Benlevy [Mount Gable]

Rising between the vast waters of Lough Mask and Lough Corrib, this prominent Marilyn sits on the eastern edge of the Maumturks. The grassy, accessible height offers an exceptional vantage point over the Joyce Country, providing a grand introduction to the Connemara landscape without the technicality of the higher peaks.

• •The Irish name Binn Shléibhe translates as 'peak of the mountain', though it is more commonly known locally as Mount Gable due to the triangular silhouette it presents when viewed from the east.
• •The summit offers a unique perspective on the geography of the west of Ireland, situated on the narrow strip of land that prevents the waters of Lough Mask from draining directly into Lough Corrib.
• •The panoramic view from the top includes the jagged silhouettes of the Maumturks and the Twelve Bens to the west, contrasted with the flat limestone plains of County Mayo to the east.
• •While modest in height, its classification as a Marilyn highlights its topographical isolation; it is the highest point for several miles in any direction.
• •Calling it a 'Gable' suggests a certain level of domestic sturdiness, but the summit is entirely featureless and offers no more protection from a Connemara gale than a wet paper map.