The Big Gun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Big Gun |
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| An Gunna Mór | |
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A person walking towards The Big Gun (right), with Cruach Mhór mountain behind (left)
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 939 m (3,081 ft) |
| Prominence | 74 m (243 ft) |
| Listing | Furth, Hewitt, Arderin, Simm, Vandeleur-Lynam |
| Geography | |
 The Big Gun
Location in island of Ireland
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| Location | County Kerry, Republic of Ireland |
| Parent range | MacGillycuddy's Reeks |
| OSI/OSNI grid | V840845 |
| Topo map | OSI Discovery 78 |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Well-bedded grey sandstone Bedrock |
The Big Gun is a mountain in Ireland. Its Irish name is An Gunna Mór. It stands at 939 meters (3,081 feet) tall. This makes it one of the highest peaks in the country.
The Big Gun is found in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountain range. This range is located in County Kerry. It is also sometimes called Lackagarrin or Foilnabreachaun.
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Where is The Big Gun Located?
The Big Gun is in the eastern part of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks. This is Ireland's tallest mountain range. It sits on a thin, rocky ridge. This ridge connects it to other mountains.
To its southwest is Cnoc na Péiste, which is 988 meters (3,241 feet) high. To the north is Cruach Mhór, which is 932 meters (3,058 feet) high. The path along this ridge is known for being challenging.
How Do People Climb The Big Gun?
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Because of where it is, The Big Gun is often climbed as part of a longer walk. This walk is usually a "horseshoe" or loop. It covers the eastern part of the Reeks.
Hikers often start and finish this loop from a place called the Hag's Glen. Some people also climb it as part of an even longer journey. This is called the MacGillycuddy's Reeks Ridge Walk. This longer walk often begins from Kate Kearney's Cottage in the Gap of Dunloe.
What Makes The Big Gun Special?
The Big Gun is recognized as an important mountain. It is the 378th-highest mountain peak in Britain and Ireland. It is part of a group called "Furths."
What is a Furth Mountain?
The Scottish Mountaineering Club (SMC) created the "Furth" list. A Furth is a mountain peak that is over 3,000 feet (914 meters) high. It also meets other specific rules, like being separate enough from other peaks.
However, Furths are located outside of Scotland. The Big Gun is one of 34 such mountains. It is sometimes called one of the 13 Irish Munros.
How is The Big Gun Classified?
The Big Gun's height and how much it rises from the land around it (called "prominence") help classify it. It is included in lists like the Arderin classification. It also appears on the British Isles Simm and Hewitt lists.
It is not on the 100 Highest Irish Mountains list. This is because that list only includes mountains with a prominence of over 100 meters (328 feet).
