Brandon Hill

Rising steeply above the River Barrow and the town of Graiguenamanagh, this is the highest point in County Kilkenny. It offers a rewarding ascent, following the South Leinster Way through forestry and open heath to a summit marked by a significant stone cross and an ancient burial cairn.

• •Known in Irish as Cnoc Bhréanail, the name is a local derivation of Brendan’s Hill, traditionally associated with Saint Brendan the Navigator.
• •The summit is marked by a large stone cross erected in 1950 to commemorate the Holy Year, standing alongside the remains of a prehistoric burial cairn.
• •The 100km South Leinster Way long-distance trail traverses the hill, providing a well-marked route for walkers travelling through the Barrow Valley.
• •From the top, the view is dominated by the long, whale-backed ridge of the Blackstairs Mountains to the east and the deep, wooded trench of the River Barrow snaking southwards.
• •While it holds the title of Kilkenny’s highest peak, its scale is modest enough that the most strenuous part of the day is often deciding which pub to visit in Graiguenamanagh upon your return.