Shannavara

Sitting as a lonely outpost southwest of the main Maumturk range, this rugged Marilyn offers a quieter alternative to Connemara’s more famous peaks. The ascent from near Maam Cross involves crossing boggy lower slopes to reach a summit providing clear, unobstructed views over Lough Shindilla and the distant Twelve Bens.

• •Its name comes from the Irish Seanadh Mheará. While 'Seanadh' generally translates to an assembly or synod, in a landscape context it can denote a specific type of ridge or old meeting ground, with 'Mheará' likely being a descriptive or personal qualifier.
• •Because it sits apart from the main Maumturk spine, the summit provides a unique perspective on the Glencoaghan Horseshoe in the Twelve Bens, particularly the pyramid of Derryclare Mountain across the valley.
• •It qualifies as a Marilyn, meaning it has at least 150 metres of prominence on all sides, a status that marks it as a significant individual peak despite its relatively low total height.
• •It is one of the more accessible hills in the region for those based in Maam Cross, though the lack of a defined track means you’ll be testing your waterproofs against the local rushes and mosses long before you reach the summit cairn.