Croaghmoyle [An Chruach Mhaol]

Rising above the shores of Lough Conn, this rounded Mayo hill is defined by the service road leading to its mast-topped summit. While the infrastructure is prominent, the ascent offers a quiet gateway to the Nephin Begs, providing expansive views over the intricate islands of Lough Cullin and the massif of Nephin itself.

• •The name derives from the Irish An Chruach Mhaol, where 'cruach' refers to a conical heap or stack and 'maol' signifies a bald or rounded top, accurately describing its heather-clad, treeless profile.
• •Its position offers a unique vantage point over the 'great lakes' of Mayo; to the north lies the vast expanse of Lough Conn, while the smaller, island-studded Lough Cullin sits immediately to the east.
• •As a Marilyn—a hill with at least 150 metres of prominence—it stands as a significant individual landmark, separated from the higher Nephin Beg peaks by the low-lying bogland of the Addergoole river valley.
• •The presence of significant telecommunications infrastructure at the summit means there is a service road for much of the way, providing a rare opportunity for a high-altitude stroll on a solid surface in a county famous for its peat bogs.
• •It serves as a functional litmus test for the local weather; if the summit masts are swallowed by cloud, it is a reliable sign that the heavier Nephin Begs to the west are completely impassable.