Ireland is a mountainous island with tall peaks stretching high into the clouds. Here are the top 10 highest mountains in all of Ireland.
What better way to experience the beauty of a country such as Ireland, with its lush green fields and beautiful landscape, than to witness it from a height? By climbing some of the highest mountains in Ireland, you will be rewarded with views unlike any other.
The landscape of the Emerald Isle is dotted with mountains steeped in not only natural beauty but also Irish history and mythology. If reaching the summit of mountains and taking in the magnificent views of Ireland is on your bucket list, then both can be achieved by visiting and ascending the highest mountains in Ireland.
In this article, we will list the ten highest mountains in Ireland to explore and enjoy.
10. Purple Mountain – 832 metres
Purple Mountain in Co. Kerry is the biggest part of a compact group of peaks alongside Tomies and Shehy. From the top of Purple Mountain, you will be treated to views of the Gap of Dunloe to the west and the Lakes of Killarney to the south and east.
9. Mangerton Mountain – 839 metres
The Mangerton Mountain is part of the Mangerton range in Co. Kerry and there is a lot to explore within it, such as the unique U-shaped valley called Horse’s Glen and several lochs which can be found in the area.
8. Mullaghcleevaun Mountain – 849 metres
Mullaghcleevaun Mountain is the second-highest of the Wicklow Mountains and contains a beautiful lake called Lough Cleevaun which can be found just off the summit.
7. Slieve Donard Mountain – 850 metres
Slieve Donard Mountain in Co. Down is part of the iconic and inspiring Mourne Mountains. It is the highest peak in both Northern Ireland and Ulster. For those who reach its lofty summit, they will be greeted with a small stone tower and two prehistoric burial cairns.
6. Baurtregaum Mountain – 851 metres
The Baurtregaum Mountain in Co. Kerry may be lesser known than a lot of other mountains in the county, but it’s no less impressive as it is the highest of the Slieve Mish Mountains in the Dingle Peninsula. The name translates to ‘three hollows’ and refers to the surrounding valleys of Derryquay, Curraheen, and Derrymore.
5. Galtymore Mountain – 919 metres
The Galtymore hike is nestled on the border between Limerick and Tipperary and is the highest of the Galty Mountains and the tallest inland mountain in Ireland. Highlights to see at the Galtymore Mountains would be its three glacial lakes.
4. Lugnaquilla Mountain – 925 metres
Lugnaquilla Mountain is the highest peak that you can find in the Wicklow Mountains range and the highest in Ireland outside of Kerry. It is known as a difficult mountain to climb, especially in bad weather, as there are no marked routes.
However, if you do reach the top, you will have earned spectacular views, and it is said that on a good day you may even be able to catch a glimpse of Snowdonia in Wales.
3. Mount Brandon – 952 metres
Mount Brandon in Kerry is the highest peak in Ireland outside of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks and is one of the most difficult hikes in Ireland. The route up to its summit is part of a Christian pilgrimage trail known as Cosán na Naomh.
2. Cnoc na Péiste – 988 metres
Cnoc na Péiste (or Knocknapeasta) is another mountain in Co. Kerry which is part of the infamous Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range. It is also the second-highest summit in Ireland overall.
1. Carrauntoohil – 1,038 metres
Carrauntoohil in Co. Kerry is famous for being the highest peak in all of Ireland as it stands at a whopping 1,038 metres in height. It is the central peak of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks range, and its summit is often referred to as the “rooftop of Ireland”.
On the summit, you will be greeted with the sight of a magnificent steel cross, and the views from the summit of Carrauntoohill are genuinely awe-inspiring and breathtaking.
This concludes our list of the ten highest mountains in Ireland. As you can see, the Kingdom County of Kerry can proudly claim to be home to some of the most impressive mountains in all of Ireland. How many of them have you already climbed?
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