Cnoc na dTarbh

About Cnoc na dTarbh

Occupying the eastern tail of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, this rugged sandstone peak offers a quieter alternative to the range’s crowded 1,000-metre giants. It serves as a steep, heathery sentinel overlooking the Gap of Dunloe, providing an excellent profile view of the jagged arêtes leading toward the central Reeks and Carrauntoohil.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Cnoc na dTarbh translates from Irish as 'Hill of the Bulls.' It is a linguistic remnant of the ancient practice of booleying, where livestock were moved to high summer pastures; 'tarbh' specifically denotes the strength and breeding stock often associated with these rugged grazing lands.
• •Standing on the summit, you have a grandstand view across the deep glacial notch of the Gap of Dunloe to the Purple Mountain massif, while to the west, the ridge rises sharply toward the formidable spikes of The Big Gun and Cruach Mhór.
• •Rising to 657 metres, it is classified as a Hewitt, making it one of the few peaks in the Republic of Ireland to meet the criteria of being over 2,000 feet with at least a 30-metre drop on all sides.
• •Most walkers encounter this peak during the full Macgillycuddy's Reeks Ridge Walk, where it marks the transition from the lower eastern hills into the high, narrow arêtes that define Ireland's loftiest mountain range.
• •Given the name 'Hill of the Bulls,' visitors may be disappointed to find the summit largely occupied by the usual Kerry residents—wind-blown heather and sheep that look entirely unimpressed by the 600-metre drop into the Hags' Glen.