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Restrictions on what can do have relaxed. There has been an upsurge of activity on the website reflected in a slew of great additions to the place information we present. However some of these restrictions look like going on for months or years. We could use some appropriate articles and photos as well as info on events for hillwalkers etc.
Featured Track of the Month Where Castlegals Dare
This month's selection is a well-illustrated and described outing for noucamp and friends in the complex, compact and knotty mountains to the south of Glencar in Leitrim, taking in six summits in a convoluted yet logical fashion. An entertaining day out regardless of conditions.
noucamp on Keelogyboys, Hangmans Hill and Crockauns
Main walk Start: 13:25, End: 18:57, Duration: 5h32m, Length: 12.1km,Ascent: 806m, Descent: 806m Places: Start at G76276 40298, Keelogyboy Mountain, Keelogyboy Mountain SW Top, Keelogyboy Mountain NE Top, Keelogyboy Mountain Far East Top, Hangmans Hill, Crockauns, end at Start (statistics such as Ascent or Length etc should be regarded as approximate. Duration depends on the speed of the person making the track)
Thanks to excellent walk reports by MountainViews contributors, in particular Harry Goodman’s, a very enjoyable round of 6 of the Castlegal Hills was completed on 31st July 2020. It had rained heavily overnight and the following morning but the forecast was for the rain the clear. We sat in the car at G762 403 gloomily eating lunch while we looked out on grey skies and driving drizzle, not very confident that the forecaster’s prediction would come true. Our patience was rewarded though and the hills gradually came into view as the clouds slowly lifted while the rain eased and eventually stopped. We followed Harry Goodman’s directions down the gravel lane from G762 403 and crossed a bridge over the swollen Doonally Stream at G768 399 and passed by a re-roofed old house / shed. We crossed some very wet fields and then, to avoid disturbing flocks of sheep, we abandoned Harry’s directions and headed straight up toward the summit of Keelogyboy. Some steep ground and high heather but no real difficulties. Some great views to Sligo city (Sligo has a mayor), Sligo Bay, Knocknarea and Crockauns from the summit.
Crockauns from Keelogyboy, the shiney metal on the re-roofed shed in the left centre Keelogyboy SW top was next on the agenda. More steep ground and high heather but again, no real difficulties provided you were patient. Better views of Lough Gill too. We spotted the grassy gully mentioned by Harry in his walk report for Keelogyboy SW, with top at G77097 38634. This is a delightful feature and provided a pleasant route towards Keelogyboy NE Top.
Harry’s Gully framing Keelogyboy SW Harry’s round then took him to Hangman’s Hill, Crockauns and Copes Mountain, We decided to omit Cope’s Mountain and include Keelogyboy Far NE top instead. The ascent of Keelogyboy Far NE top was steep but grassy and we had excellent views from the summit as the skies had cleared well by then.
View East towards Leean from Keelogyboy Far NE top Hangman’s Hill was next and part of our route had to be retraced to retrieve map and map case left behind on the hillside while photographing Keelogyboy Far NE top.
Keelogyboy Far NE top from Hangman's Hill ascent It was getting on in the evening by the time Hangman's Hill summit was reached so the northern spur was omitted and after descending it was straight across flat, grassy but very wet ground to Crockauns. Great views back to Hangman’s Hill which was well lit with evening sunshine.
Hangman’s Hill from the west The summit of Crockaun gave fine views back to the Keelogyboys and north towards Glencar, Truskmore and beyond. The waterfall at Glencar could be discerned because of the heavy overnight and morning rain. We then followed a fence down some very steep grassy ground to our parking spot, G762 403.
NORTH: Strangford Days
The retreating icesheets left a considerable huddle of drumlins in the lowlands of County Down, and the foremost manifestation of the phenomenon are the plethora of islands in Strangford Lough. Your track reviewer and his three-legged wonder hound took the chance to visit the most accessible of them one Sunday afternoon, and found a nice spot for a picnic reached by a causeway that's barely a causeway, and crowned with a most picturesque copse.
Peter Walker on Gibbs Island
Strangford Lough is the largest sea inlet in these islands, bound into County Down by the long Ards Peninsula. It also h| walk, Len: 1.5km, Climb: 17m, Area: Gibbs Island, Down Islands (Ireland) Gibb ... Click here ...
