Hill of Allen

Hill Of Allen
(Cnoc Alúine)
Hill of Allen
Highest point
Elevation	206 m (676 ft)
Coordinates	53°13′46″N 6°51′50″W / 53.22944°N 6.86389°W / 53.22944; -6.86389Coordinates: 53°13′46″N 6°51′50″W / 53.22944°N 6.86389°W / 53.22944; -6.86389
Geography
Hill Of Allen Location in Ireland
Location	Kildare, Republic of Ireland
Parent range	Chair of Kildare
OSI/OSNI grid	N759205
Topo map	OSi Discovery 49

The Hill of Allen (Cnoc Alúine in Modern Irish, earlier Cnoc Almaine; also Hill of Almu ^[1]) is a volcanic hill situated in the west of County Kildare, Ireland, beside the village of Allen. According to Irish Mythology it was the seat of the hunter-warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna.^[1] The site is currently part-owned by Roadstone Dublin Ltd.^[2] and extensive quarrying has noticeably changed the profile of the hill.

History

The hill is situated at the easternmost point of the Bog of Allen and it is from this hill that the bog gets its name.^[1] According to legend, Fionn mac Cumhaill had a fortress on the hill and used the surrounding flatlands as training grounds for his warriors. In 722 the Battle of Allen was fought between the Leinstermen (Laigin), led by Murchad mac Brain Mut (King of Leinster), and the forces of Fergal mac Máele Dúin (High King of Ireland) in close proximity to the hill.^[3]

Tower

In 1859 Sir Gerard George Aylmer, the 9th Baronet of Donadea began building a circular tower on the top of the hill, which was completed in 1863. The tower was a folly and the names of the workmen are inscribed on the steps.^[1]

During the construction of the tower a large coffin containing human bones was unearthed which were said to be those of Fionn mac Cumhaill. These were re-interred under the site.^[2]^[4]

Quarry

As of 2008 most of the site is under the ownership of Roadstone Dublin Ltd. and much of the western side of the hill has been quarried.^[5] An agreement between Roadstone Dublin Ltd and Kildare County Council allows quarrying to be carried out (subject to conditions) for a period of 50 years from 15 October 2008 ^[6]^[7]

References and notes

External links

Hill of Allen Action Group

Places in County Kildare

County town: Naas

Towns	Athy Celbridge Clane Kilcock Kildare Leixlip Maynooth Naas Newbridge Sallins

Villages and Townlands	Allen Allenwood Ardclogh Ballitore Ballymore Eustace Calverstown Caragh Carbury Castledermot Coill Dubh Derrinturn Eadestown Hawkfield Johnstown Kilberry Kilcullen Kildangan Kill Kilmead Kilmeage Kilteel Lullymore Milltown Monasterevin Moone Narraghmore Nurney Prosperous Rathangan Robertstown Sallins Straffan Staplestown Suncroft Timolin

Landforms	Bog of Allen Cupidstown Hill Curragh Grand Canal Hill of Allen River Barrow River Blackwater River Boyne Figile River River Greese River Liffey Lyreen River Morell River River Rye Royal Canal

Topics	Geography of County Kildare List of National Monuments in County Kildare List of townlands of County Kildare Mountains and hills of County Kildare Rivers of County Kildare

Mountains and hills of Leinster

List of mountains in Ireland List of mountains and hills of County Dublin

Blackstairs Mountains	Black Rock Mountain Blackstairs Mountain Croaghaun Mount Leinster

Cooley Mountains	Clermont Carn Slieve Foy

Slieveardagh Hills	Clomantagh Hill Knocknamuck

Slieve Bloom Mountains	Arderin Barcam Baunreaghcong Carroll's Hill Castleconor Farbreague Garraunbaun Ridge of Capard Stillbrook Hill Wolftrap Mountain

Wicklow Mountains	Annagh Hill Barnaslingan Bray Head Camaderry Camenabologue Carrick Mountain Carrickgollogan Cloghernagh Conavalla Corrigasleggaun Croghan Mountain Cupidstown Hill Djouce Duff Hill Gravale Great Sugar Loaf Keadeen Kilmashogue Kippure Larch Hill Little Sugar Loaf Lobawn Luggala Lugnaquilla Maulin Montpelier Hill Mullacor Mullaghcleevaun Seefingan Slievegad Slievemaan Sugarloaf (West Wicklow) Table Mountain Tibradden Mountain Tonelagee Turlough Hill Two Rock and Three Rock

Others	Brandon Hill Ben of Howth Coppanagh Croghan Hill Dalkey Hill Dún Ailinne Faughan Hill Hill of Allen Hill of Ben Hill of Tara Hill of Uisneach Hill of Ward Killiney Hill Knockeyon Mount Alto Mullaghreelan Mullaghmast Mullaghmeen Naul Hills Shielmartin Hill Slieveboy Slieve na Calliagh Tara Hill

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