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Coordinates: 52°25′48″N 7°33′47″W / 52.430°N 7.563°W / 52.430; -7.563
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{{Refimprove|mountains of Tipperary article|date=September 2014}}
{{short description|Mountain in Tipperary, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox mountain
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Slievenamon
| name = Slievenamon
| other_name = ''Sliabh na mBan''
| other_name = Slievenaman
| native_name ={{native name|ga|Sliabh na mBan}}
| photo = Slievenamon 2006-07-01.jpg
| photo = Slievenamon 2006-07-01.jpg
| photo_caption = Slievenamon viewed from the northeast
| photo_caption = Slievenamon viewed from the northeast
| elevation_m = 721
| elevation_m = 721
| elevation_ref = <ref name="MV">[https://mountainviews.ie/summit/95/ Slievenamon at MountainViews]</ref>
| elevation_ref =
| prominence_m = 638
| prominence_m = 711
| prominence_ref =
| prominence_ref = <ref name="MV"/>
| listing = [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyn]], [[Hewitt (hill)|Hewitt]]
| listing = [[P600 (hill)|P600]], [[Marilyn (hill)|Marilyn]], [[Hewitt (hill)|Hewitt]]
| translation = mountain of the women
| translation = "mountain of the women"
| pronunciation = {{IPA-ga|ˈʃlʲiəw n̪ˠə ˈmˠanˠ|lang}}
| language = [[Irish language|Irish]]
| location = [[County Tipperary]], [[Ireland]]
| location = [[County Tipperary]], [[Ireland]]
| map = island of Ireland
| map = island of Ireland
Line 26: Line 29:
| easiest_route =
| easiest_route =
}}
}}
'''Slievenamon''' ({{lang-ga|Sliabh na mBan}}, {{IPAc-ga|'|s'|l'|ia|bh|-|N|@|-|'|mb|a|n|}}, "mountain of the women") is a [[mountain]] which is situated northwest of [[Carrick on Suir]] and northeast of [[Clonmel]] in [[County Tipperary]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. It stands at 721&nbsp;m (2,365&nbsp;ft). Sitting at the western end of a range of low [[hill]]s, Slievenamon is a striking conical mass, offering a dramatic view from the top over the counties of Tipperary, [[County Kilkenny|Kilkenny]] and [[County Waterford|Waterford]]. Much of its lower slopes is wooded. A low hill attached to Slievenamon, known as Carrigmaclea (a.k.a. Carraigmoclear), was the site of a battle during the [[Irish Rebellion of 1798]].
'''Slievenamon''' or '''Slievenaman''' ({{lang-ga|Sliabh na mBan}} {{IPAc-ga|'|s'|L'|ia|bh|-|N|@|-|'|mb|a|n}}, "mountain of the women")<ref name="MV"/> is a mountain with a height of {{convert|721|m|ft}} in [[County Tipperary]], Ireland. It rises from a plain that includes the towns of [[Fethard, County Tipperary|Fethard]], [[Clonmel]] and [[Carrick-on-Suir]]. The mountain is steeped in folklore and is associated with [[Fionn mac Cumhaill]]. On its summit are the remains of ancient burial [[cairn]]s, which were seen as portals to the [[Celtic Otherworld|Otherworld]]. Much of Slievenamon's lower slopes are wooded, and formerly most of the mountain was covered in woodland.<ref name="Hendroff">Hendroff, Adrian. From High Places: A Journey Through Ireland's Great Mountains. The History Press Ireland, 2010. p.142</ref> A low hill attached to it, Carrigmaclear, was the site of a battle during the [[Irish Rebellion of 1798]].

== Etymology ==
⚫
[[File:Slievenamon summit - geograph.org.uk - 784231.jpg|thumb|left|Slievenamon summit]]
⚫
The origin of the mountain's name is explained in [[Irish mythology]]. According to the tale, [[Fionn mac Cumhaill]] was sought after by many young women, but he said that he could have only one partner. His partner would be whichever woman won a footrace to the top of the mountain. Fionn stood on the cairn atop the mountain and gave a signal to start the race. The winner was [[Gráinne]].<ref>Monaghan, Patricia. ''The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore''. Infobase Publishing, 2004. p.192</ref>
A more prosaic local explanation of the origin is that from a distance and the right angle (as can be seen in the accompanying photograph) the hill resembles a woman lying on her back. It is sometimes known as the "Hill of the Pap" or just "Pap Hill" to residents of South Kilkenny.


