Camlough Mountain [Sliabh gCuircin]

About Camlough Mountain [Sliabh gCuircin]

Rising sharply above the eponymous lake, this rugged Armagh peak forms a vital link in the Ring of Gullion’s volcanic circle. Its heather-clad slopes offer a straightforward but punchy ascent, rewarding walkers with a commanding perspective over the narrow waters of Newry and the distant, jagged silhouettes of the Mourne Mountains.

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Did You Know?

• •The Irish name Sliabh gCuircin (Slieve Girkin) likely translates as the 'mountain of the small crest,' referring to its distinctive profile. The village below takes its name from the nearby lake, Camloch, meaning 'crooked lake' due to its irregular, winding shape.
• •As part of the Ring of Gullion, the mountain is a remnant of a massive volcanic eruption roughly 60 million years ago. It sits on the 'ring dyke,' a geological circle of hills formed by collapsing magma chambers that surrounds the central hub of Slieve Gullion.
• •From the summit, the view eastward is dominated by the granite peaks of the Mourne Mountains—specifically Slieve Donard and Slieve Binnian—while to the south, the forest-topped dome of Slieve Gullion rises across the valley.
• •Despite a modest height of 423 metres, its prominence makes it a Marilyn, meaning it has at least 150 metres of descent on all sides. This ensures it stands as a significant, isolated landmark in the local landscape rather than just a subsidiary shoulder.
• •The ascent is short enough that you can usually reach the summit and return before the weather has time to change its mind, which is a rare and valued efficiency in the Armagh hills.