Muckish
Encyclopedia
Muckish is a distinctive flat-topped mountain in the Derryveagh Mountains
of County Donegal
, Republic of Ireland
. At 666 metres (2,185 ft), 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 "Seven Sisters
" by locals. The Seven Sisters includes: Muckish, Crocknalaragagh
, Aghla Beg
, Ardloughnabrackbaddy
, Aghla More
, Mackoght
and Errigal.
High-grade quartz
sand was mined on the flanks of the mountain, and the remains of the quarry workings can be seen on its northern side. The "Miner's Path" is a route to the summit up the northern side of the mountain. Part of this route follows the path used by the workers to reach the quarry. The sand was exported and was mainly used in the manufacture of optical glass. A less difficult route to the summit begins from the Muckish Gap on the southern side of the mountain.
A large cairn
, visible from sea level, can be found on the summit plateau. In 2000, a large metal cross was placed on the summit, replacing a wooden one that had been destroyed in a storm. The new cross was placed much closer to the northern end of the mountain, while the cairn is towards the south.
Falcarragh
, Dunfanaghy
and Creeslough
are the villages nearest to Muckish. On the Falcarragh side lies Mám na Mucaise ("gap of Muckish") in which one finds Droichead na nDeor ("bridge of tears"). It was from this bridge that many thousands of Cloughaneely emigrants bade farewell to family members. Percy French, the famous poet, visited the district at the beginning of the last century and while in Falcarragh Hotel he wrote a poem called An Irish Mother.
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...
of 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,...
. At 666 metres (2,185 ft), it is the third-highest peak in the Derryveagh Mountains and the 163rd highest 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...
. Muckish is also the most northern and second 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, 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.
High-grade quartz
Quartz
Quartz is the second-most-abundant mineral in the Earth's continental crust, after feldspar. It is made up of a continuous framework of SiO4 silicon–oxygen tetrahedra, with each oxygen being shared between two tetrahedra, giving an overall formula SiO2. There are many different varieties of quartz,...
sand was mined on the flanks of the mountain, and the remains of the quarry workings can be seen on its northern side. The "Miner's Path" is a route to the summit up the northern side of the mountain. Part of this route follows the path used by the workers to reach the quarry. The sand was exported and was mainly used in the manufacture of optical glass. A less difficult route to the summit begins from the Muckish Gap on the southern side of the mountain.
A large cairn
Cairn
Cairn is a term used mainly in the English-speaking world for a man-made pile of stones. It comes from the or . Cairns are found all over the world in uplands, on moorland, on mountaintops, near waterways and on sea cliffs, and also in barren desert and tundra areas...
, visible from sea level, can be found on the summit plateau. In 2000, a large metal cross was placed on the summit, replacing a wooden one that had been destroyed in a storm. The new cross was placed much closer to the northern end of the mountain, while the cairn is towards the south.
Falcarragh
Falcarragh
An Fál Carrach , sometimes called Na Crois Bhealaí is a small Gaeltacht town and townland in northwest County Donegal, Ireland. The settlement is in the old parish of Cloughaneely.-Etymology:...
, Dunfanaghy
Dunfanaghy
Dunfanaghy is a small village, formerly a fishing port and commercial centre, in County Donegal, Ireland....
and Creeslough
Creeslough
Creeslough is a village in County Donegal, part of the Province of Ulster in Ireland. It lies 12 km south of Dunfanaghy on the N56 road, 54 m above sea level and overlooking an arm of Sheephaven Bay...
are the villages nearest to Muckish. On the Falcarragh side lies Mám na Mucaise ("gap of Muckish") in which one finds Droichead na nDeor ("bridge of tears"). It was from this bridge that many thousands of Cloughaneely emigrants bade farewell to family members. Percy French, the famous poet, visited the district at the beginning of the last century and while in Falcarragh Hotel he wrote a poem called An Irish Mother.