View source for Galtymore

{{Short description|Mountain in Tipperary/Limerick, Ireland}}
{{good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Galtymore
| other_name = Galty Mountains
| native_name ={{native name|ga|Cnoc Mór na nGaibhlte}}
| translation = 'big hill of the Galtees'
| pronunciation = {{IPA|ga|ˌknˠɔk ˈmˠoːɾˠ n̪ˠə ˈŋa(vʲ)lʲtʲə|lang}}
| photo = File:Galtee range aherlow.JPG
| photo_caption = Galtee Mountain range seen from the north, with the summit of Galteemore at its centre
| photo_size = 
| elevation_m = 917.9
| elevation_ref = <ref name="mountainviews">{{cite web|url=http://mountainviews.ie/summit/14/ | title=Galtymore | publisher=[[MountainViews Online Database]] | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref><ref name="peakbagger">{{cite web|url=http://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=9010 | website=Peakbagger.com | title=Galtymore | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>
| prominence_m = 898
| prominence_ref = <ref name="mountainviews"/>
| location = [[County Limerick]]/[[County Tipperary|Tipperary]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
| range = [[Galtee Mountains|Galty Mountains]]
| map = island of Ireland
| map_relief = yes 
| map_caption =Location in Ireland
| coordinates = {{coord|52.365985|N|8.17915|W|type:mountain_region:IE}}
| coordinates_ref = <ref name="mountainviews"/>
| grid_ref_Ireland = R878237
| topo = [[Ordnance Survey of Ireland|OSi]] ''Discovery'' 74<ref name="mountainviews"/>
| listing = [[List of Irish counties by highest point|County top (Limerick and Tipperary)]], [[List of P600 mountains in the British Isles|P600]], [[List of Marilyns in the British Isles|Marilyn]], [[List of Furth mountains in the British Isles|Furth]], [[List of Hewitt mountains in England, Wales and Ireland|Hewitt]], [[Lists of mountains in Ireland#Arderins|Arderin]], [[List of mountains of the British Isles by height|Simm]], [[Lists of mountains in Ireland#Vandeleur-Lynams|Vandeleur-Lynam]]
| type=  Conglomerate & purple-reddish sandstone, (Slievenamuck Conglomerate Formation)<ref name="mountainviews"/>
| period=[[Devonian]]<ref name="mountainviews"/>
| easiest_route = ''Black Road Route''<ref name="dillon"/> 
}}
'''Galtymore''' or '''Galteemore''' ({{lga|Cnoc Mór na nGaibhlte|big hill of the Galtees}}) is a mountain in the province of [[Munster]], Ireland. At {{convert|917.9|m|ftin}}, it is one of Ireland's highest mountains, being the 12th-highest on the [[Lists of mountains in Ireland#Arderins|Arderin]] list, and 14th-highest on the [[Lists of mountains in Ireland#Vandeleur-Lynams|Vandeleur-Lynam]] list.  Galtymore has the 4th-highest [[topographic prominence]] of any peak in Ireland, which classifies Galtymore as a [[List of P600 mountains in the British Isles|P600]], or "major mountain".  It is one of the 13 [[Irish Munro]]s. 

The Galtee mountains are formed from [[sandstone]] and [[shale]] and contain  24 peaks above {{convert|100|m|ft}}. It runs  east-west for {{convert|30|km|mi|-1|spell=in}} between counties [[County Tipperary|Tipperary]] and [[County Limerick|Limerick]]; Galtymore is the [[List of Irish counties by highest point|highest point]] of both counties.  The mountain is accessed by hillwalkers via the 3–4 hour ''Black Road Route'', but is also summited as part of the longer 5–6 hour ''Circuit of Glencushnabinnia'', and the at least 10–hour east-to-west crossing of the entire range, called the ''Galtee Crossing'', which is climbed annually in the ''Galtee Challenge''.

The mountain and its deep [[cirque|corrie]] lakes are associated with various Irish folklore tales regarding [[Saint Patrick]] and serpents.

==Naming==

Irish academic Paul Tempan in his ''Irish Hill and Mountain Names Database'' (2010), listed "Galtymore" as the name for the peak, and "Galty Mountains" as the name for the range.<ref name="peak">{{cite web|url= http://www.mountaineering.ie/_files/Paul%20Tempan%20Irish%20Mountain%20Placenames%20-%20Feb%202012.pdf|title=Irish Hill and Mountain Names|publisher=MountainViews.ie|first=Paul |last=Tempan|date=February 2012 | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>  This is [[anglicised]] from {{lga|Cnoc Mór na nGaibhlte|big hill of the Galtees}}. "Galtymore" is recorded as early as the ''Civil Survey of Co. Tipperary'' (Down Survey, 1654–56) as a boundary feature of the barony of [[Clanwilliam (County Tipperary)|Clanwilliam]].<ref name="peak"/>  The peak is named "Galtymore Mountain" on the [[Ordnance Survey Ireland]] Discovery Map.<ref name="peak"/><ref>{{cite book | title=Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford (Irish Discovery Series, No. 74) | author=Ordnance Survey Ireland | author-link=Ordnance Survey Ireland | date=December 2012 | isbn=978-1-908852-00-7}}</ref> The [[townland]] on its southern slopes is named Knocknagalty (''Cnoc na nGaibhlte'').<ref>[https://www.logainm.ie/en/31603 Knocknagalty]. [[Placenames Database of Ireland]].</ref>

