Camlough Mountain [Sliabh gCuircin]

About Camlough Mountain [Sliabh gCuircin]

Rising steeply above its namesake 'crooked lake', this rugged Armagh Marilyn is a prominent component of the Ring of Gullion’s ancient volcanic landscape. The ascent across heather and rocky outcrops provides an immediate sense of scale, offering clear views over the Newry valley towards the granite peaks of the Mourne Mountains.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Camlough comes from the Irish 'Camloch', meaning 'crooked lake', a reference to the dog-leg shape of the water at the mountain's foot, while its alternative name Sliabh gCuircin likely refers to a 'mountain of the small crest'.
• •Geologically, the hill forms part of the Ring of Gullion, a world-class example of a volcanic ring dyke formed by the collapse of a caldera roughly 56 million years ago.
• •From the summit, walkers can trace the path of the 18th-century Newry Canal and identify the jagged silhouettes of the High Mournes, including Slieve Meelmore and the distant Slieve Donard.
• •The mountain overlooks Camlough Lake, which was once the primary water reservoir for the Newry Canal, historically one of the most important industrial waterways in Ireland.
• •Despite its classification as a Marilyn, the hill remains remarkably quiet; most visitors are seemingly distracted by the larger Slieve Gullion nearby, leaving the 'crooked' peak largely to the local ravens.