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Lists of mountains in Ireland facts for kids

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Topography Ireland
A topographic map of Ireland

Ireland is a beautiful island with many mountains! When we talk about lists of these mountains, some are in Northern Ireland (which is part of the United Kingdom), and some are in the Republic of Ireland. Mountains that are on the border between the two are marked with a star (*).

When mountains are ranked by how tall they are, we often look at something called "prominence." This means how much a mountain rises above the land around it, compared to nearby peaks. It's like measuring how much a mountain sticks out from its neighbors. Different groups use different rules for how much a mountain needs to stick out to be called a "mountain." For example, in Britain, a mountain usually needs to be over 600 meters (about 2,000 feet) tall. In Ireland, some people say 500 meters (about 1,640 feet) is enough.

The smallest amount a mountain needs to stick out to be counted on some Irish lists is 15 meters (about 50 feet). But many groups, like the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation, say a mountain needs to stick out at least 30 meters (about 100 feet). Some British rules say if a peak sticks out less than 150 meters (about 490 feet), it's just a "top" and not a full mountain. A common rule for Irish mountains is that they need to stick out at least 100 meters (about 330 feet). This rule is used for the "100 Highest Irish Mountains" list.

Irish mountains are also part of bigger lists that include mountains in both Ireland and Britain.

What Makes a Mountain a Mountain?

We don't all agree on exactly what a "mountain" is! But in Ireland and Britain, a common idea is a peak over 600 meters (about 2,000 feet) tall. The trickier part is how much it needs to rise above the land around it. This "prominence" can be anywhere from 30 to 150 meters (about 100 to 490 feet).

For example, in the Alps, a peak needs to stick out more than 30 meters to be called a "peak," and over 300 meters (about 980 feet) to be a "mountain." In Ireland and Britain, the smallest prominence usually accepted is 15 meters. However, newer lists often require at least 30 meters. Peaks that stick out between 30 and 150 meters are sometimes called "tops" instead of full "mountains." In Ireland, many people suggest a mountain should have a prominence of at least 100 meters.

Main Mountain Lists

Here are some of the main ways mountains in Ireland are grouped and listed:

  • Furth: These are mountains outside Scotland that are as tall as a Scottish Munro (over 3,000 feet or 914 meters). Ireland has 13 Furths, sometimes called "Irish Munros."
  • Real Munro: These are Furths that also stick out more than 150 meters. Ireland has 5 Real Munros.
  • P600 (the "Majors"): These are peaks in the British Isles that stick out over 600 meters. Ireland has 26 P600s.
  • Marilyn: Any peak in the British Isles that sticks out over 150 meters. Ireland has 454 Marilyns.
  • Hewitt: Peaks in England, Wales, or Ireland over 2,000 feet (610 meters) that stick out over 30 meters. Ireland has 209 Hewitts.
  • Vandeleur-Lynam: Irish peaks over 600 meters that stick out over 15 meters. Ireland has 275 Vandeleur-Lynams.
  • Arderin: Irish peaks over 500 meters (1,640 feet) that stick out over 30 meters. Ireland has 409 Arderins. This is like an Irish Hewitt, but with a lower height rule.
  • MountainViews: Irish peaks over 500 meters that stick out over 100 meters. Ireland has 221 such mountains on this list.

Other Ways Mountains are Grouped

Hill lists diagram Ireland
Elevation and prominence criteria used in mountain classification in Ireland. This chart helps show how different mountain lists are created based on height and how much they stick out.
  • Dillon: This name comes from Paddy Dillon's popular 2010 climbing guide, "The Mountains of Ireland." It includes 212 Irish peaks. Most of these are over 2,000 feet (610 meters) and stick out more than 30 meters, so they are very similar to the Irish Hewitts.
  • Myrddyn Deweys: These are Irish peaks between 500 meters and 2,000 feet tall that stick out more than 30 meters. This list was created in 2000. There are 200 Myrddyn Deweys.

The MountainViews Online Database

The MountainViews website was started in 2002 by Simon Stewart. It's a free online place for climbers in Ireland to keep track of and learn about Irish mountains. The information mostly comes from official maps, but MountainViews also does its own surveys. This database was also used to create the book "A Guide to Ireland's Mountain Summits" in 2013.

Since 2012, MountainViews has worked with the "Database of British and Irish Hills" (DoBIH), which is the main online list for mountains in Britain and Ireland. Sometimes, MountainViews might have slightly different measurements for certain Irish mountains.

