Slieve Anierin | Leitrim

Information

Landmark: Slieve Anierin
City: Leitrim
Country: Ireland
Continent: Europe

Slieve Anierin, Leitrim, Ireland, Europe

Slieve Anierin (Sliabh an Iarainn) is a mountain located on the eastern shore of Lough Allen in County Leitrim. Rising to $585$ meters ($1,919$ ft), it is the primary peak of the Iron Mountains and forms part of the Cuilcagh-Anierin uplands.

Visual and Geological Characteristics

The mountain is composed of layers of Carboniferous sandstone and shale, topped by millstone grit.

Topography: The western face is defined by steep glacial scree slopes and deep gullies (shucks) that drain into Lough Allen.

Iron Deposits: Its name translates to "Mountain of Iron." It contains significant iron ore and coal deposits that were industrially exploited for centuries.

Plateau: The summit consists of a broad, peat-covered plateau with high-altitude blanket bog.

Location & Access Logistics

Address: Near Drumshanbo and Ballinaglera, Co. Leitrim.

Access Points: * Aghacashel: Popular eastern approach via the Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre.

Ballinaglera: Western approach for steeper, direct ascents.

Transit: No public transport serves the mountain base. A private vehicle is required to reach the trailheads.

Parking: Limited parking is available at the Aghacashel community center or the designated starting points for the "Looped Walks."

Accessibility: Not suitable for mobility devices. The terrain is wet, boggy, and lacks paved paths.

Historical & Industrial Significance

Mining: Iron mining was active here from the 17th century until the mid-19th century. Ore from the mountain supplied the ironworks at Drumshanbo and Creevelea.

Coal Mining: Small-scale "bell pit" coal mining continued in the higher strata until the 20th century.

Mythology: In the Lebor Gabála Érenn, the Tuatha Dé Danann are said to have landed on Slieve Anierin in a "dark cloud," bringing the four treasures of Ireland with them.

Key Activities & Trails

The Miner’s Way: A long-distance walking trail ($118$ km) that passes through the mountain, following the historical paths used by miners to reach the pits.

Aghacashel Looped Walks: Features three marked loops (Yellow, Blue, and Red) of varying difficulty that provide views of the Arigna Mountains and Lough Allen.

Hillwalking: Navigating the summit plateau requires a compass or GPS due to frequent low cloud cover and the absence of a distinct summit peak.

Infrastructure & Amenities

Sliabh an Iarainn Visitor Centre: Located in Drumshanbo ($10$ km south). It provides historical context on the mining and musical heritage of the mountain.

Sanitation: No facilities on the mountain. Restrooms are available in Drumshanbo or Aghacashel.

Connectivity: Signal is intermittent. 4G is generally available on western slopes facing Lough Allen but is lost in the gullies and eastern valleys.

Technical Details

The mountain is a "mesa-like" structure. The presence of shale makes the ground exceptionally soft and prone to saturation. The iron ore found here is primarily "siderite" (iron carbonate), found in nodules within the shale layers.