Croaghconnellagh

About Croaghconnellagh

Rising steeply above the northern side of the Barnesmore Gap, this rugged Donegal peak offers a raw, heather-clad experience. It is a substantial Marilyn characterized by granite outcrops and shifting peat hags. Climbers are rewarded with a unique perspective looking directly down into the deep glacial trench of the pass.

Key Statistics

Find It

Did You Know?

• •The name stems from the Irish Cruach Chonallaigh, which translates to 'The Stack of the O’Donnells' or 'The Stack of Tyrconnell', referencing the ancient Gaelic kingdom that dominated this part of Donegal.
• •It forms the northern pillar of the Barnesmore Gap, a dramatic glacial breach in the Bluestack Mountains that has served as the primary transport artery between south and north Donegal for centuries.
• •From the summit, the view is dominated by the sprawling interior of the Bluestacks, including the distinctive scree-covered slopes of Ardnageer and the long ridge leading towards Lavagh More.
• •Historically, the mountain looked down upon the County Donegal Railway, a narrow-gauge line that navigated the gap until 1960; the old trackbed now provides a convenient starting point for the ascent.
• •If you find a clear path through the heather, you have likely strayed onto a sheep track; the local livestock are much more efficient at navigating the bog than the average hillwalker.