The attraction of mountain climbing comes from the effort itself and the fact of coming out on top in the age- old struggle with nature, writes John G. O'Dwyer
These days all our lunatics aren't carted away or banished to the badlands of reality TV. Instead, most of us have been condemned, it seems, to politics or mountains climbing. Politicians have some excuse. Scapegoats are cathartic for society, and politicians are paid - handsomely - to spin, wriggle and deny, when facing an exasperated electorate.
But what excuse have climbers? It's patently obvious there's no money in mountains. For those of us who spend our spare time struggling upward, our flagellation remains self-inflicted and un-recompensed. Indeed most "sane" people have surely pondered how climbers can possibly justify their extraordinary compulsion.
Joined-up thinking on weighty matters doesn't come readily when there is room for one thought only - how much longer to the summit? But this single-minded objective is hardly the true reason for our efforts, since our mountain-top nirvana will most likely turn out an inhospitable windswept plateau. A view, considering Irish weather, is always a bonus. Indeed, there is a wonderful absurdity to struggling up a mountainside with the almost certain knowledge that on the top we will be enveloped by an opaque blanket of swirling mist.
On many mountains beyond Ireland such an absurdity is easily avoided. Far higher, more glorious summits are gained effortlessly by cable car. But those who pay to summit with ease quickly find the essence of mountaineering is absent from these "achievements". The attraction of mountain climbing is born with the effort itself and the fact of coming out on top in the age-old struggle with nature. As elsewhere, it is not the objective but the journey that matters.
Life is, after all, made meaningful only by a quest to expand the frontiers of the possible. Advancement to higher achievement is central to our motivation. It surely explains why Kerry's Mike Barry recently undertook an otherwise "crazy" endeavour - 50 freezing days trekking across the Antarctic and climbing 3,000 metres, on his journey to the South Pole.
Nevertheless, without such people attempting the apparently un-doable, Everest could not have been conquered, European explorers would never have reached America, and the lunar dusk would remain untrodden. And so it is that, given time, every unclimbed mountain will be conquered, every cave system explored and every ocean bed visited. And when humans eventually settle on Mars, somebody will surely set about reaching that planet's highest peak.
This spirit of adventure lurks somewhere within us all. Its apotheosis is found in the exhilaration of Irish climbers hurling a sliotar from Everest's summit, but it also lies modestly within the spirit of every hill-walker who struggles bravely to bag a lowly Irish Ben.
So if the unfurling of spring brings an urge for a meeting with a mountain-top and someone says "you're crazy", you might just reply " maybe, but at least my campaign trail isn't aimed at vote-gathering, but leads instead to the simple reward of summiting an Irish mountain".
Bitten by the climbing bug? Then, start with one of our "easier" summits listed below, where a helpful track will aid your ascent. Since, in general, they are of relatively modest height, you have a much better chance of avoiding mist and fully enjoying the spectacular summit views on offer.
Torc Mountain
Killarney, Co Kerry
From the N 71 Killarney to Kenmare road, take the minor road (left) just beyond Muckross gates and park at the upper carpark of Torc Waterfall. Follow the Kerry Way signs along a sylvan track toward Kenmare. Cross a river and enter open country. About five minutes further on, a track appears leading right. Follow this switchback track upward over grassy mountainside and without further difficulty to the summit (535 metres). The views are spectacular, with Muckross and the Lakes of Killarney laid out below. Be sure to return by the same route - there are no other safe descent routes - arriving back after a leisurely total walking time of about three hours.
Devil's Bit
Templemore, Co Tipperary
From the Templemore-to-Borrisoleigh road, follow the signs (right) for Barnane, which means gap. At the top of the gap, park at a large gateway on the right. Walk for about half an hour, keeping the left option until a T-junction is reached. Go right and follow around on a track until a tower appears on the right. Go left uphill, eventually scrambling up some rocks to the summit (476 metres) marked by a large cross. Descend by an alternate track to the west, first skirting a forest. Join the main track and go left back to the car, allowing about two hours' walking time. The reward is a stunning view in all directions and memories of the charming legend that stone was taken from here by an escaping demon to form the Rock of Cashel.
Slieve League
Bunglass, Co Donegal
Probably Ireland's finest coastal walk, in an area where two centuries ago the golden eagle soared. Following the signs from the village of Carrick in the southwest corner of Donegal, through Teelin to the spectacular coastal car-park at Bunglass. A rough track leads upward to the summit, but it is not these past footsteps that are your best guide but the mighty cliffs, falling to the ocean and reputed as the highest sea cliffs in Europe.
Keeping the cliffs on your left, the summit climb is straightforward, apart from a short vertiginous ridge, known as One Man's Pass. Such excitement is, however, easily avoided by traversing inland. Then, it's plain sailing to the summit (595 metres). On a clear day the views are awe-inspiring. To the Northeast, Errigal stands sentinel among the Donegal Mountains, while to the south the great sweep of the Sligo/Mayo coast fills the horizon. Then retrace your steps to Bunglass, arriving back in a leisurely time of about three hours.
Brandon Hill
Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny
Kilkenny's highest summit offers magnificent views as a reward for modest effort. From Graiguenamanagh, take the Inistioge road and then go left at the first minor road. Follow the waymarkings for the South Leinster Way walking route until a forest entrance is reached. Park here and continue on foot for about two kilometres. At a junction, leave the South Leinster Way and follow the arrow marked Brandon Hill Cross. Eventually you will go through a gateway and follow a mountain roadway (right), alongside a fence. After a short walk, a final sign indicates a rough track to the summit (515 metres) which bears an incongruous cross and a large cairn, but offers a sweeping vista. Return by the same route, following the helpful down arrows marked B/W, arriving back at your car after an easy two-and-a-half hours of walking.
Croagh Patrick
Co Mayo
Countless thousands know Croagh Patrick as the animated human anthill it becomes on the last Sunday of July. Few, however, have explored our holy mountain in rewarding spring solitude.
To do so, head for the car park at Murrisk on the road from Westport to Louisburgh. Follow the obvious track towards the saddle on the left of the mountain, passing close by the new interpretative centre and a statue of our national apostle.
A steep pull then leads to the saddle between Crott mountain and Croagh Patrick, where there is an incongruously located toilet block. Here the track loops right and ploughs through unpleasant screes on the south side of the mountain to the summit, which is crowned by a chapel.
On a clear day, you will savour magnificent views, particularly to the north over Clew Bay. Return to Murrisk by the same route, exercising great care when descending the screes. Allow about three hours total walking time.