Some [[climbing guidebook|guidebooks]]<ref name="dillon"/> and other publications<ref name="leg"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.askaboutireland.ie/enfo/irelands-environment/county-focus/limerick/galtee-mountains/|title=Galtee Mountains|website=AskaboutIreland.ie|date=2014|quote=The Galtee Mountains are spread across the borders of three counties in Munster: Limerick, Tipperary and Cork. The name for this range of mountains was derived from the Irish Sléibhte na gCoillte, or "Mountains of the forests". Galtymore is the highest peak in the range, reaching 3,009 ft., and is situated the border between Limerick and Tipperary.| access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> suggest that the name "Galty" or "Galtees" is an anglicisation of ''Sléibhte na gCoillte'' (mountains of the forests). The 19th century diarist [[Amhlaoibh Ó Súilleabháin]] recorded a different Irish name, ''Beann na nGaillti'', and the names of three nearby places are derived from this: Glencoshnabinnia ([[Patrick Weston Joyce|P. W. Joyce]], Irish Names of Places iii, 366), Slievecoshnabinnia and Carrignabinnia.<ref name="peak"/>

The range was historically named ''Sliabh gCrot'' (the hump mountains), anglicised as "Slievegrot";<ref name="logainm">{{cite web|url=https://www.logainm.ie/en/67200 | website=[[Placenames Database of Ireland]] | title= Galty Mountains | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> or ''Crotta Cliach'' (the humps of Cliú), after the territory of Cliú.<ref name="Hendroff">{{cite book| last=Hendroff | first=Adrian | title= From High Places: A Journey Through Ireland's Great Mountains | publisher=The History Press Ireland | date=2010 | page=150 | isbn=978-1-84588-989-0 }}</ref><ref name="Rynne">{{cite book | last1=Rynne | first1=Colin | last2=Buttimer | first2=Neil | last3=Guerin | first3=Helen | title=The Heritage of Ireland | publisher=Collins Press | date=2000 | page=146 | isbn=978-1-898256-15-1 }}</ref>

The summit of Galtymore is marked as ''Dawson's Table'', named after the Dawson-Massey family who were large landowners in the area (''Tipperary Directory'' 1889), owning much of the land on and around the north section of the Galty range.{{efn|name="dawson"|The {{convert|126000|acre|ha|abbr=off|disp=sqbr|adj=on}} Dawson-Massey estate was centered on Ballynacourty House in the Glen of Aherlow, on the northern side of the Galty Mountains. It was destroyed by fire during the [[Irish Civil War]] in 1922.<ref name="peak"/><ref name="john"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://landedestates.nuigalway.ie/LandedEstates/jsp/property-show.jsp?id=3008|title=House: Ballynacourty Dawson/Massy-Dawson (Ballynacourte)| website=Landed Estates Database | date=11 May 2011 | access-date=12 April 2020 | author=NUI Galway | author-link=NUI Galway }}</ref>}}

The area also originated [[Kerry Group]]'s popular bacon food brand ''Galtee'';<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/food-and-drink/where-your-full-irish-really-comes-from-1.1587349 | title=Where your full Irish really comes from | newspaper=[[Irish Times]] | date=8 November 2013 | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> and the term ''Galtee Mountains'' is still in common use.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://outsider.ie/ireland/hiking-galtee-mountains-essential-information/ | title=A Taste of More: Hiking in the Galtees| website=Outsider.ie | date=2018 | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

==Geology==

The geology of the Galty Mountains is described as being [[Old Red Sandstone]], from the [[Devonian]] period, and [[Silurian]] [[shales]].<ref name="sac"/> Old Red Sandstone is also common in the [[MacGillycuddy's Reeks]] mountain range, and as well as having a purple–reddish colour, is also devoid of [[fossils]].<ref name="sac"/>

The southern smooth slopes of the Galty range give way to a steep northern face, pocked with deep [[cirque|corrie]]s and their accompanying moraine lakes.<ref name="sac"/> The long central ridge of the Galtys, which runs for about {{convert|15|km|mi|0}} in an east-west direction, was too high to be overridden by the inland ice-sheets, and although it resulted in the creation of small corrie glaciers, its summits are capped by [[Tor (rock formation)|tors]] formed from [[conglomerate rock]] (known as the Slievenamuck Conglomerate Formation).<ref name="sac">{{cite web | url=https://www.npws.ie/sites/default/files/publications/pdf/CP000646.pdf | title=Galtee Mountains cSAC (Special Area of Conservation) | website=[[National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland)]] | date=July 2005 | quote=Physical Features | page=12 | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Galtymore Summit.jpg|thumb|Galtymore's eastern summit ridge (centre), and northern cliffs (right)]]

