Tully Mountain Tully mountain has long been a favourite for many for hill walking, standing at 1,172 ft, it is a nice challenge for the amateur hill walker and a doddle for the enthusiast, when climbing the mountain it is important to note that suitable footwear & clothing should be worn at all times, as the weather can change suddenly and become very cold near the top, and also that there are parts where the land is very wet, mucky and marshy, so care should be taken, we recommend bringing a hiking stick. We would ask that you also not leave behind any plastic or paper or litter of any kind. The top of the mountain offers majestic views in 360* Renvyle Peninsula is beautifully clear along with the surrounding islands to the west, the 12 Bens of Connemara to the east, Ballinakill and Derryinver Bay to the south and county Mayo, Croagh Patrick and Mweel reidh, Irelands 2nd largest mountain, (815m) to the north. Tully mountain is usually climbed from the north eastern side as this is probably the easiest route, from the top of the steep hill coming from Derryinver/ Letterfrack road side. There are 3 lakes to be found near the top of the mountain in separate locations, at the peak there is a stone mound with a metal plate embedded in it, this was said to perhaps be a flight-path locator for planes on route to the United States, but is no longer in use or perhaps has never been of use. The views from the peak of Tully Mountain / Letter Hill are only fabulous and if you manage to get a good clear day for the climb you are guaranteed some excellent photography, bring your camera!
Diamond Hill Diamond Hill in Letterfrack standing at 1460 ft, the path up this hill is currently under re construction to make the climb more accessible, safer and easier. Diamond Hill is sited in the Connemara National Park Cregg Mountain
At Bannoges standing at 967 ft. Doughrouagh Mountain Past Kylemore standing at 1736 ft. Mountain behind Kylemore Abbey: There is a holy statue visible from the road approximately half way up, this is a nice climb, even to the statue and if you manage the whole mountain then you are guaranteed some great views overlooking Kylemore Abbey Castle , the gardens & the lakes.
The Twelve Bens & The Maam Turk Mountains : Mountain Ranges: Geologically the 12 Bens and Maam Turks are formed from Pre-Cambrian quartzite's (600 million years ago), and the surrounding lowlands of schist's from which the overlying quartzite's have been eroded, these latter have intrusions of white quartzite, blue limestone bands and Connemara marble metamorphosed from ancient dolomite limestone. The lower hills of the north east Maam Turks on the south coast of the Killary, are mainly sedimentary (400 - 600 million years ago) Sandstone, mudstone, shales and conglomerates make up the Silurian deposits which rest on the Connemara schists running south from Killary to beyond the eastern boundary of the parish. An overwhelming factor in the moulding of the scenery we see today was the work of the Pleistocene ice-sheets which covered most of the west of Ireland over a million years ago. Centered on the highest peaks of Connemara and Mayo the ice plucked out the rock-bound corries that grace their eastern and northern faces today. The glaciers polished the slopes of the hard quartzite peaks, ground down the less resistant granite hills and gouged valleys out of the softer schist's and slates.
Muckanaght
Muckanaght (657m), meaning "Hill of Pigs" the most inaccessible, where from the summit there is an all round view of Connemara, Benfree (610m), Benbaun meaning "White Mountain", is Galway's highest mountain (730m), Knocknahillion (577m), Diamond Hill (453m), Letterbreckaun (641m), Maamturkmore (468m), Gleniska (362m), Bencraff (553m), An unnamed (573m), unnamed (581m), Benchoona, Garraun, Altnagaighera and Doughruagh.
Park the car at the Teach Ceoil (House of Music) on the west side of Tully village. Walk to the centre of the village and turn left on to the Quay Road beside Renvyle Stores. As you walk towards the sea directly in front on the other side of the bay is Mweelrea mountain (meaning the Bald King) which is the highest mountain in Connacht 2616 feet / 800m.
Beneath Mweelrea is the mouth of Killary Harbour one of the few natural Fjords in Ireland. Slightly to the left is Croagh Patrick where St. Patrick spent 40 days and nights in prayer. There is an annual Pilgrimage to the top of Croagh Patrick on the last Sunday in July each year. On a fine day you can see the little church on the summit. Left of Croagh Patrick is Clare Island, once the base of the 16th century Pirate Queen, Grace O’ Malley (or Granuaile).
