An Bheann Mhor

About An Bheann Mhor

Rising prominently above the wild Dunkerron Mountains on the Iveragh Peninsula, this rugged Hewitt offers a true sense of Kerry's Atlantic isolation. Its steep, often boggy slopes guard a rocky summit plateau, providing an uncrowded alternative to the busier Reeks further north. The terrain is demanding but rewards with pure wilderness character.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name An Bheann Mhór is Irish for 'The Big Mountain'. While a common descriptive name across the Gaelic-speaking world, here it serves to distinguish this bulky peak from the numerous lower foothills that define the southern Iveragh landscape.
• •The summit is frequently bagged as part of a long, trackless circuit known as the Dunkerron Horseshoe, which typically includes the neighbouring Matterhorn-like peak of Mullaghanattin to the west.
• •From the top, the view north across the deep glacial trench of the Ballaghbeama Pass is spectacular, offering a clear perspective of the entire MacGillycuddy's Reeks range including the jagged Hag’s Tooth.
• •This hill sits on a significant watershed; rainfall on its northern slopes eventually finds its way into the River Caragh, while southern drainage flows down towards the Kenmare River and the Atlantic.
• •Despite being named 'The Big Mountain', on a typical Kerry day, the peak is more frequently experienced as a very large, very damp cloud that happens to contain a few rocks.