Ben Lugmore

About Ben Lugmore

Rising dramatically above the northern shores of Killary Harbour, this rugged sandstone giant is a highlight of the Mweelrea massif. Its sharp summit ridge and precipitous northern cliffs provide a distinctively alpine character, offering commanding views across the Sheeffry Hills and out towards the fragmented Atlantic coastline of County Mayo.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from the Irish Binn Log Mór, meaning the 'peak of the great hollow,' a reference to the vast glacial corrie carved into its northern face above the Doolough Pass.
• •It is the second-highest point in the Mweelrea Mountains and is frequently climbed as part of a high-level traverse connecting it to its loftier neighbor, Mweelrea, via the narrow Ben Bury col.
• •The summit offers a spectacular perspective of Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only true fjord, and the sharp silhouettes of the Twelve Bens and Maumturks across the Galway border.
• •The northern side of the mountain is home to the Ben Lugmore Cliffs, some of the highest inland cliffs in Ireland, which provide challenging terrain for rock climbers and rare winter ice routes.
• •Navigating the 'Ramp' on the northern approach requires a head for heights and a steady foot; in typical Mayo weather, the local combination of steep grass and Atlantic rain essentially transforms the hillside into a very high-stakes waterslide.