Tralee Mountaineering Club

Satellite view of Kerry mountains

A satellite photograph commissioned by Kerry County Council for the County Development Plan (1996)

Satellite view of Kerry mountains

A satellite photograph commissioned by Kerry County Council for the County Development Plan (1996)

The Mountains of Kerry

Of Kerry's total land area of 1,189,786 statute acres, 310,000 statute acres or over a quarter of the total land area is over 500 feet above sea level. A further large area is covered by foothills surrounding this mountainous area.

The heavy mountain concentration is in the centre of the Dingle, Iveragh and the Kerry section of the Beara Peninsula. Iveragh is the biggest of the three peninsulas and has the highest mountains. Carrauntohill at 3,414 feet is, of course, the highest in Ireland.

Mount Brandon on the Dingle Peninsula is Ireland's second highest peak. It is more accessible than Carrauntohill and is a popular mountain of pilgrimage closely associated with St. Brendan, the patron saint of Kerry.

Not surprisingly mountaineering is a popular recreational activity in County Kerry.

In 1954 after the successful revival of the traditional pilgrimage to Mount Brandon it was decided that a formal structure was needed and the Tralee Mountaineering Club was formed.

It has the distinction of being the record oldest climbing club in Ireland.