An Bhinn Lair

About An Bhinn Lair

Rising above the remote hinterland north of Sneem, this modest Iveragh summit offers a rugged, heathery escape from the Ring of Kerry's busier trails. As a Tump on the southern fringes of the Dunkerron Mountains, it provides a superb vantage point over Kenmare Bay and the jagged northern silhouettes of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks.

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Did You Know?

• •The name translates from the Irish 'An Bhinn Láir' as 'the middle peak.' This likely refers to its central position amongst the complex spurs that branch south from the main Dunkerron ridge toward the sea.
• •The summit offers an earned perspective of Mullaghanattin to the north, a peak often referred to as the 'Matterhorn of Kerry' due to its distinctive sharp profile.
• •Walking in this area typically involves navigating pathless, rocky sandstone tiers and significant stretches of blanket bog, a stark contrast to the manicured trails found in nearby Killarney National Park.
• •While the height is modest at 514 metres, the maritime location means the weather can turn from clear to 'soft' Irish rain in minutes, often obscuring the views across to the Beara Peninsula.
• •The hill is a reliable sanctuary for those who find the crowds on Carrauntoohil a bit much; you are significantly more likely to share the summit with a Kerry Bog Pony than another hiker.