The Mountains of the Central Dingle Peninsula are the generic name given to the mountains that lie on the Dingle Peninsula between the Brandon Group of mountains in the west, and the Slieve Mish Mountains at the eastern end of the peninsula.[2]
The rocks date from the Upper Devonian period (310–450 million years ago) when Ireland was in a hot equatorial setting.[5] During this 60 million year period, Ireland was the site of a major basin, known as the Munster basin, and Cork and Kerry were effectively a large alluvial floodplain.[5] Chemical oxidation stained the material with a purple–reddish colour (and green in places from chlorination), still visible today.[5] There are virtually no fossils in Old Red Sandstone.[5]
The composition of Old Red Sandstone is variable and includes sandstones, mudstones, siltstones, and conglomerates (boulders containing quartz pebbles are visible throughout the range).[5] The mountains were subject to significant glaciation with corries and U-shaped valleys, however the range does not have the sharp rocky arêtes and ridges of the MacGillycuddy Reeks range.[5]
The following is a download from the MountainViews Online Database, who list 23 identifiable Central Dingle peaks with an elevation, or height, above 100 metres
Marilyn: Any height, and prominence over 150 metres (492 ft).
^This name is locally understood to mean 'mountain above the wind', but as wind speeds tend only to increase the more height one gains, one has to ask what this could possibly mean. Another possibility is that gaoth is rather an archaic word for a water feature (possibly Lough Gill or the estuary of the nearby Owenmore River), and that the name was no longer understood once this word had fallen out of common use.[2]
^An Seabhac also gives the alternative name An Sliabh Dubh ("the black mountain"). Previously Gowlane Beg.[2]
^The anglicised form Slievanea would appear to derive from Ir. Sliabh an Fhia, 'mountain of the deer'. The deer is also an important symbol in Celtic mythology. In many tales they lure people into the realm of the gods. Remains of several fulachta fia (venison-cooking pits) can be found around Lough Adoon.[2]
^Marked as 'Coombane' on the 6 map. The name refers originally to a hollow in the upper reaches of Kilcummin Beg townland.[2]
^ Near a path over the brow of the hill between Gowlin and Lisdargan there is an underground passage called Staighre Chaitlín (Cathleen's Stairs) which leads to a cave.[2]
^ Three cairns on the summit ridge of Dromavally Mountain are named Cú Chulainn's House, Cú Chulainn's Bed and Cú Chulainn's Grave.[2]
^The Irish form is given as Slí na gCorr on the OS Discovery map. However, this is clearly not the name of a mountain. It either refers to a track or is perhaps a corruption of Sliabh na nGabhar.[2]
^An Seabhac also mentions a peak called An Bhinn Bháin above Lough Acummeen, but this may refer to a cliff rather than the summit.[2]
^Since Beenbo is clearly a separate name (probably from Ir. Binn Bó, 'peak of the cow'), it seems likely that it is the true name of the summit, while Gob an Iolair applies originally to the sharp point just N of the summit.[2]
^This peak earns its name with its pointed peak.[2]
^ abThis name is not mentioned by An Seabhac in TCCD. It is unclear what the second element is.[2]
^This hill, located in the townland of Ballynane, is unnamed on OS Discovery map but named on the old ½ series and on road atlases. Has been called Tullig.[2]
