Binn Bhraoin North Top

About Binn Bhraoin North Top

Positioned on the central quartzite spine of the Twelve Bens, this rugged shoulder offers a dramatic perspective of the celebrated Glencoaghan Horseshoe. The terrain is characteristically steep and bleached white. From here, the views are exceptional, looking directly across the deep glen to Binn Gabhar and south towards the water-pocked Roundstone Bog.

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Did You Know?

• •The name is derived from the Irish Binn Bhraoin, meaning 'Breen's Peak.' While often associated with a personal name, the word 'braon' can also mean a drop or moisture, fitting for a peak frequently shrouded in Atlantic weather systems.
• •This summit is a key navigation point on the Glencoaghan Horseshoe, a demanding 14-kilometre circuit that traverses six of the major peaks in the range.
• •The ground underfoot is almost entirely Dalradian quartzite, a hard, metamorphic rock that resists erosion and creates the jagged, scree-covered slopes characteristic of Connemara’s 'Alpine' landscape.
• •From the summit, the view north across the Glencoaghan valley provides one of the best angles on the steep southern face of Binn Bhán, while the Maumturk Mountains are visible to the east across the Inagh Valley.
• •In thick weather, the white quartzite can become disorientatingly bright; it is one of the few places in Ireland where you might feel the need for sunglasses even when the sun isn't actually out.