Knockanaskill [Cnoc na nEascal]

Rising above the northern shores of the Kenmare River, this rugged Marilyn offers a classic South Kerry mix of damp peat and rocky outcrops. Though modest in height, its isolated position on the Iveragh Peninsula provides an unobstructed vantage point over the Beara hills and the sprawling Atlantic coastline.

• •The name Cnoc na nEascal is derived from the Irish for 'Hill of the Storms' or 'Hill of the Wind-blasts', a fitting title for a peak exposed to the prevailing south-westerlies coming off the Atlantic.
• •From the summit, walkers gain a commanding view south across the Kenmare River—actually a long sea bay—to the rugged spine of the Caha Mountains on the Beara Peninsula.
• •Its status as a Marilyn, a hill with at least 150 metres of topographical prominence, ensures that the climb feels more substantial than the 356-metre elevation might initially suggest.
• •Like many hills in Kerry, the local sheep often appear more familiar with the optimal lines through the peat hags than any human guidebook author.