-

 Knockanaffrin Ridge

View from the Mass Rock north across Coolishal Wood to Slievenamon

The Mass Rock

The name Knockanaffrin means the hill of the mass – “Cnoc an Aifrinn”, reminding us today of penal times when Catholics were persecuted for practising their religion. The name can be seen on documents relating to the Cromwellian Settlement of 1654, a full 50 years before the systematic introduction of the various penal laws. There is what is believed to be an authentic mass rock near Carrigsheegowna on the ridge`s north-eastern slopes. On high ground near the crest of the ridge, the mass rock`s location would have afforded good views towards both Nire and Suir Valleys, thus giving worshippers time to disperse before the arrival of the “red coats” from Clonmel.

 

The Seven Sisters

Knockanaffrin is also known today as the “Seven Sisters”, a reference perhaps to the rocky prominences which jut up from the ridgeline. Shauneenbréaga, Carrigsheegowna, Knocksheegowna (with its Trig Pillar) and Knockanaffrin itself are the main ones but there are other un-named ones. This aspect of the ridge`s character is especially noticeable from the Clonmel side.

The Seven Sisters from Harney`s Cross


 Geomorphology

Geomorphologically, the three main features of the Comeraghs are the Knockanaffrin and Monavullagh Ridges sandwiching between them the Comeragh Plateau. Knockanaffrin Ridge stretches from Harney`s Cross in the north to the Gap in the south. It measures about 8 kilometres in length and its highest point is Knockanaffrin itself, at 755 metres. This was known as "Carraig an tSaighdiúra" in the past, a reference no doubt to the soldiers who frequented the ridge during the Ordnance Survey in the 1840s. 

Geomorphologists tell us that most of the mountains in Munster (from Dungarvan to Dingle) are Armorican or Variscan in age. This essentially means that they were pushed up as great east-west running fold mountains about 270 to 290 million years ago. Interestingly, both the Monavullagh and Knockannafrin ridges have a more north to south trend, hinting perhaps that their framework like that of the Blackstairs and Wicklow Mountains was laid down a lot further back, perhaps during the Caledonian Orogenesis over 400 million years ago.

 

 Geography

Geographically, the ridge separates the Nire and Suir Valleys. As such it acts as a small watershed in north Waterford – the Glenary and Nire flowing west, the Glasha and Clodiagh flowing east. 

The vagaries of ice action are very obvious on Knockanaffrin Ridge. There is little evidence of glacial scouring on its western flanks yet there are two fine lake-adorned coums on its eastern flanks – Loughs Mohra and Coumduala. Both have the classic features of an ice-scoured hollow or coum – great encircling cliffs and impounding moraines. The colder north-easterly aspect almost certainly guaranteed more lying ice and less melting during the ice ages thus facilitating the creation of the coums on this side of the ridge. 

Knockanaffrin itself is one of just two nunataks or pyramidal peaks on the Comeraghs. Its profile from Glenpatrick is very striking, particularly under winter snow. Geomorphologists believe that during recent ice ages the very highest points of the ridge stood up above the ice but were severely sharpened by frost, especially on the north-eastern flanks – hence the term the “Reeks of Glenpatrick” perhaps.

 

View from Knockanaffrin Ridge over Coumduala towards Crotty`s Rock and the Comeragh Plateau


Airy Walking

Knockanaffrin Ridge offers fine airy walking with splendid views. To the north and east is a fine vista across the “hidden in the dip” Suir Valley to Slievenamon and the hills of south Kilkenny. To the west and south lie the Nire Valley and its coums – Coumlara, Sgilloges, Coumalocha and Coumfea. Especially dramatic are the views down the northern cliffs into Lough Mohra and Coumduala, and of course of the descent to the Gap with the Comeragh Plateau acting as a backdrop. Access is easier from its gentler western slopes e.g. from Moanyarha Bog or the Nire lay-by. Other good access points include the old military road and woods at Glenpatrick to the north and Curraheen to the east.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

-
Image
Comeragh Glacial Features  Outside of Kerry and Wicklow, the Comeraghs is one of the most spectacularly glaciated areas in Ireland. The nine square kilometre area of the Central Comeragh Plateau is encircled by no less than nine coums. Surely this makes it one of the most glaciated pieces of real estate in Ireland! Here is some information on some of the glacial features to be found on our local mountains. Dramatic View down to Coumduala from Knockanaffrin Ridge What is a “coum”?  A Coum (“com” in Irish, “corrie” or “coire” in Scots` Gaelic, “cirque” in French and “cwm” in Welsh) is the birth place of a mountain glacier (a river of ice). How old are the Comeragh coums? Hard to be definitive but, according to Frank Mitchell, one of Ireland`s leading authorities on glaciation, most of the ice sculpting was done between about 300,000 and 130,000 years ago with some reshaping in more recent times. How many coums in the Comeraghs? Debatable but there are at least 14. Here goes: Lough
Read more
-
Image
Geography, Geology, Geomorphology, Glaciation A Little Geography The Comeraghs stretch from the Suir Valley and Kilsheelan Woods in the north to the Mauma Road in the south, and from Ballymacarbry in the west to Mahon Bridge in the east, and cover an area of almost 200 square kilometres. They are visible from most corners of the county from Clonmel in the north west to Tramore in the south east. The mountains consist of two main ridges - the northern ridge called Knockanaffrin and the southern ridge sometimes called the Monavullagh - separated by the Central Plateau. There are some outlying hills such as Cruachán Déiseach in the south, Cruachán Paorach in the east and Lachtnafrankee in the north-west. The highest point is located on the Central Plateau a little west of Coumshingaun and is simply known as “792”. The range acts as a watershed for the surrounding catchment areas of the Suir Valley to the north and the Waterford coastal plains to the south, with the main streams being the
Read more
-
Image
 A Special Comeragh Place - Glenary Carey`s Castle Where is Glenary? Nestled in the north-west corner of Waterford near Clonmel is Glenary, the name originating most likely from “Gleann an Aoire” – the valley of the shepherd. Canon Power thought it may have come from “Gleann Aimhréidh” meaning uneven/rough valley. Some people say the name means crooked valley, and the valley does take two very definite changes in direction. The valley, running mainly from west to east and lying between Boolabrien Ridge and Long Hill, is drained by the Glenary River which rises on the slopes of Lachtnafrankee to the east and flows west into the Suir near Kilmanahan. A little-known area this but it is well worth a visit. Getting there From Clonmel take the R671 towards Dungarvan. Less than 1 kilometre after the turn-off for Dungarvan take the first left and continue uphill for about a kilometre to a forest entrance on the left signposted “Carey`s Castle”. There is plenty room for parking here. A Special
Read more