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Slieve Miskish Mountains facts for kids

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Slieve Miskish Mountains
Slieve Miskish, Copper Mines - geograph.org.uk - 12891.jpg
Highest point
Peak Knockoura
Elevation 490 m (1,610 ft)
Geography
Country Republic of Ireland
Provinces of Ireland Munster

The Slieve Miskish Mountains are a small group of mountains. You can find them at the very end of the Beara Peninsula. This area is in County Cork, Ireland. Their name comes from an old Irish phrase, "Sliabh Mioscais." This means "the Mountains of Malice."

These mountains are not as tall as some others. They are made of a type of rock called sandstone. They stand proudly over the town of Castletownbere. They also overlook the village of Allihies.

Discovering the Slieve Miskish Mountains

The Slieve Miskish Mountains are a unique part of Ireland. They are found on the Beara Peninsula. This peninsula stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean.

Where are these mountains?

These mountains are special because they are entirely in County Cork. The Beara Peninsula is split between two counties. Part of it is in County Cork. The other part is in County Kerry. But the Slieve Miskish Mountains stay completely on the Cork side.

What are the main peaks?

There are four main peaks in the Slieve Miskish Mountains. Each one has its own height:

  • Knocknagallaun is 376 meters (about 1,234 feet) tall.
  • Miskish Mountain is 386 meters (about 1,266 feet) tall.
  • Knockgour reaches 481 meters (about 1,578 feet) high.
  • Knockoura is the tallest at 490 meters (about 1,608 feet).

A look at the past: Copper mining

The village of Allihies sits on the western side of these mountains. In the 1800s, Allihies was a busy place. It was a center for mining copper. Copper is a metal used in many things.

Today, the mines are no longer working. But you can still see the old mine buildings. They stand on the mountain slopes above Allihies. They are a reminder of the area's rich history.

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