Muskerry, Duhallow and Sliabh Luachra, adjacent / overlapping areas along the borders of Co. Cork, Co. Kerry and Co. Limerick, are largely off the usual tourist itineraries, but well worth visiting for their distinctive mountain scenery and deep-rooted culture.

Muskerry / Múscraige is a central region of County Cork, located along the the River Lee valley and bounded by the Boggeragh Mountains to the north and the Shehy Mountains to the south. Named after the Múscraige, an important Érainn people of Munster, the region was divided into the baronies of Muskerry East and Muskerry West.

The major population centres include Blarney and Macroom.

Múscraige is also the name of an official Gaeltacht region wher Munster Irish is spoken. Gaeltacht villages include Béal Átha an Ghaorthaidh, Baile Bhuirne, Cúil Aodha and Cill na Martra.

Duhallow (Dúiche Ealla) is a barony located in the north-western part of County Cork. It is located on the borders of Counties Kerry and Limerick, and is bounded on the south by the Boggeragh Mountains. The Blackwater River flows southward from Ballydesmond to Rathmore before turning eastward past Millstreet, Kanturk and Banteer.

The main towns in Duhallow are Kanturk, Newmarket and Millstreet, with smaller villages such as Ballydesmond, Banteer, Boherbue, Castlemagner, Cullen, Kiskeam, Kilbrin, Knocknagree, Lismire, Meelin, Freemount and Tullylease.

Sliabh Luachra (“mountain of rushes”) / Slieve Lucra is a  hilly region straddling the borders of Co. Cork, Co. Limerick and Co. Kerry, largely comprising a rolling plateau dotted with summits rising upto 500m above the seven glens / seacht ngleann Shliabh Luachra.

 

(More Soon!)