Mount Errigal
Encyclopedia
Mount Errigal, or simply Errigal ' onMouseout='HidePop("21379")' href="/topics/Oratory">oratory
") is a 751 metres (2,463.9 ft) mountain near Gweedore
in County Donegal
, Republic of Ireland
. It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains
, the tallest peak in County Donegal, and the 76th tallest peak in Ireland
. Errigal is also the most southern, steepest and highest of the mountain chain, called the "Seven Sisters
" by locals. The Seven Sisters includes Muckish
, Crocknalaragagh
, Aghla Beg
, Ardloughnabrackbaddy
, Aghla More
, Mackoght
and Errigal. The nearest peak is Mackoght, which is also known as Little Errigal or Wee Errigal .
Errigal is well-known for the pinkish glow of its quartzite
in the setting sun. Another noted quality is the ever-changing shape of the mountain depending on what direction you view it from. Errigal was voted 'Ireland's Most Iconic Mountain' by Walking & Hiking Ireland in 2009.
the short but exposed walk along ‘One Man’s Pass’ which leads across to the second and lower of the twin summits. No special equipment is needed to climb the mountain, but caution is advised.
Oratory
Oratory is a type of public speaking.Oratory may also refer to:* Oratory , a power metal band* Oratory , a place of worship* a religious order such as** Oratory of Saint Philip Neri ** Oratory of Jesus...
") is a 751 metres (2,463.9 ft) mountain near Gweedore
Gweedore
Gweedore is an Irish-speaking district located on the Atlantic coast of County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. Gweedore stretches some 16 miles from Meenaclady in the north to Crolly in the south and around 9 miles from Dunlewey in the east to Magheraclogher in the west, and...
in County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
, Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains
Derryveagh Mountains
The Derryveagh Mountains is the major mountain range in County Donegal, Ireland. It makes up much of the landmass of the county, and is the area of Ireland with the lowest population density. The mountains separate the coastal parts of the county, such as Gweedore and Glenties, from the major...
, the tallest peak in County Donegal, and the 76th tallest peak in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. Errigal is also the most southern, steepest and highest of the mountain chain, called the "Seven Sisters
Seven Sisters, Donegal
The Seven Sisters is a mountain chain in northwest County Donegal, Ireland. It is part of a larger mountain range called the Derryveagh Mountains. The Seven Sisters, from southwest to northeast, are as follows:*Errigal...
" by locals. The Seven Sisters includes Muckish
Muckish
Muckish is a distinctive flat-topped mountain in the Derryveagh Mountains of County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. At , it is the third-highest peak in the Derryveagh Mountains and the 163rd highest in Ireland. Muckish is also the most northern and second highest of the mountain chain called the...
, Crocknalaragagh
Crocknalaragagh
Crocknalaragagh is a mountain in County Donegal, Ireland with a height of 470 m. It is the second most northern and lowest of the mountain chain, locally called the Seven Sisters that also includes Muckish, Aghla Beg, Ardloughnabrackbaddy, Aghla More, Mackoght and Errigal. All of the Seven...
, Aghla Beg
Aghla Beg
Aghla Beg is a mountain in County Donegal, Ireland. Of its two summits, one has a height of 564 m, and the other 603 m. It is the third most northern and fifth highest of the mountain chain, called the Seven Sisters by locals Muckish, Crocknalaragagh, Aghla Beg, Ardloughnabrackbaddy,...
, Ardloughnabrackbaddy
Ardloughnabrackbaddy
Ardloughnabrackbaddy is a peak in County Donegal, Ireland with a height of 603m. It sits above Loughnabrackbaddy and is the middle summit and third highest of the "Seven Sisters". The Seven Sisters are part of the Derryveagh range and includes Muckish, Crocknalaragagh, Aghla Beg,...
, Aghla More
Aghla More
Aghla More is a mountain in County Donegal, Ireland with a height of 584 metres. It is the third most southern and fourth highest of the mountain chain, called the 'Seven Sisters' by locals Aghla More is a mountain in County Donegal, Ireland with a height of 584 metres. It is the third most...
, Mackoght
Mackoght
Mackoght or Macoght , also called Little Errigal or Wee Errigal , is a tall mountain in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland. It is the second most southern and second lowest of the mountain chain called the Seven Sisters by locals. The Seven Sisters are Muckish, Crocknalaragagh, Aghla Beg,...
and Errigal. The nearest peak is Mackoght, which is also known as Little Errigal or Wee Errigal .
Errigal is well-known for the pinkish glow of its quartzite
Quartzite
Quartzite is a hard metamorphic rock which was originally sandstone. Sandstone is converted into quartzite through heating and pressure usually related to tectonic compression within orogenic belts. Pure quartzite is usually white to gray, though quartzites often occur in various shades of pink...
in the setting sun. Another noted quality is the ever-changing shape of the mountain depending on what direction you view it from. Errigal was voted 'Ireland's Most Iconic Mountain' by Walking & Hiking Ireland in 2009.
Climbing Errigal
The mountain is most often climbed from the carpark off the R251 road. The route initially crosses heavily eroded and boggy land towards a visible track through the shiny scree from where the ascent proper starts. After reaching the summit, people usually walkthe short but exposed walk along ‘One Man’s Pass’ which leads across to the second and lower of the twin summits. No special equipment is needed to climb the mountain, but caution is advised.
In popular culture
- In the 2008 film HungerHunger (2008 film)Hunger is a 2008 film about the 1981 Irish hunger strike. It was written by Enda Walsh and Steve R. McQueen, who also directed. It was made by Blast! Films and commissioned by Channel 4 and Film4. It premiered at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, winning the prestigious Caméra d'Or award for...
, the main protagonist Bobby Sands describes Errigal as a "beautiful sight". - Images of a misty Errigal were used in the music video for In A LifetimeIn a LifetimeIn 1989, to promote Clannad's 'best-of' compilation, "Pastpresent", "In A lifetime" was re-released. The song was the first single from the compilation...
by ClannadClannadClannad are an Irish musical group, from Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal. Their music has been variously described as bordering on folk and folk rock, Irish, Celtic and New Age, often incorporating elements of an even broader spectrum of smooth jazz and Gregorian chant...
and BonoBonoPaul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
in 1985. - Several scenes from the 2011 movie Your HighnessYour HighnessYour Highness is a 2011 fantasy comedy film directed by David Gordon Green, written by Danny McBride and Ben Best, and starring McBride, James Franco, Natalie Portman, and Zooey Deschanel. Filming began in the summer of 2009 in Northern Ireland and concluded in October 2009...
were shot on Errigal. - The Goats Don't ShaveGoats Don't ShaveGoats Don't Shave were an Irish folk rock band formed in 1990. Formed in Dungloe, County Donegal, the group was fronted by singer-songwriter Pat Gallagher and backed by musicians Jason Philbin , Charlie Logue , Declan Quinn , Gerry Coyle , Sean Doherty and Michael Gallagher .The group released two...
song "Las Vegas (In the Hills of Donegal)" contains the line, "To stand on top of Errigal, would give me such a thrill".