NORTH: Vertical Limit
For those who like genuine exploration and an adventurous frisson in their outings, markwallace has had an open-minded look at the prodigious ramparts of Benbulbin. Starting along the popular Sunday ramble of the Forest Trail, his track details a search for a realistic way up the huge crumbling cliffs, eventually located after a few false starts and very photogenically heart-stopping moments. Not necessarily a journey to be slavishly repeated but a good illustration that not everything that looks impossible actually is.
markwallace on Messy, scrambly ascent of Benbulbin
From the OSI 16 map, the Ben Bulben Forest Walk at Gortarowey looked an interesting spot from which to attempt Benbulbin| walk, Len: 12.2km, Climb: 566m, Area: Benbulbin, Dartry Mountains (Ireland) B ... Click here ...
NORTH: A wearying ascent up a so-so hill.
Knockacullion in the Iron Mountains earns a short summary and more in August, largely warning of the unpleasantness of its terrain and unremarkable summit!
group on Knockacullion, (Cnoc an Chuilinn): Flattish scarp with cliffs to east and fatiguing terrain.
The most likely access to Knockacullion is from Bencroy or Slieve Anierin. We don't have information on reaching it from the west, Lough Allen side or the East side where there is a substantial cliff.
The summit is fairly flat on all sides except to the east and is covered in more or less unbroken blanket bog. The top has a distinct well established pond.
Please note that approaching from nor ... ... Click here ...
NORTH: The Tide Is High, But Hopefully Not That High
Amongst the many islands off the coast of Donegal is one accessible on foot but sufficiently adventurous in doing so as to render it slightly out of the ordinary. simoburn has crossed over for a quick wander around Inishkeel, reachable from Narin Beach at low tide by no more than wading (unless it's a neap tide in which case you will have to swim). He managed to walk round most of its coast and visit its high point in the brief window available, and the rock formations and ruins look well worth a visit for those able to move quickly (or patient enough to wait 12 hours for the next tidal window to get off again!).
simoburn on Inishkeel Island
Inishkeel Island Inishkeel Island can be walked to from Narin beach during low tide. Depending on the tide you may be a| walk, Len: 4.9km, Climb: 41m, Area: Inishkeel, Donegal Islands (Ireland) Inis ... Click here ...
WEST: Bitten by the bug
Lettershinna Hill in South Connemara is a simple ascent with tremendous views, but presently infested with biting, flying insects by the thousand, write Colin Murphy.
Colin Murphy on Lettershinna Hill: Simple ascent , tremendous views, bring insect repellant.
Parking available at at L 83197 43862. Open hillside to the east - a gentle climb over rocky/grassy terrain. A mere 95m ascent will see you at the summit, which is marked by a cairn and presents tremendous views. At the time of writing the cairn is infested with some form of flying insect that swarm in vast numbers about humans, so be prepared. ... Click here ...
WEST: I'll Be Mishing You
An obvious challenge for the stronger-than-average walker on the Dingle peninsula in the south-west is a complete traverse of the high mountain wall looming over Tralee; Slieve Mish. The higher summits at the eastern end (Baurtregaum and Caherconree) are often combined, but mountainmike has taken those in his stride before stepping onwards to include the lower but not lesser summits around Moanlaur before climaxing/collapsing on the final tops of Brickany and Knockafeehane. It's a lengthy day but the scenery is truly wonderful, and any of the individual sections are worthwhile in themselves.
mountainmike on Slieve Mish crossing from Blennerville to Annascaul
Slieve Mish crossing from Blennerville to Annascaul with a detour to Castle Hill to complete Vandeleur-Lynam list. Took | walk, Len: 35.7km, Climb: 2396m, Area: Barnanageehy, Slieve Mish (Ireland) Ba ... Click here ...
WEST: Perfectly located between two loughs
Mount Gable in Partry/Joyce Country sits at the centre of the strip of land separating Lough Mask from Lough Corrib, making it an ideal spots for views of both, writes TommyV.
TommyV on Mount Gable, (Binn Shleibhe): Perfectly located between two lakes.
Just to re-enforce the comments here already, the views over Lough Corrib and Lough Mask are amazing for not a huge amount of effort. We started out at the small car park mentioned by paddyhillsbagger. ... Click here ...
