is the highest hill in Ireland. The hill can be apprached either as a horseshoe
scramble from
the west over Skregmore and Beenkeragh and returning over Caher or via
"The devil's ladder", approaching
along the Gaddagh River. The majority of people seem to favour parking
at Mealis (2 euros) and tackling the eroded "ladder".
The Pass of Dunloe, minor roads circumnavigate MacGillycuddy's Reeks, of these the pass of Dunloe is the most scenic (less difficult than the English Lake District passes but unsuitable for large vehicles). If approaching from The Killarney side the motorist is surprised by a carpark and souvenir shop complex created for the plentiful American tourists to be carried over the pass in horse drawn jaunting cars. An (unofficial?) sign proclaims the road unsuitable for motorised vehicles. No such signing exists on the southern aproach. It is therefore up to the individual as to if they wish to mix it with horses and carts during the tourist day.
The
"Climbers' Inn" at Glencar is well sited for theMacGillycuddy's
Reeks horseshoe route, which will no doubt find
the favour of the skilled scrambler/walker. The Inn has bar, camping facilities,
drying room, rooms from bunkhouse style to en-suite, petrol pump and a
shop and post office. A simple but nourishing evening meal is available
in the bar. <Website>
(2004)
Brandon
Mountain,
Irelands second highest hill is a little to the north.
The direct route is from
the west at Clocham, this is a pilgrimage route. A ridge walk runs south
over Brandon Peak to the Connor Pass (400m) where a road crosses the range.
Guide books and maps
Southwest
of Ireland - O'Súllleabháin - Walk Guide
47 walks and climbs in
the south west by a local hillwalker/MRT member.
The
Mountains of Ireland - Dillon - Cicerone
The 2000' mountains of
Ireland in 70 walks
OSI Discovery map 70
1:50000 Dingle penninsula including Brandon Mountain
OSI Discovery map
78 1:50000 MacGillycuddy's Reeks and surrounding
hills.
(There is also an
OSI 1:25000 of MacGillycuddy Reeks)
OSI
1:250000 Holiday maps
South, the mountains
West, Shannon airport,
Limerick and points north
East, Tipperary to
Dublin
Background reading
Ireland
- Eyewitness-
Dorling Kindersley
Tourist information
in easily digested pictorial form.
A good starting
point for those new to Ireland.
World
Food - Ireland - Martin Hughes - Lonely planet
It's been
said that the Irish find a good chat more satisfying than a good meal and
perhaps thats why Lonely Planet have brought in the likes of comics Sean
Hughes and Ardal O'Hanlon to make contributions here. Although there are
sections at the back highlighting good places to eat all over Ireland,
the pub, drinking, drinking etiquette and Guinness take pride of place.
Even to one from a culture well versed in drinking in rounds, the article
on the subject made me smile. By the way, don't be surprised if you get
more than one type of potato with an Irish meal.
Travellers'
Tales - Ireland- James O'Reilly, Larry Habegger and Sean O'Reilly -
Travellers' Tales
"True stories
of life on the emerald isles".
A series
of tales, mainly from Irish American authors, with either ancestral links
to Ireland or a desire to discover the roots of its literature and music.
Mainly set in the south and west of the country. In danger of floating
away on a wave of nostalgia reminiscent of a Guinness advertisment, the
volume
keeps its feet on the ground with contributions about "the troubles" and
terrorists.