligavegra (Also Legavagra, Ligavagra). It has an altitude of 404 metres above sea-level. OS 1/50k Mapsheet: 27A & 26. Grid Ref: H234 226. [ [http://mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?mtnindex=806&PHPSESSID=088a182848521a5150e76485eae3071e MountainViews: Slieve Rushen in area Breifne ] ] The mountain is comprised of grey limestone with a cap of sandstone and shales and is extensively quarried by local companies. The surface is mostly covered with peat, pine forests and grazing fields. [ [http://www.breifne.ie/content.asp?ID=1559 Breifne - Landscapes - Slieve Rushen ] ] The mountain contains several caves and swallow-holes including Pollnagollum and Tory Hole which are a popular destination for potholers. A recent addition to the mountain is a wind farm for generating electricity.

History

The name Slieve Rushen derives from the gaelic "Sliabh Ros-in" which means "The Mountain of the Little Wood". However an alternative explanation of the name is given in a Middle-Irish text c.1400 from the The Yellow Book of Lecan entitled "The Settling of the of the Manor of Tara", in which verse 34 states"daughter of Toga of the grey stormy sea,at that time ’twas a woman,she from whom Sliabh Raisen is named.". [http://www.ucd.ie/tlh/text/rib.eriu.4.001.t.text.html] The earliest surviving mention of the name occurs in the Annals of the Four Masters for the year 1111 A.D. "A predatory excursion was made by Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair and he plundered Tearmann-Dabheog. Another predatory excursion was made by him; and he plundered as far as Beann-Eachlabhra, Sliabh-Ruisen, and Loch-Eirne". [ [http://www.ucc.ie/celt/published/T100005B/index.html Annals of the Four Masters ] ]

The mountain has been inhabited since at least 3,000 B.C. as is evident from the ancient court cairns and wedge tombs still surviving, such as in the townlands of Doon, Aughrim and Aghnacally. [ [http://www.shee-eire.com/Sites&Monuments/Wedge-tombs/Cavan/Aghnacally/Ancywtinfo.htm Aghnacally Wedge Tomb Info ] ]

ee also

[http://www.sierratel.com/colinf/genuki/cav/Maps/Taylor/59.html *Map of Slieve Rushen in 1777]

References