simon3 on Brandon Hill

One way of reaching the summit is as follows. Leave the Inistioge to Graiguenamanagh road near Sackinstown (D (S677 423)) Go SE along an unsurfaced road into the forest (where the road becomes surfaced) to a point near E (S685 412). Turn left onto the South Leinster Way. By following various tracks, mostly shown on the OS, arrive at Freny (S698 412), which is a substantial vehicle park at around 332m. (This position was taken by GPS, the tracks on the OS may not be totally accurately shown.) Beyond this, the road deteriorates. From the NE corner of this car park there is a well used track which will lead you to the summit along a ride, a track and over heather. You can actually drive to the car park if you wish to, though beware of bumps and ridges in the road.

Various patches of town lighting are visible in this night view from the summit hinting at the very large area, including coastline, that can be seen. The main patch of light shown here, looking approximately SE, is probably New Ross. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/423/comment/765/

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murphysw on Brandon Hill

I tried to follow Simon's instructions, and I found that road after a bit of to-ing and fro-ing and a bit of process of elimination. I dont think I followed them precisely because after driving up the road I went right at the first fork I came to. This ended in a locked gate and a stile. I parked up and went on my way. Through the gate this track continues. After about 100m it forks, and I took the left fork, which is steeply uphill and unusable by vehicles. After about another 100m this track swings to the right so went straight on over open ground to the top of the ridge in the vicinity of point 417m on the OS map. I soon picked up the track to the summit, the highest point in the county where hurlers start training in the womb! I climbed this the same day I did Mount Leinster and the summit here was mist shrouded as well. There is a large cross here, erected by the local parishioners, a massive cairn, and a box yoke thingy which Simon believes to be the remains of a TV retransmitter. Today it is absolutely filthy and full of rubbish. This is a grand little mountain with a decent variety of climbing conditions and I believe the views to be great on a clear day. Pity I couldn't see them! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/423/comment/1961/

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simon3 on Brandon Hill

According to PW Joyce [Irish Local Names Explained] Brandon Hill is named after St Brendan the Navigator. It is an isolated peak around 12k SE of the Blackstairs. Like the Blackstairs it is mainly made of granite. Like other isolated peaks, the views from Brandon hill are well known for quality, so good in fact that someone has put a direction indicator near the summit. To the NE are the Coppanagh Hills (365m) reputedly interesting for a short walk, though from the map it would appear that the trig pillar on Coppanagh is now in a wood.
The photo shows a night view of the cairn on the summit with its trig pillar, taken from near the direction indicator. The night was relatively clear and on the original picture there are various astronomical objects clearly visible. The square outline on the left is a concrete block house. Paul Clements [The Height of Nonsense] suggests sort of eponymously that "It's the Temple of Zodiac .. It's where you meet old friends before you come to the World's End down there at Nova Villa Pontis" (This was part of the name of a bridge in Newross built in the 12th century. No, no, I don't understand the allusion either.)

A more prosaic suggestion is that the 13m cross on the summit had lights which in turn needed power, a generator and housing. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/423/comment/764/

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csd on Brandon Hill

I elected to tackle Brandon Hill from the south. Leaving the R705, I turned right onto the laneway at F (S718 379), a location marked on sheet 68 as Ballinvary Irish. It's quite easy to miss this, so keep a look out for a small lane that almost doubles back on itself as you turn off the main road. Follow this track (not recommended for low-slung vehicles!) to the forest gate at Bl'Varry (S710 379), where there's space for one or two cars to park. I then followed the forest tracks (accurately shown on sheet 68) to approach the summit from the south. You pick up some markers labelled "BW" (Brandon Way?) as you make your way through the forest; these will accompany you all the way to the summit. Views from the top are excellent; although not the highest of peaks, its relatively isolated position commands a stunning panorama. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/423/comment/2422/

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Brandon

Approaching Graiguenamanagh by car from the east going across the bridge through the narrow streets and on to a big car park on the right before the roundabout. Walked up to the roundabout from the car park and turned left as per the sign for Inistogue. Turned right at the top of the hill and immediately left and its straight up all the way. Follow the sign marked by a cross when you get to a junction well above the last houses, ie: straight ahead. Took me an hour and three quarters to walk to the top of Brandon from the centre of Graiguenamanagh but I was pushing it. Great views. You can see a town towards the south.probably New Ross. It was a beautiful day. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/423/comment/6299/

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