Errigal[3] (Irish: An Earagail)[4] is a 751-metre (2,464 ft) mountain near Gweedore in County Donegal, Ireland.[1] It is the tallest peak of the Derryveagh Mountains and the tallest peak in County Donegal.[1] Errigal is also the most southern and the highest of the mountain chain called the "Seven Sisters" by locals. The other peaks of the Seven Sisters are Muckish, Crocknalaragagh, Aghla Beg, Ardloughnabrackbaddy, Aghla More, and Mackoght.
| Errigal | |
|---|---|
 A view of Errigal from Gweedore. | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 751 m (2,464 ft)[1][2] |
| Prominence | 688 m (2,257 ft)[1] |
| Listing | County top (Donegal), P600, Marilyn, Hewitt |
| Coordinates | 55°01′59″N 8°06′43″W / 55.033°N 8.112°W |
| Naming | |
| Native name | An Earagail (Irish) |
| English translation | oratory |
| Geography | |
  Errigal County Donegal, Ireland | |
| Parent range | Derryveagh Mountains |
| OSI/OSNI grid | B928207 |
| Topo map | OSi Discovery 1 |
Geography
editErrigal is the most southern, steepest and highest of the mountain chain, called the "Seven Sisters". The Seven Sisters includes Muckish, Crocknalaragagh, Aghla Beg, Ardloughnabrackbaddy, Aghla More, Mackoght and Errigal. The nearest peak is Mackoght (from Irish: Mac Uchta,[5] meaning "son of the mountain-breast") which is also known as Little Errigal or Wee Errigal (Irish: an Earagail Bheag).
Errigal is known for the pinkish glow of its quartzite in the setting sun.[1] Another noted quality is the ever-changing shape of the mountain depending on what direction you view it from. Errigal was voted 'Ireland's Most Iconic Mountain' by Walking & Hiking Ireland in 2009.[6]
Naming
editIn legend Errigal is said to have been named by the Fir Bolg who, originating in Greece, came to worship Errigal as they had Mount Olympus.[7]
The name comes from the Old Irish airecal, meaning "oratory". There is no remains of an oratory on the mountain, so it may refer to the mountain as a whole as a place of prayer.[8][9][10]
In recent years, there have been numerous erroneous references to Mount Errigal.[11] In 2016, the Republic of Ireland's State tourism authority, Fáilte Ireland, apologised for using the name "Mount Errigal" in its brochure, rather than the proper name.[12] The official name is An Earagail or Errigal.[4] Mount Errigal is the name of a hotel in Letterkenny, County Donegal.[13]
In popular culture
edit- In the 1985 music video, "In A Lifetime" by Clannad and Bono, several images of Errigal appear.[14]
- In 1990, Errigal features prominently in the music video for The Chills' song, "Heavenly Pop Hit".
- In the 1991 song by Goats Don't Shave called "Las Vegas (In the Hills of Donegal)" contains the line, "To stand on top of Errigal, would give me such a thrill".
- In the 2008 film Hunger, the main protagonist Bobby Sands describes Errigal as a "beautiful sight".
- In the 2011 movie Your Highness, several scenes were shot on Errigal[15]
- In 2012, Irish composer Vincent Kennedy, as part of his music for The Happy Prince, titled a piece: "Snowfall on Errigal"[citation needed]
- The song "Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair", written by Proinsias Ó Maonaigh, begins with the lines:
- "Céad slán ag sléibhte maorga Chondae Dhún na nGall / Agus dhá chéad slán ag an Earagal árd / Ina stua os cionn caor 's call".
Gallery
edit-
From An Chúirt.
-
The view from Errigal.
-
Errigal as seen from Slieve Snaght.
-
Ascending Errigal.
-
Errigal as seen from The Rosses.
-
An aerial view of Errigal and Gweedore.
-
Derelict church at the foot of Errigal.
-
Errigal as seen from Cloughaneely.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e "Errigal 751m mountain, Donegal NW Derryveagh Mountains Donegal Ireland at MountainViews.ie". mountainviews.ie.
- ^ "Errigal Mountain - Peakbagger.com". www.peakbagger.com.
- ^ Ordnance Survey Ireland — the name is 'Errigal', omitting the word 'Mount'.
- ^ a b "An Earagail/Errigal". Placenames Database of Ireland. Government of Ireland - Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and Dublin City University. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "Mac Uchta/Mackoght". Logainm.ie.
- ^ "Walking Ireland's Iconic Mountains – Number 1: Errigal". 24 October 2009. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012.
- ^ Macerlean, Fergal (15 August 2009). "A route less travelled". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "An Earagail/Errigal Mountain". Logainm.ie.
- ^ "eDIL - Irish Language Dictionary". www.dil.ie.
- ^ Tempan, Paul (February 2012). "Irish Hill and Mountain Names" (PDF). Retrieved 2 June 2021.
- ^ Feeny, Seán P. (21 August 2015). "When did they change Errigal's name?". Donegal News. Archived from the original on 23 February 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ Scanlon, Cronan (25 August 2016). "Fáilte Ireland admits it got Errigal's name wrong". Donegal News. Archived from the original on 22 February 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2019.
- ^ "Mount Errigal Hotel". Archived from the original on 7 January 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ "Clannad Concert Tour Program". Archived from the original on 19 February 2001. Retrieved 12 April 2011.
- ^ "Newsletter".