Claggan Mountain NE Top [Anaffrin Hill] [Sliabh na Cloigne NE Top]

Sitting in the rugged heart of the Nephin Beg Range, this 501-metre top offers a true sense of Mayo solitude. Often overlooked for its higher neighbours, the ascent involves navigating significant Atlantic peat bog. Reaching the summit rewards you with a stark, commanding view over the Owenduff bog and towards Achill Island.

• •The name Anaffrin is derived from the Irish Cnoc an tAifrinn, meaning "Hill of the Mass," suggesting the summit or its slopes were used for secret religious services during the era of the Penal Laws.
• •Its alternative name, Sliabh na Cloigne, translates to "Mountain of the Skulls," likely referring to the rounded, head-like profile of the peaks in this part of the Nephin Begs.
• •The summit provides an excellent vantage point over the Owenduff catchment, a remote wilderness area within the Wild Nephin National Park that contains no roads or permanent buildings.
• •To the west, the views are dominated by the Atlantic and the massive quartzite peaks of Achill Island, most notably Slievemore and Croaghaun.
• •Navigating the col between this top and the main summit of Claggan Mountain offers a masterclass in the Irish peat hag, requiring a fair amount of leapfrogging to keep your boots dry.