Overview
The last authenticated wolf in Ireland was shot on the slopes of Mount Leinster in 1786 – a fittingly wild footnote for a mountain that still feels remote today. At 794m (2,605 ft), Mount Leinster (Irish: Stua Laighean) is the highest point of the Blackstairs Mountains and the county top of both Carlow and Wexford, sitting right on the border between them. It’s the fifth-highest mountain in Leinster, after Lugnaquilla, Mullaghcleevaun, Tonelagee and Cloghernagh.
Most people meet the mountain one of two ways: on foot or by bike up the steep road to the summit, or from a car seat on the 75km Mount Leinster Heritage Drive, a signposted loop through the villages of Borris, Bunclody, Clonegal, Kildavin, Myshall, Fennagh and Bagenalstown. On a clear day the summit hands you views over the Wexford coast and across to the Wicklow Mountains.
History and geology
The mountain is granite, part of the spine that runs from Dún Laoghaire down to Brandon Hill in Kilkenny and forms the geological backbone of the southeast.
On the saddle below the summit stands the Nine Stones, a line of low granite stones with the road running past them. Folklore says they mark nine shepherds turned to stone in a sudden storm; the drier account has them as a long-used navigational marker for farmers working the hill.
The summit itself is a mix of the modern and the sombre. A 2RN transmission mast, 122m tall and first commissioned in December 1962, dominates the skyline – it was replaced in 2010 for digital broadcasting. Nearby, a small cairn and plaque remember the four people killed when a Cessna 182Q came down just below the summit on 7 September 1983, a reminder of how fast the weather turns up here.
The summit walk
Be clear about what this is: not a wild mountain trail but a walk up a tarmac service road, closed to general traffic, that leads to the mast. It’s straightforward and the surface is good, but it is fully exposed and some find the tarmac underfoot a bit dull. The reward is the 360-degree view at the top.
- Distance and ascent: Roughly 3km with about 350m of climb.
- Gradient: A steady pull with sections up to 20%.
- Time: Allow about 90 minutes up at a moderate pace.
- Terrain: Paved and well-drained, but open to wind and rain above the treeline.
The walk starts at the Nine Stones car park, which holds about 15 cars on the saddle between Mount Leinster and Slievebawn. Because the top is so exposed, carry a waterproof, sturdy footwear and enough water, especially in summer when afternoon thunderstorms can build over the Blackstairs.
Cycling and adventure
For road cyclists this is one of the region’s benchmark climbs, and the tarmac road gives two very different approaches:
| Start point | Length | Average gradient | Steepest section |
|---|---|---|---|
| Borris (Carlow) | 11 km | 6.9% | final 2 km up to 16% |
| Bunclody (Wexford) | 13 km | 5.9% | final 1 km at 16.3% |
Both have featured in professional racing, including the Tour of Ireland and the Rás Tailteann. The descent needs care, particularly on the steep final sections where the road narrows and hedgerows cut your sightlines.
The open ground around the summit is also a recognised launch site for hang-gliders and radio-controlled aircraft, thanks to the reliable wind and thermal lift – though it’s not without risk, as a pilot died here in a crash landing in 2003.
The Heritage Drive
The 75km Heritage Drive was developed by Carlow Tourism to link the region’s villages and scenery. It’s fully signposted and can be joined at any point, so it bends easily to the time you have. If you’re driving it and want one stop that earns its keep, make it the Nine Stones – you get most of the summit’s view without the climb.
Each village on the loop has its own flavour:
- Borris: a market town with riverside walks and a relaxed pub culture.
- Bunclody: craft shops, quiet streets and access to the River Barrow.
- Clonegal: Georgian buildings and a riverside promenade.
- Kildavin: a jumping-off point for the South Leinster Way.
- Myshall: local folklore and small heritage displays.
- Fennagh: a quiet agricultural crossroads good for watching wildlife.
- Bagenalstown: the largest town on the route, with a heritage centre, cafés and fuel.
Beyond the villages, the drive links longer trails like the South Leinster Way and the gentler woodland walks through Kilbrannish Forest on the lower slopes, which is good for birdwatching.
Practical information
- Access and navigation: The Heritage Drive is a continuous loop, with main entry points at the Borris and Bunclody turn-offs from the R745 and R754. Follow the brown route signs.
- Parking: Free short-term parking at the Nine Stones car park, Borris village and Bunclody. Spaces fill fast on summer weekends, so arrive before midday.
- Road conditions: Narrow, well-maintained country roads, some steep and without hard shoulders. Cyclists should be comfortable with sustained gradients and the odd tractor.
- Best time to go: Late spring through early autumn gives the most reliable weather and the clearest long-distance views.
- Safety and etiquette: The summit road is open to walkers and cyclists but fully exposed – wear layers and tell someone your plans if you’re heading up alone. Respect the crash memorial and the Nine Stones, and take your litter home.