On a clear day the jagged rocks of Achill Island, Ireland’s largest island, are visible and just west of Achill is the island of Inishturk still inhabited by 17 families. When you reach the seashore you cross a little stream to reach Tra na mBan (the Women’s Beach). Returning to the road, or what remains of it after winter storms, you make your way to Gurteen Quay from where the summer months. The road takes you through the now sparsely but once thickly populated village of Gurteen for about half a mile. In from some of the Twelve Bens of Connemara can be seen. You turn right and head back towards Tully Village, which dates back to c.1827. At the back of Tully Village is Tully Mountain and west of the Old Coastguard Station now developed as holiday homes. You return through the village of Tully to the Teach Cheoil.
The first part of the walk is in fact as walk one, except that near Tully mountain a road joins from the right about 2 miles (3km) out. Turn right onto this road, and you will now be heading westward along a nice quiet valley with Tully Mountain on your left. Soon after, you descend to a T-junction with a little bridge, keep left here, and go along a narrow little road with quite a few houses.
When you come to the next T-junction with a stream coming down from the left, you route is right (north) towards the sea, but you can detour straight ahead (west) and return to this T-junction. The road heading north winds a few times taking you past the ruins of the church of the Seven Sisters and brings you to Renvyle Castle on your left, and you can look around here. The route home is simply along the sea, moving onto the pebble beach and back to Renvyle House Hotel via the golf course. The attraction of this walk is a nice mix of things to see, in a ramble that has no difficulties really.
There are two different suggestions here, the second being easier than the first.
From the North Side
Leave Renvyle Hotel and turn right at the gate, turning left onto a side road by a grassy patch, (A), after 400 metres. Stay on this road, ignoring a left turn after a few hundred metres and a narrower lane on the right after a few hundred more (c). Stay heading south until nearly at the mountain, where a road comes in from the right, and there is a cottage on your left (d). Turn right onto this road and walk a short distance to the second metal gate on the left (e). Pick your way cross the turf cuttings and up you go. The going is steep, and keeping gradually left (east) may help.
When you have reached the summit, you can decide on several routes home, back down to the gate and home by the road you walked up, which is about 2.5 miles (4km) or around the longer way along a narrow valley, with grand sea views as you head back across the beach at Renvyle. The point of entry from the road to the beach (g) is obvious. This ways is about 3.5 miles (6km) home. Finally, you could
consider a ridge walk along the mountain, to get down eventually to the valley road at (f)
From the South East
This goes from the bottom of the ridge at (h), near where the road to Derryinver starts near the pier. Being that much further from the Hotel, you may wish to drive to this spot (about 5 miles/8km from the Renvyle House Hotel). The climb is easier here, and you can return the same way. Take as much time as you want, but 2 hours should easily cover the up and down part (h to top to h).
Walk from the Connemara West Centre main drive. Cross the road to the right and turn left past Veldons Bar on the road to Tullycross and Renvyle. The road sweeps to the right around a large house which was once Cassons Hotel where Marconi stayed in 1912 during the building of his trans-atlantic receiving station nearby.
At the second yellow water pump turn left. After about 100 yards you have one of the best vantage points on the walk. Behind you is the Diamond Mountain and Kylemore Valley. Ahead you can see Ballinakill Harbour with the island of Inishbofin, still inhabited, in the distance and Tully Mountain to your right.
The road now takes you to Dawros Beg and the best walk is to continue on this road with the south shore to your left, where you can see on your left, near once housed the lobster storage ponds of the East Atlantic Company which traded in the early part of this century.
The Distance from the Tullycross / Letterfrack road to the end of this track is about 2½ km so retrace your steps when you feel that you have walked half as far as you wish.
Drive from Connemara West Centre, turn left and take the road to Clifden. Within a half mile, you will see Barnaderg Bay on your right, with a small jetty and old fishing boats. Behind that you can see the Rosleague Manor Hotel. A few hundred yards further on you pass the Hotel entrance on your right an on the next right-hand bend, next to a yellow ‘no dumping’ sign, you turn left. The road from here is potted and bumpy, but taken slowly should present no problems. After about two miles you will see on your right the buildings of the disused marble workings where the famous Connemara green marble was quarried. Park your car on the roadside anywhere in the area.
The road continues from here to the top of Cregg Hill which is a distance of about half a mile. It is best to walk this since manoeuvring space for vehicles at the top is limited.