WEST: Happiness Is A Big Gun
GSheehy and the other brigands in the Na Sléibhte Hillwalking Club brought their challenge walking raison d'être to the Reeks in August, with a traverse of the eastern section as far as Carrauntoohil followed by a drop over Caher to the bottom of Coomloughra and a flog back up to the northern arm of the horseshoe then a crossing of the Beenkeragh Ridge to the head of Brother O'Shea's gully and a final descent. It's not long in terms of distance, but there's a considerable amount of steep ascent and descent and some exposed scrambling to contend with. Of definite interest is the drone footage shot by member Darren Frehill which can be found at https://twitter.com/Darrenfrehill/status/1293462738962874369?s=20
Bunsen7 on Near Knocknarea, Ox Mountains (Ireland)
| walk, Len: 7.8km, Climb: 331m, Area: Knocknarea, Ox Mountains (Ireland) Knocknarea ... Click here ...
WEST: Small is beautiful
Meall Cheo in the Maamturks is barely detectable as a separate top, but its small prominence is compensated by magnificent views.
Colin Murphy on Meall Cheo, (An Meall Dubh barr thiar thuaidh): Small is beautiful
This is officially an Arderin Beg, but to be honest it is barely visible as a separate entity and the 'summit' consists of a small cairn of sorts perched precariously on the edge of a low peat hag. Having said that the surrounding panoramas are magnificent. ... Click here ...
Featured summit comment Small Hill Big on History and Views Mandy
Mandy's post of Aug 22 fills us in on a Donegal binnion that has plenty of attractions squeezed into a height of only 250 metres. Mullagh Hill boasts stone walls, a ghost town, cart track, mass rock and brilliant vistas of Malin Head and - if you're lucky with the weather - you'll see Scotland.
In the townland of Clonmany Co Donegal 1 mile outside Ballyliffin at 55.280791, -7.402445 park your car at the Y junction & get your gear on.
The dirt track leading off the road is about 1Km long and a great warm up, it leads to an old town called Mullagh (no one lives there). Once at Mullagh town go through the two pillars and enter the hill, follow the markers leading up to the right and then at the top of the hill 100 meters turn left. That will take you to the Christian Mass rock. While following the markers at the mass rock your views will be of Pollan beach, The Isle of Doagh. It's a sheltered area.
Turn back on yourself along the markers for about 100 meters, you should now be facing the main hill cross and the small bog onto the heather. Follow the markers to the old cart track that winds its way up the hill until a view of Malin Hd and Glashedy Island comes into view. This is another great spot for a reflection.
Head round to the left following the track and markers for about 1 mile. You will come to a Y, take the right track and head for the summit. It has many good views westward to Fanad and East to Malin Head and on a good day the Scottish islands.
You are encouraged by locals to add stones to the cairns on top of the hill.
Head back to the Y and turn right to complete your loop. Follow the markers down the hill. At the bottom the marker will point sharp left. Follow the markers along the old wall to arrive back at the bottom of the old cart track then join the trail to take you back to the start from where you came.
This is a more rugged and historical trail then the other routes as it takes in the Mass rock, Mullagh town & the stone walls on the hill.
Photo: Mullagh Hill Walk from Mandy.
SOUTH: Fourth time lucky
On her fourth ascent of Knocknadobar, Liz50 finally gets to see the views, and the wait was worth it.
liz50 on Knocknadobar, (Cnoc na dTobar): Fourth time lucky
Having been on the summit of Knocknadobar on 3 previous occasions without seeing more than cloud, mist and rain I got lucky on my fourth attempt with a clear bright day.. Having made a direct approach from our staycation accommodation on the southern slope of Kells mountain which was steep and over rough ground to the summit of Kells East and Kells main top passing by Glendalough lakes nestled bel ... ... Click here ...
SOUTH: Escape from lockdown
Aidy enjoys a welcome return to the Galty Mountains and some spectacular scenery after the recent restrictions were lifted.
Aidy on Galtybeg, (Cnoc Beag na nGaibhlte): Easily done on the way to Galtymore
Summited Galtybeg on the way to Galtymore - easily done from the Black Road. It was a fantastic way to end an enforced break from the mountains due to Covid 19 restrictions, and a huge pleasure to be out again. ... Click here ...
