Bird Hill

Sitting within the rugged Shehy Mountains of County Cork, this 412-metre Tump offers a quiet escape into the boggy uplands north of Bantry. While modest in height, its position provides clear, earned views across the Priest’s Leap pass and toward the more prominent peaks of the Beara Peninsula.

• •The name is a direct translation of the Irish Cnoc na nÉan, a title common in Irish topography that denotes a high point where birds were known to congregate or nest.
• •To the west lies the Priest’s Leap, a legendary mountain pass that according to local folklore was jumped by a priest on horseback to escape pursuing soldiers.
• •The summit offers a commanding view of the Caha Mountains and the distant waters of Bantry Bay, provided the low-lying Atlantic clouds common to this range stay at bay.
• •In a range known for its relentless peat hags and hidden bog holes, the name 'Bird Hill' is particularly apt, as flying over the terrain often feels like a much more sensible strategy than walking through it.