Slieve Bloom Mountains

Slieve Bloom Mountains
The Slieve Blooms from the Glinsk Castle hiking loop
Highest point
Elevation	527 m (1,729 ft)
Prominence	197 m (646 ft)
Coordinates	53°06′N 7°34′W / 53.100°N 7.567°W / 53.100; -7.567
Naming
Native name	Sliabh Bladhma
Geography
Location	Counties Laois/Offaly, Ireland
Ramsar Wetland
Designated	31 July 1986
Reference no.	335[1]

The Slieve Bloom Mountains (Irish: Sliabh Bladhma; Latin: Bladinae montes) is a mountain range in Ireland. They rise from the central plain of Ireland to a height of 527 metres (1,729 ft). While not very high, they are extensive by local standards. The highest points are Arderin (527 m (1,729 ft)) (Irish: Ard Éireann) at the southwestern end of the range and Baunreaghcong (509 m (1,670 ft)) at the end of the Ridge of Capard.

The Slieve Bloom Mountains stretch from near Roscrea in the south west to Rosenallis in the north-west, forming a link between County Laois and County Offaly. Looped walking trails have been developed at six trailheads in the Slieve Blooms, Glenbarrow, Clonaslee, Cadamstown, Kinnitty, Glenafelly Forest Car Park and Glen Monicknew. Walking trails are colour-coded by difficulty. The 75 km (47 mi) Slieve Bloom Way can be accessed from any of these trailheads. The Silver River Eco Trail is near Cadamstown.

Glenbarrow Falls are located a few miles from Rosenallis. Some walking trails go to the falls and up to the Ridge of Capard. There is a significant population of red grouse in the hills.

There are also mountain biking trails in the Slieve Blooms. The trails can be accessed from two trailheads, one at Kinnitty Village and the second at Baunreagh near Mountrath.

The Slieve Blooms, along with the Massif Central in France, are one of the oldest mountain ranges in Europe; they were once also the highest at 3,700 m (12,100 ft). Weathering has reduced them to 527 m (1,729 ft). On a clear day, one can see the high points of the four ancient provinces of Ireland.