EAST: The last place that God made ...
Such might be the label afforded to Ballycurragh Hill in Wicklow, writes Bunsen7, who had quite an adventure reaching it, accompanied most of the way by flies.
Bunsen7 on Ballycurragh Hill: Forestry thinned to the north of summit
It's a very handy walk along the track from T075823 as per the summary and track 4000. The only thing bothering in August 2020 was the pack of flies that accompanied me on my journey. Getting there is a bit of an adventure in itself if you've not been in the area before because Askanagap would probably rival Aughavanagh for the label of "the last place that God made".
On this day the views from ... ... Click here ...
EAST: 2-4-6-8 Motorway (not)
For anybody sat on the M50 and finding themselves in an existential 'what exactly is the point?' moment, then conororourke's excellent legstretcher that starts from within sight of the motorway, then goes for a fair shlep from Two Rock Mountain all the way round to Glendoo Mountain, mostly on good tracks and with plenty of permutations for bailing or extending depending on mood or circumstance. Good training for something...
conororourke on Glencullen Hiking
| walk, Len: 29.7km, Climb: 787m, Area: Two Rock Mountain, Dublin/Wicklow (Ireland) Two Rock Mountain, Prince William\'s Seat, Knocknagun, Glendoo Mountain ... Click here ...
EAST: History in the climbing
Historic Vinegar Hill was the site of a battle involving c30,000 men in 1798, but you won't have to battle your way up this simple ascent, writes donalhunt.
donalhunt on Vinegar Hill, (Cnoc Fhiodh na gCaor): August 2020
Nice views for an early stroll. This "peak" won't challenge very many. ... Click here ...
Sorry if we didn't mention what you posted .. there's a list of all contributors for recent month(s) later.
Editor's notes on Irish Peaks: A Celebration of Ireland's Highest Mountains.
The Irish Peaks book has finally been brought out by Mountaineering Ireland. Its subtitle is “A Celebration of Ireland’s Highest Mountains” and that it certainly is as well as being a fitting tribute to the hillwalking initiatives of Joss Lynam . It has 71 routes to reach the Highest Hundred mountains of Ireland and uses the MountainViews list of that name. The specification of this list is Highest Hundred with 100m of prominence. The book is sumptuously produced in coffee-table format.
The 71 Routes
The main content is of course the 71 routes. I have taken to reading one of these a day and having seen routes for all of these places through MountainViews it makes for some interesting comparisons.
The rest of the book includes a variety of articles including ones on Joss Lynam, Safety, Access and Conservation and the Mountain Environment. There are two sections written by people associated with MountainViews such as Paul Tempan on names and myself on the history of the lists from Joss and other contributions such as photos etc. Included also is the current version of the Vandeleur-Lynam list which like the Highest Hundred Hundred Highest was defined and/or developed by MountainViews since 2009.
The history of the creation of this book has been tortuous and delayed. Knowing Alan and Margaret Tees I can only applaud their perseverance in getting it out. Applaud also their flexibility and realistic management in a painful cut to the original vision to the shorter book it is now, rebasing on the smaller MV list.
Huge effort
A huge effort was made organisationally and by many different people in getting the book out: the initiators, clubs, authors, photographers, article writers, checking, production etc. For example, and from personal experience I can tell you Helen Lawless put in a sustained effort in meticulously copy proofing and the associated badgering needed for a project like this. MV has profited from the diligence: We weren’t totally consistent in using the term “Highest Hundred”, sometimes using “Hundred Highest” – going forward we are.
The book refers to Joss’s Irish Peaks book of 1982. The current book shows the strong analysis of Access and Conservation, Mountain Environment and related that MI has developed since then. A lack perhaps is that the book doesn’t much examine how the sport of hillwalking has developed as it has since then with a similar major article. A relevant example from several topics is how the discipline of summiteering has been enabled by lists.
A positive for the future is that this book, like the re-formation of the MI Hillwalking Committee and the recent MI - MV initiative over the Arderins, can be seen as signals that MI is engaging more with hillwalking sport development.
