Slieve Foye

About Slieve Foye

Rising steeply above the medieval village of Carlingford, this rugged ridge is the highest point in County Louth. Unlike the soft peat of neighbouring ranges, its slopes are defined by craggy outcrops and steep scree, rewarding climbers with an immediate, dramatic sense of height above the shimmering waters of the lough.

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Did You Know?

• •The Irish name Sliabh Feá translates to 'Mountain of the Woods', a reference to the ancient forests that once covered its lower flanks, though the upper reaches are now characterized by bare rock and heather.
• •The mountain is the focal point of the Táin Bó Cúailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley), one of the most famous epics in Irish mythology, and the skyline is said to represent the profile of a sleeping giant.
• •From the summit, the views north across the narrow gap of Carlingford Lough are exceptional, offering a clear perspective of the granite peaks of the Mourne Mountains, including Slieve Bingian and Slieve Donard.
• •In addition to being a Marilyn and a Hump, it is the 'County Top' of County Louth, making it a popular destination for hikers aiming to complete the list of the highest points in Ireland’s thirty-two traditional counties.
• •The mountain's profile is said to resemble a sleeping giant; given the unrelenting steepness of the direct ascent from sea level, most walkers find themselves wishing they were having a lie-down alongside him.