Gearhane

About Gearhane

Occupying a commanding position on the southern end of the Brandon massif, this steep-sided peak serves as the gateway to one of Ireland’s finest ridge walks. Its broad, grassy summit offers a rugged introduction to the high ground, providing spectacular views across the glaciated valley of Com Dhine towards the Atlantic coast.

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Did You Know?

• •The name comes from the Irish 'An Ghéarán', which translates to 'the sharp point' or 'the fang', a reference to the mountain's prominent profile when viewed from the lowlands of the Dingle Peninsula.
• •Gearhane is most frequently climbed as the first major milestone of the Brandon Horseshoe, a strenuous high-level circuit that traverses the spectacular rim above the Pater Noster lakes.
• •The summit offers a bird's-eye view of the Connor Pass to the south, while to the northeast, the jagged outlines of the Magharee Islands can be seen scattered across the mouth of Brandon Bay.
• •The mountain's eastern face drops away into the dramatic glacial corrie of Com Dhine, where a series of small lakes are arranged in a 'Pater Noster' formation, appearing like beads on a rosary string from above.
• •At over 800 metres, it is a significant mountain in its own right, yet it is often treated by locals as a mere warm-up act for the long, airy scramble toward Mount Brandon.