One smaller point. The text refers to the "166 Vandeleur-Lynam 600m 'separate' peaks". Joss's 600m lists of 1997 and 1999 did include a 'separate' classification. MountainViews's Vandeleur-Lynam list of 2009 took a different approach when it introduced a prominence figure for each summit and so doesn't have a 'separate' classification.
A colleague in MountainViews more detached from the creation of the book will do our review in a forthcoming issue of the newsletter.
I strongly recommend anyone interested in hillwalking in Ireland buy the book.
No picture of that trip around Mweelrea I am afraid. Here's one of Joss doing the Maamturks walk, 1993. He was 69 afaik and finished in under 12 hours. Photo: Simon Stewart .
Can I say that the front cover picture of Irish Peaks above is particularly evocative for me. It shows the descent from Mweelrea including Mweelrea SE, Killary Fjord and the distant Bens. Around the mid-1970s I visited Joss, Nora and family at the house in which they were staying in Letterfrack. There was a patch of grass for my tent and meals for the days I was there. Joss encouraged me to exercise my negligible climbing skills on what he described as “problems”, namely some sea side rock ledges on the shoreline of the place. He took me on my first trip up Mweelrea. I remembered splashing across the river (the Owengarr) to an eastern start where he described the local access uncertainties. We took an anticlockwise route. The day I recall was reasonably good so we saw that front cover view, though to get back in a timely fashion we left the view to cross the extremely wet floor of Mweelrea’s east valley. Overall a memorable experience.
Simon Stewart.
CHALLENGE
A place for those interested in Challenge Walking
Remembering back to my college years, we were told how the Dark Ages were truly that . . . Dark. Kind of reminds us of where we are in these pandemic times! But yet, as we were thought (and thought to be proud of), in a far corner of Europe a candle continued to burn lest we forget our purpose. These were all the Monasteries that dotted the Irish landscape! Here everything from theology and education to great artwork and even new-found farming methods were kept alive . . . and actually flourished.
So you see - this island knows how to be positive - and it is in this vain that kudos be gifted upon the Fei Sheehy Challenge 2020!
All it took was Ger Sheehy, his top team on the ground . . . and some simple common sense - and sure they were able to move mountains . . . I can't decide if that's a pun or not!
Thus ensuring that the Fei Sheehy Challenge would indeed be able to proceed (most probably the only Challenge Walk this year!)in a safe and friendly environment compliant with Covid restrictions.
All the necessaries, including registration, were done outdoors, so walkers just mozied off after they had signed in . . . wouldn't that just be the dream on the Maumturks!!
Fei Sheehy
This year all three routes of the Challenge were looped Walks instead of the usual linear (a stroke of simple genius to help conform with Covid 19). This in its own right made for extra navigation, again allowing for a greater Challenge experience!
We've seen how Temple Hill can be the nemesis of many a Hillwalker on any occasion, let alone a Challenge Walk, so to make for an even greater Challenge, the option was put on the table to best this iconic summit for a second time, on the day within the Fei Sheehy that sees the most ascent of the three in itself!!
Instead of coming back through the woods between Benard and Temple Hill walkers could climb the extra 200/250m to take in the rise once again - they've done it already from Anglesboro and now from fairly near to where Blackrock and Pigeonrock Rivers meet.
Surely enough punishment has been already served you say.... and yet "Trailblazer" member extraordinaire Graham O'Reilly gobbled same up in an instant!
Heroes of our time are certainly to be found on the Irish Challenge Walk!!
Special mention too must go to good buddy Stephen Forde who has now completed the full Fei Sheehy Challenge (all three days each year) for 7 years!! Wouldn't the monks of old have been proud as punch (or Buckfast!).
"This was just unadulterated challenge hillwalking of the highest standard over the three days. Tough underfoot conditions, limited visibility and a bit of a curve ball thrown each day to mentally and physically challenge participants that little bit more. Any rain that fell during the walks was that lovely warm vertical stuff that you'd welcome on a muggy day. All-in-all a celebration of challenge hillwalking"
Gerard Sheehy.
Fei Sheehy
MountainViews certainly continues to attract many new members to its community from all age brackets, young and old - such is the appeal of Hillwalking. What drew me to Challenge Walking in particular was the excitement of getting to Walk in all new areas of beauty under the patronage of new Hillwalking Clubs! So now many (many) years later it's fair to say that Hillwalking has a massive and very active following from boys and girls in their mid to later years . . . Yup, at this point the Artane Boys Band have done their thing and now we're well into the second half . . . and hopefully we have the wind behind us!
