Hill: Lugnaquillia
Date: Saturday 23rd August 2014
Company: Myself, John and Derrick
Distance: 14.6km, Ascent: 855m
Time: 4Hrs 10Mins

Yesterday morning myself, John and Derrick set off on a long car journey to Ireland. From home we travelled to Cairnryan before taking the Stena Line ferry across to Belfast. From Belfast we then travelled down to Wicklow (via Dublin) arriving in Wicklow some 15 hours after setting off from home. All this travel yesterday meant this morning we only had to travel a few miles to reach Glenmalure for an ascent of Lugnaquillia. Thanks to John for driving.

The 3000ft hills in Scotland are known as the Munros. Outwith Scotland, the 3000ft hills in England, Wales and Ireland are collectively known as the Furths. There are 13 Furths in Ireland of which Lugnaquillia is one.

There are several commonly used routes up Lugnaquillia. We opted to go in from Glenmalure.

Route undertaken:


From the large car park in Glenmalure, we set off walking along the road leading to the Youth Hostel. At the start of the walk there is a large memorial.

Memorial at start of walk in Glenmalure:


Walking towards the Glenmalure Youth Hostel:


Glenmalure Youth Hostel:


Beyond the Youth Hostel we continued a short distance further along the track. On reaching the track junction, we initially took the wrong track but within a hundred metres or so recognised our error and doubled-back onto the correct track.

The ascent up Fraughan Glen was really nice. The toposcopey of the glen reminded me of Glen Clova but the rock reminded me of Arran.

Ascending Fraughan Glen:


Looking back along Fraughan Glen:


On reaching the waterslides, we followed a narrow path on the right hand side of the waterfall to eventually reach a flat section of ground above the waterfall.

Waterslides:


Looking back to Fraughan Glen:


The forecast for today was fairly good. Unfortunately visibility was not as the cloud level was sitting around 750m.

Lugnaquillia:


We followed a grassy track round to the start of the North ridge of Lugnaquillia which we then followed to the summit.

Derrick:


A short distance from the summit, we passed an area known as North Prison. I am not sure why it is called this.

North Prison:


On reaching the summit we took a few photos and then decided to return via the same route. Had the visibility been better we would have undertaken a circuit.

Summit of Lugnaquillia:


Looking towards peat hags on Benleagh:


Descent towards Fraughan Glen:


Looking back to Lugnaquillia:


Waterslides:


During the descent, I spotted a couple of climbers on the Benleagh crag. We also met numerous walkers ascending as we were descending. Lugnaquillia is a popular hill.

Climbers on Benleagh crag:


Looking back to waterslides:


Photo from footbridge at Baravore:


On getting back to the car we travelled from Wicklow to Killarney. Hopefully more Irish Furths to follow .