Leenane Hill

The walk is number 12 in Paddy Dillon, Collins Rambler's Guide: Connemara, HarperCollins, 2001.

David Herman, Hill Walkers Atlantic Ireland, Shanksmare Publications, 1999 has a longer variation.

I followed the Dillon route exactly, i.e. I started in Leenane village, headed along the Western Way for about a mile and a half and then ascended along the Laghyfahaghaun River to the first summit (556-m. 862 604).

It was then a simple matter to follow (roughly) the fence around the broad sweep towards Leenane Hill (618-m.). This is where I had to stop and retreat on 2004-08-29 when the weather came down. I had mistook a bog pool 40-m. away for a lake in the valley 600-m. below.

For the descent back down to Leenane, I figure David Herman's minor variation might be better (veer west at about 878 602 towards old track). The direct descent north along the first ridge is rather steep.

The walk (2005-05-09) took about four hours. The weather was ideal; temperature about 10--12 degrees; bright sunshine most of the way; north west wind about force 3--4. Cuckoo heard in trees just behind Leenane.

The pictures


On the ascent (about 858 605) facing north back along the line of ascent. The edge of Ben Gorm in the right foreground; Sheeffry Hills, in shadow, beyond that. Mweelrea Mountains in background.
Mweelrea with Killary Harbour just showing.
Lough Fee and Kylemore Lough. Lough Nacarrigeen just before Kylmore Lough; Diamond Hill (Letterfrack) and northerly Twelve Pins to the left.

South west taking in more Twelve Pins.
Mweelrea.
Rock fall facing along the fence on the broad sweep around towards Leenane Hill.

Leenane village and the upper reaches of Killary Harbour. Devil's Mother to the right; north-west foothills of Ben Gorm to the left.
Facine east towards Lough Nafooey (just visible).
Glenglosh River / Bealanabrack River valley to the south west; Maumturkmore (beginning of Maumturks) in shadow; Twelve Pins beyond.

L. Nafooey with (what is that mountain called?) behind it and then Lough Mask.
Leenane Hill; cairn with Twelve Pins in the background.
Leenane Hill; Kylemore Lough and Diamond Hill away in the distance; Twelve Pins to the left.

Leenane, Killary Harbour and Ben Gorm in the background.
North west towards Westport; Erris River.
North Doo Lough just visible.

Leenane, Killary Harbour and Ben Gorm in the background.

Some pictures at ground level


Dogs in shop window.
Letterbreckaun (Maumturks) from R344 -- road via L. Inagh.
Gleninagh valley to south west with Benbaun to right of gap and Maumina to left.

Benncorrbeg and Bencorr looking across Lough Inagh.
Lough Inagh valley.
From Leenane Hotel, Mweelrea in view.

Leenane Hotel with Leenane Hill behind.
This page is http://www.jgcampbell.com/hillw/leenane/index.html; last modified 2005-05-22.
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