Curlew Mountains


Situated between Boyle and Castlebaldwin, the Curlew Mountains are in northeastern Connacht.

Toponymy

The assignation of the name Curlew to the mountains may not relate the Curlew bird, but rather to the corrshliabh which means "steep-sided pointed mountatins".

Geography

Geologically, the Curlew Mountains are made of Devonian sandstone and conglomerate that is harder than the surrounding Carboniferous limestone, hence their appearance as an upland feature.

History

The Battle of Curlew Pass, in which Irish forces led by Red Hugh O'Donnell defeated an English army of about 2000 was fought here on 15 August 1599.