You will be rewarded by the magnificent views. Below you North-East you will see the Lough Nahillion nestling high in the hills. To the North and North-West you will see views over Ballinakill Harbour to the offshore islands in the Atlantic. To the East vies of the Twelve Bens, Clifden lies to the South-West and to the South is the valley of the Owenglen River.
From the summit you are overlooking the Connemara boglands including the Roundstone Bog lying further south. Roundstone is an area of international scientific importance as one of the few remaining extensive boglands in Western Europe intact with its numerous lakes. The area is particularly renowned for the variety of heather which it hosts and it also provides a habitat for Greenland White Fronted Geese, all of which are protected species within the European Communities.
To the east, beyond the forestry, lies part of the lands of the Connemara National Park which is actively engaged in the conservation and protection of the flora, fauna and wildlife.
This walk starts at the Killary Harbour, site of the Youth Hostel which was once home to Ludwig
Wittgenstein
the philosopher. The Harbour itself usually features traditional currachs while the Killary Salmon fishery can be seen to the West. Follow the road inland form the harbour passing a few cottages at the foot of the cliff. The road rises and offers a fine view towards the head of Little Killary. Go through gate and cross small stream and follow a track uphill. The track leads to the top of the Salrock pass. It is said to have been created when the Devil tried to drag the St. Roc over the hills with a chain.
Geologists, however state that the pass lies along the line of an excavated fault in the bedrock. There are a series of small stone monuments which were used as resting places for coffins being brought from the village of Foher to the early monastic site and graveyard at Salrock.
The path crosses a rugged gap and descends with a wall and fence to the right, this is wet, boggy and slippery in places. The telegraph poles are now on the left. Cross a fence on the right at the corner of a wall, then go through a little iron gate. Turn right to follow a grassy path beside the wall, gradually drifting downhill to pass a cottage at Foher. You should see a number of ruined buildings on the slope, the old enclosures, remains of a once thriving 19th Century hamlet and additionally the long sea inlet of Killary Harbour. The long sea inlet of Killary Harbour is a true Fjord, being long and narrow, bounded by mountains and deeper along is length than at its mouth.
The inlet was scoured by several combined Connemara glaciers in the Ice Age. The rafts and barrels are used to hold salmon cages and mussel beds in place along the line of the sheltered inlet. The track which has been followed so far has been improved to service the fishery.
Drop down onto a lower grassy track and turn left walking beside a dry-stone wall, then there is a wall stile to cross. The track is well marked and has a stone banking to the right and a low cliff to the left. There is a short climb uphill, then the track is gently winding. You will see some plants, e.g. St. Patrick’s cabbage, liverworts, mosses and ferns in crevices along the cliff. Follow the old track until it rises to the corner of a dry stone wall. There are views of the mouth of the fjord. The wall guides the track inland from the sea, making it turn inland from the sea, making it turn left to descent to a cottage beside a road at Rosroe. Turn right to return to Killary Harbour Youth Hostel.
This walk begins in Leenane village walking on the Westport road and past Leenane Cultural Centre. On the left is Killary Harbour. Across the Killary Bengorm rises majestically while Letterbrickaun stands on the right. The parallel patterns seen on some of the steepest slopes of Bengorm are faint traces of old cultivation ridges. It is a long time since these were used, some perhaps dating to the time of the Great Famine of the 1840’s.
Our way descends towards the Glenagevla River and we cross the bridge before turning right. We follow the road into a sheltered valley, on the left is Binn Garbh or the Rough Summit (called the Devil’s Mother on most maps).
As we reach the turn in the road we see the entire valley is protected by a ridge running unbroken from Binn Garbh around to Letterbrickaun. This feature is typical of a glacial valley, scoured and scraped and deepened by the moving ice sheet, which had its origin at the head of the valley under the ridge. The road heads back along the river, through the village of Glanagevla (Gleann na nGeimhleach), or the valley of the prisoners, who or what was captive here is not known). Ahead we again see Bengorm with the Sheeffry Hills behind and to the east. We soon return to the bridge which was crossed earlier and, turning left, begin to retrace out steps towards Leenane.
High on the hillside large walled fields are clearly seen, telling of a past when Leenane was a great sheep centre. These huge pens were used to hold stock brought to the village for the great pattern fairs of the past. Away ahead, and to the right, the Western Way winds its route over the shoulder of the hill.
