Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga]
Good walks are even better shared.
Overview
Two Rock Mountain is a 536 m summit in the Dublin Mountains, south of Dublin. Its ancient Fairy Castle cairn overlooks the city, Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains. The green-waymarked loop from Ticknock approaches via the separate Three Rock landmarks before climbing onto open heath.
Two Rock Mountain / Fairy Castle
Two Rock Mountain rises to 536 m in the Dublin Mountains, south of Dublin, with 169 m of prominence. Fairy Castle is the ancient cairn at its summit, Irish grid O172223. The lower Three Rock tors and communications masts are separate landmarks on the Ticknock approach.
Summit, landscape and history
The summit cairn is believed to cover an unexcavated Neolithic passage tomb. A trig point stands on it. Leave the monument and its stones undisturbed and enjoy the views from the surrounding path. Dublin city, Dublin Bay and the Wicklow Mountains form the outlook in clear weather.
The mountain's granite tors formed through weathering along joints in Devonian granite. Its two namesake rock outcrops lie southeast of the summit, amid heath and blanket bog. The proposed older name Sliab Lecga is interpreted as “mountain of the flagstones”, although its identification with this mountain is uncertain.
Fairy Castle loop from Ticknock
Start and finish at the signed walking-trail car park inside Ticknock Forest. Follow the green waymarks towards Three Rock, continue uphill to Fairy Castle, then follow the loop westwards and downhill, returning through the forest by the old rifle range. Use the walking map and keep off the purpose-built mountain-bike singletrack.
Sport Ireland's complete loop is 6 km with 210 m ascent, graded Moderate, with a walking time of 1 hour 45 minutes before longer stops.
Alternative from Tibradden Wood
From Tibradden Wood car park, follow the Dublin Mountains Way through the forest and over Tibradden's cairn. Continue southeast to the Wicklow Way junction, turn north along the shared section, then follow the Dublin Mountains Way east to Fairy Castle. Return by exactly the same trail to Tibradden Wood. Read the route names at the junctions: both long-distance trails use yellow hiker symbols. Abarta Heritage describes the summit extension and retraced return.
Access and facilities
Ticknock parking is free; the published gate hours are 06:00–22:00. Use the signed one-way parking system and keep neighbouring entrances clear. There are picnic facilities but no public toilets or bins in the recreation site. Bring water and take litter and dog waste home.
For the Tibradden approach, Local Link SD4 connects Tallaght Luas with Tibradden Wood on Saturdays. Plan the return bus before setting out. Tibradden's car park has its own seasonal gate hours.
Walking safely
Forest roads give way to rougher upland paths, exposed granite and boggy ground. Wet rock, boardwalks and ice can be slippery; mist can obscure junctions. Carry warm waterproof layers, suitable footwear and a map. Keep dogs on leads to protect ground-nesting birds and neighbouring sheep, stay on established paths and do not light fires.
Snow or ice can close car parks at short notice. Do not enter woodland during a Red wind warning. Check Coillte's notices before travelling and follow any forestry diversions or trail closures.
Further reading
Explore routes near Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga]
Walks starting near this hill. Open a route to check its map, distance and full itinerary.
Route planning notes
These notes describe possible approaches. Check a route's map and access information when planning your walk.
Fairy Castle loop from Ticknock Forest
Start and finish at Ticknock’s signed walking-trail car park. Follow the green waymarks towards Three Rock, continue uphill to the Fairy Castle summit cairn, then descend westwards and return through the forest via the old rifle range. Sport Ireland gives the complete loop as 6 km, 210 m ascent and 1.75 hours. Allow extra time for stops and follow the walking map at junctions.
Make a day of it, together
Find someone to share the walk with, or organise a day out along a route you like.
Hill facts and local notes
Classifications
Elevation
536m
1,759 ft
Prominence
169m
Coordinates
53.2392, -6.2451
O172223
OS Map
50
At the Summit
Fairy Castle is an ancient summit cairn with a trig point, believed to cover an unexcavated Neolithic passage tomb. The two granite tors that give the mountain its name lie southeast of the summit. Leave the monument and its stones undisturbed.
