Mountains

In comparison to other counties of Ireland, Kilkenny has relatively low mountains. The north-east, north-west and south are the main upland areas of the county. The central areas are mostly low-lying by contrast.

Castlecomer Plateau
Copyright Alan Vaughan.

The Castlecomer Plateau lies to the north of Co. Kilkenny. The area includes the undulating slopes of Cullahill Mountain, west of the Nore Valley, and Slieve Marcy and Castlecomer Hills to the east of the valley. The Castlecomer Hills mark the highest point of the Plateau at 1,027 ft.

Early Purple Orchid

The Early Purple Orchid can be found growing in spring. The bright flowers attract insects such as bees and wasps to them which help in the fertilisation process.

Betsey Hickey

Early Purple Orchid
Betsey Hickey

Early Purple Orchid

The Early Purple Orchid can be found growing in spring. The bright flowers attract insects such as bees and wasps to them which help in the fertilisation process.

Betsey Hickey

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Green-winged Orchid

A number of rare plants can be found in County Carlow including the close-up view of the Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) shown here. Not only is this plant rare in County Carlow it is rare nationally.

Betsey Hickey

Green-winged Orchid
Betsey Hickey

Green-winged Orchid

A number of rare plants can be found in County Carlow including the close-up view of the Green-winged Orchid (Orchis morio) shown here. Not only is this plant rare in County Carlow it is rare nationally.

Betsey Hickey

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While it may not be the highest peak, Cullahill Mountain is an important area due to the presence of a significant population of Green-winged Orchids in grassland. This species is specifically protected with priority status under the EU Habitats Directive. Many more beautiful varieties of orchid also flourish on the Cullahill’s grassy slopes, for example, Frog Orchid, Early-purple Orchid and Bee Orchid. Much of the underlying limestone rock has become exposed due to erosion and the western slopes support woodland on limestone habitat, mainly of ash and hazel.


This type of habitat is quite unusual for Ireland’s midlands. Some other examples of this habitat type in Ireland include Lough Corrib (Co. Galway), Castletaylor Complex (Co. Galway), and Attyslany Woodland (Co. Clare).

The Slieve Ardagh Hills rise in west Kilkenny, their slopes continuing over the border into Co. Tipperary. Knocknamuck is the highest point of the the Slieve Ardagh Hills and stands at 1,120 ft., just higher than the Castlecomer Hills.

Linking the Slieve Ardagh Hills with the Castelcomer Plateau is Spahill together with a number of adjoining hills. The limestone core of these hills is for the most part covered in a shroud of shale and sandstone, supporting a wide variety of vegetation. The large, open-faced Oxeye Daisy and the delicate Irish Eyebright flourish along Spahill. The rare Green-winged Orchid also grows in certain areas of these hills, as well as the deep purple Devil’s-bit Scabiou, heathers and St. John’s Wort.

Brandon Hill
Image courtesy of www.mountainviews.ie

Brandon Hill is the highest mountain in Co. Kilkenny and at 1,690 ft. is considerably higher than other points in the county. It is located to the south, standing protectively over the village of Graiguenamanagh on the River Barrow.