Nephin Beg [Neifinn Bheag]

About Nephin Beg [Neifinn Bheag]

Situated in the heart of Ireland's most remote wilderness, this rugged peak offers a true sense of isolation. Expect heavy, pathless bog on the approach from the Bangor Trail. The summit provides a clear perspective across the vast Scardaun Lough towards the serrated ridge of Slieve Carr to the north.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name Nephin Beg is a translation of the Irish Néifinn Bheag, meaning 'Little Nephin'. It is named in relation to the taller Nephin to the east, despite several other peaks standing between the two. Locally, it is also known as Corr na gCapall, or 'pointed hill of the horses'.
• •The mountain sits within the Wild Nephin National Park, one of the largest expanses of Atlantic blanket bog in Europe. Because there are no roads nearby, the approach usually involves a long trek along the Bangor Trail, an ancient and often saturated drover route.
• •From the summit, the view south looks over the hundreds of drumlin islands in Clew Bay towards the pyramid of Croagh Patrick. To the west, the landscape opens up across the Owenduff bog towards the cliffs of Slievemore on Achill Island.
• •The area is part of Mayo's Dark Sky Park, one of the few places in Ireland with a Gold Tier designation. The lack of artificial light in this valley is so absolute that the Andromeda Galaxy can be seen with the naked eye on clear nights.
• •The 'Little' in its name is an exercise in relative scale; while smaller than its famous neighbour, the miles of ankle-deep peat and heather required to reach it make Nephin Beg feel considerably larger than its 627 metres suggest.