Con Moriarty, Corrán Tuathail ( Carrauntoohill ) guide, provides regular guided ascents by various routes on Ireland’s highest peak throughout the year. These ascents provide a rare insight into the rich nature and culture of his place with intimate guided ascents to suit everyone, walking, scrambling or climbing.

Corrán Tuathail provides the finest mountain walking, scrambling and climbing in Ireland. Con opened up many of the technical routes in the area, including many classic lines such as Howling Ridge. He is a recognised authority on the nature and wider heritage of the region and sharing and his passionate sharing of his unique connection with this incredible place has earned him a distinctive reputation.

• Guided Ascents of the mountain
• The Classic Routes
• Howling Ridge
• About your guide - Con Moriarty
• Gear & Other Information
• High Adventure Challenge
• The many mis-spellings of Corrán Tuathail!

Small intimate groups with guide, Con Moriarty
- Every Saturday and Wednesday and privately at any time
- with regular Full Moon and Dawn ascents.

Exhilarating hiking and climbing amidst our wildest and loftiest nature - with a rare insight into the region’s rich history and archaeology, place names, folklore and myth...

All types of Walking, Scrambling and Climbing routes available.
Classic options include:

Walking/Easy Scrambling:
Corrán Tuathail; a traverse from An Com Cailí/The Hag’s Glen via a selection of routes, usually tasking in the spectacular hanging valleys around Loch Choimín Uachtarach, Ireland highest lake.
A range of ascent and descent routes to suit all grades, the easiest and a favourite suitable to all, being to ascend via Brother O’Sheas’ Gully and descending via the old mass track, Bothar na Gíge.

Com Lothair Horseshoe; for many, this is the finest mountain circuit of it’s kind in the land. Located at the north western corner of the Reeks, the magnificent valley known as Com Lothair (the valley of the western lakes) is circumnavigated over the three highest peaks in Ireland; Cathair na Féinne (1001m), Corrán Tuathail (1039m) and Binn Chaorach (1010m).
(This glen is occasionally mis-spelt; Coomloughra)
Classic ridge walking amidst over our deepest corries with views throughout the southwest.

Ridge of the Reeks; the classic east-west traverse of the main ridge of the McGillycuddy Reeks is Ireland’s finest mountain expedition, this outing takes in several of our highest peaks. A challenging day along the tops, sometimes negotiating exposed edges, on a fine day, the views are without equal in Ireland; mountain and ocean with a little bit of land in between.
In winter, the traverse provides the finest piece of mountaineering of it’s kind in Ireland. (One of Con’s favourite things to do is to tie in this traverse with one of the classic ridge climbs on Corrán Tuathail; Howling, Pippet Ridges or Primroses!). For more information, dates etc, click here.

The Hag’s Tooth and other Classic Scrambles including; An Fiacail Mhór (The Hag’s Tooth) – Stumpa an t-Saimh and the East Ridge of Binn Chaorach, The North East Face of Cathair na Féinne, The Big Gun and rocks of remote corrie of Loch gCuach, The North East Ridge of Cnoc an Chuillinn and more.
Share a rope with Con and link up a series of favourite scrambles on the shattered sandstone rocks of the Reeks.

Howling Ridge and other Classic Climbs; including notable ridges on Corrán Tuathail in the company of their first ascentionist; The North East Ridge (Primroses), Howling Ridge, Pipit Ridge.

Climbing with Con Moriarty amidst the most spectacular mountain scenery and delving deep into the nature, history and lore of these magical places!



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Three Classic Routes of Corrán Tuathail - from the north east, Com Caill (Hag's Glen)



Howling Ridge
"In February 1987, I led a climb up snow and ice covered slabs and short towers that tapered as it went into a defined ridge paralleling Collins’ Gully on the East Face of Corrán Tuathail. It was virgin territory for climbers and the splendid winter route that emerged, I named Howling Ridge.

