Mullaghanattin

About Mullaghanattin

Dominating the rugged heart of the Dunkerron Mountains, this pyramid-shaped peak is often called the 'Matterhorn of Kerry'. Its steep, rocky slopes and sharp profile offer a wilder, more alpine feel than the surrounding boggy moorland, providing a commanding position overlooking the dramatic breach of the Ballaghbeama Pass.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Mullaghanattin comes from the Irish 'Mullach an Aitinn', which translates as the 'summit of the gorse'. While the rocky upper reaches are too high for the shrub, the lower slopes of the Iveragh interior are notoriously thick with the hardy, yellow-flowered bushes.
• •From the summit, the view north across the Black Valley offers one of the finest perspectives of the entire MacGillycuddy’s Reeks ridge, with the jagged outlines of Carrauntoohil and Beenkeragh clearly visible across the deep glacial trough.
• •The mountain is defined by its eastern face, known as 'The Pocket', a massive glacial corrie whose steep walls drop sharply away from the summit, creating the hill's famous pointed silhouette when viewed from the road to the east.
• •Despite being a Hewitt and a Marilyn, its remote location in the centre of the peninsula means it sees a fraction of the footfall found on the more famous peaks to the north, preserving a sense of genuine isolation and quiet.
• •While frequently referred to as the 'Matterhorn of Kerry' due to its pointed shape, any walker expecting Swiss-style infrastructure will be swiftly corrected by the traditional, pathless Kerry bog that guards the approach.