The 10 Tallest MacGillycuddy's Reeks

The MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountain range is home to Carrauntoohil, which is Ireland's tallest mountain at 1,038.6 meters (about 3,407 feet). This range has the highest peaks in Ireland. However, not all of its peaks are considered "mountains" by every rule, especially because some don't stick out enough from their neighbors. Even so, this range is very important and includes ten of Ireland's thirteen Scottish Furths. It's a great example of how complicated mountain lists can be!

Here are the ten tallest peaks in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks:

The 10 highest peaks of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, regardless of prominence (MountainViews Online Database, October 2018)
Rank Irish name Other names Height Prominence Listed Not Listed
1 Corrán Tuathail Carrauntoohil 1,038.6 m 1,038.6 m Real Munro, Furth, P600, Marilyn, Hewitt, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam, Arderin, MountainViews —
2 Binn Chaorach Beenkeragh, Benkeeragh 1,008 m 92 m Furth, Hewitt, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam, Arderin Real Munro, P600, Marilyn, MountainViews
3 Cathair na Féinne Caher, Caher East Top 1,000 m 100 m Furth, Hewitt, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam, Arderin Real Munro, P600, Marilyn, MountainViews
4 Cnoc na Péiste Knocknapeasta 988 m 253 m Real Munro, Furth, Marilyn, Hewitt, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam, Arderin, MountainViews P600
5 Cathair Thiar Caher West Top 973 m 25 m Furth, Vandeleur-Lynam Real Munro, P600, Marilyn, Hewitt, Simm, Arderin, MountainViews
6 Maolán Buí — 973 m 38 m Furth, Hewitt, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam, Arderin Real Munro, P600, Marilyn, MountainViews
7 Cnoc an Chuillinn — 958 m 53 m Furth, Hewitt, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam, Arderin Real Munro, P600, Marilyn, MountainViews
8 Na Cnámha Carrauntoohil Tooth, The Bones, Knockoughter 957 m 37 m Furth, Hewitt, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam, Arderin Real Munro, P600, Marilyn, MountainViews
9 An Gunna Mór The Big Gun 939 m 74 m Furth, Hewitt, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam, Arderin Real Munro, P600, Marilyn, MountainViews
10 Cruach Mhór — 932 m 34 m Furth, Hewitt, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam, Arderin Real Munro, P600, Marilyn, MountainViews

The 100 Highest Irish Mountains

(Any height, but must stick out over 100 meters)

This list comes from the MountainViews "100 Highest Irish Mountains" book published in 2013. It includes research on Irish mountains and their names. To be on this list, a mountain needs to stick out over 100 meters. This is a popular list and includes 25 of the 26 Irish P600s (only Slieve Snaght is a P600 but not on this list).

     Real Munro: Height over 3,000 ft (914 m), prominence over 150 m.      P600: Any height, prominence over 600 m.

