The Paps East [An Da Chich Anann (An Chioch Thoir)]

About The Paps East [An Da Chich Anann (An Chioch Thoir)]

Dominating the skyline between Killarney and Mallow, this Hewitt is the eastern half of one of Ireland's most iconic hill pairings. The climb through rough, often sodden ground leads to a summit crowned by a massive prehistoric cairn, offering sharp views across the Derrynasaggart Mountains towards the higher peaks of Kerry.

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Did You Know?

• •The Irish name An Dá Chích Anann translates as 'The Two Breasts of Anu,' referring to the mother goddess of the Tuatha Dé Danann. This eastern peak is specifically An Chíoch Thoir.
• •The summit is topped by a remarkably well-preserved drystone cairn, believed to be a Neolithic or Bronze Age passage tomb, designed to complete the anatomical profile of the hill.
• •It is traditionally climbed in tandem with its western twin; the col between the two peaks served as an ancient mountain pass for those travelling between the kingdoms of Munster.
• •From the 694m summit, you can look directly west to see the jagged skyline of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks, with the distinct notches of the Gap of Dunloe clearly visible on a fine day.
• •Despite being one of the most recognisable landmarks in the southwest, the Paps have a local reputation for attracting 'soft weather' that can turn a clear navigational exercise into a damp game of hide-and-seek.