An Bheann Mhor [Derry Hill]

About An Bheann Mhor [Derry Hill]

Positioned on the southern fringe of the Iveragh Peninsula, this accessible Marilyn offers a rugged ascent typical of the Kerry coastline. Though modest in height, the summit serves as an exceptional grandstand for views across the Kenmare River toward the Beara Peninsula, providing a wilder, quieter alternative to the nearby Ring of Kerry.

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Did You Know?

• •The name An Bheann Mhór translates from Irish as "The Big Mountain," a title that refers more to its local prominence and standing than its absolute altitude.
• •The English name, Derry Hill, stems from the Irish word doire, meaning an oak wood, hinting at the native forestry that once covered these coastal slopes.
• •From the summit, walkers earn an expansive view south across the Kenmare River—a long sea inlet—toward the Caha Mountains and the Slieve Miskish peaks on the Beara Peninsula.
• •Navigating the southern Iveragh terrain requires a tolerance for wet ground; the approach is often defined by the classic Kerry combination of thick heather and hidden bog pools.
• •Referring to a 309-metre hill as "The Big Mountain" might feel like a stretch, but given the Atlantic weather often encountered here, it can certainly feel twice its size.