Slieve na Calliagh

Slieve na Calliagh
Sliabh na Caillí
Highest point
Elevation 276 m (906 ft) [1]
Prominence 150 m (490 ft) [1]
Listing Marilyn
Coordinates 53°44′40″N 7°06′42″W / 53.74452°N 7.11167°W / 53.74452; -7.11167Coordinates: 53°44′40″N 7°06′42″W / 53.74452°N 7.11167°W / 53.74452; -7.11167 
Naming
Translation the hag's mountain (Irish)
Geography
Slieve na Calliagh
Location in Ireland
Location County Meath, Republic of Ireland
Parent range Meath Hills
OSI/OSNI grid N586775

Slieve na Calliagh (Irish: Sliabh na Caillí, meaning "the Cailleach's mountain") is a range of hills and archaeological site near Oldcastle, County Meath, Ireland. The hills rise to 276 metres (906 ft) above sea level, the highest point in the county. On the hilltops are a group of megalithic tombs dating back to the 4th millennium BC. These tombs are also known as Slieve na Calliagh,[2] or as the Loughcrew tombs. The rays of the equinox sunrise shine down the passageway of the Cairn T and illuminate an inner chamber filled with megalithic stonecarvings. It is deemed one of the four main passage tomb sites in Ireland and is a protected National Monument.

Slieve na Calliagh includes the hills of Carnbane West, Carrickbrack, Carnbane East and Patrickstown Hill. The hills are named after the Cailleach, the divine hag of Irish mythology. Legend has it that the monuments were created when a giant hag, striding across the land, dropped her cargo of large stones from her apron.

The burial chamber at the summit of Slieve na Calliagh

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "North Midlands Area - Slieve Na Calliagh Hill". MountainViews. Ordnance Survey Ireland. Retrieved May 21, 2015.
  2. ↑ Slieve na Calliagh/Sliabh na Caillí. Placenames Database of Ireland.
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