The 100 Highest Irish Mountains (MountainViews Online Database, October 2018)
Rank Name Irish name Translation Area/Range Province County Height Prom. Rating
1 Carrauntoohil
Highest in Munster		 Corrán Tuathail Tuathal's sickle MacGillycuddy's Reeks Munster Kerry 1,038.6 m 1,038.6 m 82%
2 Knocknapeasta Cnoc na Péiste hill of the serpent MacGillycuddy's Reeks Munster Kerry 988 m 253 m 94%
3 Brandon Cnoc Bréanainn Brendan's hill Brandon Group Munster Kerry 952 m 934 m 86%
4 Lugnaquilla
Highest in Leinster		 Log na Coille hollow of the wood Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 925 m 905 m 74%
5 Galtymore Cnoc Mór na nGaibhlte big hill of the Galtees Galty Mountains Munster Limerick/Tipperary 918 m 898 m 80%
6 Baurtregaum Barr Trí gCom top of the three hollows Slieve Mish Munster Kerry 851 m 643 m 85%
7 Slieve Donard*
Highest in Ulster		 Sliabh Dónairt peak (St.) Domhangart Mourne Mountains Ulster Down 850 m 822 m 77%
8 Mullaghcleevaun Mullach Cliabháin summit of the cradle Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 849 m 374 m 74%
9 Brandon Peak Barr an Ghéaráin top of the fang Brandon Group Munster Kerry 840 m 190 m 92%
10 Mangerton An Mhangarta long–haired mountain Mangerton Mountains Munster Kerry 838 m 583 m 79%
11 Caherconree Cathair Conraoi Cú Roí's fort Slieve Mish Munster Kerry 835 m 129 m 88%
12 Purple Mountain An Sliabh Corcra purple mountain Purple Mountain Munster Kerry 832 m 597 m 90%
13 Beenoskee Binn os Gaoith peak above the wind Central Dingle Munster Kerry 826 m 491 m 91%
14 Lyracappul Ladhar an Chapaill fork of the horse Galty Mountains Munster Limerick 825 m 100 m 90%
15 Tonelagee Tóin le Gaoith back to the wind Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 817 m 202 m 80%
16 Mweelrea
Highest in Connacht		 Maol Réidh bald smooth top Mweelrea Mountains Connacht Mayo 814 m 779 m 93%
17 Nephin Néifinn Fionn's paradise North Mayo Connacht Mayo 806 m 778 m 82%
18 Ben Lugmore Binn Log Mhór peak of the big hollow Mweelrea Mountains Connacht Mayo 803 m 158 m 95%
19 Greenane An Grianán sunny spot Galty Mountains Munster Tipperary 801 m 157 m 73%
20 Mount Leinster Stua Laighean warrior of Leinster Blackstairs Mountains Leinster Carlow/Wexford 794 m 706 m 75%
21 Knockmealdown Cnoc Mhaoldomhnaigh hill of Maoldomhnach Knockmealdowns Munster Waterford 792 m 683 m 79%
22 Fauscoum Fáschom empty hollow Comeragh Mountains Munster Waterford 792 m 626 m 83%
23 Stumpa Dúloigh Stumpa Dúloigh stump of the black lake Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 784 m 499 m 94%
24 Temple Hill Cnoc an Teampaill hill of the church Galty Mountains Munster Limerick 783 m 188 m 87%
25 Mullaghanattin Mullach an Aitinn summit of the gorse Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 773 m 528 m 93%
26 Barrclashcame Barr Chlais Céim top of Clais Céim Sheeffry Hills Connacht Mayo 772 m 707 m 89%
27 Coomacarrea Com an Charria hollow of the stag Glenbeigh Horseshoe Munster Kerry 772 m 457 m 91%
28 Slieve Commedagh* Sliabh Coimhéideach guarding mountain Mourne Mountains Ulster Down 767 m 180 m 82%
29 Croagh Patrick Cruach Phádraig (St.) Patrick's stack Croagh Patrick Connacht Mayo 764 m 639 m 69%
30 Masatiompan Más an Tiompáin rump of the drum Brandon Group Munster Kerry 762 m 109 m 92%
31 Camenabologue Céim na mBulóg pass of the bullocks Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 758 m 133 m 71%
32 Kippure Cipiúr (unknown) Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 757 m 262 m 57%
33 Knockanaffrin Cnoc an Aifrinn hill of the mass Comeragh Mountains Munster Waterford 755 m 289 m 81%
34 Beann An Bheann Bhán white peak Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 752 m 166 m 87%
35 Errigal An Earagail (possibly) oratory Derryveagh Mountains Ulster Donegal 751 m 688 m 79%
36 Slieve Binnian* Sliabh Binneáin mountain of small peak Mourne Mountains Ulster Down 746 m 282 m 85%
37 Broaghnabinnia Bruach na Binne verge of the peak Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 745 m 290 m 96%
38 Slieve Bearnagh* Sliabh Bearnach gapped mountain Mourne Mountains Ulster Down 739 m 304 m 89%
39 Conavalla Ceann an Bhealaigh head of the pass Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 734 m 109 m 70%
40 Blackstairs Mountain Na Staighrí Dubha the blackstairs Blackstairs Mountains Leinster Carlow/Wexford 732 m 540 m 83%
41 Benbaun Binn Bhán white peak Twelve Bens Connacht Galway 729 m 684 m 90%
42 Djouce Dioghais fortified height Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 725 m 200 m 59%
43 Slieve Carr Corrshliabh pointed mountain Nephin Beg Range Connacht Mayo 721 m 646 m 90%
44 Slievenamon Sliabh na mBan mountain of the women Slievenamon Munster Tipperary 720 m 711 m 64%
45 Gravale Droibhéal difficult passage Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 718 m 123 m 71%
46 Corranabinnia Coire na Binne hollow of the peak Nephin Beg Range Connacht Mayo 716 m 541 m 94%
47 Meenteog Muing boggy area long grass Glenbeigh Horseshoe Munster Kerry 715 m 110 m 92%
48 Bencorr Binn an Choire Mhóir pointed peak Twelve Bens Connacht Galway 711 m 306 m 95%