== Archaeology ==
== Archaeology ==
There are at least four prehistoric monuments on Slievenamon. On the summit is an ancient burial cairn, with a natural rocky outcrop on its east side forming the appearance of a doorway. The remains of a [[cursus]] or ceremonial [[Avenue (archaeology)|avenue]] leads up to the cairn from the east. On the mountain's northeastern shoulder, Sheegouna, is another burial cairn and a ruined [[megalithic tomb]].<ref>[http://webgis.archaeology.ie/historicenvironment/ Historic Environment Viewer]. National Monuments Service.</ref>
There are two prehistoric [[cairn]]s on Slievenamon. One is at the very top, and the other is on a lower summit to the northeast known as Sheegouna ({{Irish derived place name|Sí Ghamhnaí|fairy mound of the heifers}}).

== Folklore ==
⚫
[[File:Slievenamon Summit Cairn - geograph.org.uk - 1407397.jpg|thumb|left|Slievenamon summit cairn]]

⚫
The origin of the mountain's name is explained in [[Irish mythology]]. According to the tale, the hero [[Fionn mac Cumhaill]] was sought after by many young women. Fionn stood atop the mountain and declared that whichever woman won a footrace to the top would be his wife. Since Fionn and [[Gráinne]] were in love, he had shown her a short-cut and she duly won the race.<ref name="MV"/><ref>Monaghan, Patricia. ''The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore''. Infobase Publishing, 2004. p.192</ref> The mountain was also known by the longer name ''Sliabh na mBan bhFionn'', "mountain of the fair women". Another local explanation of the name is that from a distance and the right angle, the hill resembles a woman lying on her back.

The plain from which the mountain rises was known in Old Irish as ''Mag Femin'' (modern Irish ''Magh Feimhin'', or Má Feimhin) or the Plain of Femen.<ref name="MV"/> The burial cairns on the mountain are called ''Síd ar Femin'' (''Sí ar Feimhin'', the "fairy mound over Femen") and ''Sí Ghamhnaí'' ("fairy mound of the calves"). They were seen as the abodes of gods and entrances to the [[Celtic Otherworld|Otherworld]].<ref name="Hendroff"/> Irish folklore holds that it is bad luck to damage or disrespect such tombs and that deliberately doing so could bring a [[curse]].<ref>Sarah Champion & Gabriel Cooney. "Chapter 13: Naming the Places, Naming the Stones". ''Archaeology and Folklore''. Routledge, 2005. p.193</ref><ref>Doherty, Gillian. ''The Irish Ordnance Survey: History, Culture and Memory''. Four Courts Press, 2004. p.89</ref>

In Irish mythology, one of the burial cairns is said to be the abode of the god [[Bodb Derg|Bodhbh Dearg]], son of [[the Dagda]].<ref>Smyth, Daragh. ''A Guide to Irish Mythology''. Irish Academic Press, 1996. p.24</ref> Fionn marries [[Sadhbh]], Bodhbh's daughter, on Slievenamon, and their son is the famous [[Oisín]].

In one tale, Fionn and his men are cooking a pig on the banks of the [[River Suir]] when an Otherworld being called Cúldubh comes out of the cairn on Slievenamon and snatches it. Fionn chases Cúldubh and kills him with a spear throw as he re-enters the cairn. An Otherworld woman inside tries to shut the door, but Fionn's thumb is caught between the door and the post, and he puts it in his mouth to ease the pain. As his thumb had been inside the Otherworld, Fionn is bestowed with great wisdom. This tale may refer to gaining knowledge from the ancestors, and is similar to the tale of the [[Salmon of Knowledge]].<ref>Ó hÓgáin, Dáithí. ''Myth Legend and Romance: An Encyclopaedia of the Irish Folk Tradition''. Prentice Hall Press, 1991. p.214</ref>

