Mizen Peak

About Mizen Peak

Rising above the dramatic cliffs of Ireland’s southwestern tip, this rugged Marilyn offers a wilder, loftier perspective than the famous visitor centre at Mizen Head. The terrain is a classic West Cork mix of jagged sandstone outcrops and maritime heath, providing an expansive vantage point over the Atlantic and the Fastnet Rock.

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Did You Know?

• •The name Mizen is derived from the Irish 'Miseán', which is generally interpreted as a headland or a small stone. While the nearby Mizen Head is famously touted as the southernmost point of the Irish mainland, this peak serves as the highest point on the entire peninsula.
• •From the summit, the view south-west is dominated by the lonely silhouette of the Fastnet Rock lighthouse. Known as the 'Teardrop of Ireland', this was famously the last sight of home for millions of emigrants departing from Cobh for the United States.
• •Looking east across the peninsula, the skyline is punctuated by the twin white radar domes on the summit of Mount Gabriel, which stands above the town of Schull.
• •The peak overlooks the site of the Mizen Head Signal Station, established in 1906 to communicate with transatlantic shipping; the summit offers a far superior view of the 'three-fingered' peninsulas of West Cork than the lower tourist paths.
• •Given its position on the front line of Atlantic weather systems, the summit provides an excellent opportunity to test the waterproof ratings of your gear against rain that frequently travels horizontally.