Carrauntoohill

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Carrauntoohill (Irish: Corrán Tuathail), also spelt Carrantuohill and in various other ways, is a mountain located in County Kerry, and the highest peak in Ireland. It is 1,041 m tall and is the central peak of the Macgillicuddy's Reeks range. The name derives from the Irish language corrán tuathail – the "left-handed sickle" – a reference to the shape of the mountain range. There are two other peaks in this range above 1,000 m (Beenkeragh, 1,010 m; and Caher, 1,001 m) and four others on the island over 3,000 feet, in the Dingle Peninsula (Mount Brandon), south Tipperary (Galtee Mor) and County Wicklow.

The mountain is most often climbed from the north, along the Hag's Glen and then up the steep Devil's Ladder. The route has become dangerous in recent years due to loose stones and crowding. No special equipment is needed to climb the mountain. Alternatively, one can walk the two other 1,000 m peaks in a horseshoe trip, starting from the west. The traverse from highest point to the second highest involves a light scramble.

The weather conditions on the mountain are very changeable, and due to a high number of underdressed tourists attempting the peak each summer, there have been a number of deaths. A large metal cross (about 5 m tall) tops the peak.

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