MacGillycuddy's Reeks and Nearby Irish Mountains

GPS Coordinates, Route Data, and Photographs

The Big Gun and Knocknapeasta viewed from the summit of Cruach Mhór on July 3, 2010

We hiked ten of the Irish Munros in July 2010, nine of them in one day.  I have created this site to share some information about our experience and to provide data that may be useful to others. 

There are 14 Munros in Ireland, i.e. mountains over 3,000 feet.  This count may vary slightly, depending upon whether you include some of the connecting ridges and twin peaks. The Irish Munros are largely situated in southwest Ireland, mainly in MacGillycuddy's Reeks near Killarney National Park.  Many can be hiked in a single day.  

Disclaimer: hiking/climbing/hill walking in the Irish Munros can be dangerous.  Necessary precautions should be taken to prevent accidents.  People HAVE died in these mountains and many more have become stranded (see here, for example).  The owner of this site takes no responsibility for the safety or accuracy of this information, which is intended solely as a reference.  You should use common sense and consult the Kerry Mountain Rescue site for more information on how to hike responsibly. 

Contents

On this site you will find the following:

1. A list of ALL of the Munros in Ireland

2. Route data and GPS coordinates for our hike in MacGillycuddy's Reeks 

3. Some additional GPS coordinates and data for summits near the Reeks, as well as data for Brandon Mountain, another Irish Munro located in Southwest Ireland

4. Our gear list

5. Photos of our hikes in Ireland

6. Additional Resources


All Irish Munros
Formatted version available here

1.       Carrauntoohil (Corrán Tuathail) - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
2.       Beenkeragh (Binn Chaorach) - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
3.       Caher (East Top) - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
4.       Knocknapeasta (Cnoc na Péiste) - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
5.       Caher (West Top) - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
6.       Maolán Bui - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
7.       Carrauntoohil Tooth (The Bones) - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
8.       Cnoc an Chuillin - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
9.       Brandon Mountain (Sliabh Bhreandáin) - Brandon Group
10.   The Big Gun - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
11.   Cruach Mhór - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
12.   Cnoc an Chuillin East Top (L.Coimín Móir Mountain) - MacGillycuddy's Reeks
13.   Lugnaquillia - Dublin/Wicklow
14.   Galtymore - Galty Mountains

Table of all Irish Munros

MacGillycuddy's Reeks Route Data
Formatted pdf version available here

Our approach took approximately 12 hours and included 9 of the Irish Munros, in addition to several lesser summits.  A longer hike with a detour to Caher's twin peaks could theoretically take in all 11 of those Munros which are located in the Reeks.

Our route began at Cronin's Yard (see here) and included the following peaks in the horseshoe-shaped Reeks ridge, followed by a return hike to Cronin's Yard:

• Cruach Mhór

• The Big Gun

• Knocknapeasta (Cnoc na Péiste)

• Maolán Bui

• Cnoc an Chuillin East Top

• Cnoc an Chuillin

• Cnoc na Toinne

• Carrauntoohil (Corrán Tuathail)

• The Bones (aka Carrauntoohil Tooth or the Beenkeragh Ridge)

• Beenkeragh (Binn Chaorach)

• Knockbrinnea (W)

• Knockbrinnea (E)

Table with additional data (all GPS data was tested and found to be accurate in July 2010):

