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Slieve Bloom Mountains

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 70 km (43 mi) Slieve Bloom Way can be accessed from any of these trailheads. The Silver River Eco Trail is near Cadamstown.

A waterfall, Glenbarrow Falls, is 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 also a number of mountain biking trails in the Slieve Blooms, accessible via trailheads at Kinnitty Village and at Baunreagh near Mountrath.[citation needed]

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.

According to the Bodleian Dinnshenchas, here are two theories of how the mountains were given their name:

[11. SLIAB BLADMA.] Bladma or Blod, son of Cú, son of Cass Clothmín, killed the cowherd of Bregmael, the smith of Cuirche, son of Snithe, King of Húi Fuatta. Then he went in his little boat till he set up at Ross Bladma — Ross n-Áir, "Wood of Slaughter," was its name at first. Thence he went to the mountain. Hence is "Sliab Bladma" (Bladma’s Mountain). Whence the poet said: ‘Blod, son of Cú, son of Cass Clothmín, Killed the cowherd of fair Bregmael, The smith of Cuirche Mór, son of Snithe: He set up at Ross Tíre ind Áir.’ Or it is Blod, son of Breogan, that died there; and from him the mountain of Bladma was named.

Edward J. Gwynn's The Metrical Dindshenchas give a longer account and another origin story (bleda mara "sea-monsters" cf. Modern Irish bleidhmhíol "monster; whale"):

Sliab Bladma Blod, son of Cu, son of Cass the renowned, son of Uachall the many-shaped, killed Bregmael the famous smith of Cuirche, son of Snithe the swimmer. Curche Cendmar was a daring king over Medraige and over Herot; through him Blod, son of Cass Clothmin, found never sure protection. He fared in his ship–clear purpose from the Bottom of pure-cold Galway, from Ath Cliath in wide Herot to Ath Cliath in Cualu. Thence he came after many a turn to the Point of Nar, son of Edliuc, and possessed, as his special portion, the mountain whose name derives from Blod. A valiant man who used to wage battle died at Sliab Bladma–vast renown even Blad, son of Bregon, with troops of warriors, died of disease in the monster-haunted Sliab Blod.

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