Slieve Anierin [Sliabh an Iarainn]

About Slieve Anierin [Sliabh an Iarainn]

Rising above the eastern shores of Lough Allen, this rugged sandstone massif is the highest point of the Iron Mountains in County Leitrim. The ascent through rough, heathery moorland and blanket bog leads to a plateau summit, offering a sense of isolation and expansive views over the surrounding lakelands.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from the Irish Sliabh an Iarainn, meaning 'Mountain of the Iron,' a reference to the rich iron ore deposits that were mined on its slopes for centuries to supply local smelting furnaces.
• •Geologically, the mountain is a significant outcrop of the Yoredale Series, containing alternating layers of sandstone, shale, and even thin seams of coal, which distinguishes it from the limestone plateaus common elsewhere in the region.
• •In Irish mythology, the mountain is cited as the landing site of the Tuatha Dé Danann, the supernatural race who arrived in a thick mist and ruled Ireland until the coming of the Milesians.
• •From the summit, the view stretches across the vast expanse of Lough Allen to the west, with the distinctive profiles of the Dartry Mountains, including Benbulbin, visible on the Sligo horizon.
• •The terrain is notorious for its deep, saturated blanket bog; those who venture off the established tracks often find themselves testing the waterproof claims of their gaiters within minutes of leaving the car.