Delira and excira with the EIRE.

During the second world war there was an increase in the number of aircraft flying over Ireland, and in 1943 the Coast Watching Service built giant stone EIRE signs as a navigational aid for overflying pilots. These were constructed near coastal Lookout Posts (LOPs) built between 1939 and 1942, and staffed by local volunteers (Coastwatchers) who kept an eye on our coastal waters. The LOPs (and hence Eire signs) were numbered from 1 in County Louth clockwise round the coast ending with 82 in County Donegal. As the LOP and Eire sign on the mountain here was an afterthought, it is number 83 and occurs out of the clockwise sequence, and is found between LOP 35 and LOP 36. Some of the EIRE signs can still be found in remote locations around the coast, some in poor repair, but in some cases local communities have done a great job restoring them.

Following track 5012 I uploaded to the tracks page will take you past the EIRE sign. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/224/comment/24117/

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A northerly approach from the townland of Roads

Leave the N72 Ring of Kerry road between Kilorglin and Cahersiveen and head towards Kells Bay. Pass the sign for the beach and where the road forks take the higher road. There is parking for 3-4 cars in a layby at Roads Lgh (V53025 87288).
Walk back along the road for approx 300m where you will see a stile at C (V53349 87382). Follow an indistinct path to a fence corner marked by a 'yellow man' post. Follow the obvious track which makes it way steadily uphill to the col overlooking Glendalough lakes at D (V52009 85016). Head in a North easterly direction for a kilometre to reach Kells mountain with Kells mountain East top a further 500m away Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/224/comment/18439/

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osullivanm on Kells Mountain

Kells Mountain forms part of the Knocknadober ridge. It can be approached via a steep descent from Knocknadober Mountain followed by an ascent of c. 130 M to the top and gives a great perspective on the steep cliffs of Knocknadober plunging to the Glendalough Lakes below. It could be climbed as a single summit ascending and descending via the Glendalough lakes valley or as part of a longer "Knocknadober " circuit. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/224/comment/1887/

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Backlit by the rising sun.

This is an early morning view of Kells Mountain from a position at sea SW of Ventry. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/224/comment/14806/

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Great views on descent

I came at Kells Mt. from its East Top[see comment there for a gnarly scrambling route] and was pleasantly surprised by the views that opened up - both of Knocknadobar's NE corrie and much of SW Kerry including Scarriff Island and the hills spining down to Hog's Head. The route from Kells East Top is a doddle as is the walk down to the col at E (V51985 84944). From here I headed up to see the great views from the cairn at F (V51149 84707) and then doubled back to the col and took the NNE trail back to the start. It's an obvious way back but can be wet and rocky in places. The whole circuit took me about 3.5 hours and certainly beats what I was doing in Hussey's Bar, Killarney this time last year! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/224/comment/21852/

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