Climbing
The 7 most awe-inspiring peaks to climb in Ireland
Ireland’s landscape is shrouded in mists and studded with some of the world’s most beautiful mountains. James Forrest has climbed 273 of them, so we asked him for his pick of the best...
What they may lack in Alpine altitude, Ireland's mountains more than make up for in atmosphere and rugged beauty you won’t find anywhere else. James Forrest took two months off work to climb 273 of them this year, so he’s uniquely qualified to reveal which give the best day out for intrepid trekkers. From Carrauntoohil, the 3,047ft (1,038m) giant, to the mountain with a chapel on its summit, there’s a hike for however hardy you’re feeling – and something the Alps don’t have at their feet are those legendary welcoming Irish pubs.
1. Carrauntoohil
Forrest looking out across Carrauntoohil
© James Forrest
Ireland's highest mountain is the centrepiece of the awesome Macgillycuddy's Reeks mountain range in County Kerry. Rugged ridges march off into the distance, with an amazing view from the classic route, taking the Devil's Ladder and Brother O'Shea's Gully loop from Cronin's Yard.
"I absolutely loved exploring the Macgillycuddy's Reeks range. It is an incredible range of dramatic summits, precipitous cliffs, and knife-edge ridges – a rocky world that will get your heart racing," says James Forrest, who was overjoyed to summit it on his record-breaking odyssey, but confesses it was the scrambling that became the real highlight.
"The stunning arête from Carrauntoohil to Beenkeragh is so exciting and beautiful, while the jelly-leg inducing Hag's Tooth ridge – an Alpine-esque Grade Two rocky scramble – certainly got my adrenaline flowing.
2. Croagh Patrick
Forrest at the summit of Croagh Patrick
© James Forrest
According to tradition, if you climb Croagh Patrick, County Mayo, in the correct fashion, you can be spiritually cleansed or receive an everlasting holy reward. Some people even make a bare-footed pilgrimage along the well-worn path from Murrisk to the St. Patrick’s Chapel that sits on the summit. The 764m peak is nicknamed the Reek and the Irish name is Cruach Phadraig, which may have some connection to the pagan god Crom Cruach who was appeased with first-born human sacrifice! St. Patrick ended that worship and is said to have smashed a gold idol of the god with a sledgehammer.
"It’s a busy mountain that's full of tourists, while the path is heavily eroded," says Forrest. "But it still felt like a must-do mountain – an iconic peak with a huge cultural and religious significance in Ireland. Sadly I climbed it in cloud, so I was denied the glorious views across Westport Bay, but I like to think I will have gained some sort of godly benefit from the climb!”
3. Slievemore (Achill Island)
The view from the top of Slievemore
© James Forrest
Some mountains are hard to pick out from ranges packed with peaks and ridges, but you can’t miss Slievemore. It bursts up out of the Atlantic Ocean like the humped back of a leviathan to assault the sandy beach of Achill Island. Fortunately, you don’t need to slay a monster to bag this peak.
"It rises dramatically, almost vertically, with show-stopping coastal views. But it’s a simple, easy climb from Doogort. You can even combine with Croaghaun [the only other peak on Achill] for a fine day in the mountain," recommends Forrest. "The coastal views are amazing and there is a lovely, short section of ridge walking."
4. Slieve Donard
Forrest at the summit of Northern Ireland's highest peak, Slieve Donard
© James Forrest
The highest mountain in Northern Ireland and part of the glorious Mourne Mountains range, Slieve Donard tops out at 2,790ft (850m), overlooking the town of Newcastle and Dundrum Bay. Spookily, it has two burial cairns on the top containing neolithic tombs dating back to 3,000 BC. It’s a relatively tough climb up from Newcastle but the view from the top is worth it, says Forrest.
"I had a beautiful, sunny day in the Mourne Mountains and climbing Slieve Donard, although steep and tough, was a total pleasure. It was one of those days in the mountains where you feel totally content and happy with life."
5. Knocknapeasta
The Big Gun and Knocknapeasta ridge
© James Forrest
This 3,241ft (998m) rocky peak is part of the stunning Macgillycuddy's Reeks and it gives you amazing views of Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest. You need to have a head for steep drops for this one because the grade two scrambling features knife-edge ridges and rocky pinnacles – don’t climb alone, pack emergency gear and food, and try your hand at grade one scrambling elsewhere first. The climb inches up from Dunloe Gap and includes The Big Gun, which is a jumbled, mangled puzzle of boulders.
"I've climbed hundreds and hundreds of mountains across the British Isles, but I'd be hard-pressed to think of a more dramatic day in the mountains than taking on Cruach Mhor, Big Gun and Knocknapeasta Ridge. It is a scrambler's paradise: a rocky world that I find simultaneously terrifying and breathtaking," says Forrest.
6. Mount Brandon
Forrest on the ridge of Mount Brandon
© James Forrest
Rising from the beautiful Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Mount Brandon is Ireland's ninth highest mountain. It’s got a local rep as the ‘finest mountain in Ireland’, and it certainly impressed Forrest, first with fear, and then with elation. The climb up from Connor Pass features coastal views and stunning ridges.
"I was utterly charmed by Mount Brandon. The scenery across the verdant Dingle Peninsula is spectacular throughout, while the optional side trip on the Faha Ridge was a rocky scramble that made me feel so alive," he says. "From Mt. Brandon it looked incredibly dangerous and precipitous, almost impenetrable, but up close it was a lot easier first thought. Atop the Faha Ridge, I had a euphoric moment; my mind flooded with a life-affirming, adrenaline-fuelled dose of emotions. I felt so happy with my life and my adventurous existence."
7. Knockowen
The scene of Forrest's viral video, at the top of Knockowen
© James Forrest
Knockowen stands apart as a solitary, rocky peak in a wild and remote landscape, but the climb from Healy Pass is very easy and it has outstanding views, which Forrest has helped to make famous with an ‘un-tenting’ video that went viral.
"My most euphoric moment on my whole challenge was waking up to a perfect cloud inversion on Knockowen in the Beara Peninsula. I unzipped my tent and couldn't believe my eyes. It was truly beautiful, like waking up heaven. I will remember that moment forever."