In ''[[Acallam na Senórach]]'' (Dialogue of the Elders), Fionn, [[Caílte mac Rónáin|Caílte]] and other members of the [[fianna]] chase a fawn to Slievenamon. They come upon a great illuminated hall or ''brugh'', and inside they are welcomed by warriors and maidens of the Otherworld. Their host, [[Donn]] son of [[Midir]], reveals that the fawn was one of the maidens, sent to draw them to Slievenamon. The fianna agree to help Donn in a battle against another group of the [[Tuatha Dé Danann]]. After a lengthy battle, Fionn compels their foes to make peace, and they return to this world.<ref>Rolleston, Thomas (1911). ''Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race''. [http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/mlcr/mlcr06.htm Chapter VI: Tales of the Ossianic Cycle].</ref>


==Cultural references==
==Cultural references==
The song ''Slievenamon'', written in the mid 19th century by revolutionary and poet [[Charles Kickham]], is a well-known patriotic and romantic song about an exile who longs to see "our flag unrolled and my true love to unfold / in the valley near Slievenamon". It is regarded as the unofficial "county anthem" of Co. Tipperary, regularly sung by crowds at sporting events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/the-story-of-slievenamon-1-2266708|title=The Story of Slievenamon|publisher=[[Tipperary Star]]|date=2008-11-03}}</ref>
The song ''Slievenamon'', written in the mid 19th century by revolutionary and poet [[Charles Kickham]], is a well-known patriotic and romantic song about an exile who longs to see "our flag unrolled and my true love to unfold / in the valley near Slievenamon". It is regarded as the unofficial "county anthem" of County Tipperary, regularly sung by crowds at sporting events.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tipperarystar.ie/news/the-story-of-slievenamon-1-2266708|title=The Story of Slievenamon|publisher=[[Tipperary Star]]|date=2008-11-03}}</ref>


The mountain appears in the fairytale ''The Horned Woman'' as found in ''Celtic Fairy Tales'' (1892, by [[Joseph Jacobs]]), where it is the abode of a [[coven|witches' coven]]. It is also mentioned in the books ''The Hidden Side of Things'' (1913) and ''The Lives of Alcyone'' (1924, with [[Annie Besant]]) written by the theosophist [[clairvoyant]] [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]].{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}
The mountain appears in the fairytale ''The Horned Woman'' as found in ''Celtic Fairy Tales'' (1892, by [[Joseph Jacobs]]) (used by Jacobs with permission by Lady Wilde from her "Ancient Legends of Ireland" (1887)), where it is the abode of a [[coven|witches' coven]]. It is also mentioned in the books ''The Hidden Side of Things'' (1913) and ''The Lives of Alcyone'' (1924, with [[Annie Besant]]) written by the theosophist [[clairvoyant]] [[Charles Webster Leadbeater]].{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}. The mountain is referred to as Slieve-na-Mon in a fairy tale called "The Giant and the Birds" from "The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said" by Padraic Colum (1918). In it, Big Man chases a deer into a cave and falls asleep for 200 years to awaken in a time when he is a giant among men.


Upon creation of the [[Irish Free State]], the name ''Slievenamon'' was unofficially given to one of the 13 [[armored car (military)|armoured]] [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls Royce]] motor cars which were handed over to the new Free State army by the outgoing administration. ''Slievenamon'' was escorting the army's commander-in-chief, [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]], when he was ambushed and killed near [[Béal na Bláth]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0807/1224321630692.html|title=Kenny first sitting Taoiseach to address Béal na mBláth|publisher=[[The Irish Times]]|date=2012-08-07}}</ref> The car, since renamed to the Irish ''Sliabh na mBan'', has been preserved by the Irish [[Defence Forces (Ireland)|Defence Forces]].
Upon creation of the [[Irish Free State]], the name ''Slievenamon'' was unofficially given to one of the 13 [[armored car (military)|armoured]] [[Rolls-Royce Limited|Rolls-Royce]] motor cars which were handed over to the new Free State army by the outgoing administration. ''Slievenamon'' was escorting the army's commander-in-chief, [[Michael Collins (Irish leader)|Michael Collins]], when he was ambushed and killed near [[Béal na Bláth]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0807/1224321630692.html|title=Kenny first sitting Taoiseach to address Béal na mBláth|publisher=[[The Irish Times]]|date=2012-08-07}}</ref> The car, since renamed to the Irish ''Sliabh na mBan'', has been preserved by the Irish [[Defence Forces (Ireland)|Defence Forces]].{{citation needed|date=December 2019}}

