Keeper Hill

Keeper Hill

Keeper Hill, also known as Slievekimalta or Sliabh Coimeálta, is a 691.6 m mountain in County Tipperary between the Silvermines and Slieve Felim hills. The Doonane approach climbs through Ballyhourigan Woods to open heath and blanket bog, with views towards Lough Derg and the Shannon countryside in clear weather.

Summit identity

The surveyed high point is a rock beside the trig pillar at R 82395 66705, 691.6 m above sea level. Communications infrastructure is nearby; the separate Firbrega stone circle is on the northeastern slopes.

Summit walk from Doonane

Keeper Hill summit via Ballyhourigan Woods and Boolatin

Start and finish at the Doonane car park. Follow the marked lane into Ballyhourigan Woods, then the forest road to the junction with the summit branch. Follow the red arrows to Keeper Hill and the rock beside its trig pillar, then retrace the summit branch to the same junction. Complete the woodland loop through Boolatin, passing the sweat house before returning to the car park. The official trailhead map gives 14 km and 550 m of ascent for this complete circuit with its out-and-back summit spur. The lower woodland loop alone does not reach the top. Follow forestry-work diversions and keep dogs on a lead.

Access, transport and facilities

Use the Coillte Doonane / Keeper Hill and Ballyhourigan trailhead car park, about 7 km from Newport. Check Coillte’s current access notices and follow forestry-work signs or diversions.

Bus Éireann route 332 and TFI Local Link route 391 serve Newport. Arrange onward travel to the Doonane trailhead and check the operators’ current timetables for the return journey.

Coillte lists a car park and walking trails at Doonane. Bring food and drinking water for the summit walk.

Terrain and safety

The approach follows forestry roads and woodland trails before reaching the open upper mountain. The summit walk is strenuous.

• The upper mountain is exposed above the forest; carry weather protection and navigation equipment.
• The summit branch must be retraced to the woodland-loop junction. Check the return direction carefully in low cloud.
• Wet peat and woodland trails can be slippery; keep to established paths through the bog and heath.
• Forestry operations can affect access. Follow closures, diversions and safety signs, and keep dogs on a lead.

Geology and habitats

Keeper Hill is a sandstone mountain. Its open upper slopes support wet heath and blanket bog above the surrounding conifer plantations. Keeper Hill Special Area of Conservation protects these peatland habitats.

The Doonane and Ballyhourigan woods also lie within a Special Protection Area important for hen harriers. Give wildlife space and stay on established routes through the peatland.

Views and nearby features

In clear weather the summit offers views towards Lough Derg, the Shannon estuary and the surrounding Tipperary countryside. The Galtee Mountains may also be visible in the distance.

The stone sweat house beside the Boolatin woodland-loop return; open summit heath and blanket bog; the separate Firbrega stone circle on the northeastern slopes.

Nearby tops include Boolatin Top (446.6 m) and Silvermine Mountains (489 m). These are separate summits, not additional stops on the described Keeper Hill circuit.

Name and history

Sliabh Coimeálta means "mountain of guarding". Paul Tempan links the name to a traditional story of Sadb raising her children on the mountain; it is not evidence of a historical lookout station.

Historical accounts describe a festive assembly on Keeper Hill in mid-August. The Firbrega stone circle lies in Bauraglanna on the northeastern slopes, separate from the summit and the western walking circuit. A stone sweat house survives beside the woodland-loop return through Boolatin.