Fananierin [Fan an Fhearainn]

Situated in the southern reaches of the Wicklow Hills, this 427m Tump offers a quieter alternative to the busier glens. Often approached via the Ow Valley, the heather-clad summit provides a clear perspective across the Aughrim River towards the granite peaks of the central range and the distinctive profile of Croghan Moira.

• •The name stems from the Irish Fan an Fhearainn, meaning 'the slope of the territory' or 'the terrace of the land', likely describing how the hill’s broad shoulder transitions from the high mountains down to the lower valleys.
• •To the north, the summit offers an excellent, unobstructed view of Lugnaquilla, which looms significantly larger than Fananierin across the deep trench of the Ow Valley.
• •Local walkers often combine this hill with a trip to the nearby and slightly higher Cushbawn, creating a logical circuit of the ridges overlooking the village of Aughrim.
• •You are far more likely to be slowed down by the intricate network of forestry tracks on the lower slopes than by the gradient of the hill itself.