Arra Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arra Mountains |
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| Irish: Sliabh an Ara | |
Lough Derg from Arra Mountains
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Tountinna |
| Elevation | 457 m (1,499 ft) |
| Geography | |
 Location in Ireland
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| Country | Republic of Ireland |
| Province | Munster |
| Range coordinates | 52°50′N 8°22′W / 52.833°N 8.367°W |
The Arra Mountains (also called the Arra Hills) are a group of hills in County Tipperary, Ireland. They are located between the towns of Nenagh and Ballina. You can find them south-east of Lough Derg (Shannon) and north of the M7 Motorway. The highest point in the Arra Mountains is a peak called Tountinna, which is 457 meters (1,499 feet) high.
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Exploring the Arra Mountains
The Arra Mountains are a beautiful part of County Tipperary. They offer great views of the surrounding area, including Lough Derg (Shannon). Even though they are called "mountains," their highest point, Tountinna, is not quite as tall as some of the highest mountains in the world.
What Makes a Mountain?
Sometimes, people define a mountain by its height. In Ireland and the UK, a mountain is often thought of as being at least 600 meters (about 2,000 feet) high. However, the official maps and databases in Ireland, like the Placenames Database of Ireland, still call the Arra range "mountains." This shows that what we call a mountain can depend on local traditions and official names.
Fun Things to Do
The Arra Mountains are a great place for outdoor activities. There are several walking trails around Tountinna. These trails go through pretty areas like Killary Glen and past Black Lough. The famous Lough Derg Way also passes through parts of the Arra Mountains, including Laghtea Hill and Tountinna. Killary Glen is a small, peaceful valley located southwest of Tountinna.
The Millennium Cross
On Loughtea Hill, which is southwest of Portroe, you can see a tall stainless steel cross. This cross is 20 meters (about 66 feet) high. It was put there in 2002 to celebrate the new millennium. It replaced an older cross that was placed there after the Eucharistic Congress of Dublin (1932).
Fintan's Mythical Cave
The Arra Mountains are also linked to an old Irish myth. On Tountinna, there is a cave known as Fintan's Grave. According to legend, a mythical figure named Fintan mac Bóchra is said to have survived a great flood by waiting it out in this cave.
Peaks of the Arra Mountains
Here are some of the main hills and peaks in the Arra Mountains:
- Tountinna: This is the highest point, standing at 457 meters (1,499 feet).
- Loughtea: This hill is 320 meters (1,050 feet) high.
- Corbally Hill: This peak reaches 339 meters (1,112 feet).
- Coum Hill: This hill is 330 meters (1,083 feet) high.
