Nephin
{{short description|Mountain in County Mayo, Ireland}}
{{for|the Crusader fortress in the Holy Land|Enfeh}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox mountain
| name = Nephin
| other_name = Néifinn
| photo = Nephin Mountain from Lough Conn - geograph.org.uk - 767140.jpg
| photo_caption = Nephin from Lough Conn, several miles away
| elevation_m = 806
| elevation_ref =
| prominence_m = 778
| listing = P600, Marilyn, Hewitt
| location = County Mayo, Ireland
| range =
| coordinates = {{coord|54.012|N|9.368|W|type:mountain_region:IE|display=title}}
| map = island of Ireland
| map_relief = yes
| map_caption = Location in Ireland
| grid_ref_Ireland = G103079
| topo =
}}
Nephin or Nefin{{cite book | last=M'Parlan | first=J. | author2=Dublin Society | title=Statistical Survey of the County of Mayo: With Observations on the Means of Improvement : Drawn Up in the Year 1801, for the Consideration, and Under the Direction of the Dublin Society | publisher=Graisberry and Campbell | series=Goldsmiths'-Kress library of economic literature | year=1802 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=i0UTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA9}}{{cite book | last=Hyde | first=D. | title=The Love Songs of Connacht: Being the Fourth Chapter of the Songs of Connacht | publisher=Irish University Press | year=1971 | isbn=978-0-7165-1329-2 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WTNKAAAAYAAJ}} ({{langx|ga|Néifinn}}), at 806 metres (2646 ft), is the highest standalone mountain in Ireland and the second-highest peak in Connacht (after Mweelrea). It is to the west of Lough Conn in County Mayo.
Location
It lies in the centre of Glen Nephin (Gleann Néifinne), a district bounded by Lough Conn to the east, the Windy Gap/Barnageehy to the south, and Birreencorragh mountain to the west.
History
Nephin is mentioned in Cath Maige Tuired ("The Battle of Moytura") as one of the "twelve chief mountains" of Ireland. In the text it is called Nemthenn. This name may be related to nemeton, a term for a sacred space in Celtic polytheism.Tempan, Paul. [http://mountainviews.ie/features/names/List2010/MVHillList09.pdf Irish Hill and Mountain Names]. MountainViews.ie.
The mountain's importance may be inferred by the decision at the Synod of Ráth Breasail in 1111 to make Nephin the northern boundary of the diocese of Cong. Gleann Neimhthinne is stated by John O'Donovan as being one of the seven constituent parts of Tirawley.
Glen Nephin remained a Gaelic-speaking area into the second half of the 19th century.
Nephin was included in the 2020 movie Wild Mountain Thyme.
See also
References
{{reflist}}
- Historical Note of the Medieval Territory of Gleann Neimhthinne, Tomas G. O Cannan, Cathair na Mart 20, pp. 118–128, Westport, County Mayo, 2000
{{Mountains of Great Britain and Ireland|}}
{{British hills}}
{{Mountains and hills of Connacht}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nephin}}
Category:Mountains and hills of County Mayo