This lovely peak is the gate-keeper to Carrauntoohil. It is part of an excellent route to summit Carrantoohil via the two Knockbrinnea tops to the north east or even via Stumpa Bharr na hAbhann to the north west. Though it has quite a rocky top, there is no difficulty in attaining the summit.

Getting there it is either a straight haul up from Knockbrinnea (W) or on the other side it is a delicate traverse of The Bones along the Beenkeragh Ridge from the col with Carrantoohil. The only other sensible approach is via Stumpa Bharr na hAbhann to the north west.

There are 360 degree views from this summit. The cross on the summit of Carrantoohil is tantalisingly close, that is if the mist allows sight of it. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/2/comment/4762/

From the top of Carrauntoohill Tooth (The Bones) – see for previous stage of the walk – I decided to take the knife-edge ridge approach to Beenkeeragh, This is a short but possibly hair-raising approach not for the faint-hearted. The wind was not very strong as I made my way across but was enough to make me perhaps more nervous than I might otherwise have been. Maybe it was the anticipation of difficulty but while I enjoyed this little adventure I would be lying if I said it was a piece of cake. Sure it is passable with care (I’m testament to that) but anyone deciding on the route needs to take in a wide range of variables in deciding whether to cross the arête or to take the safer option, a track a few metres below on the coum side of the ridge. Either way with due care and attention there shouldn’t be a problem either way. Once across the arête there is a fairly sharp ascent over large boulders requiring the use of hands in places up onto the rocky top and small cairn which marks the summit of Beenkeeragh. Here again spectacular views await the lucky walker who happens to be afforded clear weather when they reach the top. A small group of walkers waved down from across the way on Carrauntoohill, another group could be seen making their way across the Caher Ridge while two more walkers were starting the Beenkerragh ridge crossing below me. It was getting pretty busy on these hills as the day progressed. You can’t help feeling elated at the views which beguile you at every turn. This added to the knowledge (if you have taken the Horseshoe Anti-clockwise) that you have completed the worst (best!!) of the climbing makes you feel justified in having attempted the walk in the first place. It was at this stage that I veered slightly off course of the usual Horseshoe route to take in the twin peaks of Knockbrinnea to the northeast – see for next stage of the walk. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/2/comment/2431/

Every bump and line is picked out by the snow in this picture taken from the NW ridge of Caher West.
Beenkeragh is on the left skyline while Carrauntoohil disappears into the mist on the right. In between was what proved to be a strenuous and at times hairy challenge. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/2/comment/2122/

I was very impressed with the Coomloughra Horseshoe Walk which I did in August 2000, for the second time. Unfortunately after Beenkeragh I encountered thick mist on both occasions and saw nothing from the ridge across to Carrauntohill and then to Caher. I was therefore delighted to see the fine pictures on the Beenkeragh site. Congratulations to the photographers.

As a tail-peice to my comments above I had the good fortune to do the Coomloughra Horseshoe for the third time in October 2008 in perfect conditions, with clear visibility for the entire route. Unlike the two previous occasions I did the route in an anti-clockwise direction and was very impressed with the fine views across from Caher to Carrauntoohil, the Beenkeragh ridge and Beenkeragh. Walking in this direction wets your appetite for what is to come. So if on the first occasion mist blocks out the views on your round try, try again. You will be well rewarded for the effort. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/2/comment/862/

This is a magnificent, very enjoyable and very demanding trek. I started my way on parking near Lislebane (Grid Ref. V827873 A) and than follow the obvious track into the Hags Glen as for the Devils ladder ascent. After crossing the Gaddagh river proceed for 15-20 minutes before branching off to the right along a still (!) well beaten path. This winding path is rather steep and exposed in a few places making some easy to moderate scrambling necessary and offers great views of Carrauntoohil and the Hags Tooth Ridge. One of the highlights along the way to O Shea's Gully is Cummeenoughter Lake. Soon after passing the lake I begin my ascent up the Gully (keep the right gully) with high cliffs on my left hand side and the Beenkeeragh Ridge on my right. On reaching the top of the gully there are some wonderful views of the Reeks and surrounding countryside to be observed. The Ridge requires great care especially in winter. There was no path on the Ridge! There was a lot of snow this year, so reaching that way was passable only for experienced hill walkers with winter equipment. I passed Beenkeragh Redge, Beenkeragh and than I descended onto Knockbrinnea. I backed to parking via NW Knockbrinnea slope. It was amaizing and I fall in love in MacGillyouddys Reeks. ;) Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/2/comment/4319/