But realistically it'll be next year before we see any resemblance of a return to the norm.
But in the meantime . . . all is certainly not forlorn! Hillwalking Club the Wayfarers have just recently been able to hold 4 different grades of Walk on one of their "Walk Days" for their members . . . AND, Hillwalking Club Na Sléibhte - who as we know potter to the tune of the Challenge Walk, can be contacted should one consider membership, with their "Open Day" taking place in October!
Like we've said here in the Challenge Walks corner . . . we were born in a time of good music and no war! Keep the Faith Good Buddies - the good times will once again be "ag teacht anois!"
"Can I have two pints of Buckfast - and the €9 plate of chips please...."
"I wanted to let you know about two upcoming events I'm involved in later this month. Both are part of an Irish language and culture festival called Féile Pheadair Joe. On Thursday 24th September at 8pm I'm giving a talk about Place-Names in the Mountain Landscape of Tyrone. Ruairidh Mac Léin will be participating from Scotland and talking about Place-Names in the Scottish Mountain Landscape, and we'll be doing some comparing and contrasting. Because of coronavirus restrictions it is now going to be done via Zoom and recorded, so it should also be available on-line for people to watch retrospectively. On Sunday 27th September at 10am I'm leading a walk from Gortin Gap to Mullaghcarn, weather permitting. It will be a place-name themed walk lasting between about 3 hours, particularly focusing on the mountain names and other local place-names that refer to and fauna, flora and rocks (animal, vegetable and mineral). There will be a lower level walk in the event of bad weather. Both events will be led mainly in English, but with plenty of Irish place-names discussed. I hope that further details will be posted shortly on the Féile Pheadair Joe website. "
We put out our call for contributions for the Annual in early Jan 2020. We got a great response
with eventually 36 articles of various sorts coming in. As a community we can be proud of this
response.
Next year.
OK, it is a long way off. But consider this, the requirement is for well illustrated, concise
articles. And these can take some advance thought. So think of what photos might look well in an
article when out walking during the year. Perhaps take notes to keep what you eventually write
vivid and fresh. And we do want to lift ourselves out of the Covid gloom.
We will consider any topics of interest to hillwalkers.
in Ireland, for example articles on what we did under lockdown, Challenge Walking (both organised and individual), Way Walking (ie walking Way Marked Ways), Summiteering,
Family Walking, Gear, Flora & Fauna, Holiday
Walking, Scrambling, Coastal or Island walking, things you may see on the hills etc are all
welcome as are new ideas. We welcome articles from people who are starting out hillwalking, or
experienced or professionals etc.
If you are thinking of contributing or would like to discuss topics etc get in touch.
Volunteering for 2020: Strengthening the MountainViews Committee
Currently we have a number of officers on the committee such as chairperson, secretary etc. We
really could use some further committee members to achieve our strategic goals and spread the
load.
Position
In Brief
Ordinary members
For those taking an interest in the MV committee or indeed committees in general we
can also use some further "regular" committee members without a specific role. There
are many smaller quite finite projects that might suit regular members.
Publicity
MountainViews is a great resource based on over 1300 people's contributions over 18
years. Great that is if you have heard of it. And that's where we could use some
practical publicity help.
The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth
Quite apart from programmers, MV's progress can also use help from
people who can really follow through on tasks like creating lists, checking stats,
researching place names or geology. Whether on the committee or not we value such
people's contributions.
SUMMITEERS and PLACE-VISITORS CORNER
A place for those interested in Summiteering, Bagging, Highpointing, visiting islands and coastal places.
A Guide to Ireland's Mountain Summits - The Vandeleur-Lynams & The Arderins
MountainViews first book available online and in some bookshops. The first reprint with numerous
minor amendments is available.
simon3 on A Guide to Irelands Mountain Summits
MountainViews first book available online and in many bookshops.
As members will know, for over a decade, Mountainviews.ie has been providing unique information to hillwalkers on all aspects of exploring and enjoying Ireland's upland areas. It's been a collaborative effort by over 1000 of you, and currently contains over 6000 comments on 1057 mountains and hills on the island of Ireland ... ... Click here ...
