Spahill and Clomantagh Hill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Clomantagh Hill |
|
|---|---|
| Cnoc na Cloiche Mantaí | |
 |
|
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 349 m (1,145 ft) |
| Prominence | 217 m (712 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Geography | |
 Clomantagh Hill
Location in island of Ireland
|
|
| Location | Kilkenny, Ireland |
| Parent range | Slieveardagh Hills |
| Topo map | OSi Discovery 67 |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | calcarenitic limestone |
Spahill and Clomantagh Hill are two important hills in County Kilkenny, Ireland. They are part of a special protected area called a Special Area of Conservation (SAC). This means the area is important for its nature and wildlife.
The hills are located in a parish called Balleen. The Irish names for these places are Cnoc na Spá for Spahill and An Chloch Mhantach for Clomantagh Hill.
Contents
What Makes Spahill and Clomantagh Hill Special?
Spahill is on the eastern side of this special area. It is part of a steep slope, like a cliff, that connects the Slieveardagh Hills to the Castlecomer Plateau. Most of Spahill is made of limestone rock. This rock can be seen in flat sheets and ledges.
Clomantagh Hill has similar rocks to Spahill. But at the very top, there is also sandstone. This sandstone looks different from the limestone. It appears as low, bumpy rocks.
Why Different Rocks Matter
The different types of rocks in these areas are very important. They create different kinds of soil. This means different types of plants can grow there. This variety of natural grasslands is rare in Ireland. Many natural grasslands have been lost because of modern farming.
Amazing Plants of the Hills
The grasslands on Spahill and Clomantagh Hill are home to many interesting plants. You can find the green-winged orchid scattered around. Two other types of orchids, the frog orchid and the Common Spotted-orchid, also grow here. These orchids mostly grow in areas with lots of limestone.
Plants on Sandstone
On the sandstone at the top of Clomantagh Hill, the plants are quite different. Here, you will see more ling (also known as heather). Other plants that like heathland also grow there.
Woodland Areas
To the northwest of the special area, there is some woodland. This forest mainly has downy birch trees and hazel trees. The ground under these trees is full of many different kinds of plants.
Protecting the Green-Winged Orchid
One of the most important plants that this special area protects is the green-winged orchid. This orchid is listed in the Irish Red Data Book. This means it is a species that needs special care to survive.
Clomantagh Hill: A High Point
Clomantagh Hill is also known as Killoshulan. It rises to a height of 349 meters (about 1,145 feet). It is the highest point in the northern part of the Slieve Ardagh Hills. It is also the 3rd highest point in all of County Kilkenny. In fact, it is the 972nd highest mountain in Ireland!
Clomantagh Hill is classified as a Marilyn. This is a special term for a hill or mountain that is at least 150 meters (about 492 feet) higher than the land around it. The name of the mountain, An Chloch Mhantach, means Hill of the gapped stone in Irish.
