Slieve Rushen 1.97

Slieve Rushen is a mountain which straddles the border between County Cavan in the Republic of Ireland and County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland. It is also called Slieve Russell or Ligavegra (Also Legavagra, Ligavagra). It has an elevation of 404 metres above sea-level. OS 1/50k Mapsheet: 27A & 26. Grid Ref: H234 226. The mountain is made up of grey limestone with a cap of sandstone and shales and is extensively quarried by local companies. The surface is mostly covered with peat, pine forests and grazing fields. The mountain contains several caves and swallow-holes including Pollnagollum (Slieve Rushen) and Tory Hole which are a popular destination for potholers. It forms part of the Slieve Rushen Bog Natural Heritage Area. A recent addition to the mountain is the Slieve Rushen Wind Farm for generating electricity.EtymologyThe name Slieve Rushen derives from the gaelic "Sliabh Ros-in" which means "The Mountain of the Little Wood". However an alternative explanation of the name is given in a Middle-Irish text c.1400 from The Yellow Book of Lecan entitled The Settling of the Manor of Tara, in which verse 34 states "''daughter of Toga of the grey stormy sea, at that time ’twas a woman, she from whom Sliabh Raisen is named.". The earliest surviving mention of the name occurs in the Annals of the Four Masters for the year 1111 AD. "A predatory excursion was made by Toirdhealbhach Ua Conchobhair and he plundered Tearmann-Dabheog. Another predatory excursion was made by him; and he plundered as far as Beann-Eachlabhra, Sliabh-Ruisen, and Loch-Eirne''".