Silvermine Mountains West Top [Silvermine Mountain] [Sliabh an Airgid]

About Silvermine Mountains West Top [Silvermine Mountain] [Sliabh an Airgid]

Situated in the rugged uplands of North Tipperary, this Marilyn offers a quieter alternative to nearby Keeper Hill. The terrain is characterized by wet heath and rough grasses, bearing the marks of the region's long mining history. From the summit, you gain a clear, uninterrupted perspective over the Nenagh River valley.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is a direct translation of the Irish Sliabh an Airgid, meaning Mountain of the Silver. This refers to the rich mineral veins that have been exploited here for centuries, with commercial mining activity recorded as far back as the 1600s.
• •Centuries of mining for lead, zinc, and silver have created a unique local ecology. The soil contains such high levels of heavy metals that it supports rare Calaminarian grasslands, where only specific plant species capable of tolerating toxic ground can survive.
• •While most visitors focus on the higher Slievekimalta (Keeper Hill) to the south, this western top provides an excellent vantage point for looking across to the Arra Mountains and the lower reaches of Lough Derg.
• •Despite the promising name, you are significantly more likely to return with sodden boots than a silver nugget after crossing these wet, heath-covered slopes.