The start of this walk is on a minor road leading to Killary Harbour from the main n59 road. If a car is driven down the road it can be parked in any on of the small roadside spaces. Start the walk by following the first fence off to the right, which leads over a boggy rise to a small pool of water. Pass the pool, turn left and stop over a fence. A fairly level area of bog leads towards a small stream, which features a dry-stone embankment on one side. Note the purple moor grass and bog myrtle growing well in this area.
Start climbing along the broad crest of Binn Mhór. The ground is grassy, with rock outcrops, which are easily side stepped. There is a significant little rocky gap along the crest, which is best passed by keeping to the left. The rest of the ascent is fairly straightforward, though there is no trodden path on the way to the large summit cairn.
Walk further along the crest of Bin Mhór, away from the cairn then descend a grassy slope, stepping around any little rocky outcrops. Descend steeply towards a gap which may be boggy, then climb uphill, keeping to the left side of the next rise. A descent can be made diagonally leftwards down to an unfenced stretch of road between Lough Fee and Lough Muc.
Here you can see the circular stone-walled small fort, is now in a tumbled state and invaded by rushes. The occupants would have been able to observe anyone on the lower ground approaching from either Lough Fee or Lough Muc. Cashels of this type were usually inhabited by extended family groups and were quite common from the Iron Age to early Christian times.
Continue along the grass shore of Lough Muc, where there are some vague paths and are remains of a 19th Century deserted settlement with extensive cultivation ridges. There is a fine view back from the foot of Lough Muc, through the valley to the conical form of Binn Bhriocain in the Maum Turk Mountains. Follow the river flowing out of Loch Muc, then cross a wooden footbridge to reach the road once again.
Turn right along the road, passing the little white disused chapel and continuing along the shore of Lough Muc. The road continues through a gap between Binn Mhor and Binn Chuanna, to run alongside Lough Fee. There is the wooded promontory of Launroe to the right. Launroe is the Anglicised version of Oileann Rua, or the Red Island. A lodge was built out on the point in 1853 as a summer residence for Dr. William Wilde, on of Ireland’s foremost 19th Century doctors and antiquarians. His son, the playwright Oscar Wilde, stayed at the house and fished in Lough Fee in the years 1876-8. Then the road gradually drifts away from the shore of the Lough to return to the starting point.
You start at the little car park at Glassilaun Beach (a), reached by turning off the Tully Cross Road at the sign post about 4 miles from Tully Cross, and left again at a second sign post shortly later. Go through the gap beside the gate, steer right of the house and start enjoying the views of Little Killary and towering Mweelrea Mountain on your left (north). This part is an easy ramble, best taken at a leisurely stroll. Perhaps sit and enjoy the water’s edge and if the thought suits, a swim off the rocks.
You meet two fairly secure wire fences, which are easier to cross at the waters edge. Some of the going can be a bit damp, and take care if the flat rocks are wet.
Shortly you will see two old ruined cottages (b) ahead near a little headland. (THE next stage is harder going, so you might simply like to go back to the beach and stroll around there, particularly with children). When you see the houses, the ground near them and beyond on the headland is very soft, so veer right and start going upwards to the left around the hill. (Not straight up but diagonally around to the left), and you will gradually get above the line of trees and furze. Once here, enjoy the view down to the sea and woodland below you, continuing up and around the hill, and you will see an electricity pole and a house ahead to your right. Another row of poles heads due south, follow this line.
Be careful crossing a wire fence just here, the drop on the other side is a little high. Following the poles up for some 100 metres will bring you up to your little road (C) and the rest is plain sailing. Turn right (West) on the road, taking in the valley and scenery which is lovely.
The road drops (its surprising how much you have climbed in the previous stage!) down to the signpost right for Glassillaun. Go in here and then you can go left across the grass to the beach
The attractions of this walk are the contrast between the edge of Little Killary, the climb through shrubs up to the road, the quiet mountain road, and the golden beach at the end, where you can spend as much time as you like, before strolling back to your car.
Take a left at Kylemore Abbey car park along the N59 for 50 metres and bear right at the Connemara National Park notice. Walk down the track between the Rhododendron bushes, further along the pass the restored lime kiln and quarry. The path then rises steeply straight south east for cone of Benbawn. Follow the grass bank on your left, up to the iron bracket and summit cairn.
