Keadeen Mountain

Standing as the south-western outpost of the Wicklow Mountains, this broad, heather-clad dome offers a quieter alternative to its more famous neighbours. The ascent rewards walkers with an intimate view into the Glen of Imaal and a grand perspective of Lugnaquilla’s massive western cliffs across the valley.

• •The name derives from the Irish Céidín, meaning 'little hill' or 'small plateau', which accurately describes the mountain’s relatively flat and expansive summit area.
• •Positioned on the fringe of the range, the summit offers a striking visual contrast between the rugged granite uplands to the east and the fertile, low-lying limestone plains of Carlow and Kildare to the west.
• •The mountain overlooks the Glen of Imaal, the Irish Army’s primary artillery range; walkers can frequently hear the sound of live-fire exercises echoing against the mountain’s southern slopes during the week.
• •Many walkers combine a climb of Keadeen with a visit to the nearby Dwyer-McAllister Cottage in Derrynamuck, a site of significant historical importance relating to the 1798 Rebellion.
• •Despite its status as a Hewitt and a Marilyn, Keadeen is often relegated to the role of a scenic balcony, used primarily by locals to check if the weather on Lugnaquilla is worth the bother.