Ballykildea Mountain [Sliabh Bhaile Mhic Giolla De]

Rising above the western shores of Lough Derg, this 412m summit offers a peaceful vantage point within the Slieve Bernagh range. The terrain is typical of East Clare—a mix of forestry tracks and open heather moorland—providing a straightforward but rewarding ascent with wide-reaching views over the Shannon and the Silvermines.

• •The name derives from the Irish Sliabh Bhaile Mhic Giolla Dé, meaning the mountain of the townland of the son of the servant of God.
• •Situated in the Slieve Bernagh range, the hill provides a clear line of sight to Moylussa, the highest point in County Clare, which sits just to the north.
• •From the summit, you can look directly across the narrow lower stretch of Lough Derg to the peaks of the Silvermine Mountains in County Tipperary.
• •While its status as a Tump requires a drop of only thirty metres on all sides, the lack of crowds means you are more likely to share the summit with a local sheep than another hiker.