Prince William's Seat facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Prince William's Seat
Summit of Prince William's Seat from a large granite Tor near Knocknagon
Highest point
Elevation	555 m (1,821 ft)
Prominence	63 m (207 ft)
Listing	Arderin
Geography
Prince William's Seat Location in island of Ireland
Location	Wicklow, Republic of Ireland
Parent range	Wicklow Mountains
OSI/OSNI grid	O176182
Topo map	OSi Discovery 56
Geology
Mountain type	Pale grey fine to coarse-grained granite Bedrock

Prince William's Seat is a mountain in Ireland. It stands 555 metres (1,821 ft) tall. This makes it one of the higher peaks in the country. It is ranked 296th on the Arderin scale.

This mountain sits on the edge of the Wicklow Mountains and the Dublin Mountains. It is located at the start of the Glencree valley. Right next to Prince William's Seat is another mountain called Knocknagun. It is also 555 metres (1,821 ft) high. A small dip in the land separates these two peaks. Both mountains are very popular spots for people who enjoy walking in the hills.

Why is it Called Prince William's Seat?

The name "Prince William's Seat" likely comes from a royal visit. An expert named Paul Tempan believes it was named after William. He was the brother of King George IV. This visit happened in Ireland in 1821.

Before this time, there is no known Irish name for the peak. Old maps from the 1820s simply called the area the "Commons of Ballynulty." This was a local area name.

Paul Tempan also wondered if the name Knocknagun originally covered both peaks. Knocknagun means "hill of the dogs" in Irish. Near the top of Knocknagun, there is a large rock formation. It is called a Tor. This spot might have been a resting place for hunting groups. The Fitzwilliam family owned these lands for many years. They owned them from the mid-1500s to the late 1600s.

Enjoying a Walk on Prince William's Seat

Prince William's Seat is a great place for a family hike. It is easy to get to and not far from Dublin City. Many people enjoy walking here.

A popular route is a 10.5-kilometer loop. It takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete. This walk starts from a car park at Boranaraltry Bridge in Glencullen. You walk up through Glencullen Forest to the top of Knocknagun. Then, you cross over to the summit of Prince William's Seat. Finally, you return to the bridge. It is a rewarding walk with beautiful views.

Fitzwilliam's Seat: A Special Rock

Near the summit of Knocknagun, you will find a large granite rock. This rock is known as Fitzwilliam's Seat. It stands out because the land around it is mostly flat and boggy. This unique rock formation adds to the beauty of the area.

Gallery

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  Granite Tor of Fitzwilliam's Seat near the summit of Knocknagun

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  Summit triangulation pillar. In the distance is the Great Sugar Loaf (right), and Little Sugar Loaf (left)

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  Knocknagun and Prince William's Seat from Glencree; Great Sugar Loaf is back right.