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Feature count in area: 27, by county: Mayo: 15, Galway: 15, of which 3 are in both Galway and Mayo,
OSI/LPS Maps: 37, 38, CBE, EW-CON, MSW
Highest Place: Maumtrasna 682m
Starting Places (57) in area Partry & Joyce:
Aasleagh Waterfall CP, An Móinín Mór, Ballydoo Lough, Barrevagh Bridge, Bealanabrack, Bealanabrack River Tributary, Black Rock, Bohaun, Bracklagh, Buckaun, Bunduvowen, Cammanagh, Carraig Bar, Carrowrevagh Lough, Clonbur, Cummer, Derrassa, Derrinkee Wood, Doon Rock, Erriff Bridge, Failmore River, Finny Church, Fooey River Road, Glendavock, Glenmask, Glennacally Bridge, Glensaulmore Trailhead, Glentraigue, Gowlaunlee Lake, Keelkill North, Killeennimat Burial Ground, Knockaunnabausty (Cnocán na bPáistí), Knocknafaughy SW, L Mamwee, Lecarrow, Leenane, Leenane Hotel, unuseableLeenane R336, Lough Nambrackkeagh, Maum Bridge Road Lower, Maum Bridge Road Mid, Maum Bridge Road Upper, Mount Gable CP, N59 Junction, Otter Pool, Owenbrin Bridge, Owenbrin Tributary, Owenduff River, Red Island, RIC Barracks Ruin, Rinavore East, Rinavore SW, Shanafaraghhaun Cross, Sheeffry Pass, Tawnyard Lough, Teevinish West, The Larches Pub
Summits & other features in area Partry & Joyce:
Cen: Finny: Glenbeg East 372m
Cen: Knocknafaughy: Knocknafaughy 254m, Rinavore 426m
Cen: Maumtrasna: Barnahowna 516m, Buckaun East 495m, Glennagleragh Mtn 617m, Knocklaur 518m, Maumtrasna 682m, Maumtrasna North-East Top 572m, Tullymorehill 279m
N: Ballintober Hills: Bohaun 393m, Corveagh 233m, Croaghrimkarra 271m, Keelkil 239m
SE: Cornamona: Mount Gable 417.8m, Bohaun 424m, Knocknagussy 456m
SW: Bunnacunneen: Ben Beg 560m, Bunnacunneen 575m, Bunnacunneen South Top 539m, Bunnacunneen SE Top 479m, Lugnabrick SW Top 494m, Lugnabrick NE Top 494m
W: Devilsmother: Devilsmother 645m, Devilsmother South Top 509m, Devilsmother North Top 595m, Devilsmother Far North Top 601m
Note: this list of places may include island features such as summits, but not islands as such.
Highest Place: Maumtrasna 682m
Starting Places (57) in area Partry & Joyce:
Aasleagh Waterfall CP, An Móinín Mór, Ballydoo Lough, Barrevagh Bridge, Bealanabrack, Bealanabrack River Tributary, Black Rock, Bohaun, Bracklagh, Buckaun, Bunduvowen, Cammanagh, Carraig Bar, Carrowrevagh Lough, Clonbur, Cummer, Derrassa, Derrinkee Wood, Doon Rock, Erriff Bridge, Failmore River, Finny Church, Fooey River Road, Glendavock, Glenmask, Glennacally Bridge, Glensaulmore Trailhead, Glentraigue, Gowlaunlee Lake, Keelkill North, Killeennimat Burial Ground, Knockaunnabausty (Cnocán na bPáistí), Knocknafaughy SW, L Mamwee, Lecarrow, Leenane, Leenane Hotel, unuseableLeenane R336, Lough Nambrackkeagh, Maum Bridge Road Lower, Maum Bridge Road Mid, Maum Bridge Road Upper, Mount Gable CP, N59 Junction, Otter Pool, Owenbrin Bridge, Owenbrin Tributary, Owenduff River, Red Island, RIC Barracks Ruin, Rinavore East, Rinavore SW, Shanafaraghhaun Cross, Sheeffry Pass, Tawnyard Lough, Teevinish West, The Larches PubSummits & other features in area Partry & Joyce:
Cen: Finny: Glenbeg East 372m
Cen: Knocknafaughy: Knocknafaughy 254m, Rinavore 426m
Cen: Maumtrasna: Barnahowna 516m, Buckaun East 495m, Glennagleragh Mtn 617m, Knocklaur 518m, Maumtrasna 682m, Maumtrasna North-East Top 572m, Tullymorehill 279m
N: Ballintober Hills: Bohaun 393m, Corveagh 233m, Croaghrimkarra 271m, Keelkil 239m
SE: Cornamona: Mount Gable 417.8m, Bohaun 424m, Knocknagussy 456m
SW: Bunnacunneen: Ben Beg 560m, Bunnacunneen 575m, Bunnacunneen South Top 539m, Bunnacunneen SE Top 479m, Lugnabrick SW Top 494m, Lugnabrick NE Top 494m
W: Devilsmother: Devilsmother 645m, Devilsmother South Top 509m, Devilsmother North Top 595m, Devilsmother Far North Top 601m
Note: this list of places may include island features such as summits, but not islands as such.
