HIKING TO THE ROOF OF IRELAND

The MacGillycuddy’s Reeks is Ireland’s highest mountain range, and it is part of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) which is a European designation for sites that support rare and threatened habitats and species. The Reeks contain protected habitats such as the heath and blanket bog (Ireland has 8% of the world’s blanket bog), and rare species such as the Kerry spotted slug and the Killarney fern.

Despite the steep mountainous terrain and ever-changing weather conditions, the Reeks are actively farmed. In more recent times, sheep farming has come to dominate the area; but in the past summer cattle grazing would have been a common sight across the landscape with people (often young women) moving up to the higher ground with the cattle for the summer. Here, they milked the cattle, made cheese and stayed in small stone shelters.

The MacGillycuddy’s Reeks are Ireland’s highest mountains and include the only three peaks in Ireland over 1,000 metres, Carrauntoohill at a lofty 1,039 metres, Binn Chaorach at 1,010 metres, and Caher standing at 1,001 metres.

It is a hiker’s and climber’s paradise. Carrauntoohil is Ireland’s highest peak and, as such, it attracts thousands of people from all over the world each year who wish to climb to its summit.

It is a magnificent, rugged and scenic mountain and climbing it is an experience that one doesn’t forget. Corrán Tuathail, its Irish name, means ‘Tuathal’s sickle’ and it towers above the many other peaks in the majestic MacGillycuddy’s Reeks. On a fine day, views extend to the faraway mountains, lakes and farmlands of West Cork, and north and south Kerry.

During the last two Ice Ages approx. 300,000 – 130,000 and 80,000 to 10,000 years ago, the highest peaks of The Reeks projected above the ice and hence were subject to severe ice weathering.

This, along with erosion over time, has resulted in the jagged appearance we see today. To experience these mountains, it is highly recommended that you reap the benefits of exploring them with a guide, particularly if you wish to get to the summit of Ireland’s highest mountain and lack the relevant experience.

The distance to climb to the summit and back is 12km, and it will take the average walker six to seven hours to complete.

Pat Falvey of World Wide Adventures offers daily scheduled climbs for individuals, groups, and families as well as team and company challenges.

He was an active member of Kerry Mountain Rescue for 10 years where he learnt his mountain skills. Pat has lived locally at the base of Ireland’s highest mountains from where he runs his guiding services, since 1991.

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