Conavalla at 734 m, is the 69th–highest peak in Ireland on the Arderin scale, and the 85th–highest peak on the Vandeleur-Lynam scale. The summit of Conavalla sits just off the main "central spine" of the Wicklow Mountains, as it runs from Kippure in the north, to Lugnaquillia in the south. Conavalla's large massif to the north-east is described as a "wet and boggy barren plain" whose various shoulders dominate the head of the Glendalough valley, and the upper east-side of the Glenmalure valley.

Naming

Irish academic Paul Tempan notes that the "pass" element of Conavalla's name likely refers to the various routes from the Blessington lakes area (e.g. the R756 road to the Wicklow Gap) in the west that crossed parts of Conavalla's boggy massif to get into the Glenmalure valley in the east (note that the Wicklow Gap can be used to access the neighboring Glendalough valley without having to cross Conavalla's massif). (see below).

Geography

Convalla is situated in the southern section of the Wicklow Mountains, and forms a horseshoe on a "boggy" massif, at the head of the Glenmalure valley, with its neighbours, Table Mountain 702 m, and Camenabologue 758 m. Conavalla also sits in another broad horseshoe around the Glendalough valley, with the hydroelectric station at Turlough Hill 681 m, and the mountains of Camaderry 699 m, Lugduff 652 m, and Mullacor 661 m. Conavalla's large "boggy massif" dominates the head of the Glendalough valley stretching from its summit at the far-west side of the head of the valley, to Lough Firrib 650 m on the east-side. The massif also includes Three Lakes 620 m to the north of the summit of Conavalla. Conavalla's prominence of 109 m does not qualify it as a Marilyn, but it does rank it as the 39th-highest mountain in Ireland on the MountainViews Online Database, 100 Highest Irish Mountains, where the minimum prominence threshold is 100 metres.

Art O'Neill

On Conavalla's northern slopes lies Art's Cross and Art's Plaque, dedicated to Art O'Neill, son of Shane O'Neill, who died of exposure in January 1592 helping Hugh Roe O'Donnell to escape from Dublin Castle to the stronghold of Fiach McHugh O'Byrne in the valley of Glenmalure.

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