Slieve Rushen

Slieve Rushen is a mountain summit at 404 meters elevation on the border between Ireland and the United Kingdom in County Cavan. The mountain displays grey limestone foundations topped with sandstone caps, while extensive peat bogs and conifer forests cover much of its slopes and surrounding areas.

The mountain appears in the Lebor Gabála Érenn around 1100 AD, where it is mentioned in connection with conflicts between Irish tribes in the region. This early written record shows that the area held importance in the movement of people and the territorial disputes of medieval Ireland.

The name comes from Irish Sliabh Ros-in, meaning mountain of the little wood, and the landscape still reflects this heritage through its scattered woodlands and open moorlands. Visitors can experience how the terrain has shaped local life for centuries through the traditional routes and paths that cross the slopes.

The mountain is accessible for walking and hiking, though visitors should expect wet and boggy conditions on the slopes at various times of year. Several caves including Pollnagollum are located nearby and require proper equipment and preparation if you wish to explore them.

The mountain contains active limestone quarries that extract materials used in local construction and development projects throughout the region. These operations reveal how the landscape serves both as a natural landmark and as a source of practical resources for the surrounding communities.