On that first ascent, I climbed the most aesthetic line in front of me, climbing a series of steps and prows straight-on that involved a handful short but technical moves, some overhanging before reaching An Túr (the tower) and An Mhéar (the finger) pitches near the top.

I had no idea coming off the hill that day that Howling Ridge would gain the popularity it has. A weakness or otherwise of the climb is of course that many of the more difficult steps encountered can be avoided, turned usually on the right-hand (northern) side and today it is obvious that the vast, vast majority of parties take this option.

In my mind, Howling Ridge is still a fabulous but serious outing under winter snow and ice. Without, it is an easy, exposed rock climb over shattered rocks and short walls – with the overhanging Prow providing a short VS pitch (4b or so) before the lovely V. Diff pinnacles above. Avoiding these little gems, especially low down on the route is the choice taken by many now ‘ doin’ Howlin’

On my guided ascents, the integrity of the original climb is honoured."

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About your guide - Con Moriarty
2010 marks the 30th year of guiding on Corrán Tuathail and the McGillycuddy Reeks for Con Moriarty. Having grown up in the nearby Gap of Dunloe, childhood excursions on the hills began with maternal granduncles who shepherded on the Reeks before him. At the age of 16, Con followed in the footsteps of his father’s father, Con Moriarty (1875-1947) a guide for over forty years. (The ensuing love of sharing wild places with discerning guests led to the setting up of The Hidden Ireland Tours in 1989).

As a mountaineer, Con has travelled and climbed extensively throughout most of the world’s great ranges. However, he has never strayed too far from his spiritual home - the mountains of the Reeks and Gap of Dunloe. His climbing here has included the opening of several new routes on Corrán Tuathail, including many classic scrambles, rock and winter snow and ice climbs (among them, first ascents of the ridges known as; Pipet Ridge, Howling Ridge and The North East Ridge (Primroses). In addition, he has participated and led some of the regions – and Ireland’s most notable search and rescue missions as well as conceptualising and directing a range of national and international adventure events in the region.

The natural and cultural history of these mountains and of the surrounding land and seascapes has been the subject of lifelong study, research and collection for Con Moriarty that includes particular passions for local folklore, history and place-names.

This inspiration, experience and growing knowledge is what lies at the heart of our invitation to you to walk, scramble or climb on the peaks of the McGillycuddy Reeks with Con.

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Practical Information
• Con Moriarty’s guided ascents leave from the Dunloe Golf Course, located at the mouth of the Gap of Dunloe (10 minutes from Killarney to the Gap and clearly signposted).

• Regular ascents, every Wednesday and Saturday take place every week throughout the year, along with regular “special” climbs being made to coincide with Full Moons, Sun Rise, etc and of more technical routes.

• Complimentary Tea/Coffee and fresh Scones or Muffins usually accompany a short briefing by Con before departure where the route planned is discussed with the aid of some spectacular photography.

• Complimentary hot showers and further refreshments are available to guests on return.

• Our groups are usually small, ranging from 2 to 6 with special arrangements can be made for larger groups

• Special Events: Birthdays/Corporate Team Building/Stag or Hen Parties.... our ascents can be tailored to include additional adventure pursuits (rock climbing, abseiling, zip-lining,
mountain biking, canoeing, etc) and lavish picnic lunches, etc.

