I reached the summit from the beautiful carpark at Keem, climbing to the jagged cliffs stretching to Achill Head before dropping steeply and ascending even more steeply to the SW top (see for more detail). From the SW top of Croaghaun it is a short drop and curving reascent above the steep cliffs below to reach the summit cairn. I had no view in the mist, but peering down over the cliff edge I had fleeting glimpses of water impossibly far below. I dropped down following the cliff edge, a gust of wind lifted me of my feet and made me run about 30 ft downhill, did I s**t bricks - yes! Views out to Saddle Head appeared as i dropped. There are a couple of gullies which need to be aware of if staying close to the cliff edge as are separated from the main ground. The undoubted highlight of the walk is when Lough Bunnafreva West appears, an impossibly suspended corrielough with plunging cliffs eating ever closer. I got a glimpse of Lough Nakeeroge even further down near sea level. From here i headed S and dropped down steeply beside Lough Acorrymore towards Lough Corryntawy, where a large group of young people where camped. There is an impressive double corrie here, the higher having no lough. Follow road servicing the loughback to the main road and from there the road to Keem (4 km). It is when walking along this raod that the unhindered drops down into the ocean are very apparent, made me more thoughtful on the pull up the hill out of Keem in the car.
Fantastic days walking along with Croaghaun, even with the wind - has just about everything - ocean, loughs, streams, cliffs, stunning views and not many other people about on the day i climbed. Having returned to visit Slieve League recently I am in two minds as to which is the more impressive - it is close but i think that here just loses out by a proverbial whisker! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/127/comment/2186/