Attendance: Anthony Griffin
Anne Griffin
Cian Griffin
Orla Griffin
Sorcha Griffin
Situated on the northern edge of the Dingle Peninsula, Brandon is the second
highest mountain in Ireland. According to legend St Brendan lived on or near the
summit for a time, and the mountain is named for him. The remains of a sixth
century cell near the summit suggests some truth in the legend. On a
clear day the summit commands spectacular views right across the west coast, but
sitting on the edge of the Atlantic coast, clear days are very few and far
between. There are three summits, the main one at 952m, Coimin na gCnamh at 891,
and Brandon Peak at 840. There are several main routes up the mountain, two of
them very well travelled. The main tourist route would be from the West
from An Baile Breac (Ballybrack). This takes the climber up a gentle slope to
the summit and is little more than a nice walk, although sometimes high wind
coming up off the Atlantic can cause problems.The serious hiker might
approach from the North, leaving the Dingle Way and walking over the full ridge,
starting with Piaras Mor (748m). I have never walked this route so cannot
comment on it.For me the best route is from the East. Beginning inthe
village of Cloghan, or if you prefer there is a car park further up at An
Fhaiche. This route includes quite a steep incline involving some hands and
knees scrambling to reach the top and is not recommended for casual walkers. If
you continue the route to take in Brandon Peak it involves walking along the
knife-edge Ridge, with quite impressive drops away on both sides.
highest mountain in Ireland. According to legend St Brendan lived on or near the
summit for a time, and the mountain is named for him. The remains of a sixth
century cell near the summit suggests some truth in the legend. On a
clear day the summit commands spectacular views right across the west coast, butsitting on the edge of the Atlantic coast, clear days are very few and far
between. There are three summits, the main one at 952m, Coimin na gCnamh at 891,
and Brandon Peak at 840. There are several main routes up the mountain, two of
them very well travelled. The main tourist route would be from the West
from An Baile Breac (Ballybrack). This takes the climber up a gentle slope to
the summit and is little more than a nice walk, although sometimes high wind
coming up off the Atlantic can cause problems.The serious hiker might
approach from the North, leaving the Dingle Way and walking over the full ridge,
starting with Piaras Mor (748m). I have never walked this route so cannot
village of Cloghan, or if you prefer there is a car park further up at An
Fhaiche. This route includes quite a steep incline involving some hands and
knees scrambling to reach the top and is not recommended for casual walkers. If
you continue the route to take in Brandon Peak it involves walking along the
knife-edge Ridge, with quite impressive drops away on both sides.
Mount Brandon
