Little Sugar Loaf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Sugar Loaf |
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| Giolspar | |
Little Sugar Loaf, from the east
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 342 m (1,122 ft) |
| Prominence | 247 m (810 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Naming | |
| English translation | Giltspur |
| Language of name | Irish |
| Geography | |
 Little Sugar Loaf
Location in Ireland
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| Location | Wicklow, Ireland |
| Parent range | Wicklow Mountains |
| OSI/OSNI grid | O2606514480 |
| Topo map | OSi Discovery 56 |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Quartzite Bedrock |
The Little Sugar Loaf (called Giolspar in Irish, meaning "Giltspur") is a hill in County Wicklow, Ireland. It stands about 342 meters (1,122 feet) tall. This makes it a medium-sized hill, not as high as some of Ireland's tallest mountains.
Even though it's not super tall, the Little Sugar Loaf is special because of its "prominence." Prominence means how much a hill rises from the land around it. The Little Sugar Loaf rises 247 meters (810 feet) from its base. This high prominence means it is listed as a Marilyn. A Marilyn is a hill in the British Isles that rises at least 150 meters (492 feet) above the land around it.
Contents
Location and Features
The Little Sugar Loaf is found in the northeast part of the Wicklow Mountains. It is located northeast of its larger neighbor, the Great Sugar Loaf. A busy road, the N11 dual carriageway, separates the two hills.
Overlooking Towns
From its northern side, the Little Sugar Loaf looks directly over the town of Bray. If you look from the eastern side, you can see across the R761 road. This road runs between Bray and Greystones. Beyond the road, you can see the western slope of Bray Head.
Unique Shape
The Little Sugar Loaf has a very unique shape. It looks like it has a rocky "double summit," meaning two peaks close together. Just like the Great Sugar Loaf, this hill is made of a very hard rock called quartzite. This rock formed during the Cambrian Period, which was hundreds of millions of years ago.
What's in a Name?
The Irish name for the Little Sugar Loaf is Giolspar. This name likely comes from the English words "gilt spur." A "gilt spur" is a fancy type of spur, often made of gold or gold-plated.
Historical Connection
A long time ago, in the 12th century, there was a land deal involving Diarmait Mac Murchada. He was an important Irish king. Records show that part of the payment for land in this area was a pair of "gilt spurs." These spurs were to be paid to him and his family every year. This old payment might be how the hill got its unique Irish name.
