Maolan Bui

About Maolan Bui

Occupying a central position on the main Macgillycuddy’s Reeks ridge, this high summit is characterised by its distinctive narrow north-west spur, known as The Bone. It offers a rugged, high-altitude experience, serving as a vital link between Cnoc na Péiste and Cnoc an Chuillinn for those traversing Ireland's loftiest mountain range.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Maolán Buí translates from Irish as 'yellow round knoll,' likely referring to the colour of the sun-bleached grasses or specific lichens that coat its high slopes in late summer, contrasting with the dark rock of the surrounding Reeks.
• •To the northwest lies 'The Bone,' a narrow, rocky arête that offers one of the most direct and exhilarating scrambling routes into the heart of the range from the floor of the Hag’s Glen.
• •From the summit, the view looking east is dominated by the intimidatingly steep, dark crags of Cnoc na Péiste, while the deep basin containing Cummeenoughter—Ireland's highest lake—sits nestled far below.
• •Locally, the peak is sometimes referred to as Bearna Rua, meaning 'Red Gap,' a name that likely describes the distinctive notch or pass on its eastern side near the col with Cnoc na Péiste.
• •Despite being named the 'Golden Knoll,' hikers are more likely to find it a uniform shade of slate-grey, given that the Reeks spend a significant portion of the year wrapped in Atlantic cloud.