49 Knockboy An Cnoc Buí yellow/golden hill Shehy/Knockboy Munster Cork/Kerry 706 m 685 m 75%
50 Moanbane Móin Bhán white bog Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 703 m 108 m 67%
51 Slievelamagan* Sliabh Lámhagáin creeping mountain Mourne Mountains Ulster Down 702 m 197 m 85%
52 Binn idir an Dá Log Binn idir an Dá Log peak between two hollows Maumturks Connacht Galway 702 m 644 m 93%
53 Slieve Meelbeg* Sliabh Míol Beag mountain of ants Mourne Mountains Ulster Down 702 m 193 m 77%
54 Ben Gorm An Bhinn Ghorm the blue peak Ben Gorm Mountains Connacht Mayo 700 m 670 m 93%
55 Birreencorragh Birín Corrach rocky little spike Nephin Beg Range Connacht Mayo 698 m 583 m 90%
56 Bencollaghduff Binn Dubh black peak Twelve Bens Connacht Galway 696 m 191 m 97%
57 The Paps East Dá Chích Anann Thoir Paps/Derrynasaggart Munster Kerry 694 m 623 m 83%
58 Keeper Hill Sliabh Coimeálta mountain of guarding Silvermine Mountains Munster Tipperary 694 m 627 m 66%
59 Caoinkeen An Caincín snub/turned-up nose Shehy/Knockboy Munster Cork/Kerry 692 m 107 m 88%
60 Benbreen Binn Bhraoin Braon's peak Twelve Bens Connacht Galway 691 m 186 m 95%
61 Knocknadobar Cnoc na dTobar hill of the wells Iveragh Peninsula Munster Kerry 690 m 585 m 83%
62 The Paps West Dá Chích Anann Thiar Paps/Derrynasaggart Munster Kerry 690 m 106 m 89%
63 Croaghaun Cruachán little stack Achill Connacht Mayo 688 m 688 m 95%
64 Hungry Hill Cnoc Daod hill of the tooth Caha Mountains Munster Cork 685 m 400 m 90%
65 Knockmoyle Cnoc Maol bald or round hill Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 684 m 169 m 82%
66 Maumtrasna Mám Trasna pass across Partry/Joyce Country Connacht Mayo 682 m 607 m 85%
67 Caherbarnagh An Chathair Bhearnach the gapped fort Paps/Derrynasaggart Munster Cork 681 m 361 m 74%
68 Slieve Meelmore* Sliabh Míol Mór mountain of ants Mourne Mountains Ulster Down 680 m 109 m 78%
69 Colly Mountain An Bheann Mhór the big peak Glenbeigh Horseshoe Munster Kerry 679 m 144 m 84%
70 Sawel* Samhail Phite Méabha Sperrin Mountains Ulster Londonderry/Tyrone 678 m 657 m 83%
71 Slieve Snaght Sliabh Sneachta mountain of snow Derryveagh Mountains Ulster Donegal 678 m 403 m 91%
72 Derryclare Binn Doire Chláir the peak of Derryclare Twelve Bens Connacht Galway 677 m 129 m 91%
73 Knocknagantee Cnoc na gCainte hill of the conversation Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 676 m 101 m 88%
74 An Bheann Mhór An Bheann Mhór the big peak Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 675 m 290 m 87%
75 Croaghgorm An Chruach Ghorm the blue stack Bluestack Mountains Ulster Donegal 674 m 541 m 91%
76 Slievemore An Sliabh Mór the big mountain Achill Connacht Mayo 671 m 582 m 87%
77 Lavagh More An Leamhach Mhór the big place of elms Bluestack Mountains Ulster Donegal 671 m 193 m 94%
78 Slievanea NE Top Sliabh Macha Ré the smooth plain Central Dingle Munster Kerry 671 m 265 m 87%
79 Slieve Muck* Sliabh Muc mountain of the pigs Mourne Mountains Ulster Down 670 m 155 m 83%
80 Muckish An Mhucais the pig's back/or ridge Derryveagh Mountains Ulster Donegal 667 m 523 m 83%
81 Finnararagh An Corrán the crescent or sickle Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 667 m 142 m 92%
82 Letterbreckaun Binn Bhriocáin (St.) Brecan's peak Maumturks Connacht Galway 667 m 322 m 92%
83 Knocknafallia Cnoc na Faille hill of the cliff Knockmealdowns Munster Waterford 667 m 153 m 80%
84 Coomura Mountain Cnoc na Faille (unknown) Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 666 m 209 m 94%
85 Cuilcagh Binn Chuilceach cloaked peak Cuilcagh Mountains Ulster Cavan/Fermanagh 665 m 570 m 80%
86 Bengower Binn Gabhar goats peak Twelve Bens Connacht Galway 664 m 196 m 90%
87 Croaghanmoira Cruachán Mhaigh Rath little stack of Moira Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 664 m 209 m 74%
88 Sugarloaf Hill Cnoc na gCloch hill of the stones Knockmealdowns Munster Tipperary/Waterford 663 m 118 m 71%
89 Binn Mhór Binn Mhór big peak Maumturks Connacht Galway 661 m 406 m 86%
90 Mullacor Mullach Mhór big summit Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 661 m 102 m 62%
91 Beenmore Binn Mhór big peak Glenbeigh Horseshoe Munster Kerry 660 m 125 m 89%
92 Knockowen Cnoc Eoghain hill of Eoghan Caha Mountains Munster Cork/Kerry 658 m 373 m 89%
93 Chimney Rock Mtn* Sliabh an Aoire Shepherd mountain Mourne Mountains Ulster Down 656 m 131 m 86%
94 Muckanaght Meacanacht Pig's back Twelve Bens Connacht Galway 654 m 179 m 92%
95 Keadeen Mountain Céidín Flat–topped hill Wicklow Mountains Leinster Wicklow 653 m 334 m 80%
96 Knockshanahullion Cnoc Seanchuillinn hill of the old holly Knockmealdowns Munster Tipperary 652 m 317 m 70%
97 Dooish Mountain An Dubhais the black ridge Derryveagh Mountains Ulster Donegal 652 m 377 m 90%
98 Crohane An Cruachán the little stack Mangerton Mountains Munster Kerry 650 m 385 m 83%
99 Mullaghanish Mullach an Ois summit of the deer Paps/Derrynasaggart Munster Cork/Kerry 649 m 264 m 48%
100 Coomcallee Com Caillí the hollow of the hag Dunkerron Mountains Munster Kerry 649 m 104 m 84%

