Slieve Bawn
Slieve Bawn or Sliabh Bághna[1] (meaning "Mountain of Bághna", ancient Firbolg chieftain) is a mountain in County Roscommon, Ireland. It lies between Strokestown (to the northwest) and Ballyleague (to the southeast). It is the third-highest point in the county, after Kilronan Mountain and Seltannasaggart.
Slieve Bawn | |
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Sliabh Bána | |
![]() The Holy Year Cross erected in 1950 | |
Highest point | |
Elevation | 262 m (860 ft) |
Prominence | 215 m (705 ft) |
Listing | Marilyn |
Coordinates | 53°43′44″N 8°4′2.8″W |
Geography | |
![]() ![]() Slieve Bawn Telton, County Roscommon, Ireland |
Archaeology
The 1837 Ordnance Survey Ireland 6" map shows no indication of any archaeological features atop the hill, but in 1950, when the Holy Year Cross was raised on the hilltop, skeletal remains were uncovered. This suggests that a passage grave once sat atop the hill.
Passage graves are usually cairns containing a passage leading to a central corbelled-roofed chamber, which is sometimes a cruciform shape. Passage graves are sometimes found in prominent locations, such as on hill-tops. Generally speaking, the less complex the passage tomb the older it is.[2]
References
- Placenames Database of Ireland
- Moore, Sam (2007). Archaeological Monuments of County Longford. Longford. p. 4.