Literary Editor Peter O’Neill Mountaineering Ireland’s new guide to routes presents reviews of some recently on Ireland’s highest one hundred peaks published books. graphic style with relevant accompany the directions to map references, available climb Slieve Carr, Ireland’s parking and alternative routes. most remote mountain. Peter Buy now As the book is a large format Wilson weaves the local This is the book we recommend most hardback, it is not one for geology into the description highly from our sticking in a rucksack. of Errigal, such that one can autumn 2020 However, a mobile phone almost feel the chill wind off reviews photo of the relevant pages the retreating glacier. will give you all the information you need to take with you. The descriptions of the walks are well edited and stylistically diverse due to the variety of It has been said that a contributors, from those that guidebook description should are purely directional to others be a combination of inform- that take a more anecdotal ation and inspiration. If that is approach. There are also very to be the yardstick, Irish Peaks concise and interesting more than makes the grade. sections on Ireland’s upland This beautiful book has environment, covering geology, obviously been a labour of love flora and fauna. for all involved, and the result However, in my opinion it is is a quality publication from at the inspirational level that cover to cover. this book shines. Firstly, the Loughs Cummeenapeasta, Callee and Gouragh from the Reeks Ridge Let’s start with the quality and selection of information. In terms of the photographs throughout is routes selected, the book simply stunning and will fill On the route to have heard of Joss, who deals with the highest one many a pleasant night by the Masatiompan in the Brandon passed away in 2011. Patrick hundred peaks in Ireland, fire, contemplating future trips range, one passes over Sauce O’Sullivan’s excellent and which takes any selection to the mountains. Some Creek, some 300 precipitous warm biography of Joss in this subjectivity out of the picture. contributors enhance the metres below. We are informed book will give an under- The key details of each route route descriptions in a way that people lived down on the standing of his dedication and are presented visually in a that gives you the urge to shore up to the early 20th love for the hills, and how, in two-page spread at the experience these wild places century. It is worth the trip many ways, this book is the beginning of each walk. We are for yourself. John O’Callaghan there alone to witness and culmination of much of what given some inspirational has an extended quote from contemplate such a location he was about and will form photos, the place names in Praeger’s The Way That I Went, for human habitation. part of his legacy. Irish and their meanings, and a describing the Nephin Beg The Irish place names given Congratulations and many 1:50,000 map with the route Range as ‘…the very loneliest truly capture the essence of thanks are due to Margaret marked on it. Summary ascent place in this country...,’ an places and can give pause for and Alan Tees, who herded the details are also given in a clear appropriate quote to thought or a smile, such as many cats to gather the route Cnoc na gCainte (Hill of descriptions that are the basis Conversation) and Tóin le of this book. Helen Lawless Gaoith (Backside to the Wind). must also be commended for Such names and meanings are the huge amount of work she presented in a beautiful put in to bring this excellent graphic style for all routes and book to publication. also neatly interwoven into If you love or are even some walk descriptions. curious about Ireland’s Finally, Irish Peaks is most of uplands and wild places, this all a deserved homage to Joss book has to be on your shelf. Lynam, who edited the original edition of Irish Peaks, which Mike Keyes Hillwalker and climber, was published in 1982. Some member of Limerick Climbing Club, newer participants in past Chairperson of the Mountaineering Council of Ireland Mweelrea, Co Mayo mountaineering and outdoor (now Mountaineering Ireland) Photographs: Aidan Ennis (Reeks), Leslie Ashe (Mweelrea) Leslie Aidan Ennis (Reeks), Photographs: activities in Ireland might not Autumn 2020 Irish Mountain Log 63.