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Comeragh Ridges A ridge is a long narrow stretch of high ground which for the most part separates river valleys. A spur or a shoulder or a “srón” is a sloping area of high ground which links a valley to a ridge. Sometimes it can be difficult to differentiate a spur/shoulder from a ridge. Where does a spur or a shoulder or a “srón” end and a ridge begin? Is there a minimum length of high ground before the term “ridge” can be invoked? Well, there you have me! At any rate, what most of us landscape lovers can agree on is that ridges often provide glorious walking in good weather because of the relatively dry underfoot conditions and the wide-ranging views usually available from their lofty heights. View from Knockanaffrin summit towards Coumduala and the Comeragh Plateau Main Comeragh Ridges Undoubtedly, the standout ridges on the Comeraghs are Knockanaffrin and Monavullagh . Both have a generally north to south running trend (like the nearby Blackstairs) which sets them apart from t
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 The Comeragh Old Red Sandstone Plateau 792 - Highest Point on the Plateau - Looking towards Knockanaffrin and Slievenamon  A Real Plateau One significant difference between the Comeraghs and other Munster mountain ranges is that the Comeraghs possess a plateau. Munster`s mountains from “Dungarvan to Dingle” are classified by geomorphologists as Armorican or Variscan – this essentially means that they were created as great east-west running fold systems between 270 and 300 million years ago. However, few of these mountain ranges have any large plateaux. The Galtees and Knockmealdowns don`t. Ditto the Nagles, Boggeraghs, Derrynasaggarts, Mullaghareirks, Ballyhouras. Even in Kerry, apart from around Mangerton perhaps, there are no great areas of plateau to be found on the McGillycuddy`s Reeks, the Brandon Range, the Slieve Mish etc. Like the Kingdom, Cork has many hills, humpy bumpy ridges and rocky mountains, but few areas of high plateau – the lake strewn area of Glaslough Mountain in