Curlew Mountain [An Corrshliabh]

About Curlew Mountain [An Corrshliabh]

Rising on the border of counties Sligo and Roscommon, this significant Marilyn overlooks the scenic waters of Lough Arrow and Lough Key. Though modest in height, its sandstone ridges offer a commanding perspective over the southern Connacht plains and the nearby megalithic landscapes of the Bricklieve Mountains.

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Did You Know?

• •The Irish name An Corrshliabh is often translated as 'the rugged mountain' or 'the pointed hill,' a reference to the range’s steep, uneven profile as it rises sharply above the surrounding limestone plains.
• •The slopes were the site of the Battle of Curlew Pass in 1599 during the Nine Years' War, where Irish forces led by Red Hugh O'Donnell ambushed and defeated a significant English army.
• •From the summit area, hikers can look north to see the distinctive limestone plateaus of the Bricklieve Mountains, where the ancient Neolithic passage tombs of Carrowkeel are clearly visible on the skyline.
• •Unlike the typical limestone karst of the Sligo region, these hills are composed of older Old Red Sandstone, creating a landscape of heath and bog that feels quite different from the nearby Dartry Mountains.
• •Despite its classification as a Marilyn, the climb is brief enough that a fast walker might spend more time reading the commemorative battle monuments on the N4 than actually reaching the summit.