Macgillicuddy's Reeks

Carrauntoohil (centre, 1,038 metres), the highest peak in Macgillycuddy's Reeks

MacGillycuddy's Reeks (Irish: Na Cruacha Dubha, meaning "The Black Stacks") is a mountain range in County Kerry, Ireland. Stretching slightly over 19 km (12 miles), they include the highest mountain in Ireland (Carrauntoohil, at 1,038 metres), the two other 1,000 m peaks existing in Ireland (Beenkeragh at 1,010 m, and Caher at 1,001 m), and over 100 other Hewitts (peaks of over 2,000 ft). The mountains, part of the Armorican Highlands, are of glacial-carved sandstone and are situated on the Iveragh peninsula near the Lakes of Killarney.

The name of the range dates to the eighteenth century, from the McGillycuddy of the Reeks who owned land in this part of Munster for a long time prior, and continued to do so until the end of the twentieth century.

"MacGillycuddy's Reeks" is also the name of a song on Warren Zevon's album My Ride's Here. The song is set on the Iveragh peninsula, also mentioning "Killarney shore" and Inisfallen. The song was co-written by the Ulster poet Paul Muldoon.

See also

• Chiefs of the Name
• List of mountains in Ireland

External links

• McGillycuddy of the Reeks
• Photographs MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Mt Brandon

Coordinates: 52°01′N 9°42′W / 52.01°N 9.70°W / 52.01; -9.70

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