Terrain & Geology
Devonian granite underlies the mountain. Differential weathering along horizontal and near-vertical joints, followed by removal of weathered material, produced the distinctive granite tors. GSI identifies the Three Rock and Two Rock tors as especially fine examples in the Dublin and Wicklow Mountains.
Views & Scenery
Dublin city, Dublin Bay, the east coast and the Wicklow Mountains are visible in clear conditions.
History & Heritage
Name Origin
Two Rock refers to the granite tors southeast of the summit. Sliab Lecga, interpreted as “mountain of the flagstones”, has been proposed as an older name, but that identification is uncertain.
Historical Significance
Fairy Castle is believed to be a Neolithic passage tomb beneath a broad cairn, approximately 27 m across and 3 m high. It has not been excavated. It belongs to a chain of intervisible prehistoric monuments across the Dublin and Wicklow hilltops.
Getting There & Facilities
Parking
Use the signed car parks inside Ticknock Forest and follow the one-way system. Parking is free; published gate hours are 06:00–22:00. Keep local access clear and check for weather-related closures before travelling.
Public Transport
For an alternative approach over Tibradden, Local Link SD4 runs between Tallaght Luas and Tibradden Wood on Saturdays. Check the operator’s current timetable and plan the return service before walking. This stops at Tibradden Wood, where the longer summit approach begins.
Nearby Facilities
Ticknock has parking, picnic facilities and marked walking trails. There are no public toilets or bins in the recreation site. Bring drinking water and take litter and dog waste home.
Safety Information
Known Hazards
- Wet granite, uneven paths and boardwalks can be slippery. The open summit is exposed to wind, mist and rapid weather changes.
- At the western junctions, check the named route plaques: the Dublin Mountains Way and Wicklow Way share yellow hiker waymarks but separate before the summit.
- Use marked walking trails and take care at shared forest-road crossings. Purpose-built mountain-bike trails are not walking shortcuts.
- Keep dogs on leads around this sensitive upland habitat and neighbouring sheep. Stay on paths and leave cairns and archaeological remains undisturbed.
Seasonal Hazards
Snow and ice can make the trails hazardous and close the car park at short notice. Do not enter woodland during a Red wind warning. Dry heath is vulnerable to wildfire; do not light fires or barbecues, and follow posted forestry closures and diversions.
General Safety Tips
- Check weather conditions before setting out
- Carry appropriate clothing and equipment
- Let someone know your planned route
- Take a map, compass, and GPS device
- Carry emergency supplies: food, water, first aid kit, torch
Hills
Some common questions about the hills answered
Are there group walks up Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga]?
Many walkers use Walkmates to join or organise walks with others. You can check for group walks around Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga] through the maps
Are there other walkers around Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga]?
Activity varies by location and time, but Walkmates lets you see whether others have shared walks or shown interest in this area. Find other people through the walking friends search walking friends for Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga] search or of course create your own walk for Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga]
Can I organise a walk to Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga]?
Yes. If there aren’t any walks listed already, you can create a walk and make it available for others to join.
If you're signed up to Walkmates, you can create a walk to Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga].
How do I find a walk up this hill?
There are often multiple ways to walk this hill, depending on experience and route preference. Walkmates helps you explore walks and routes that others have shared.
Can I suggest a new route up Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga]?
Yes. You can suggest or create routes to share with others. Walkmates focuses on the social side of walking, so routes are used to help people organise walks and explore areas together, rather than as detailed navigation tools or route libraries.
Other uses really appreciate knowledgeable walkers sharing their routes. Share your favourite route to Two Rock Mountain [Fairy Castle] [Sliab Lecga] here
The is an error or something incorrect about this hill. How do I let you know?
We always strive to keep the information on Walkmates as accurate as possible. If you find an error, please let us know through the contact form and we'll aim to correct it as quickly as possible
Community Discussion
Comments
Location
View the hill's mapped position and surrounding paths.
Grid reference: O172223
View on OpenStreetMapOpens a map in a new tab, centred on the hill.
Nearby Hills
Mullaghcleevaun
847m
Lugnaquilla [Log na Coille]
925m
Slieve Foye
587m
Slieve Gullion
576m
Slieve Binnian
746m
No comments yet. Be the first.