The Dartry Mountains are among the most distinctive in Ireland, so it's unfortunate that their highest hill is one of the least distinctive in the range. Once one gets away from the signature steep lower slopes the upper reaches are lacking in interest save for the expansive views and the crowning RTE transmitting contraptions. This is the highest top in Sligo, and the highest point in Leitrim also resides on its summit slopes.

The most straightforward route of ascent follows the access road to said transmitters which snakes up from the head of Gleniff to the north starting at (744 468 A); parking is available but very limited hereabouts. More judgment is required in approaching from Glencar to the south; starting from the car park 200m west of the Glencar Waterfall (756 436 B) follow the track winding north through the trees to the top of the escarpment, forking right at a junction and then making your own way across the plateau to Truskmore, where the RTE station will be obvious in good conditions.

Please note that access in this area has been historically poor; that situation has improved in recent years, but it goes without saying that cars should be parked with due regard to the needs of the locals. People accessing from G788 476 C and the E or NE side of the summit have reported antagonistic access issues. Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/201/comment/4961/

I had intended to summit Tievebaun and/or Truskmore, and had also hoped to check out "Eagles rock" using the car park as a start point at IG78210 48924, so I proceeded to park my car at this official "Eagles rock" car park.

I heard a quickly approaching quad as I was driving in, and after reading all of the reports here about angry farmers and difficulties between walkers and local landowners, I decided right away to stop my car, get out and approach the man with a friendly attitude and introduce myself. The man was a local farmer, and after explaining to him that I was there to do some walking with my partner to enjoy the lovely weather and mountains, he responded in a friendly manner but informed us that the amazing rock formation we were looking at was not, in fact, really eagles rock at all. The information on the car park information board was misleading he said, and that eagles rock is not the impressive structure in the information photo. He pointed out a much smaller rock (see my track for photos here: https://mountainviews.ie/track/3725/ ). The track from the "Eagles rock" car park leads all the way up to this rock.

The man advised us that we could park in the carpark and take the path up this this smaller rock without any trouble. He said the neighboring farmer was very contrary, and didn't like people anywhere near his land. We said we might consider continuing on to summit Tievebaun and/or Truskmore from there also, and to this the man advised that it would be fine to do this also and there is a way up. He didn't seem to express any fears about land access, so I'm assuming he owned this part of the land and perhaps was quite friendly towards walkers. We were told that cars had their windows smashed in this carpark, but thankfully I drive an old banger so I wasn't very worried about this.

We found the track up to the smaller "eagles rock" was very good, and would be suitable for families. It gets very muddy just before you get to the rock, and you'll need to fence hop a bit to get into the rock itself and climb it. Views are incredible all around.

For summiting Truskmore and Tievebaun from this location, see my track here: https://mountainviews.ie/track/3725 Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/201/comment/19856/

Due to the apparent problems described here by other users with regard to access, I too took the TV road to the summit. Even as TV roads go its a bit unwelcoming compared to Mt. Leinster or Kippure. Parking is restrictive, you have to leave your car propped up against a ditch on a narrow road, its hard to enjoy a walk when your car is left somewhat exposed! The views are amazing though, you can even see across to the sea cliffs of Slieve League! I didn't encounter anyone on my quick power walk to the top (I wanted to get back to the car!!!). The summit cairn can be found by walking between the two sections of the TV buildings at the top. Its a pity about the access problems as this is one of the most unusual and visually stunning areas in Ireland. Even on the loop road up to the gates of the TV road, no trespass signs are much in evidence Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/201/comment/2722/

One of the things I’ve noticed when climbing hills with masts or wind turbines on top are the signs that warn of the danger of ice falling from them. I have never really needed to pay much attention to those signs until yesterday.

I was walking up the access road up to Truskmore. At the beginning of the road was a sign warning people to stay 200 metres from the mast due to the possibility of falling ice. There was relatively heavy snow lying on the ground, particularly above 200 metres. For the couple of hours that I was on the mountain there was frequent falls of snow and the temperature was freezing. Near the summit visibility was down to less than 50 metres, as snow and fog combined to create a blanket of white all around. As I neared the summit I heard a repeated cracking sound, which at first I thought was gunfire. But knew there couldn’t be hunters out in these conditions. Each cracking sound would be followed seconds after by either a ‘whumph’ or a banging sound. I reached a gate at the summit and the massive guy wires supporting the mast materialised. Mine were the only footprints in the blanket of snow, but I was puzzled by dozens of other random scuff marks in the snow. Just as I realised that I must be well within the 200 metre danger zone I discovered what all the noise was, and what the marks were. Large sections of ice were falling from the guy wires and mast. That accounted for the cracking sound, as the wind ripped the ice off. The heaviest lumps of ice fell straight down onto the roof of the building below, with the expected crashing sound. Smaller pieces were carried by the wind away from the mast where they landed on the snow. The impact resulted in the ‘whumph’ sound and caused the random scuff marks I had noticed.

Just as I realised all of this I was hit be some minor pieces of ice – larger than hailstones, but not big enough to hurt. I retreated rapidly to where only the smallest lumps of ice were landing. The massive mast was hidden in the freezing fog, and it was eerie listening to the sound of cracking and falling ice emanating from the whiteness around me. I had my camera out but knew that photographing fog was useless. As if sensing my wish to be able to see what was going on, the cloud magically lifted for a moment and revealed the frozen mast. As I took my photograph I witnessed a large length of ice plummet from the heights. It must have been 12 feet long and it split into several pieces as it fell. The majority of it went straight down, but the wind carried several pieces straight in my direction. I beat a hasty retreat and didn’t look back as I heard the ice impacting in the snow behind me. I will certainly be much more wary of the possibility of falling ice for the remainder of the winter! Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/201/comment/4382/