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Sheegouna Tomb Cairn.jpg|Sheegouna burial cairn
File:Sheegouna_mountain.jpg|Sheegouna mountain
File:Slievenamon Summit Cairn - geograph.org.uk - 1407397.jpg|Summit cairn
</gallery>


==See also==
==See also==
{{commons category|Slievenamon }}
*[[List of mountains in Ireland]]
*[[Lists of mountains in Ireland]]
*[[List of mountains of the British Isles by height]]
*[[List of P600 mountains in the British Isles]]
*[[List of Marilyns in the British Isles]]
*[[List of Hewitt mountains in England, Wales and Ireland]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{Mountains of Great Britain and Ireland|}}
{{British hills}}
{{Mountains and hills of Munster}}
{{Mountains and hills of Munster}}
{{Lists of Marilyns}}


[[Category:Marilyns of Ireland]]
[[Category:Marilyns of Ireland]]
Line 56: Line 81:
[[Category:Locations in Celtic mythology]]
[[Category:Locations in Celtic mythology]]
[[Category:Mountains under 1000 metres]]
[[Category:Mountains under 1000 metres]]
[[Category:Archaeological sites in County Tipperary]]

Latest revision as of 18:31, 2 July 2024

Slievenamon
Slievenaman
Slievenamon viewed from the northeast
Highest point
Elevation721 m (2,365 ft)[1]
Prominence711 m (2,333 ft)[1]
ListingP600, Marilyn, Hewitt
Coordinates52°25′48″N 7°33′47″W / 52.430°N 7.563°W / 52.430; -7.563
Naming
Native nameSliabh na mBan (Irish)
English translation"mountain of the women"
PronunciationIrish: [ˈʃlʲiəw n̪ˠə ˈmˠanˠ]
Geography
Slievenamon is located in island of Ireland
Slievenamon
Slievenamon
Location in Ireland
LocationCounty Tipperary, Ireland
OSI/OSNI gridS297307
Topo mapOSi Discovery 67

Slievenamon or Slievenaman (Irish: Sliabh na mBan [ˈʃl̠ʲiəw n̪ˠə ˈmˠanˠ], "mountain of the women")[1] is a mountain with a height of 721 metres (2,365 ft) in County Tipperary, Ireland. It rises from a plain that includes the towns of Fethard, Clonmel and Carrick-on-Suir. The mountain is steeped in folklore and is associated with Fionn mac Cumhaill. On its summit are the remains of ancient burial cairns, which were seen as portals to the Otherworld. Much of Slievenamon's lower slopes are wooded, and formerly most of the mountain was covered in woodland.[2] A low hill attached to it, Carrigmaclear, was the site of a battle during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Archaeology

[edit]

There are at least four prehistoric monuments on Slievenamon. On the summit is an ancient burial cairn, with a natural rocky outcrop on its east side forming the appearance of a doorway. The remains of a cursus or ceremonial avenue leads up to the cairn from the east. On the mountain's northeastern shoulder, Sheegouna, is another burial cairn and a ruined megalithic tomb.[3]

Folklore

[edit]
Slievenamon summit cairn

The origin of the mountain's name is explained in Irish mythology. According to the tale, the hero Fionn mac Cumhaill was sought after by many young women. Fionn stood atop the mountain and declared that whichever woman won a footrace to the top would be his wife. Since Fionn and Gráinne were in love, he had shown her a short-cut and she duly won the race.[1][4] The mountain was also known by the longer name Sliabh na mBan bhFionn, "mountain of the fair women". Another local explanation of the name is that from a distance and the right angle, the hill resembles a woman lying on her back.

The plain from which the mountain rises was known in Old Irish as Mag Femin (modern Irish Magh Feimhin, or Má Feimhin) or the Plain of Femen.[1] The burial cairns on the mountain are called Síd ar Femin (Sí ar Feimhin, the "fairy mound over Femen") and Sí Ghamhnaí ("fairy mound of the calves"). They were seen as the abodes of gods and entrances to the Otherworld.[2] Irish folklore holds that it is bad luck to damage or disrespect such tombs and that deliberately doing so could bring a curse.[5][6]

In Irish mythology, one of the burial cairns is said to be the abode of the god Bodhbh Dearg, son of the Dagda.[7] Fionn marries Sadhbh, Bodhbh's daughter, on Slievenamon, and their son is the famous Oisín.

