Slievenamon

Slievenamon
Sliabh na mBan
Slievenamon viewed from the northeast
Highest point
Elevation	721 m (2,365 ft)
Prominence	638 m (2,093 ft)
Listing	Marilyn, Hewitt
Coordinates	52°25′48″N 7°33′47″W / 52.430°N 7.563°W / 52.430; -7.563Coordinates: 52°25′48″N 7°33′47″W / 52.430°N 7.563°W / 52.430; -7.563
Naming
Translation	mountain of the women (Irish)
Geography
Slievenamon Location in Ireland
Location	County Tipperary, Ireland
OSI/OSNI grid	S297307
Topo map	OSi Discovery 67

Slievenamon (Irish: Sliabh na mBan, [ˈʃlʲiəw n̪ˠə ˈmˠanˠ], "mountain of the women") is a mountain which is situated northwest of Carrick on Suir and northeast of Clonmel in County Tipperary, Ireland. It stands at 721 m (2,365 ft). Sitting at the western end of a range of low hills, Slievenamon is a striking conical mass, offering a dramatic view from the top over the counties of Tipperary, Kilkenny and Waterford. Much of its lower slopes is wooded. A low hill attached to Slievenamon, known as Carrigmaclea (a.k.a. Carraigmoclear), was the site of a battle during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

The origin of the mountain's name is explained in Irish mythology. According to the tale, Fionn mac Cumhaill was sought after by many young women, but he said that he could have only one partner. His partner would be whichever woman won a footrace to the top of the mountain. Fionn stood on the cairn atop the mountain and gave a signal to start the race. The winner was Gráinne.

There are two prehistoric cairns on Slievenamon. One is at the very top, and the other is on a lower summit to the northeast known as Sheegouna (from Irish: Sí Ghamhnaí, meaning "fairy mound of the heifers").

The song Slievenamon, written in the mid 19th century by revolutionary and poet Charles Kickham, is a well-known patriotic and romantic song about an exile who longs to see "our flag unrolled and my true love to unfold / in the valley near Slievenamon". It is regarded as the unofficial "county anthem" of Co. Tipperary, regularly sung by crowds at sporting events.