Ben Creggan

Situated in the rugged Mweelrea Mountains, this Hewitt overlooks the hauntingly beautiful Doolough Valley. It sits between the higher Ben Lugmore and the Atlantic coast, offering a quieter perspective of the massif. Expect a steep, grassy climb from the valley floor near Leenaun, leading to a summit with dramatic views over Killary Harbour.

• •The name derives from the Irish Binn an Chreagáin, meaning 'peak of the stony place', a reference to the patches of scree and shattered rock found on its upper slopes.
• •It forms an essential part of the Mweelrea horseshoe, connected to the neighbouring Ben Lugmore by a high col that offers some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the West of Ireland.
• •From the summit, the view south looks directly down the length of Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only true fjord, toward the serrated ridges of the Maumturk Mountains.
• •To the north, the hill falls away sharply toward the dark waters of Doo Lough, providing a striking aerial perspective of the narrow pass used by the road to Louisburgh.
• •It is a hill that rewards those who appreciate quiet; while crowds often head for the Mweelrea main summit, the top of Ben Creggan frequently offers complete solitude.