Arderin [Ard Eireann]

About Arderin [Ard Eireann]

Marking the border between Laois and Offaly, this peaty summit is the highest point in the Slieve Bloom Mountains. While modest in height, its position in the flat heart of Ireland makes it a prominent landmark. The approach from Glendine Gap across boggy ground leads to a simple, weather-beaten trig pillar.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Arderin is an anglicisation of the Irish Ard Éireann, meaning 'Ireland's Height.' This reflects its central position, which was historically believed to provide a vantage point over the entire island.
• •It serves as the county top for both Laois and Offaly, making it a dual-peak for those attempting to visit the highest points of every Irish county.
• •The ascent from the Glendine Gap is relatively short, as the road pass itself sits at 450 metres, leaving less than 80 metres of vertical climbing to reach the summit.
• •On a clear day, the views extend beyond the Slieve Blooms to the distant Galtee Mountains in the south and the peaks of the Wicklow Mountains to the east.
• •Despite its name suggesting grand alpine stature, Arderin is best known by local walkers for its 'boot-sucking' peat hags and a summit that often feels more like a saturated plateau than a mountain peak.