Cnoc na Deirce Bige [Derkbeg Hill]

About Cnoc na Deirce Bige [Derkbeg Hill]

Rising above the rugged terrain of County Donegal, this prominent Marilyn offers a classic Irish upland experience of blanket bog and rough grass. At 332m, it provides an excellent vantage point over the Bluestack Mountains to the east and the wild Atlantic coastline towards Gweebarra Bay to the west.

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Did You Know?

• •Derived from Irish Gaelic, the name translates as 'hill of the little cave' or 'little hollow,' likely referring to a specific topographical feature or indentation on its boggy slopes.
• •It has a larger neighbor nearby called Cnoc na Deirce Móire (Hill of the Great Cave), which stands slightly higher at 379 metres and shares a similar peat-covered character.
• •Its status as a Marilyn—a hill with at least 150 metres of prominence—means it commands a surprisingly grand perspective for its height, looking across the deep valleys to the higher peaks of the Bluestack range.
• •If you actually manage to find the 'little cave' referenced in the name, it might be the only spot on the hill providing a dry seat during a typical Donegal Atlantic squall.