In one tale, Fionn and his men are cooking a pig on the banks of the River Suir when an Otherworld being called Cúldubh comes out of the cairn on Slievenamon and snatches it. Fionn chases Cúldubh and kills him with a spear throw as he re-enters the cairn. An Otherworld woman inside tries to shut the door, but Fionn's thumb is caught between the door and the post, and he puts it in his mouth to ease the pain. As his thumb had been inside the Otherworld, Fionn is bestowed with great wisdom. This tale may refer to gaining knowledge from the ancestors, and is similar to the tale of the Salmon of Knowledge.[8]

In Acallam na Senórach (Dialogue of the Elders), Fionn, Caílte and other members of the fianna chase a fawn to Slievenamon. They come upon a great illuminated hall or brugh, and inside they are welcomed by warriors and maidens of the Otherworld. Their host, Donn son of Midir, reveals that the fawn was one of the maidens, sent to draw them to Slievenamon. The fianna agree to help Donn in a battle against another group of the Tuatha Dé Danann. After a lengthy battle, Fionn compels their foes to make peace, and they return to this world.[9]

Cultural references

[edit]

The song Slievenamon, written in the mid 19th century by revolutionary and poet Charles Kickham, is a well-known patriotic and romantic song about an exile who longs to see "our flag unrolled and my true love to unfold / in the valley near Slievenamon". It is regarded as the unofficial "county anthem" of County Tipperary, regularly sung by crowds at sporting events.[10]

The mountain appears in the fairytale The Horned Woman as found in Celtic Fairy Tales (1892, by Joseph Jacobs) (used by Jacobs with permission by Lady Wilde from her "Ancient Legends of Ireland" (1887)), where it is the abode of a witches' coven. It is also mentioned in the books The Hidden Side of Things (1913) and The Lives of Alcyone (1924, with Annie Besant) written by the theosophist clairvoyant Charles Webster Leadbeater.[citation needed]. The mountain is referred to as Slieve-na-Mon in a fairy tale called "The Giant and the Birds" from "The Boy Who Knew What The Birds Said" by Padraic Colum (1918). In it, Big Man chases a deer into a cave and falls asleep for 200 years to awaken in a time when he is a giant among men.

Upon creation of the Irish Free State, the name Slievenamon was unofficially given to one of the 13 armoured Rolls-Royce motor cars which were handed over to the new Free State army by the outgoing administration. Slievenamon was escorting the army's commander-in-chief, Michael Collins, when he was ambushed and killed near Béal na Bláth.[11] The car, since renamed to the Irish Sliabh na mBan, has been preserved by the Irish Defence Forces.[citation needed]

[edit]
  • Sheegouna burial cairn
    Sheegouna burial cairn
  • Sheegouna mountain
    Sheegouna mountain
  • Summit cairn
    Summit cairn

See also

[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Slievenamon.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Slievenamon at MountainViews
  2. ^ a b Hendroff, Adrian. From High Places: A Journey Through Ireland's Great Mountains. The History Press Ireland, 2010. p.142
  3. ^ Historic Environment Viewer. National Monuments Service.
  4. ^ Monaghan, Patricia. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Mythology and Folklore. Infobase Publishing, 2004. p.192
  5. ^ Sarah Champion & Gabriel Cooney. "Chapter 13: Naming the Places, Naming the Stones". Archaeology and Folklore. Routledge, 2005. p.193
  6. ^ Doherty, Gillian. The Irish Ordnance Survey: History, Culture and Memory. Four Courts Press, 2004. p.89
  7. ^ Smyth, Daragh. A Guide to Irish Mythology. Irish Academic Press, 1996. p.24
  8. ^ Ó hÓgáin, Dáithí. Myth Legend and Romance: An Encyclopaedia of the Irish Folk Tradition. Prentice Hall Press, 1991. p.214
  9. ^ Rolleston, Thomas (1911). Myths and Legends of the Celtic Race. Chapter VI: Tales of the Ossianic Cycle.
  10. ^ "The Story of Slievenamon". Tipperary Star. 3 November 2008.
  11. ^ "Kenny first sitting Taoiseach to address Béal na mBláth". The Irish Times. 7 August 2012.
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