Slieve Bloom Mountains facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Slieve Bloom Mountains |
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|---|---|
| Sliabh Bladhma | |
A view of the Slieve Blooms from the Glinsk Castle Hiking Loop
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 527 m (1,729 ft) |
| Prominence | 197 m (646 ft) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Laois/Offaly, Ireland |
| Designated: | 31 July 1986 |
| Reference #: | 335 |
The Slieve Bloom Mountains (also known as Sliabh Bladhma in Irish) are a mountain range in Ireland. They might not be super tall, reaching 527 metres (about 1,729 feet) at their highest point, but they cover a large area. These mountains rise up from the flat central part of Ireland. The two highest spots are Arderin (527 m) and Baunreaghcong (511 m).
Contents
Exploring the Slieve Bloom Mountains
The Slieve Bloom Mountains stretch between County Laois and County Offaly. They go from near Roscrea in the southwest to Rosenallis in the northwest.
How to Get There
It's easy to get to the mountains and their popular spots. You can take Exit 18 off the M7 for Mountmellick. Then, follow the R422 road towards villages like Rosenallis, Clonaslee, Cadamstown, and Kinnitty.
Roads Through the Mountains
There are three main roads that cross the mountains.
- From Clonaslee, you can follow the mountain road over a spot called 'the Cut' towards Mountrath.
- From Kinnitty, a road goes past Longford Church to Glendine Gap. This is near Ard Erin, the highest point.
- For amazing views, turn left onto the R440 road towards Kinnitty. This is one of the small villages found at the bottom of the mountains.
Walking and Hiking Trails
The Slieve Blooms are perfect for walking! There are many looped walking trails. You can find them at six different starting points:
- Glenbarrow
- Clonaslee
- Cadamstown
- Kinnitty
- Glenafelly Forest Car Park
- Glen Monicknew
These trails are color-coded to show how hard they are. Green means easy, blue is moderate, and red is the most difficult. The longer 75 km Slieve Bloom Way is yellow. You can start this trail from any of the trailheads. In Cadamstown, make sure to walk the Silver River Eco Trail.
Glenbarrow Falls
Just a few miles from Rosenallis, you'll find the beautiful Glenbarrow Falls. There are scenic looped walks that lead you to these waterfalls. You can also walk up onto the Ridge of Capard from here.
Mountain Biking Adventures
If you love cycling, you're in luck! The Slieve Bloom Mountains have special mountain biking trails. You can start these trails from two places:
- Kinnitty Village
- Baunreagh, near Mountrath
Ancient Mountains
The Slieve Bloom Mountains are incredibly old. They are one of the oldest mountain ranges in Europe, along with the Massif Central in France. A very long time ago, they were much taller, reaching about 3,700 metres (over 12,000 feet)! Over millions of years, wind and rain have worn them down to their current height of 527 metres. On a clear day, you can see the highest points of all four ancient provinces of Ireland from here.
Wildlife in the Slieve Blooms
These hills are home to a good number of red grouse. These are beautiful birds that blend in well with the landscape.
Mythology and Legends
The Slieve Bloom Mountains appear in old Irish stories. A famous hero named Fionn mac Cumhaill was raised here. His aunts, Bovmall and Lia Luachra, looked after him in Sliabh Bladhma. They kept him safe from a group called Clann Morna, who had killed his father.
Highest Peaks
Here are the ten highest peaks in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. All of these are at least 406 metres (1,332 feet) high.
| Rank | Mountain peak | Elevation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arderin | 527 m (1,729 ft) |
| 2 | Stillbrook Hill | 514 m (1,686 ft) |
| 3 | Baunreaghcong | 509 m (1,670 ft) |
| 4 | Wolftrap Mountain | 487 m (1,598 ft) |
| 5 | Ridge of Capard | 483 m (1,585 ft) |
| 6 | Barcam | 482 m (1,581 ft) |
| 7 | Carroll's Hill | 482 m (1,581 ft) |
| 8 | Farbreague | 430 m (1,410 ft) |
| 9 | Castleconor | 407 m (1,335 ft) |
| 10 | Garraunbaun | 406 m (1,332 ft) |
See also
In Spanish: Montañas Slieve Bloom para niños