The climbing guidebook writer Paddy Dillion said of the range: "the lofty Galty Mountains have forested flanks; and there is much heather, bogs, and steep slopes, but the effort is worth it and Galtymore is a splendid viewpoint".<ref name="dillon"/>

The Galty (or "Galtee") Mountains are a broadly straight {{convert|30|km|mi|-1|adj=on}} east-west grass-covered range with a {{convert|15|km|mi|0|adj=on}} central ridge section, stretching from '''Greenane''' {{convert|801|m|ft}} in the east, to '''Temple Hill''' {{convert|783|m|ft}} in the west.  This central ridge section includes the highest peaks of Galtymore {{convert|918|m|ft}}, '''Lyracappul''' {{convert|825|m|ft}}, '''Carrignabinnia''' {{convert|823|m|ft}}, and '''Slievecushnabinnia''' {{convert|775|m|ft}}.  Many of the peaks of the central section have a moderate [[topographical prominence]], which means that the central ridge maintains a reasonably sustained height; an attractive feature for hill walkers.<ref name="dillon"/>

The 24 peaks of the Galty range with a height above {{convert|100|m|ft}}, and include 13 peaks with a height above {{convert|2,000|ft|m|-1|order=flip}}, and five that are classified as [[List of Marilyns in the British Isles|Marilyns]] – being peaks with a prominence above {{convert|150|m|ft}}.<ref name="collins"/>  The Galtys are described as Ireland's highest "inland" range.<ref name="collins"/>

Galtymore and Galtybeg sit near the middle of the range and their north faces show evidence of glacial erosion with a number of deep corries, most of which are now occupied by [[lough]]s. Between Galtymore and Galtybeg lies Lough Diheen, while Lough Curra lies between Galtymore and Slievecushnabinnia.<ref name="dillon">{{cite book | last1 = Dillion | first1 = Paddy | title = The Mountains of Ireland: A Guide to Walking the Summits | publisher = Cicerone | isbn = 978-1-85284-110-2 | year = 1993}}</ref>

Galtymore is the [[List of mountains of the British Isles by height|460th-highest mountain, and 12th most prominent mountain]], in Britain and Ireland, on the [[Lists of mountains and hills in the British Isles#Simms|Simms]] classification.<ref name="dobih">{{cite web|url=http://www.hills-database.co.uk/downloads.html|title=The Database of British and Irish Hills|date=2018 | first1=Chris| last1= Cocker|first2=Graham |last2=Jackson| publisher=[[Database of British and Irish Hills]] | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>  Galtymore is regarded by the [[Scottish Mountaineering Club]] (SMC) as one of 34 [[Lists of mountains and hills in the British Isles#Furths|Furths]], which is a mountain above {{convert|3000|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} in elevation, and meeting the other SMC criteria for a [[Munro]] (e.g. "sufficient separation"), and which are outside (or ''furth''), of Scotland;<ref name=SMC2/> this is why Carrauntoohil is also referred to as one of the thirteen [[Irish Munro]]s.<ref name=SMC2>{{cite web|url=https://www.smc.org.uk/hills/hill-lists#furths|title=Hill Lists: Furths|quote=The list of peaks of 3000ft or more within the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland outside (furth) of Scotland. There are currently 34 Furths.|publisher=[[Scottish Mountaineering Club]]|access-date=12 April 2020|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005153432/https://www.smc.org.uk/hills/hill-lists#furths}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.irelandsown.ie/irelands-munros/|title=Ireland's Munros|date=26 June 2018|access-date=12 April 2020|magazine=[[Ireland's Own]]|last=Redmond|first=Paula|archive-date=10 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213635/https://www.irelandsown.ie/irelands-munros/}}</ref>  Galtymore's prominence qualifies it as a [[Lists of mountains and hills in the British Isles#P600 (the "Majors")|P600]], which classes Galtymore as a "major" mountain in Britain and Ireland.<ref name="dobih"/>  Galtymore ranks as the 5th-highest mountain in Ireland on the [[MountainViews Online Database]], ''[[Lists of mountains in Ireland#100 Highest|100 Highest Irish Mountains]]'', where the prominence threshold is {{convert|100|m|ft}}.<ref name="collins">{{cite book| first=Simon | last=Stewart | year=2013 | title=A Guide to Ireland's Mountain Summits: The Vandeleur-Lynams & the Arderins |publisher=Collins Books | isbn=978-1-84889-164-7}}</ref><ref name="mountain">{{cite web|url=https://mountainviews.ie/lists/highest/|title=Irish Highest 100: The highest 100 Irish mountains with a prominence of +100m | website=[[MountainViews Online Database]] | date=September 2018 | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

