Church Mountain facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Church Mountain / Slieve Gad
Sliabh gCod / Sliabh an Chodaigh
Church Mountain from the south
Highest point
Elevation	544 m (1,785 ft)
Prominence	129 m (423 ft)
Geography
Church Mountain / Slieve Gad Location in island of Ireland
Location	Wicklow, Republic of Ireland
Parent range	Wicklow Mountains
OSI/OSNI grid	N948012
Topo map	OSi Discovery 56

Church Mountain, also known as Slieve Gad, is a special mountain in Ireland. Its name in Irish is Sliabh gCod or Sliabh an Chodaigh, which means "mountain of the covenant". It is the most western mountain in the famous Wicklow Mountains range.

This mountain stands 544 meters (about 1,785 feet) tall. It is located in County Wicklow, roughly halfway between the towns of Hollywood to the north and Donard to the south.

Discovering Church Mountain in Ireland

What Makes Church Mountain Special?

At the very top of Church Mountain, you can find the remains of a very old stone pile called a cairn. This cairn was built a long, long time ago, even before Christianity came to Ireland. It was likely used for ancient ceremonies.

Later, in the Middle Ages, part of this old cairn was changed. A small building, which looked like a church, was built right on top of it. This is how the mountain got its name, Church Mountain.

A Place of Pilgrimage

For many years, people used to climb Church Mountain as part of a special journey called a pilgrimage. They would visit a holy well that was also on the summit. This journey often happened during the festival of Lughnasa. Lughnasa is an ancient Irish festival that celebrates the harvest season, usually at the end of summer.

Another Church Mountain?

It might be a bit confusing, but there is another mountain also called Church Mountain! This other one is located far away in the United States. You can find it in Washington State, specifically in the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. It is a different mountain entirely, with its own trails and natural beauty.