Knockmannon Hill 313m, Kilkenny, Eire (Marilyn).

D26. Kilkenny, Laois & Tipperary Marilyns, Eire: Rossmore Hill 336m (Laois), Cullenagh Mountain 317m (Laois), Knockmannon Hill 313m (Kilkenny), Killoshulan 349m (Kilkenny) and Knockamuck 205m (Tipperary).

On many of the peak bagging/outdoor websites I perused for this trip I noted there were very few route descriptions regarding ascents of the lesser known Irish Marilyns. This also applied to the availability of gpx files. I will therefore add relevant information and files that hopefully will provide assistance to future hikers/peakbaggers.

A long day of driving around three counties hiking the last five Marilyns East of the M7 & M8.

Knockmannon Hill 313m, South of Durrow, Kilkenny, Eire (Marilyn).
Now I had tried to get to the top from the South an hour before but failed so came in from the NE. The start point was a farm track junction on a back road just SE of Cullahill. Only enough room for one vehicle really. I would ignore the first part of this route due to electric fences and bad paths so I would use my return route as an out and back course. This being so you can park closer and just go straight up SW from the road on a good track instead and keep going going apart from one left turn. When you get near to the summit you take a wide rough track that goes left to the high point and keeps going over the top of the hill. There is nothing to mark the summit and I just took it to be the highest point on the rough track. There are some nice views on the way up but in the main you are blinded by trees. A good decent walk.

Parking: Farm track for one vehicle or park closer.
Route: Forest/farm track and a rough track over a hilltop with no discernible summit. Some decent views.
Statistics: 6km with 180m of ascent done in 1hr 17mins.
Maps: Outdoor Active Irish Topo Maps.