Place Rating ..
Grid Reference L91568 62447, OS 1:50k mapsheet 37
Place visited by: 261 members, recently by: RonanS, davidrenshaw, MeabhTiernan, abeach, finkey86, geohappy, Blackstar, Aidan_Ennis, discovering_dann, farmerjoe1, rhw, Hjonna, taramatthews, srr45, maoris
I visited this place: NO
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Bedrock type: Sandstone & conglomerate, ignimbrite, (Mweelrea Formation)
Notes on name: An anglicised form of Binn Gharbh is found in some sources, e.g. Ben Garrif on Bald's map of Co. Mayo (1830) and Bengoriff on the map accompanying Knox's The history of the County of Mayo (1908). The Discovery map has Magairlí an Deamhain, 'the demon’s testicles', as the Irish name. This, however, appears originally to be the name of a knobbly ridge located north of the summit (see Devilsmother North Top), whereas Binn Gharbh applies to the hill as a whole. The English name Devilsmother appears to have some relationship with Magairlí an Deamhain, either being a euphemistic false translation or deriving from a variant name. The Caoránach, the female demon of Irish mythology, whom St. Patrick banishes to Lough Derg, is also known as the Devil's Mother, though there is no evidence to support a connection with this hill. For a road walk in Glannagevlagh, see Walking in Connemara, 8.1.
Short or GPS IDs, 6 char: Dvlsmt, 10 char: Dvlsmthr
Linkback: https://mountainviews.ie/summit/202/
Gallery for Devilsmother (Binn Gharbh) and surrounds
Summary
for Devilsmother (Binn Gharbh):
Don't be afraid of the name!
Summary created by Colin Murphy, wicklore
02 Jun, 2016
There is room for several cars in a lay by next to the bridge at A (L935 655) on the N59 road. Go through a gate at the lay by and cross the river to access a track. Follow the track for 400 metres to its end before turning SW to head for the steep slopes of the ridge. The steep climb begins at B (L929 648). The summit of the North Top is reached at C (L919 643).It is then a relatively easy walk along the wide ridge to the main Devilsmother summit about 2kms distant.
