The area is of special scientific interest because of its geology, which is seen in outcrop at Cloghinny.
The Slieve Gullion volcanic complex, of which Cloghinny is a part, is the finest example of a Palaeogene (56-58 million years ago) igneous centre in Ireland and is among the best topographic expression of a ring-dyke system in the British Isles.
The volcanic rocks found here are of international geological importance, having played an important role in a number of theories related to the development of and interaction between igneous rocks.
The Slieve Gullion complex is historically important as it has featured in a number of major geological debates on the nature of igneous rocks and the processes by which they can be formed.
Cloghinny is part of the central Slieve Gullion volcanic complex and contains evidence of the interaction between the acid and basic igneous rocks that form Slieve Gullion.
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