You may find response slow as it is a holiday weekend here. Bump your post after a couple of days. I have just been trying to find some info for you on the net and I have to say that any sites I found were pretty useless. There is one hillwalking site but it is so user unfriendly I finally gave up on it. The best info was on a uk site http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/ireland.htm

and seems to suggest that it is more of a hill walk than a rock climbing exercise. I think that is true of most Irish mountains. For info on Northern Ireland mountains maybe you would get better info on the UK forum.

chatter ann

If you put "carrauntoohil" into the search box on the left-hand side of TA, you will find a recent review including photos from "bertie2", who has kindly left an e-mail address, should you require further information.

(apologies, I know I should be able to give you the link here - but can't remember how to do it!!)

:-)

Maybe someone at the Killarney Mountaineering Club can help. This is their web site:

http://www.killarneymc.com/index.htm

and, Tralee Mountaineering Club:

http://www.traleemc.com/

and this is the Laune Mountaineering Club based in Killorglin:

http://www.launemountaineeringclub.com/

This Killarney Hotel has a list of various types of walks, including Mountain Hikes/Trek/Climb. They may be able to help out too.

Er, yes, Sarniagirl, that was the obvious first place to look. What a good review and photos (tho I couldn't see any tourists, German or otherwise).

Doneraile

lol!! No, I couldn't spot the tourists either! Fabulous pictures, though!

I remembered reading a post where some-one had discussed Carrauntoohil earlier this year, but didn't find it - however, found this rather good review instead!

:-)

Walking, Hiking, Trails, Mountaineering, Hill Walking and so on - Range of links here, although not all of them work:

www.traildatabase.org/countries/ireland.html

Most people start the ascent from a place called Cronin's Yard. You find the turnoff just after the turning for the Gap of Dunloe outside Killarney.

I did the climb myself years ago. There was a hike across bogland for about an hour first before climbing up what felt like a cliff-face (!) called 'The Devil's Ladder.' After that it was an arduous slog uphill to the summit. Serious hillwalkers have since told me this is the tourists' way up! The Devil's Ladder doesn't require any special gear, it IS just slightly demanding hillwalking.

http://www.croninsyard.com/

The day we did the climb, we were asked to keep an eye out for the body of a climber who had been missing for months. I've added this point just to illustrate the dangerous nature of the mountain and to remind anyone considering the climb to be careful and bring the appropriate gear with them.

I am a member of IMRA Irish Mountain running association. I have run Carrauntohil on 4 occasions.The route we took was from Glencar.Many walkers take this route .You start on a rough concrete road which eventually leads through bog area to the right of Lough Acosse [spelling ?] There is a steep climb up Caher manageable but it takes time.Care is especially needed once you scale Caher ,you travel along ridge. Fantastic scenery but you need good weather.Check out the Climbers Inn pub in Glencar as many walkers would gather here ,you might be able to join group .

check out

www.climbersinn.com

a right good spot also for a bit of craic..

Check out the books

- "30 Irish Adventures" by Padraic Woods (http://www.30irishadventures.com). Covers 30 different adventure activities in Ireland including climbing Carrauntoohil.

- Carrauntoohil and MacGillycuddy's Reeks: A Walking Guide to Ireland's Highest Mountains by Jim Ryan. Covers different routes up Carrauntoohil, plus history of mountain.

Check out website

Kerry mountain rescue website. Covers essential information for anyone climbing Carrauntoohil. (www.kerrymountainrescue.ie/news/index.html)