==Hill walking==

[[File:Galtybeg and Lough Diheen - geograph.org.uk - 827880.jpg|thumb|Galtybeg and Lough Dihneen, part of the ''Circuit of Glencushnabinnia'']]

The most straightforward route to the summit of Galtymore is from the south via the {{convert|9|km|mi|frac=2|adj=on|spell=in}} 3–4 hour ''Black Road Route'', which starts at the end of the Black Road car park ({{gbm4ibx|R893204}}) (accessed from the [[R639 road (Ireland)|R639 road]] near the village of [[Skeheenarinky]]), and summits Galtybeg {{convert|799|m|ft}}, before the main summit of Galtymore.  It then retraces its route back to the Black Road car park.<ref name="john"/><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/go-walk-the-galtees-co-tipperary-1.1740180 | title=Go Walk: The Galtees, Co Tipperary | newspaper=[[Irish Times]] | first=John G.|last=O'Dwyer | date=29 July 2014 | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Lough Curra below Galtymore, Gaty Mountains.jpg|thumb|Lough Curra below Galtymore, on the ''Circuit of Glencushnabinnia'', as seen from Slievecushnabinnia; "twin summits" of Galtymore visible]]

The {{convert|12|km|mi|frac=2|adj=on}} 5–6 hour ''Circuit of Glencushnabinnia'', which follows a loop around Galtymore's deep northern corries at Lough Curra and Lough Dihneen, is described as the "connoisseur's route".<ref name="john"/><ref name="helen"/> It starts at the forest car park ({{gbm4ibx|R875278}}) near the Clydagh Bridge in the north, and climbs Cush {{convert|641|m|ft}}, Galtybeg {{convert|779|m|ft}}, Galtymore and Slievecushnabinnia {{convert|775|m|ft}}, before returning to the start (it can also be done anti–clockwise).<ref name="john">{{cite book | last1 = O'Dwyer | first1 = John G. | title = The Comeragh, Galtee, Knockmealdown & Slieve Bloom Mountains: A Walking Guide | publisher = Collins Press   | isbn = 978-1-84889-347-4   | year = 2018}}</ref><ref name="helen">{{cite book | last1 = Fairbairn | first1 = Helen | title = Ireland's Best Walks: A Walking Guide | publisher = Collins Press | isbn = 978-1-84889-211-8 | year = 2014 |quote=Route 52: Galtymore}}</ref><ref name="russ">{{cite web|url=https://mountaintrails.ie/featured-hike-galtymore-and-the-cushnabinnia-horseshoe/ | title=The Galtymore Cushnabinnia Horseshoe | date=20 August 2018 | first=Russ | last=Mills | website=Mountaintrails.ie | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Galty Mountains, Western Section.jpg|thumb|Western Galtys of (after a right turn) Slievecushnabinnia, Carrignabinnia, and Lyracappul (farthest); Lough Curra is in the deep corrie (near right)]]

The annual ''Galtee Challenge'' organised by the Galtee Walking Club is the full {{convert|31|km|mi|frac=2|adj=on}}, over 10-hour, east-to-west crossing of the range (also called the ''Galtee Crossing''), and takes in all major peaks of the Galty Mountains.  The challenge normally starts in [[Cahir]] in the east, and finishes in [[Anglesboro]] Village, in the west.<ref name="chal">{{cite web | url=https://www.galteewalkingclub.ie/challenge.html | title=2018 Galtee Challenge | website=Galtee Walking Club | date=June 2018 | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>  Despite the distance, longer than the [[MacGillycuddy's Reeks Ridge Walk]], the 10–hour estimate is reasonable as the variation in elevation is moderate.<ref name="chal"/>

==List of peaks==
{{Main|Lists of mountains in Ireland}}

The MountainViews Online Database list 24 Galty mountain peaks with an elevation, or height, above {{convert|100|m|ft}}.<ref name="mountainviews"/>

{{legend|#cfc|[[Lists of mountains and hills in the British Isles#Furths|Furth]] (or ''Irish Munro''): Height over {{convert|3000|ft|0}}, and on the [[Scottish Mountaineering Club|SMC]] Furth list.}}
{{legend|#cff|[[Lists of mountains and hills in the British Isles#Marilyns|Marilyn]]: Any height, and prominence over {{convert|150|m|0}}.}}

