Walking Ireland’s Highest Points

What’s the plan?

Hike to the highest point in each county in Ireland, reaching them all during 2010.

What’s involved?

The high points of the 32 counties of Ireland are covered by 26 peaks, ranging in height from 276 meters (Slieve Na Calliagh) in Meath to Carrauntoohill’s 1039.

Several counties share a peak. Mount Leinster, for example, forms the high point of both Carlow and Wexford.

Among these hills are some of Ireland’s most popular and appealing mountains, such as Errigal and Slieve Donard. You’ll also find some that aren’t visited so often,  such as Cupidstown Hill in Co. Kildare.

Click on the green icons in the map for direct links to the blog posts or click to see a list of Ireland’s county high points.

Why do this?

• I love getting up into the hills, but between a couple of years of mountain biking followed by a couple more of inactivity I haven’t been walking in a long time.
• Last year was an exceptionally difficult year in my life.  Now that I have the project well under way I am trying to raise some much-needed funds for ISANDS, a charity that helped my wife and I a great deal during 2009. So please, give yourself the warm fuzzy feeling that is guaranteed to come from sponsoring me!
• This strikes me as a great way to see Ireland and get to know my country a little better. From the Sperrins in the north to the Knockmealdown mountains of Waterford there are some great places to see that I probably wouldn’t make the effort to visit unless I was on a mission, like this one.