Three Rock Mountain Mountain
Prominent Dublin Mountains peak with ancient standing stones
A granite ridge on Dublin's southern skyline with looped walking trails, boulder features and views over Dublin Bay; popular with local hikers and orienteering groups.
Three Rock Mountain at a Glance#
Address: Three Rock Mountain (on Dublin’s Dublin Mountains ridge), near Ticknock and the M50 southern suburbs
About Three Rock Mountain#
Three Rock Mountain is a hill in the Dublin Mountains, south of Dublin city, rising to approximately 450 metres above sea level. It is a prominent local landmark for outdoor recreation and hillwalking in County Dublin.
The mountain has rough heath and rocky outcrops near the summit and is crossed by a network of hiking and forest trails used for walking, running and mountain-biking. The summit area and adjacent ridges provide wide views over the surrounding lowlands and towards Dublin and the Irish Sea.
Historically the area has seen limited quarrying and forestry use, and more recently it has been managed for public recreation and conservation by local authorities. The landscape combines natural rock features with managed forest plantations and open heath.
Three Rock Mountain lies about 10-15 kilometres south of Dublin city centre in the Dublin Mountains range, forming part of the high ground that separates the city from County Wicklow.
- Views: The summit area offers panoramic views over Dublin Bay and the surrounding Dublin Mountains; clear days provide visible sightlines to Dublin city about 12 kilometres to the north.
- Access and trails: Trails of varying difficulty run from nearby car parks and forest tracks; much of the area is managed as a recreation and forestry area with marked paths.
How to Get to Three Rock Mountain#
Accessible from Dublin via the M50 and the local road network; common starting points include car parks at Ticknock and nearby trailheads. Bus routes serve suburbs close to the Dublin Mountains; check local transit options and walking maps for the best approach.
Tips for Visiting Three Rock Mountain#
- Park at the car park on Ticknock Road and take the marked trail-paths can be muddy after rain.
- Visit on a clear day for views of Dublin Bay; the summit is low but the outlook is surprisingly broad.
Best Time to Visit Three Rock Mountain#
Spring through early autumn offers the most comfortable walking conditions and the best chances for city views.
Weather & Climate near Three Rock Mountain#
Three Rock Mountain's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 1°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1359 mm/year), wettest in December.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | 1° - 6° | -2° | 148 mm | overcast | 92% | 8.2 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.9h |
| February | Poor | 1° - 6° | -2° | 110 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.8 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.6h |
| March | Poor | 2° - 8° | 0° | 109 mm | overcast | 89% | 7.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 11.7h |
| April | Acceptable | 2° - 10° | 2° | 90 mm | overcast | 87% | 6.4 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 13.8h |
| May | Acceptable | 5° - 13° | 6° | 93 mm | overcast | 85% | 6.0 m/s | 1.2 high | 15.7h |
| June | Good | 8° - 15° | 12° | 85 mm | overcast | 85% | 5.5 m/s | 1.5 high | 16.7h |
| July | Good | 10° - 17° | 14° | 80 mm | overcast | 86% | 5.4 m/s | 1.3 high | 16.2h |
| August | Acceptable | 10° - 17° | 13° | 107 mm | overcast | 87% | 5.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 14.6h |
| September | Acceptable | 8° - 15° | 11° | 116 mm | overcast | 88% | 6.1 m/s | 0.7 moderate | 12.5h |
| October | Poor | 6° - 11° | 5° | 137 mm | overcast | 89% | 7.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.4h |
| November | Poor | 3° - 8° | 1° | 133 mm | overcast | 91% | 7.4 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.4h |
| December | Poor | 2° - 7° | -1° | 151 mm | overcast | 92% | 7.8 m/s | 0.0 low | 7.3h |