{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:left"
|+ style="text-align: centre;" |Peaks of the Galty Mountains (MountainViews Online Database, October 2018)
|-
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|[[Elevation|Height]]<br />rank
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|[[Topographic prominence|Prom.]]<br />rank
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|Name
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|Irish name (if different)
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|Translation
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|[[Summit|Height]]<br />(m)
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|[[Topographic prominence|Prom.]]<br />(m)
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|[[Summit|Height]]<br />(ft)
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|[[Topographic prominence|Prom.]]<br />(ft)
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|[[Topographic map|Topo.<br />map]]
!style="text-align:left" scope=col|[[Ordnance Survey Ireland|OSI Grid<br />Reference]]
|-
|1||1
! style="background:#cfc;text-align:left" scope=row|Galtymore

||Cnoc Mór na nGaibhlte||big hill of the Galtys|| 918 || style="background:#cff;text-align:left"|898 || 3,011 || 2,946 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R878238}}
|-
|2||6
! scope=row| [[Lyracappul]]
||Ladhar an Chapaill||fork/confluence of the horse{{efn|This peak may be named after the channels on its north–western slopes. The glen here is named Lyraveg Glen.<ref name="peak"/>}}|| 825 || 100 || 2,708 || 328 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R845232}}
|-
|3||22
! scope=row|Carrignabinnia
||Carraig na Binne||rock of the peak|| 823 || 27 || 2,700 || 88 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R850237}}
|-
|4||5
! scope=row|Greenane
||An Grianán||sunny spot|| 801 || style="background:#cff;text-align:left"|157 || 2,629 || 515 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R925239}}
|-
|5||9
! scope=row|Galtybeg
||Cnoc Beag na nGaibhlte||The small hill of the Galtys|| 799 || 80 || 2,622 || 263 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R890241}}
|-
|6||16
! scope=row|Greenane West
||—||—|| 787 || 39 || 2,582 || 129 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R910239}}
|-
|7||3
! scope=row|[[Temple Hill (Ireland)|Temple Hill]]
||Cnoc an Teampaill||hill of the church|| 783 || style="background:#cff;text-align:left"|188 || 2,569 || 617 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R833218}}
|-
|8||20
! scope=row|Slievecushnabinnia
||Sliabh Chois na Binne||mountain beside the peak{{efn|[[Patrick Weston Joyce|P. W. Joyce]] suggests that the peak (binn) in question is Galtymore, which seems logical. Glencushabinnia is a townland north-east of here.<ref name="peak"/>}}|| 775 || 28 || 2,542 || 92 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R858240}}
|-
|9||13
! scope=row|Knockaterriff
||Cnoc an Tairbh||hill of the bull|| 692 || 51 || 2,269 || 168 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R848216}}
|-
|10||21
! scope=row|Knockaterriff Beg
||Cnoc an Tairbh Beag||hill of the little bull|| 679 || 28 || 2,229 || 91 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R844222}}
|-
|11||4
! scope=row|Cush
||Cois||side/flank{{efn|The name may well be a shortened form of Cois na Binne, which appears in several place-names in this area. This mountain is referred to as Binnia in 'The Mountains of Ireland' by Paddy Dillon.<ref name="peak"/><ref name="dillon"/>}}|| 641 || style="background:#cff;text-align:left"|176 || 2,104 || 578 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R894262}}
|-
|12||7
! scope=row|Monabrack
||Móin Bhreac||speckled moor{{efn|On the Discovery map the name Monabrack does not appear. The name Carrigeen Mountain is in roughly the same position but this is a townland name (i.e. the mountain pasture belonging to Carrigeen townland). Previously Lyracappul SE Top in earlier MountainViews listings.<ref name="peak"/>}}|| 630 || 94 || 2,067 || 308 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R859219}}
|-
|13||18
! scope=row|Laghtshanaquilla
||Leacht Sheanchoille||burial monument of the old wood{{efn| This peak is unnamed on the Discovery map. There is a cairn near the summit, which could be the leacht in question. Previously Greenane East in earlier MountainViews listings.<ref name="peak"/>}}|| 629 || 36 || 2,065 || 118 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R951250}}
|-
|14||11
! scope=row|Knockeenatoung
||Cnoicín na Teanga||hill of the tongue|| 601 || 66 || 1,973 || 218 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R895219}}
|-
|15||23
! scope=row|Lough Curra Mtn
||—||—|| 600 || 23 || 1,970 || 75 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R869242}}
|-
|16||24
! scope=row|Laghtshanaquilla North-East Top
||—||—|| 598 || 19 || 1,962 || 62 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R957256}}
|-
|17||10
! scope=row|Knockastakeen
||Cnoc an Stáicín||hill of the little stack{{efn|Stáca can be a stack of hay or corn. The name appears to refer to the hill's shape.<ref name="peak"/>}}|| 583 || 78 || 1,913 || 256 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R915258}}
|-
|18||14
! scope=row|Sturrakeen
||An Starraicín||"the pointed peak" or "the steeple"{{efn|Also known as Carrigphierish, Ir. Carraig Phiarais, 'Pierce's rock'. Note that this peak is actually unnamed on the Discovery map, while both Carrigphierish and Sturrakeen are marked a little to the northwest of this peak.<ref name="peak"/>}}|| 542 || 46 || 1,777 || 151 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R973253}}
|-
|19||8
! scope=row|Benard
||An Bhinn Ard||the high peak|| 480 || 85 || 1,573 || 277 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R821199}}
|-
|20||12
! scope=row|Slieveanard NE Top
||—||—|| 449 || 64 || 1,471 || 210 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|S005264}}
|-
|21||15
! scope=row|Seefin
||Suí Finn||Fionn's seat|| 447 || 42 || 1,465 || 136 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R891197}}
|-
|22||17
! scope=row|Seefin N Top
||—||—|| 444 || 39 || 1,457 || 128 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R888206}}
|-
|23||19
! scope=row|Slieveanard
||Sliabh an Aird||mountain of the height|| 438 || 33 || 1,436 || 108 ||74||{{gbm4ibx|R992258}}
|-
|24||2
! scope=row|Slievenamuck
||Sliabh Muice||mountain of the pig|| 369 || style="background:#cff;text-align:left"|234 || 1,211 || 768 ||66||{{gbm4ibx|R842306}}
|}