Irish County and Provincial Tops

Provincial Tops

Ireland has four main regions called "Provinces." The tallest mountain in each province is called a Provincial Top:

You can find a full list of these on the List of Irish counties by highest point page.

County Tops

Ireland also has 27 County Tops. This is because some counties share the same tallest mountain. For example, Galtymore is the highest point for both Limerick and Tipperary counties.

You can find a full list of these on the List of Irish counties by highest point page.

Irish Mountains in Other Lists

While some mountain lists are only for Ireland, many Irish mountains are also included in bigger lists that cover both Ireland and Britain.

Simms

The Simms list includes mountains in Britain and Ireland that are over 600 meters tall and stick out more than 30 meters. This is very similar to the Irish Arderin list. As of October 2018, there are 2,754 Simms in Britain and Ireland, and 224 of them are Irish mountains. You can see how they rank by height and prominence on the List of mountains of the British Isles by height page.

Hewitts

Irish Hewitts are mountains over 2,000 feet (610 meters) tall that stick out more than 30 meters. This list is now mostly replaced by the metric Simms list. You can find how Irish Hewitts rank against English and Welsh Hewitts on the List of Hewitt mountains in England, Wales and Ireland page.

Marilyns

The Marilyn list is very popular in Britain and Ireland. It includes any peak that sticks out over 150 meters, no matter how tall it is. This rule is stricter than the Irish MountainViews list (which requires 100 meters of prominence). As of October 2018, there are 2,011 Marilyns in Britain and Ireland, and 454 of them are Irish. This list is often used to rank mountains by how much they stick out. You can find it on the List of Marilyns in the British Isles page.

P600s

The P600 list (also called the "Majors") includes mountains in Britain and Ireland that stick out over 600 meters. This means they must also be over 600 meters tall. As of October 2018, there are 120 P600s, and 26 of them are Irish. You can see how they rank by height on the List of P600 mountains in the British Isles page.

Furths

The Scottish Furth list is for mountains that are like Scottish Munros (tall mountains) but are "furth" (meaning outside) of Scotland. As of October 2018, there are 34 Furths in Britain and Ireland, and 13 of them are Irish. You can see how they rank by height on the List of Furth mountains in the British Isles page.

Mountains by Province and Range

Here's a look at some of the mountains in each of Ireland's provinces, grouped by their mountain ranges:

Munster

Leinster

Ulster

Connacht

See also

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