From here head south, dipping down then up the rock section to the cairn on the summit of Benbrack. Turn right to follow the rocky ridge past the little lake and on north west, down for ¾km to fence on saddle between Benbrack and Knockbrack. Go through the fence and bear right over rocks; then north down on grass into the valley keeping the Mweelin River on your right.
Cross style in fence at the bottom, then continue on left of the fence, towards Kylemore Abbey. Ford river where it runs under fence and continue on the left of fence, which bends right to a pair of stone gate posts. Turn left on stony track to reach the lime kiln, return to the N59 and bear left to Kylemore Abbey car park Notes:
The ascent at Benbaun is steep. Benbrack is rocky and descending into Mweelin Valley can be slippery.
The start of this walk is at the entrance to Derryclare wood. To get there drive towards Recess on the R344, and the wood entrance is on the right just over 4km from the Lough Inagh Lodge. There is a lone cottage opposite the wood entrance, and there is parking for several cars outside the wood gate.
This is a trio of winding walks along quiet forestry roads in a scenic wood, where the lake wraps around in unexpected places, with fine views up to Derryclare Mountain and some of its Twelve Bens brethren.
Go over the easy stile on the left of the wooden gate (A) and walk in along the forest road. The route descends to the very attractive spot where a double bridge (B) spans the short river linking Lough Inagh to Derryclare Lough. Continue over the bridge, and then you can make your own selection when you come to the first fork (C), about 1km start.
The map shows the path available to you and the out and back distance, from the entrance where you parked, for each option, is given below.
The Derryclare End. Take the left at the fork (C), and follow the road around past is disused quarry, as it swings south for another stretch and terminates at a clearing (D). On the way, there are good views left, where the forest has been cleared to Derryclare Lough and down to an oak forest at a nature reserve near the lakeside. Return the same way.
Return trip from entrance: 5km, 1.5 hours.
The Northern End. Go right at Fork (C), left upward at Fork (E), crossing a little bridge over very attractive mountain stream less than 1km later (F). The forest road then turns down right, then sharp left, before arriving at a clearing (G) with dramatic views up to Binn an Choire Bhig.
Return the same way. Return trip from entrance: 9km 2.5 hours.
A Peek at Lough Inagh. Right at fork (C), right downward at Fork (E), and follow down curving right, to a clearing (H). Just before the clearing, you can push left through a few trees to the side of Lough Inagh. Return the same way.
Return trip from entrance: 6km, 2 hours.
Start out from the Lough Inagh Lodge (A) walk left towards Recess and when you reach the little car park at the end of the wood (B), turn left up the hill, signed ‘Mamean’. Almost immediately the good vies begin, at first back towards Lough Inagh and then forward to the Maumturks. As you approach towering Cnoc na hUilleann, you reach (less than 1.5 km from the start) an obvious Western Way sign (C), and you leave the road to follow this sharp left, heading generally Northwest on the grassy way.
The way is mostly obvious, and there are a few gates and a few WW wooden posts to reassure you. You simply go along the valley with Binn Briochain and its quartzite ridges high above your right shoulder. Keep and eye out for a ruined homestead and a walled compound on your right. There are by now lovely views back down the valley, and across left to the Gleninagh, (Gleann Eidhneach, the Ivy Glen) flanked by Ben Baun and Ben Dubh. One particularly rocky outcrop just to the left of the Way, where a rusty-roofed house is visible below on your left, is a good spot to stop and survey all around. Beware of some final mucky patches just before the Way reaches a stony little road, which brings you down to a bridge across a babbling river (D).
Here the Western Way goes right, into a wood, but you stay on the little road as it goes down past a homestead to another secluded bridge. The next part of your route is very scenic, crossing westward along the to of the valley. Then the narrow road drops gently to bring you to the main valley road (E), where there are good views over towards Kylemore Lough. Your way home is to turn down left along the said valley road, where the Lough Inagh awaits, now about an hour’s walk away.
Outback Connemara offers the opportunity to experience Hillwalking in the wilderness of the West of Ireland and journey into the Twelve Bens, Maum Turks, Sheeffry Hills, Mweelrea Mountains, Killary Fjord, Kylemore and Leenane Mountains. A variety of low and high level walks are available to meet personal needs and levels of experience. Outback Connemara caters for both individuals and small groups are catered for . Full-day (6+ hours) and half-day (up to 4 hours)