==Summit==
[[File:Cross Galtymore Summit.jpg|thumb|White iron cross on ''[[Dawson's Table]]'', Galtymore summit]]

{{anchor|Dawson's Table}}Galtymore's summit is described a large concave plateau separated by two peaks.<ref name="russ"/>  The plateau consists of Old Red Sandstone and is known as ''Dawson's Table'' after the historical landowners, the Dawson-Massey family.{{efn|name="dawson"}}<ref name="peak"/><ref name="john2"/>  This is similar to ''[[Percy's Table]]'' on the summit of [[Lugnaquilla]], the highest mountain in [[County Wicklow]] and [[Leinster]].  There is a [[cairn]] on top of each peak and the eastern one marks the true summit of Galtymore.<ref name="john"/> These twin summits give Galtymore a distinctive profile from a distance.<ref name="john2"/>  The summit of Galtymore marks the boundary of Limerick and Tipperary.<ref name="russ"/><ref name="john2">{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/walk-for-the-weekend-a-twin-county-stroll-with-splendid-views-1.3491733 | title=Walk for the Weekend: A twin-county stroll with splendid views | newspaper=[[Irish Times]] | first=John G. | last=O'Dwyer | date=18 May 2018 | quote=Upon gaining this top for the first time, I remember being surprised to discover Galtymore is actually a liminal mountain. I had simultaneously reached the highest point of both counties Limerick and Tipperary for Galtymore is a twin-county, twin-cairned top boasting a large concave plateau known locally as Dawson's Table. | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

In 1975, a {{convert|7|ft|m|1|order=flip|adj=on}} white iron cross was erected on the north edge of ''Dawson's Table'' by Tipperary local Ted Kavanagh.  The cross is situated a few metres away from the eastern summit cairn and looks into the glen of Aherlow.  It is kept white by being painted every year.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/galty-mountain-challenge-1.769689 | title=Galty Mountain Challenge | newspaper=[[Irish Times]] | first=John G. | last=O'Dwyer | date=23 May 2009 | quote=Here your eyes will immediately be drawn to a white Celtic cross overlooking Aherlow, which was painstakingly erected by Tipperary man Ted Kavanagh in 1975. Its pristine condition is accounted for by local hillwalker and rescuer Jimmy Barry, who for the past decade has taken upon himself the task of painting this cross annually. | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Wall and Summit - geograph.org.uk - 1031562.jpg|thumb|The ''Galtee Wall'' leading westwards to the summit of Lyracappul]]

{{anchor|Galtee Wall}}To the west of the summit of Galtymore lies a {{convert|3.5|km|mi|frac=4|adj=mid|-long}} [[dry stone wall]] known as the ''Galtee Wall'', that was built in 1878 to separate the Dawson-Massey Estate in the north, from the Galtee Castle Estate in the south.  It is recorded that it took 30–40 men more than 4 years to complete the wall, and that the reason for its construction was to give employment to local small farmers during a period of economic depression (hence why is it also called a ''famine wall'').<ref>{{cite book| title=If Those Trees Could Speak: The Story of an Ascendancy Family in Ireland | first=Frank | last=Treacy | date=March 2005 |via=South Dublin Libraries | page=47 | quote=In 1878 a wall was built by the 6th Baron from behind the hill at the rear of Massy Lodge to the western slopes of Galtymore Mountain. It took 30–40 men four years to build and acted as a boundary between the estates of Galtee Castle and the Massy estates. The main reason for building the wall was to give employment to local small farmers during a period of economic depression. The wall covers several of the main peaks of the Galtees and ninety percent of it still stands.| access-date=12 April 2020 | isbn=978-0-9547660-2-3  | url=http://source.southdublinlibraries.ie/bitstream/10599/4924/2/If%20Those%20Trees%20Could%20Speak.pdf  <!--https://www.amazon.co.uk/Those-Trees-Could-Speak-Ascendancy/dp/0954766024 -->}}</ref>  The ''Galtee Wall'' runs from below the west summit of Galtymore, across the top of Slievecushnabinnia, the top of Carrignabinnia, and on to the summit of Lyracappul, the second-highest peak in the Galtees.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/go-walk-lough-curra-co-tipperary-1.1570447|title=Go Walk: Lough Curra, Co Tipperary|date=26 October 2013|first=John G. |last=O'Dwyer|newspaper=[[Irish Times]] | quote=An impressive structure built in the late 19th century to divide the landholdings of the Galtee Castle and Massey Dawson estates, the Galty Wall runs 3,500m along the ridge top. | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

