Eagles Nest

About Eagles Nest

Rising steeply above the Long Range river in Killarney, this iconic craggy peak marks the narrow passage between the Middle and Upper Lakes. Though modest in height, its rugged profile and legendary echoes make it a standout feature of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks foothills, offering superb views across the surrounding national park.

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Did You Know?

• •Known in Irish as Nead an Iolair, the name is a literal reference to the golden eagles that nested on these precipitous cliffs until the early 20th century; the peak remains a primary landmark for those navigating the Killarney lakes.
• •The hill is famous for its 'multifold echo'—in the Victorian era, boatmen would fire small cannons or play bugles at the base to demonstrate the sound reverberating off the rock face for visiting tourists.
• •From the summit, walkers gain a unique birds-eye perspective of the serpentine 'Long Range' river as it winds toward the Meeting of the Waters, with the Purple Mountain massif dominating the view to the north.
• •Despite its relatively low elevation, the hill’s sheer northern face gives it a far more formidable character than its 333-metre height suggests, serving as the dramatic entrance to the wilder scenery of the Upper Lake.
• •Local boatmen traditionally claimed the echo was so sharp it could return a greeting in whatever language it was offered, provided the visitor's tip was generous enough to warrant the effort.