Gear Required
Con Moriarty can fully kit out a limited number of participants with clothing and footwear for any ascent. Clothing, Equipment and Footwear for mountaineering on the McGillycuddy Reeks vary with climatic conditions on the mountains. On a warm summer’s day, light hiking gear will suffice while in full blown winter conditions, serious winterised kit will be required (similar to what one would wear skiing). The following is a guide for consideration:
• Footwear: the single most important item, these must be sturdy, stiff boots, best from
a reputable maker... Asolo, Zamberlan, Meindle, La Sportiva, Aku..
• Socks: padded hiking socks (Lorpen or Thorlo brands best)
• Gaiters: option protection for lower leg wear boots
• Base Layer: thermal top made from moisture wicking fabrics (Lowe Alpine DryFlo,
Ice Breaker Merino, or Patagonia Capilline best. No cotton!)
• Mid Layer: Fleece or Soft Shell; warm mid layer for warmth
• Spare/Additional Sweater: additional layer for use in cold conditions
• Hard Shell: Wind/Water proof outer shell wear - jacket and pants
• Leg Wear/Pants: trekking type, quick-drying pants or shorts best in fine/fair weather
with thermal or soft shell pants or leggings for winter.
• Head Wear: Thermal hat or cap
• Gloves: Thermal and/or mountain gloves
• Back Pack: Day pack to carry additional clothing, refreshments, camera etc

Optional extra kit
• Walking poles: useful on much of the journey for support and relief for tired legs. Cumbersome for some on rocky ground. Collapsible poles advised.
• Thermos flask: hot drink – necessary especially in winter
• Map: OSI 1:25 000 McGillycuddy Reeks, OSI 1:50 000 Sheet 78 or Harvey McGillycuddy Reeks
• Compass: Silva-type 4 or similar
• Headtorch: useful in winter
• Bivy Bag: storm shelter
• Camera
• Binoculars

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High Adventure Challenge - download our pdf file
High Adventure Challenge over Ireland’s wildest landscapes; McGillycuddy Reeks, Black Valley & Killarney Lakes Killarney Lakes, Black Valley and Gap of Dunloe

Hiking and Climbing over Corrán Tuathail, Mountain Biking in the Black Valley and Canoeing on Killarney’s Upper Lake
(From the creators of the Irish Adventure Challenge and the Turas World Series Adventure Race this adrenaline-day is designed to provide spectacular team-building or just a great deal of fun for any moderately fit group!).

Stage 1: Hiking & Climbing
Ascend Ireland highest peak, Corrán Tuathail (1039m) via Com Cailí and Coimín Uachtarach with climbing,
abseiling and zipline options en-route followed by ridge traverse to Cathair na Féinne (1001 - 3rd highest peak) and Graighin (822m). Descend to western end of the Black Valley for a gourmet picnic.

Stage 2: Mountain Biking
From the remote western end of the Black Valley, mountain biking along the floor of this great glen to headwaters of the Killarney Lakes.

Stage 3: Canoeing
Canadian or kayak paddling out of the Gaortha Mín river and over the waters of the Upper Lake to the Ring of Kerry road below Torc Mountain.

Contact Con Moriarty for more information...



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The name Corrán Tuathail
and it's many mis-representations!

More than a dozen different attempts have been made to bastardise the name of this great peak; phonetic/anglicised attempts on the gaelic pronouncement that include several used in guides, road-signs and maps.

These bizarre deviations used over the years include an assortment used, seemingly ad-lib by statutory/official agencies, among them; Bórd Failte/Fáilte Ireland, Ordnance Survey of Ireland and Kerry County Council that have over the past fifty years of so, most commonly offered; Carrauntoohil, Carrauntoohill, Carrauntuohill, Carntual, Carrauntuel and Carrauntual.

A selection of other versions of the name used over the years include;
Carrauntuathail
(F.H.A. Aalen, K. Whelan & M. Stout. Atlas of the Irish Rural Landscape - 1997)
Carrantual
(Robery Lloyd Praeger. The Way That I Went - 1937)
Carran Tuohill
(H.C. Hart/W.P. Haskett Smith. Climbing in the British Isles - 1895)
Carrauntoohil
(OPW. Archaeological Survey - 1894)
Carn-Tuathail
(M.F. Cusack. The History of the Kingdom of Kerry - 1871)
Garran Tual
(Samuel Lewis. Topographical Dictionary of Ireland - 1837?)
Carranthouel
(William Wordsworth. Letter to family - 1829)
Gheraun-tuel
(Isaac Weld. Illustrations of the Scenery of Killarney -1800)

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