Overview
Knockeyon is only 214m (702ft), but it earns its keep: it is the third-highest point in County Westmeath and stands right over the south-eastern shore of Lough Derravaragh, the lake of the Children of Lir. Its slopes are underpinned by Carboniferous sandstone, shale and the local Derravaragh Cherts, which break the grass in occasional rocky outcrops. The summit looks out across much of north Leinster; on a genuinely clear day you can pick out the chimney of the Duleek cement works to the east and the outline of Slieve Gullion further north.
History and heritage
The hill’s Irish name, Cnoc Eóin, is usually read as ‘Eoin’s Hill’. Halfway up, tucked into a stand of hazel and oak, lie the stone footings of a small medieval chapel (National Monument WM012-206), aligned north-west to south-east and shown on the 1911 Ordnance Survey 25-inch map at the meeting of four woodland paths.
The spot was the focus of a devotional pattern held each year around 1 August. Eighteenth-century accounts describe pilgrims walking barefoot or kneeling over the last stretch to the chapel, where a spring – its water held to be miraculous – flowed through the building and down to the lake; afterwards people gathered on a nearby clearing for dancing and pipes. Only the low foundations remain now, but the quiet of the wood still carries something of it.
Walking routes and access
Knockeyon is on private land, so treat it with care: park only where you can do so sensibly, leave gates exactly as you find them, and give livestock a wide berth. A ‘beware bull’ sign marks one of the gates on the approach – take it seriously, as bulls are a known hazard here.
Parking is informal. On the R394 near Crookedwood, look for a garage on the right just after the Collinstown junction; the walk starts from there. A well-trodden, waymarked track (roughly 5.5km round trip, about 2½ hours) climbs through the woodland, passes the chapel ruins and reaches the summit, with a few boggy patches after heavy rain, so wear sturdy footwear. There is also a steeper, shorter line straight up through a cattle field for anyone in a hurry – under an hour, but it needs the same gate discipline and livestock awareness.
Summit features
At 214m, the top is marked by a tidy stone cairn and an Ordnance Survey trig pillar (OS map sheet 41, grid reference N46582 63916). The cairn makes a stable, wind-sheltered spot to pause, check the map or take photographs, and the trig pillar – a relic of Ireland’s early national mapping surveys – sits just a few metres away as a reliable navigation marker.
Wildlife and birdwatching
The hill’s native woodland is a mix of hazel, rowan, ash and oak, with the odd horse chestnut and introduced beech. The real draw, though, is the wetland below. Nearby Knockbody Wood holds wild pheasant, and the shore of Lough Derravaragh is one of Ireland’s more important winter bird roosts.
In the colder months the lake gathers big numbers of wildfowl. Recent winter counts include around 3,129 common pochard, 1,073 tufted duck, 1,358 coot, 1,079 lapwing, 409 Greenland white-fronted geese and 102 whooper swan. The pochard count sits just below the 3,500 international-importance threshold, though it has occasionally topped it. Bring binoculars between November and March for the best of it.
Practical information
- Parking: free roadside parking is available on the R394 near Crookedwood. The space is limited, so arriving early at weekends helps avoid congestion.
- Facilities: there are no toilets, cafés or shops on the hill; carry your own water and snacks. Cafés and pubs in nearby Crookedwood, Multyfarnham, Mullingar or Castlepollard are a short drive away.
- Navigation: the route is clearly trodden, but carrying OS map sheet 41 or a GPS device is advisable. Summit coordinates are 53.623417 N, -7.297111 W.
- Dog walking: dogs are welcome but must be kept under close control, especially near cattle. The ‘beware bull’ signage is active, so leash your dog through the grazing fields.
- Seasonal notes: the hill is open year-round. Winter gives the best birdwatching; summer and early autumn give the clearest long-distance views and the driest paths.
Nearby attractions
Knockeyon makes a convenient stop when exploring north Westmeath’s historic and natural landmarks.
- Hill of Uisneach – traditionally regarded as the ceremonial centre of Ireland, with standing stones, a stone circle and sweeping views.
- Lough Derravaragh – the lake below Knockeyon, tied to the legend of the Children of Lir, with walking trails and angling spots along its shores.
- Castlepollard – a short drive away, a Georgian market town laid out around a triangular green and the gateway to Tullynally Castle and its gardens.
Planning your visit
Check the forecast before you head out, as conditions on the open summit change quickly. Wear layers, pack a light rain jacket, and let someone know your route. Arrive by mid-morning to secure parking, take your time through the hazel woodland to the chapel ruins, and allow an extra half-hour at the top if the skies are clear.