Slieve Daeane

About Slieve Daeane

Rising sharply from the southern shores of Lough Gill, this rugged Marilyn offers a character far grander than its modest height suggests. Its heathery summit serves as a spectacular vantage point for surveying the Lake Isle of Innisfree and the iconic, flat-topped silhouettes of the Dartry Mountains across the bay.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name derives from the Irish 'Sliabh Dá Éan', meaning 'Mountain of the Two Birds', a title rooted in local folklore concerning enchanted birds associated with the peak.
• •From the summit, walkers can look directly down onto the Lake Isle of Innisfree, the small, wooded island immortalised in the poetry of W.B. Yeats.
• •Though standing well under 300 metres, its relative isolation and steep drop on all sides earn it Marilyn status, meaning it has a prominence of at least 150 metres.
• •The hill is frequently approached via Slish Wood to the north, a remnant of ancient oak woodland that provides a stark contrast to the exposed, rocky terrain of the upper slopes.
• •While the height suggests a gentle stroll, the thick Sligo heather and hidden crags ensure that anyone attempting a direct ascent will arrive at the top looking significantly more 'weathered' than when they started.