Rathgormack Ramblers Archives: Ireland`s Highest Mountains

In 1891 Hugh Munro listed Scotland` s highest mountains above 3,000 feet (915 metres). For a peak to be included there had to be more than 50 feet (15 metres) height gain between it and the nearest adjacent higher peak. These mountains became known as Munros.

Ireland has just 14 Munros. As you can see, all but three are on the McGillycuddys Reeks in Kerry.

1. Carrauntohil 1039 m                     8. Cnoc an Chuilinn 958 m
2. Beenkeragh 1010 m                      9. Mt. Brandon 952 m
3. Caher East Top 1001 m               10. The Big Gun 939 m
4. Cnoc na Péiste 988 m                  11. Cruach Mhór 932 m
5. Caher West Top 975 m                12. Cumeenmore Mt 926 m
6. Maolán Buí 973 m                        13. Lugnaquilla 925 m
7. Carrauntoohil Tooth? 959 m         14. Galtymore 919 m

Then, in the 1930s (just to confuse things?!) along came John Corbett who listed Britain`s mountains between 2,500 and 3,000 feet (762 metres to 915 metres). Needless to say these mountains became known as Corbetts. For a peak to be included there had to be a height gain of at least 500 feet (152 metres) between it and the nearest adjacent higher peak. The greater height gain differential involved in categorising Corbetts means that some significant mountains do not make the list e.g. Carrignabinnia 825 metres on the Galtees and Currahmore Mountain on the McGillycuddys Reeks!
Ireland has 28 Corbetts with 11 in Kerry, 5 in Mayo, 3 in Wicklow, 2 each in Tipperary, Waterford, Limerick and Down, with 1 in Carlow. Here is the full list.

Kerry                                                                         Mayo
1. Brandon North Top 891 m                       17. Croagh Patrick 764 m
2. Brandon Peak 840 m                              18. Mweelrea 814 m
3. Másatiompán 763 m                               19. Ben Lugmore 803 m
4. Baurtragaum 851 m                                20. Nephin 806 m
5. Beenoskee 826 m                                   21. Sheefrys West 772 m
6. Purple Mountain 832 m
7. Knockbrinnia 854 m                                            Waterford
8. Mangerton 839 m                                   22. Knockmealdown 794 m
9. Stumpa Dulaigh 784 m                            23. Comeraghs792 m
10. Mullaghanattin 773 m
11. Coomacarrea 772 m                                          Tipperary
                                                                 24. Galtybeg 799 m
Wicklow                                                     25. Greenane 802 m
12. Mullaghcleevaun 849 m
13. Tonelagee 817 m                                                Limerick
14. Cloghernagh 800 m                               26. Lyrecappul 825 m
                                                                 27. Temple Hill 785 m
Down
15. Slieve Donard 850 m                                          Carlow
16. Commedagh 767 m                               28. Mount Leinster 795 m

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Coumduala

This coum is probably one of the Comeraghs` least known and least visited coums. Like many Comeragh places its name is gaelic in origin – “Com Dubh Fhalla” – the hollow of the black wall. Coumduala lies at about 468 metres elevation on the south-eastern flanks of Knockanaffrin Ridge, just over one kilometre north of the Gap. It has the typical cliff-edged back and side walls of a once ice-occupied mountain hollow. The hollow/coum is home to a fine lake and its eastern flank has one of the best examples of an impounding end moraine in the Comeraghs.

Knockanaffrin Ridge offers us an insight into the vagaries of ice action. Its south-western flanks overlook the Nire Valley and have little evidence of erosion by ice. Its north-eastern flanks however have two fine coums – Lough Mohra and Lough Coumduala. The darker and colder north-easterly aspect it would seem was enough to guarantee long periods of ice action on this side of the ridge, culminating in the creation of two impressive coums.

The easiest way to access Coumduala is probably from an old farm yard at Curraheen – Grid Reference S 307154. Travel west along the R678 from Rathgormack. After about 3 kilometres, turn left/south towards the mountains at Clondonnell Cross. A further 3 kilometres brings you to the farm yard. This is the trailhead for a couple of way-marked walks. One of these is a 2 hour/5 kilometre out-and-back walk to Coumduala. Follow the way markers down an old boreen, across a couple of fields and stiles to the open mountain. The “saddle on the horse`s back” to your left is the Gap. You must travel right or west and uphill from here however - towards the dark hole in the ridge.

We are talking about one of the Comeraghs` loneliest coums. You are unlikely to meet another soul should you seek it out. In summer you may hear the cuckoo. In winter the coum is dark and brooding and living up to its name. In wet weather small cascades may be encountered as you follow the headwaters of the Clodiagh into the coum. Spot the mountain ash growing up through the huge erratic boulders transported down slope by ice. You negotiate two recessional moraines before you eventually have to climb over the lip or end moraine holding in the lake. A sheep path on the other side of the outlet stream leads across the mountainside to the Gap if you feel like exploring further. Go on – discover this lovely place.