Cooneen Hill [Cnoc an Chuainin]

Rising above the village of Templederry in North Tipperary, this unassuming Marilyn marks the northern fringes of the Silvermine Mountains. The ascent provides a quiet alternative to the more popular Keeper Hill, rewarding walkers with clear perspectives over the Nenagh river valley and the expansive waters of Lough Derg.

• •The Irish name Cnoc an Chuainín translates as 'hill of the little hollow.' This likely refers to the sheltered, bowl-like depressions found around its lower slopes, a common naming convention in the rolling topography of inland Tipperary.
• •From the 467m summit, walkers can look directly west toward the Arra Mountains and southwest to the massive, flat-topped bulk of Keeper Hill (Sliabh Kimalta), the highest point in the region.
• •The hill is situated within the Silvermine mountain complex, an area historically significant for its lead, zinc, and silver mines, though Cooneen Hill itself remains defined by its rough grazing and heathland.
• •While its status as a Marilyn guarantees a certain level of topographical isolation, the hill’s rounded profile is so understated that you may find yourself reaching the summit cairn without ever quite noticing the climb.