Small hill but worth a visit if in the area.

My initial access to this hill on 7 July 2010 was from the B193 between Derry and Newtown Cunningham. Just W of the small village of Killea at A (C372 147) I turned right on to a minor road signed L2031 and followed it up through a cross-roads for about 2km to the start of an access road for a communications mast where there was sufficient room to park off road Cast Up (C37677 16800) without blocking the access gate. Once over the gate, perhaps the most strenuous part of the walk, I followed the road up where it levelled out and swung right towards the mast about 100 metres away. At this point I climbed over a gate on the left and followed a firm grassy surface SE to a fence just below an obvious raised area topped by a pile of stones, built around and almost concealing the trig pillar B (C38559 16981). From here it was a short walk of about 100 metres N across the heather to the unmarked MV high point at D (C385 171). Having been there, and having checked the respective heights of the MV top and that of the trig pillar, using my basic Garmin e-trex GPS, it seems to me, both visually and from the readings, that the trig pillar location is at least a metre higher if not two. However until someone better equiped that me checks it out it is quite easy to visit both "high points". I descended by way of ascent all within 25/30 minutes of easy walking. From the top I had a fine view across NW to the neighbouring hill of Greenan Mountain with the large stone Cashel of the Grianan of Aileach, prominent on it's top. This was once the seat of the O'Neills, Kings of Ulster and is well worh a visit when in the area. It is possible to drive to the top. Further to the NW across Lough Swilly were the hills of Fanad and almost due N was Scalp Mountain. To the SW was Dooish Mountain near Newtown Cunningham, another MV listed hill which could easily be included with Holywell Hill during a drive from Derry to Letterkenny by the B193. Both walks, including the off route driving would only add about an hour to the journey. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/992/comment/5927/

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a quickie!

Holywell Hill sits overlooking the city of Derry, right on the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic. I wasn't expecting much from the other comments but it turned out to be a great little viewpoint, though slightly ruined by the presence of the ugly mast and dilapidated buildings. After an early start I reached the parking spot mentioned by Harry Goodman at 9 o'clock in the morning ( Cast Up (C376 168)). From there it's a leisurely stroll up the mast access road to the cairn marking the 260m summit which is situated on a little patch of grass behind the fenced-off area.

With unseasonably fine weather for November and a clear sky the views extended for miles. The Sawel-Dart ridge high in the Sperrins was easy to pick out towards the SE whilst the hills of Inishowen lay to the north, Greenan Mountain with its ring-fort and Scalp Mountain in particular are very prominent. I would agree with the other comments that the trig pillar definitely seems to be the highest point. The original surveyors usually got these things right!

I returned to the car by the same route. Anyone in the area should definitely check this one out - 20 minutes up and down is all it takes. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/992/comment/6611/

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At least it's better than Mongorry Hill...

I have no further input with regards to the route, having vaulted the gate and walked up the road like everyone else. But I'm unconvinced that the point identified as the highest is any more adjacent to heaven than the trig point (having indulged in my usual hugely scientific determinants of relative altitude such as laying on the ground and using backgrounds to try to ascertain if a line of sight is downwards...GPSs are simply spoiling such fun).

Also, I've pictured one of the buildings on the summit which seems to be a hugely popular Christmas party venue. So if you want to find Sean, Eamon, Liam, Amanda et al on the 25th December this year, the smart money says they're up here. I've left out the side where Pauline and Noel declare their love for each other, in case they're cheating on anyone. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/992/comment/6141/

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three5four0 on Holywell Hill

Nowt many places to park around here, but we squeezed in by the access road at Cast Up (C376 168) managing not to block the gate into the field and the access road. From here simple follow the track up hill, thats after you have clambered over the gate, long legs help with this but watch out it is rather slippy . When you reach the Transmitter, go through a gate on your left and round the fenced off area to the top left corner of the field, where you can step over the fence courtesy of a couple of rocks. The trig point lies a sort distance away, the actual summit is a small ring contour at D (C385 171), which is only a minute or twos walk away. As we returned to the car we spotted what looked like a Golden Eagle hunting for prey on the hill. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/992/comment/4237/

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The Charm Is In The Views

The like the previous commentators, I took the track leading to the mast to access the summit, and therefore have nothing to add as regards the easy route up. Just wanted to show another aspect of the views to be had, this time down over the Creevagh Hill Lake reservoir with a glimpse of the Foyle beyond. This small hill does have a charm. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/summit/992/comment/18340/

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