wicklore on Croaghaun SW Top

This is Croghaun SW Top in all its glory. It is a very worthy climb with spectacular views east over Achill and beyond, and west almost to New York. (I said almost!) Plus there is the added bonus of being on the only summit in Ireland with a giant ghostly face on its seaward facing cliffs. (Or is it just me that sees it?) Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/166/comment/3676/

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wicklore on Croaghaun SW Top

If lucky enough to be on Croghaun SW Top on a good day the views south and south east are spectacular. On the left are the cliffs of Minaun with Croagh Patrick in the distance beyond. On the right is Knockmore on Clare Island, and further back is the Mweelrea range on the right with the Sheeffry's to the left. Croghaun could indeed be a candidate for a remote and isolated mountain-however the sprawl of holiday homes in Keel and around Achill Island are visible to the east taking away somewhat from the remote feeling. Also there was a constant stream of jet trails in the sky as this must be a major route for cross-Atlantic air traffic. But don't despair-just don't look up or to the east! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/166/comment/3677/

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wicklore on Croaghaun SW Top

The question has been asked if Croghaun SW Top really qualifies as a separate summit. I can tell you that after the steep climb up to it, and with a drop of 664 metres to the sea below just feet away it certainly felt like a seperate summit. From Croghaun or Achill Head it appears to be pyramid-shaped. My photo shows a close-up of the bulbous summit. Be warned-a steady easterly wind blows here, even during the excellent weather last Thursday. This easterly wind will easily help unwary walkers over the edge to oblivion. I would certainly classify this as a separate summit, albeit an easy to reach offshoot of the main Croghaun summit. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/166/comment/3675/

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gerrym on Croaghaun SW Top

As with most others I started this walk from the carpark at Keem, the road to here has to be mentioned for its unhindered drops to the sea below. From the ample carpark at the blue flag beach a 20 minute climb reaches the old signal tower at the start of a long line of cliffs ending in Achill Head. From here there are unending views over the Atlantic, to the big hills of Connemara (Mweelra, Sheffrey Hills and Twelve Bens) and the Nephin Begs and cliffs of Menawn. Ahead there is 3 km of cliffs jutting skyward, with the sound of the waves pounding below and the wind howling atop the ridge. On reaching Achill Hill it looked a promising side trip, but not in the wind today, another time definitely. Drop steeply downhill to cross a stream not far above sea level - the climb ahead taunting all the while have been dropping and it has been rising. Fascinating sitting watching the Atantic swell here as it drops and rises about 2-3 metres against the rocks, exploding into white spray.
After the stream the ascent of Croagaun begins on grassy slopes. The wind was really howling and i found it difficult to walk upright at times - out to sea the wind lifted spray from the crests of waves high into the air. Pass a large isolated boulder and the ground changes in character, becoming more rocky. Great perspective of Achill Head from this height. Views out to a small island with a light house which is just off the map so i don't know its name. There is a level area before a short rise to the SW top and the cliffs of Croagaun come into full spectacular view. From the clear top earlier in the day cloud was now floating around the summits. The views are fantastic, especially 2000 ft down to the Atlantic below, although i nearly had to lie down to peer over the edge in the wind. Continued on to the summit itself. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/166/comment/2185/

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skyehigh on Croaghaun SW Top

Surely this is some of the most spectacular coastline anywhere? Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/166/comment/1567/

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