Name	Height  (Meters)	Height  (Feet)	Summit Rank	Coordinates	Notes
Cruach Mhór	932	3058	11	Latitude: 52.003847 Longitude: -9.688784 ITM: 484052 584882	From Cronin's Yard pass through a gate at the top right side of the car park.  Follow a grass track along the side of a field and onto a stony track that climbs gently above the Gladdagh River. Leave the track where it crosses a tributary of the Gladdagh and head southeast across open ground, climbing toward the summit of Cruach Mhór.  Aim to the east of the summit for easier ground. 1.5-2 hours from Cronin's yard to the summit of Cruach Mhór.
The Big Gun	939	3081	10	Latitude: 52.000970 Longitude: -9.688807 ITM: 484043 584562	*Challenging* Middle of Cruach Mhor /Cnoc na Peiste ridge. This peak is at the south end of the arête connecting it to Cruach Mhór. The Big Gun Ridge (runs north-south) is directly south of Cruach Mhór and it is a narrow arête that should not be attempted by those who do not have the head for it. Follow informal paths below and to the west of the ridge being careful not to lose too much height. Around one hour from Cruach Mhór to Knocknapeasta.
Knocknapeasta (Cnoc na Péiste)	988	3241	4	Latitude: 51.997923 Longitude: -9.695682 ITM: 483563 584234	The lake below this peak is Loch Coimín Piast.  In December 1943 an American Dakota aircraft crashed into the slopes of Cnoc na Péiste just above the lake. Pieces of the aircraft are still visible. A plaque here commemorates the 5 victims and there is another plaque at Cronin's Yard.  Look for the wing of a plane in the corrie lake below.  From here, the ridge walk from Knocknapeasta à Maolán Bui à Cnoc an Chuillin à  Cnoc na Toinne is relatively flat Travel about 1.25 hours to get from Knocknapeasta to Cnoc an Chuillin
Maolán Bui	973	3192	6	Latitude: 51.994619 Longitude: -9.701104 ITM: 483182 583875	Sometimes called Bearna Rua. The nearby ridge known as "the Bone" (not to be confused with "The Bones") descends NW from this peak.  This is a good escape route off the eastern Reeks (p. 90 Ryan).
Cnoc an Chuillin East Top	926	3038	12	Latitude: 51.991092 Longitude: -9.706911 ITM: 482774 583492	Located mid-way between Cnoc an Chuillinn itself and Maolán Buí. Previously L Coimín Móir Mtn in MV.
Cnoc an Chuillin	958	3143	8	Latitude: 51.990142 Longitude: -9.713542 ITM: 482316 583397
Cnoc na Toinne	845	2772	23	Latitude: 51.990429 Longitude: -9.731402 ITM: 481091 583458	Between Cnoc an Chuillin and the Devil's Ladder there should be an escape route (BEFORE reaching the Devil's Ladder) that provides a simpler descent than the Ladder directly into Hag's Glen
The Devil's Ladder (between Cnoc na Toinne and Carrauntoohil)	N/A	N/A	N/A		From Cnoc na Toinne swing to the northwest and drop down to the top of the Devil's ladder (the Ladder is a reasonable escape route if needed).  From the top of the Devil's Ladder to the summit of Carrauntoohil is a long trudge over stony paths.  All paths lead to summit
Carrauntoohil (Corrán Tuathail)	1039	3409	1	Latitude: 51.999447 Longitude: -9.742744 ITM: 480336 584480	Highest mountain in Ireland. Between Devil's Ladder and Beenkeragh. - To the SOUTH of the cross is the way you came - To the NORTH of the cross is a cliff marked by skull & crossbones à steep drop! - Beenkeragh is due north but you must FIRST descend to the west-northwest to pick up the path
The Bones (aka Carrauntoohil Tooth) (aka the Beenkeragh Ridge)	959	3146	7	Latitude: 52.001721 Longitude: -9.747041 ITM: 480047 584740	*Challenging* A rocky arête between Carrauntoohil and Beenkeragh.  This narrow ridge running between Beenkeragh and Carrauntoohil is well-defined but challenging.  The most dangerous section is the area of the Ridge closest to Carrauntoohil.
Beenkeragh (Binn Chaorach)	1010	3314	2	Latitude: 52.006808 Longitude: -9.746452 ITM: 480101 585305	Beenkeragh offers challenging scrambling on the Hag's Tooth Ridge.  It is connected to Carrauntoohil by a ridge known as the Bones.  Beenkeragh is the second highest mountain in Ireland.
Knockbrinnea (W)	854	2801	16	Latitude: 52.012095 Longitude: -9.737161 ITM: 480753 585878	From Beenkeragh make a long, steep descent northeast over Knockbrinnea. Knockbrinnea is a shoulder of Beenkeragh overlooking the Hag's Glen. The walk from Beenkeragh to Knockbrinnea follows a well-defined path.
Knockbrinnea (E)	847	2778	22	Latitude: 52.011428 Longitude: -9.733640 ITM: 480993 585798	Knockbrinnea is a shoulder of Beenkeragh overlooking the Hag's Glen. There is a safe descent from Knockbrinnea back to Cronin's Yard

