Muckish
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| Muckish | |
|---|---|
 Muckish, as seen from Horn Head Peninsula |
|
| Elevation | 666 m (2,185 ft) |
| Location | Donegal,  Republic of Ireland |
| Range | Derryveagh Mountains |
| OSI/OSNI grid reference | C004287 |
| Listing | Marilyn, Hewitt |
Muckish (Irish: An Mhucais, meaning "pig's back") is a distinctive flat-topped mountain in the Derryveagh Mountains of Donegal, Ireland. At 666 metres, it is the third-highest peak[1] in the Derryveagh Mountains, with Errigal being the highest. The mountain, with its characteristic outline, is a dominant feature of the north Donegal scenery. Muckish is also the most northern and second highest of the mountain chain, called the 'Seven Sisters' by locals (Muckish, Crocknalaragagh, Aghla Beg, Ardloughnabrackbaddy, Aghla More, Mackoght (also known as 'little Errigal') 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 addition, in 2000 a metal cross was placed on a stone pedestal on the summit, replacing a wooden one which was destroyed in a storm previously. The new cross was placed much closer to the northern end of the mountain, while the cairn is towards the south, overlooking the Seven Sisters, Donegal.
Falcarragh, Dunfanaghy and Creeslough are the towns nearest to Muckish. On the Falcarragh side lies Mam Mucaise, Muckish valley in which one finds Droichead na Caointe (English: The Bridge of Sorrows). It was from this bridge that many thousands of Cloughaneely emigrants bade farewell to family members. Percy French, the famous poet, visted the district at the beginning of the last century sand while in Falcarragh Hotel he wrote a poem entitled , An Irish Mother describing the thoughts of an mother whose children were far away. (Ref: O Ceallaigh Aspects of our Rich Inheritance.)
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