==Folklore==
[[File:Lough Diheen Galymorebeg, Galty Mountains.jpg|thumb|Lough Dihneen]]

The mountains appear in Irish folk tales, and the deep corrie lakes of the Galtys were believed to be enchanted.<ref name="leg"/><ref name=EM/> In early Irish literature, the mountains are called ''[Sliab] Crotta Cliach'' (the [mountain] humps of Cliú), which was the name of the surrounding territory. As {{Lang|ga|crotta}} can also mean a [[celtic harp]], the name was interpreted as "mountains of Cliach's harps", and there is a tale of a legendary harper called Cliach playing his harps in the mountains to woo an [[Celtic Otherworld|otherworldly]] woman who lived in the summit cairn on [[Slievenamon]].<ref name="Hendroff"/><ref name="Rynne"/>  After failing, he plays his two harps together, and the hill bursts open and forms a lake.<ref name="leg"/> This lake is Lough Muskry, which is named after the [[Múscraige]] people that lived in the south of Ireland.<ref name=EM>{{cite book | last=Massey | first=Eithne | title=Legendary Ireland: A Journey Through Celtic Places and Myths | publisher=University of Wisconsin Press | date=2004 | page=83 | isbn= 978-0-299-19800-8 }}</ref>

Lake Muskry was formerly known as ''Loch Béal Séad'' (lake of the jewel mouth) and also as ''Loch Béal Dracon'' (lake of the dragon's mouth). The oldest mention of the name is in the tale entitled ''Aislinge Óenguso'' (The Dream of [[Aengus]]) which dates from c.750 AD.<ref>https://sulis.ucc.ie/cdi/wp-content/uploads/textarchive/AislingeOenguso.pdf {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}</ref> This states: ''Mac Og went to Loch Bél Draccon when he saw the 150 white birds at the loch with their silvery chains and golden caps around their heads''. The next oldest mention is in the [[Dindsenchas]], composed c.1000. The Metrical Dindsenchas of Crotta Cliach states: ''At the spot where he died of terror, Cliach sang sweet melody; there seized him there suddenly, not unprotected, the loathly dragon that dwells in this place - Loch Bel Dragon''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/toddlectureserie10royauoft/page/224/mode/2up|title = Todd lecture series|publisher = Dublin}}</ref> The Rennes Dindsenchas also relates a further tale of [[Saint Fursey]] drowning the dragon in the lake.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/revueceltique15pari/page/441/mode/1up?view=theater|title = Revue celtique|year = 1870|publisher = Paris}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/lecturesonmanus00ocur/page/426/mode/2up|title=Lectures on the manuscript materials of ancient Irish history|year=1861|publisher=Dublin, J. Duffy}}</ref> There is a folk tale of a serpent that was killing livestock on the Galty Mountains being banished by [[Saint Patrick]] and confined to Lake Muskry.<ref name="leg">{{cite web |url=http://thetipperaryantiquarian.blogspot.com/2017/03/lough-muskry-st-patrick.html|title=Lough Muskry and St. Patrick | website=The Tipperary Antiquarian | date=15 March 2017 | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref> According to the tale, Saint Patrick chained the serpent under the lake and promised to release the creature on ''Lá an Luan'' (the [[Day of Judgement]]), which the serpent mistook as ''An Luain'' ([[Monday]] or [[Easter Monday]]).  The serpent comes up each Easter Monday and asks "Is it the Monday morning yet Patrick?" and Patrick says "No", and the serpent goes down again for another year.<ref name="leg"/><ref>{{cite book | title=Ancient Legends, Mystic Charms, and Superstitions of Ireland [Reprint, 2012]| first=Lady Jane | last=Francesca Wild | date=1888 | isbn=978-1-4802-8983-3 | chapter=Saint Patrick and the Serpent}}</ref>  The same legend is also associated with Lough Dihneen, below Galtybeg.<ref name="leg"/><ref name=EM/> The belief in the serpent under Lough Dihneen was held so strongly that a Captain Dawson, a local landlord,{{efn|name="dawson"}} attempted to drain Lough Dihneen in the 1830s to kill the serpent.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.duchas.ie/en/cbes/4922302/4868455/5053722|title=The Serpent in Lough Diheen on the Galtees|website=Duchas.ie|quote=So strong was their belief that an attempt was once made to drain the lake. The owner of Ballinacourtie estate [Ballynacourty House], one Captain Dawson, about 150 years ago heard so much about this serpent that on one occasion he took a number of workmen with him to drain the lake and destroy the serpent. They had pickaxes, shovels, spades with them. As they were about to start work Captain Dawson looked towards home only to see as he thought, his mansion on fire.|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

