Derrycunnihy to Peakeen

Sunday 7 th April the club walk was from Derrycunnihy to Peakeen mountain.Leaving town on a sunny crisp morning the temperature was one degree. Traveling west the mountains were obscured by fog. However by Rathmore the fog had lifted and the Derrynasaggart Mountains were revealed in all their glory. The temperature was also rising by Barraduff it had reached three degrees.
Eventually we reached our parking spot at Derrycunnihy church. It was now a pleasant sunny day and the mercury was at seven. Derrycunnihy church was built in 1890 and served as a Catholic Church.
It is now in disuse and sadly falling into disrepair. It has a fine copper covered spire. It is a beautiful building that should be preserved and put to some use. There is a well known ghost story attached to it. Apparently several years ago a young girl was killed off her bicycle near it. She can be seen sometimes wandering around near the church dressed in white. Sometimes at night she can appear in a car that would pass that way. Only the driver of the car can see her,in the rear view mirror sitting in the back seat.No one else in the car would see her. Then when the car would pass where she had lived, she would vanish. Derrycunnihy is a remote and lonely place, I would certainly be in no hurry to drive that road late at night. If I saw her in the back seat, I’d be wandering around there myself the following night ....dead as well.

After putting on our gear we headed up to the old Kenmare road. This is a nineteenth century road from Kenmare to Killarney. Heading south the going was flat, we cris crossed a meandering stream. Then there was a pull as we ascended to the Windy gap. Ahead of us we could see the trig point at the summit of Peakeen at 555 meters, to our right. We were in the valley between Peakeen and Knockanaguish on our left. Altering our course, we headed south, southwest and up the rock scarred Eastern  flank of Peakeen. This is a sharp climb.There is no definitive path, but it is advisable to stay well to the right and away from the slabs of rock that guard the eastern approach to the summit. After a gut wrenching climb we reached the top of the ridge. From here the views are stunning. To the north in the valley immediately below us the paternoster lakes Erik Lough,Lough Nacunna and Glas Lough. Purple mountain in the distance. The Reeks to the northwest.

On the ridge we set our course south and after a final push reached the rocky summit of Peakeen, with it’s trig point perched on a slab of rock. Here we had a panoramic view. All the huffing and puffing was well rewarded. Kenmare Bay sparkled to south.  The Beara Peninsula and the  Caha mountains .
In the shelter of the rocks we had some refreshments. Then we retraced our steps and headed downhill. The terrain is steep here and care is needed. Thankfully everyone made it down safely.
On reaching the old Kenmare road it was a pleasant stroll back to the car park.
There were several groups on the mountain. Including some who had camped by the stream.
Coming along the old road the ruins of houses can be seen. Also walled in fields which must have been farmed long ago. It was a harsh environment to eke out a living, no suckler payments from Europe and no headage grants. No doubt the people who lived here gave their hard won few pence,to build the church that is now falling down at Derrycunnihy. Their descendants probably are in Boston or Sydney l hope life is kinder to them.
Arriving at the cars we changed. Some had other engagements while some of us continued to Mucross house for tea / coffee . It was a very enjoyable day in excellent weather for walking.
Definitely one to do again. I forgot to mention that we met lots of deer along the way as well as some sheep, lambs and wild goats of the four legged variety.

       “ Most people
          will talk the talk,
          few people will walk the walk;
          be amongst those few.”   ..........................Dr. Steve Maraboli