Another approach can be made from
Fooey Rd (L936 611) which is the end of a minor road. A climb of 400 metres over 2 km can be made up to the ridge connecting Knocklaur and Devilsmother. Turn left for another 200 metre climb up steep ground to the main Devilsmother summit. A third option is more direct, but very steep. Park at small layby (1 car) at
Otr Pl (L912 650) and proceed directly up steep slope in SE direction. Terrain is short grass mostly, and was solid underfoot in late May. Reach the ridge at D (L917 640) after 1 hour 20 minutes and turn almost directly south for 2km, with 95 of the climbing behind you. Pic shows cairn in distance.Video short summary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ov_Ocb8Agw&feature=youtu.be
Add a Place Comment for Devilsmother, Binn Gharbh 
Better the Devil you know
by TommyV
5 Jul 2019
This route starts out from Carraig Bar on the N59 a few kilometers North of the village of Leenaun at Carig Bar (L89462 63331) and takes in Devilsmother and Devilsmother South Top in a horeseshoe walk around the Glennagevlagh valley. From the bar head North along the N59 for a hundred meters and there is a gate on the right which will give access to the open mountain. A steep climb along the shoulder for about 2.5 kilometres will have you at the summit. From here head South dropping down to the South Top before continuing in a North West direction along the flat southern ridge of the Glennagevlagh valley. Following this will lead down to the N59 and from here it's a short trek back to Carraig Bar. The southern ridge is quite a flat boggy expanse and can seem quite dull after the magnificent Devilsmother summit so a better option might be to follow the river down to the valley which will also lead back to the N59. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/202/comment/20348/
Carig Bar (L89462 63331) and takes in Devilsmother and Devilsmother South Top in a horeseshoe walk around the Glennagevlagh valley. From the bar head North along the N59 for a hundred meters and there is a gate on the right which will give access to the open mountain. A steep climb along the shoulder for about 2.5 kilometres will have you at the summit. From here head South dropping down to the South Top before continuing in a North West direction along the flat southern ridge of the Glennagevlagh valley. Following this will lead down to the N59 and from here it's a short trek back to Carraig Bar. The southern ridge is quite a flat boggy expanse and can seem quite dull after the magnificent Devilsmother summit so a better option might be to follow the river down to the valley which will also lead back to the N59. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/202/comment/20348/
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eoin on Devilsmother
by eoin
4 Mar 2003
A typical Connemara mountain - the route we chose started just along the side of the road on the way to Westport out of Leenane. We climbed roughtly 1/3 of the way from the eastern end of the mountain about 200m to the right of the large gully as you look at the mountain. There is no path, trail or hint of the best route so we accessed the field via a farm gate. Crossing 50m of field we went basically straight up for 600m to the ridgeline. It is a steep grassy slope, wet in spots but not exposed. Once on the ridge it is an easy stroll to the main summit on the western end overlooking Killary Harbour and Leenane. The views of the Twelve Bens, Mweelrea and other ridges are excellent. Just to the north of the summit a second small cairn marks the point where you descent following the slow eastward sweep back down to the road and a cluster of houses and farm buildings. A short walk along the road back to the start. The photo shows the Devil's Mother, looking East from the ridge we followed down, you will note the 45-50 degree slope we climbed viewed in profile. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/202/comment/364/
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Himiwack on Devilsmother
by Himiwack
31 May 2009
Climbed Devilsmother on 2007-06-03. Was a beautifull sunny sunday. Started the walk on the east end of Killary Harbour by the last pub in county Galway. There is no path to climb but it´s easy to find a way to the ridge. Followed the ridge which is the Mayo/Galway border in southeast direction. Then turned the direction to east and climbed the last steep ascent to the summit of Devilsmother. Here are brilliant views to Killary Harbour, Mweelrea and Maamturk Mountains. Back on the ascent way. The walk takes about 3,5 houres. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/202/comment/2741/
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Great mountain, excellent views
by ahendroff
11 Jul 2010
This is an mountain with excellent views from its summit (see photo), so best to leave for a clear day. It can be climbed as a short there-and-back, or linked in with Maumtrasna as a longer walk. I opted for the latter, as it was a glorious May day and I felt energised after doing the Sheffry hills the day before. If you haven't done this summit before, plan it now! You won't regret it ... Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/202/comment/3047/
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Dan on Devilsmother
by Dan
15 Oct 2004
Walked to this peak by crossing the ridge from Maghairli an Deamhain. This is a nice easy walk and takes about half an hour. This mountain is really worth the effort on a nice day because the views of the twelve bens and the mweelrea mountains are fantastic. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/202/comment/1250/
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(Various variations used.)
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British summit data courtesy:
Database of British & Irish Hills
Database of British & Irish Hills