Folk tales attribute the banishing of the serpent by Saint Patrick with the subsequent richness of farming in the area.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.yourirish.com/folklore/st-patrick-killer-snake | title=St Patrick and the Killer Snake | website=YourIrishCulture |date=2014 | quote=After St Patrick banished the snake he made his way back to the farmers and informed them of the snakes fate. To their relief he told them to go and look after their livestock which will be vast in quantity for years to come. After 7 long years later the snake appeared at the edge of the lake and asked St Patrick "is it time for me be released yet?" to which St Patrick replied "no" and the snake sank back into the lake. Ever since the snake was banished from the area the Galtee Mountains became famous for its dairy farming and its where Ireland's largest food companies, Galtee, was founded. | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>  In addition to local folklore, Lake Muskry also features in the [[Irish mythology|Irish mythological]] tale of the [[Caer Ibormeith]].<ref name=EM/>

==1976 air crash==

On 20 September 1976, three airmen: Tom Gannon, Jimmy Byrne and Dick O'Reilly from [[Abbeyshrule]], were killed when their plane crashed not far from ''O'Loughlin's Castle'', a rock–formation near Greenane West, on the Galtys. The three were founding members of Abbyshrule Air Club. A stone monument in the shape of a plane's tailfin was erected ({{gbm4ibx|R393223}}) a short distance into the ''Black Road Route'' on the path to Knockeenatoung.  The crash led to the founding of the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) in 1977.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/travel/love-is-in-the-air-1.941265|title=Love is in the air | newspaper=[[Irish Times]] | date=27 November 2008 | first=John G. |last = O'Dwyer | quote=After about 20 minutes of gentle ascent you will observe a monument in the shape of an aircraft tail about 50m to your right. It was erected to the memory of three Abbeyshrule airmen who died in a crash on a nearby mountainside. This event triggered the foundation, in 1977, of South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association, which provides a comprehensive rescue service across several ranges.|access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>  The event was remembered on its 40th anniversary by SEMRA in September 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://avondhupress.ie/forty-year-commemoration-galtee-mountains-light-aircraft-crash-held/|title=Forty year commemoration of Galtee Mountains light aircraft crash held|publisher=Avondhu Press | date=20 September 2016 | quote=Members of South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association (SEMRA) and relatives of the three men who died in a light aircraft crash in the Galtee Mountains in 1976, commemorated the event on Saturday last, 17th September. Forty years on from that fateful day on Monday, 20th September 1976, the deceased airmen continue to be remembered by their families as well as local people. A large group of relatives of all ages, and local people were accompanied by members of SEMRA on Saturday last, when they walked to the stone monument on the Black Road. | access-date=12 April 2020}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{notelist|33em}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Coord|52.366|N|8.179|W|type:mountain_region:IE|display=title}}

===Bibliography===

*{{cite book  | last1 = Dillion | first1 = Paddy | title = The Mountains of Ireland: A Guide to Walking the Summits | publisher = Cicerone | isbn = 978-1-85284-110-2 | year = 1993}}
*{{cite book   | last1 = Fairbairn | first1 = Helen | title = Ireland's Best Walks: A Walking Guide   | publisher = Collins Press   | isbn = 978-1-84889-211-8   | year = 2014 }}
*{{cite book   | last1 = O'Dwyer | first1 = John G.| title = The Comeragh, Galtee, Knockmealdown & Slieve Bloom Mountains: A Walking Guide  | publisher = Collins Press   | isbn = 978-1-84889-347-4   | year = 2018}}
*{{cite book| first= Simon | last=Stewart |year=2013 | title=A Guide to Ireland's Mountain Summits: The Vandeleur-Lynams & the Arderins |publisher=Collins Books | isbn=978-1-84889-164-7}}

==External links==
*[https://mountainviews.ie/summit/14/ MountainViews: The Irish Mountain Website], Galtymore
*[http://www.hills-database.co.uk/downloads.html The Database of British and Irish Hills ], the largest database of British Isles mountains ("[[DoBIH]]")
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120829114800/http://maps.osi.ie/publicviewer/#V1,591271,743300,0 Ordnance Survey Ireland ("OSI") Online Map Viewer]

{{Mountains of Great Britain and Ireland|}}
{{British hills}}
{{Irish provinces highest mountains|}}
{{Mountains and hills of Munster}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Marilyns of Ireland]]
[[Category:Hewitts of Ireland]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of County Limerick]]
[[Category:Mountains and hills of County Tipperary]]
[[Category:Highest points of Irish counties]]
[[Category:Furths]]
[[Category:Mountains under 1000 metres]]