Bulk sales to groups such as Scouts/ Guides: contact admin@mountainviews.ie for a discounted price.
SITE NEWS
More subareas coming.
In a bid to make the description of Irish mountain areas more granular, we have been increasing the number of sub-areas within mountain areas. Bit of a mouthful that, so here's an example. Most recently we are working to ensure that all the summits listed under "Donegal NW" are further subdivided into smaller regions such as "Derryveagh Mountains". There isn't a generally accepted way of doing this division, so it isn't totally straightforward. We will be adding what we believe are logical sub-areas such as "Killybegs Hills", "Glengesh" and "Sliabh Tuaidh". We hope that this will be a useful term for use in route descriptions etc.
If you know the area and have suggestions, please do comment. Nothing is irreversible.
Arderins Photos Wanted
Last month we mentioned that MV has agreed with MI (through its Hillwalking Committee) to promote the Arderins as the headline list of Irish mountains. We are looking for good photos for use in promoting them. Pictures usually need to show the mountain in the middle distance, in good weather.
Summary.
MountainViews now has 9615 comments about 1822 different
hills, mountains, island and coastal features out of the total in our current full list
(2201). We want to get a good gps track showing each of the major ways to visit each
of these places and summits in Ireland. If you see an option to add a "Short Summary" then do
please consider creating one since another objective is to have a short summary for every summit
and island and coastal feature in Ireland. There's quite a few (379)
opportunities for you to be the first to comment on a place, not so many on summits, however
lots of opportunities for islands and coastal features as we bring them out. We also have around
2700 shared GPS tracks, mostly in Ireland. Apart from a few popular areas, there is a need for
more routes in many different areas. Plain shared tracks without descriptions are welcome
however if you have time then do please add route descriptions with photos.
NOTICES
Notices
If you are contributing, please be careful to respect the interests of landowners.
Suggest access routes well away from houses, gardens or that could conceivably impact
farming activities. When walking, keep away from gardens or farm buildings. Use stiles
or gates wherever possible. Never do anything that could allow animals to roam where the
farmer did not intend. Ask permission where appropriate.
Take care if parking and do not obstruct roads, lanes and field entrances to access by
farm machinery, which can be large. Exercise your dog in parks or forests but avoid
countryside or open hillside where they may worry sheep.
Report suspicious activity to the police forces, as below.
If your car is broken into in an upland area report it to the PSNI or Gardai as this
will help them be aware of the issue and tackle it in future. Store the numbers. In
Northern Ireland use the PSNI non-emergency number 0845 600 8000. In the Republic you
can find the local Garda District HQs phone numbers at www.garda.ie/Stations/Default.aspx.
Specifically for the hotspot of Wicklow: the Garda Divisional Headquarters in Bray is 01
6665300.
If you hear of a problem area or route, write it up in MountainViews
which does everyone a service.
Report rubbish tipping in the Republic - ring EPA hotline 1850 365 121
Report recreational quads in national park area (in which they are banned). They are
also banned in the Mournes. For Wicklow please phone the Duty Ranger: 087-9803899 or the
office during office hours Telephone: +353-404-45800. For the Mournes ring the PSNI (as
above) or contact Mournes Heritage Trust. Put these numbers in your phone, take regs
etc. Let MV know of contact numbers for other areas.
If you have visited some of the less well known places, we would appreciate a place
rating and also "Improve Grid Ref" for summits and other places.
If you find errors in the basic information about places such as in their names, their
heights, county name etc please use the "Propose Places Database Change" option.
If we can, let's make MV have more than one route up a summit or to a place so as to
reduce the tendency for paths to appear. Your grid refs in comments for different
starting points show up on MountainViews maps as well as shared GPS tracks.
Visit the MountainViews Facebook page.
Visit the Challenge Walks Ireland page (jointly managed by MountainViews)
This newsletter
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Track reviews: Peter Walker
Book reviews: Aidan Dillon, Peter Walker, Mel O'Hara
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Development & support volunteers: Vanush "Misha" Paturyan, Mike Griffin
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Annual 2025
noucamp on Keelogyboys, Hangmans Hill and Crockauns
Small Hill Big on History and Views
