From Kilgarvan one of Irelands iconic mountain roads heads south beside the Slaheny River, finally going over a col at the Priests Leap after reducing any motorist trying to hurry to a quivering wreck whatever about their car.
To the west of this road there is a fine scarp, steep edge facing the road, from Bird Hill to Knockboy and the aforementioned col. It happened in the jigsaw of summiteering that I wanted to climb Knocknamanagh NE (KNE) and Gullaba Hill both VLs on said scarp. I had climbed Knocknamanagh and across the Slaheny on previous occasions, but not this pair.
Park at one of the crazy hairpins as shown and follow a prominent track uphill to KNE. As of 2013 a good unpaved road leads to a river initially. We choose not to cross this however the way we went was not pleasant and it might have been easier to cross the river and follow various tracks south of the river from Coomyfaun Lake before heading towards KNE.
These tracks are some of a number including ones associated with a new plantation which you can use. There also appears to be a green road leading high, possibly even to the col between Knocknamanagh and KNE.
From KNE the route is clear to Gullaba and Bird, though don't deviate to the north of the route shown. Off Bird the route goes across rough ground to a track that joins the public road beside some animal pens. While we didn't see anyone to ask permission from, it's not likely that using the route would cause anyone any difficulty. After this, if you haven't arranged a car split, you will need to walk back along the road, going through a tunnel at one point.