Cooley Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cooley Mountains |
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Cooley Mountains from the south
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| Highest point | |
| Peak | Slieve Foy |
| Elevation | 588 m (1,929 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Country | Republic of Ireland |
| Provinces of Ireland | Leinster |
The Cooley Mountains are a beautiful mountain range in County Louth, Ireland. They are found on the Cooley Peninsula in the northeast part of the county. These mountains are made up of two long ridges that run from northwest to southeast. A lovely valley called Glenmore, with the Big River flowing through it, separates these two ridges.
Exploring the Cooley Mountains
The Cooley Mountains are a special place for nature lovers and adventurers. They offer amazing views of the surrounding countryside and the sea. The mountains are a popular spot for hiking and exploring.
Tallest Peaks and Famous Spots
The highest mountain in the Cooley range is Slieve Foy. It stands tall at 588 metres (about 1,929 feet) above sea level. Slieve Foy is also the highest point in all of County Louth.
The eastern ridge of the Cooley Mountains starts at a spot called The Foxes Rock, which is 404 metres high. From there, the ridge stretches for about 6 kilometres (nearly 4 miles) towards the town of Carlingford, County Louth.
There are other interesting mountains in the Cooley range too. Two of them are known locally as Maeves Gap and Paddys Top. Maeves Gap got its name from a famous legend. It is said that the legendary Queen Maeve led her armies through this very area a long, long time ago.
Another important peak on the eastern ridge is Clermont Carn. It reaches a height of 510 metres (about 1,673 feet).
Ancient Stories and Sports
The Cooley Mountains are not just about nature; they are also famous in Irish mythology! They are believed to be the ancient home of the sport of Hurling. This story is told in the famous Irish tale called the Táin Bó Cúailnge.
In this old story, a young hero named Setanta (who later became Cú Chulainn) traveled through these mountains. He showed off his amazing skills by hitting his sliothar (which is the small ball used in hurling) all the way before him. He was on his way to Emain Macha, a very important ancient site.
Today, this incredible feat is remembered and re-enacted every year. The All-Ireland Poc Fada Championship takes place on Annaverna Mountain, which is part of the Cooley Mountains. In this competition, hurlers try to hit the sliotar the longest distance possible, just like Setanta did in the legends.