Other Summits
Formatted pdf version available here

Name	Height  (Meters)	Height  (Feet)	Summit Rank	Coordinates	Notes
Caher (East Top)	1001	3284	3	Latitude: 51.994466 Longitude: -9.758581 ITM: 479235 583952	Southwest of Carrauntoohil
Caher (West Top)	975	3199	5	Latitude: 51.995450 Longitude: -9.762492 ITM: 478969 584068	Southwest of Carrauntoohil
Cnoc an Bhráca	731	2398	87	Latitude: 52.009693 Longitude: -9.663254 ITM: 485820 585492	Well east of Cruach Mhór.  On reaching Cnoc an Bhráca when traversing the eastern Reeks, Cruach Mhór , the Big Gun and the ridge between come into full view.
Cnoc Iochtair	747	2450	78	Latitude: 52.013010 Longitude: -9.770509 ITM: 478466 586035	Well west of Beenkeragh.  The first peak on the northern side of Coomloughra.
Cnoc na dTarbh	655	2148	179	Latitude: 52.005838 Longitude: -9.657446 ITM: 486209 585054	Well east of Cruach Mhór.  It is the second most easterly summit in the MacGillycuddy's Reeks area.
Skregmore	848	2782	21	Latitude: 52.013706 Longitude: -9.760034 ITM: 479187 586095	Northwest of Beenkeragh
Stumpa Bharr na hAbhann	851	2791	18	Latitude: 52.012199 Longitude: -9.753814 ITM: 479610 585917	Northwest of Beenkeragh
Hag's Tooth	650	2132	193	52.005267 Longitude: -9.734552 ITM: 480914 585114	The rock is remarkably unstable on the western slopes and boulders can tumble down unexpectedly. Also known as Stumpeenadaff, from Ir. Stuimpín an Daimh [OSNB], 'little pinnacle of the ox'. Previously Stoompeenaduff in MV.

Name	Height  (Meters)	Height  (Feet)	Summit Rank	Coordinates	Notes
Brandon Mtn  (Sliabh Bhreandáin)	952	3123	9	Latitude: 52.235188 Longitude: -10.254350 ITM: 446025 611667	Located on the Dingle Peninsula in Southwest Ireland

Gear List
This gear list kept us well-equipped for our hike in the Reeks in early July 2010. Temps ranged from low 50's to upper 60's. Warmer gear would obviously be required in cooler weather

1. Backpack ~ 35 L / 2100 cu in capacity

2. Water reservoir: 3 liter (100 oz) capacity, filled

3. Enough food for one meal plus several snacks

4. Waterproof rain jacket with hood

5. Waterproof rain pants

6. Hiking socks

7. Hiking boots

8. Hiking pants (convertible)

9. Tech t-shirt

10. Long sleeve tech t-shirt

11. Fleece

12. Knit hat

13. Cap

14. Mittens

15. Sunglasses

16. Camera + extra batteries and media

17. GPS device + two sets of extra batteries

18. Compass

19. Cell phone fully charged

20. Sunblock

21. Insect repellant

22. Ziplock baggies and/or dry sac(s)

23. Binoculars

24. Emergency whistles

25. Ultralight emergency medical kit

26. Headlamp and/or flashlight and spare batteries

27. Route data

28. Topo maps
     

Photographs

A photo essay of our hikes with descriptive captions can be found here: (under construction)

Additional Resources

These sources are invaluable:

1.Hiking in Ireland (Lonely Planet), Helen Fairbairn and Gareth McCormack, 3d ed. (May 2010)

2. Carrauntoohil & MacGillycuddy's Reeks: A Walking Guide to Ireland's Highest Mountains, Jim Ryan (July 2007)

3. Ridges of England, Wales and Ireland, Dan Bailey (Sept 2009)

4. Ordnance Survey Ireland MacGillycuddy's Reeks Weatherproof Topo Map (1:25,000), 2d ed. (2005)

5. Harvey Superwalker MacGillycuddy's Reeks Weatherproof Topo Map (1:30,000)

6. http://www.kerrymountainrescue.ie/

7.http://mountainviews.ie