Slieve Rushen
| Slieve Rushen | |
|---|---|
| Sliabh Roisean | |
 Slieve Rushen from Upper Lough Erne | |
| Elevation | 404 m (1,325 ft) |
| Prominence | 404 m (1,325 ft) |
| Listing | Marilyn |
| Location | |
| Location | Cavan, Ireland |
| Range | None |
Coordinates: 54°9′6.93″N 7°38′33.51″W / 54.1519250°N 7.6426417°W Slieve Rushen is a mountain which straddles the border between County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland and County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. It is also called Slieve Russell or Ligavegra (Also Legavagra, Ligavagra). It has an elevation of 404 metres above sea-level. OS 1/50k Mapsheet: 27A & 26. Grid Ref: H234 226.[1] The mountain is made up of grey limestone with a cap of sandstone and shales and is extensively quarried by local companies. The surface is mostly covered with peat, pine forests and grazing fields.[2] The mountain contains several caves and swallow-holes including Pollnagollum and Tory Hole which are a popular destination for potholers. A recent addition to the mountain is the Slieve Rushen Wind Farm for generating electricity.
History
The name Slieve Rushen derives from the gaelic "Sliabh Ros-in" which means "The Mountain of the Little Wood". However an alternative explanation of the name is given in a Middle-Irish text c.1400 from The Yellow Book of Lecan entitled The Settling of the Manor of Tara, in which verse 34 states "''daughter of Toga of the grey stormy sea, at that time ’twas a woman, she from whom Sliabh Raisen is named.".[3] The earliest surviving mention of the name occurs in the Annals of the Four Masters for the year 1111 A.D. "A predatory excursion was made by Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair and he plundered Tearmann-Dabheog. Another predatory excursion was made by him; and he plundered as far as Beann-Eachlabhra, Sliabh-Ruisen, and Loch-Eirne".[4]
The mountain has been inhabited since at least 3,000 B.C. as is evident from the ancient court cairns and wedge tombs still surviving, such as in the townlands of Doon, Aughrim and Aghnacally.[5]
In the 1609 Plantation of Ulster, Slieve Rushen formed part of lands which were granted to John Sandford of Castle Doe, Co. Donegal by letters patent dated 7 July 1613 (Pat. 11 James I – LXXI – 38, ‘Slewrussell’). It was later sold by Sandford to his wife's uncle Sir Toby Caulfield, Master of the Ordnance and Caulfield had the sale confirmed by letters patent of 12 July 1620 (Pat. 19 James I. XI. 45 ‘Slewrussell’). Coincidentally the mountain was later part owned by John Sandford's daughter, Magdalen Gwyllym the wife of Thomas Gwyllym, the owner of the Ballyconnell estate.
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