Kippure

Mountain Mountain near Dublin with telecommunications mast and trails

Kippure is a prominent hill near Dublin with a telecommunications mast and upland trails; hikers use its paths for ridge walks and wide views toward the Wicklow uplands.

Main image

Kippure is a mountain in the Dublin/Wicklow uplands of eastern Ireland, noted locally for its hiking routes and for the prominent transmission mast on its summit. It is part of the range that frames the south of the Dublin region.

Walkers use marked and informal routes to reach the summit for panoramic views of Dublin city, the Irish Sea and surrounding Wicklow hills; the summit area is dominated by the telecoms installation. The trails vary in length and can be steep in places, attracting day-hikers from the Dublin area.

The mountain has long served as a site for communications infrastructure because of its prominence above the surrounding plain, and its upland terrain has been used recreationally for much of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Kippure sits in the Wicklow Mountains close to the border with County Dublin, within easy driving distance of Dublin city to the north.

  • Summit transmitter: A prominent telecommunications mast and transmitter occupy the summit, visible from surrounding lowlands and Dublin on clear days.
Kippure
Kippure (mountain), Wicklow Mountains, Leinster, Ireland
53.1782, -6.3321
Free (hiking access).

How to Get to Kippure #

Kippure sits on the Dublin/Wicklow uplands about 20-30 km south of Dublin city centre. By car it’s commonly reached from Dublin via the M50 southbound, then take the R115/R116 into the Dublin Mountains and follow local roads (signposted for Glencullen/Bohernabreena) to a car park near the Bohernabreena reservoirs; driving time is typically 30-50 minutes depending on traffic.

Public transport options are limited: take Dublin Bus toward Ballinteer/Knocklyon or to the foothills (services vary) and then expect a walk or hike of several kilometres on forest/trail paths to reach the summit and transmitter - most visitors access Kippure by car and then walk the marked routes.

Tips for Visiting Kippure #

  • Aim for a clear day (summer or late spring) to get the best long-distance views - Kippure is the high point on the Dublin/Wicklow border and summit visibility makes the effort worthwhile.
  • Expect to see the distinctive TV/radio mast at the summit; use it as a landmark for navigation and photo composition since the summit area is otherwise exposed and featureless.
  • Start early on weekdays to avoid weekend walkers on popular approaches from the Dublin side and to enjoy calmer wind conditions on the exposed summit.

Best Time to Visit Kippure #

Best time to visit for hiking is late spring through summer when trails are most accessible and weather milder.

Spring
March-May · 5-15°C (lowlands); cooler on the summit
Generally mild and a good time for hiking; slopes can still be wet or boggy after winter.
Summer
June-August · 12-20°C (lowlands); cooler and windier on higher ground
Warmer, drier conditions for walking and views, but expect more hikers at popular trails.
Autumn-winter
September-February · 0-12°C; colder and windier at elevation
Colder, often wet and windy with shorter daylight; winter may bring snow at higher elevations and tougher hiking conditions.

Weather & Climate near Kippure #

Climate

Kippure's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in February). Temperatures range from 0°C to 16°C. Abundant rainfall (1892 mm/year), wettest in January.

Best Time to Visit
JulyAugustJune
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
24°
Warmest Month
-4°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (214 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

30 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

214 mm
Rainfall
9.3 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.9h daylight

February

February is the coolest month with highs of 5°C and lows of 0°C. Significant rainfall (158 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

34 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

158 mm
Rainfall
8.9 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (160 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

34 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

160 mm
Rainfall
8.5 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (122 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

40 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

122 mm
Rainfall
7.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.8h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (127 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

127 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.2
UV Index
High
15.7h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (111 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

50 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

111 mm
Rainfall
6.1 m/s
Wind
Breezy
1.5
UV Index
High
16.7h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

107 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.3
UV Index
High
16.2h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (139 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

56 Acceptable

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

139 mm
Rainfall
5.9 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.1
UV Index
High
14.6h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (160 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

46 Poor

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
13°
88%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

160 mm
Rainfall
6.7 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (193 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

44 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

193 mm
Rainfall
7.8 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.4h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (189 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

34 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
91%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

189 mm
Rainfall
8.4 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.4h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Heavy rain (212 mm), mostly overcast skies, and breezy conditions.

32 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

212 mm
Rainfall
8.6 m/s
Wind
Breezy
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.3h daylight

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