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Parkgate, Prince’s Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry, V92 K295ModerateLandmark · Dingle
The
Iron Man.
An out-and-back from Laharn across open Slieve Mish ground to the rusted Iron Man structure on Barnanageehy, with wide views over Tralee Bay.
DISTANCE
9.91km
ASCENT
285m
HIGH POINT
555m
My time 2 hr 45 · open mountain out and back GRADE GUIDE ↗
Reading the map…
INTERACTIVE TERRAIN · ACTUAL GPX TRACKACTUAL GPX TRACK
A recorded time is not a planning estimate. Build your own from pace, ascent, ground, weather and daylight.
01 · DECIDE
Is this your day?
ELEVATION PROFILE
313 m to 555 m.
A gradual outward climb reaches the Iron Man at about 555 m before retracing the same broad slope.
Reading the forecast
285 m ascent · 290 m descent
THE LINE
A curious landmark above Tralee Bay.
The Iron Man is a rusted metal frame on Barnanageehy, above the eastern slopes of the Slieve Mish. The route approaches from Laharn, reaches it and comes back with Tralee Bay opening out below.
An account published by gfm101 in August 2013 identifies the Iron Man as the remains of a telephone deflector dish erected by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs. It describes the dish as disused and already blown over, and includes photographs of the fallen structure. My photographs show the framework that’s left on the hillside.
Barnanageehy is Bearna na Gaoithe, the gap of the wind. The Placenames Database records it as a pass in the parish of Annagh, in the townland of An Chorrghráig, Curragraigue.
- 01Laharn viewpointThe walk begins at about 316 m and leaves the roadside for open mountain ground.
- 02Eastern Slieve Mish slopesA gradual westward approach crosses rough grass and scattered stone, with Tralee Bay behind.
- 03BarnanageehyThe route reaches approximately 555 m beside the rusted structure known as the Iron Man.
- 04Retraced returnThe route turns east and broadly follows the outward line back towards Laharn.
The communications history is described in The Iron Man, gfm101 (16 August 2013) ↗. Bearna na Gaoithe, the parish and the townland follow the Placenames Database. The photographs are my own.
Forecast for around 550 m
Reading the forecast…
NOW
WIND
TODAY’S PEAK RAIN CHANCE
Reading the forecast…
–cloud
–humidity
–km/h peak gust
Strongest wind today–
Peak gust–
RECENT RAINFALL · LIKELY GROUND
NEXT SIX HOURS · swipe
Reading the forecast
Forecast. This is a modelled estimate for this route’s high ground; conditions can differ sharply across the mountain. Derived from Open-Meteo forecast data ↗.
HAZARDS & OPTIONSKnow the commitment.
A military training area and private ground lie nearby. Never enter signed, closed or prohibited land, and turn back if the permitted line is unclear.
The open hillside has few strong features and can be difficult to navigate in cloud or poor visibility.
Rough grass, boggy patches, loose stone and hidden holes can make the going slower than the modest ascent suggests.
The Iron Man is a deteriorating metal structure, not a shelter or climbing frame. Keep clear of unstable or sharp sections.
The slopes are exposed to wind, with little shelter once away from the road.
The safest retreat is to reverse the recorded approach towards Laharn. Do not improvise a descent into adjoining valleys or cross fences towards the military training area.
FROM THE MOUNTAIN
My photographs.
03 · GO
Getting there.
Start well.
ROUTE NOTES REVIEWED 12 AUGUST 2026STARTLaharn viewpoint
Select coordinates to copy
The walk starts at Laharn viewpoint. This is open mountain rather than a fully waymarked trail. A military training area lies nearby and some adjoining ground is private: obey every warning, closure, fence and local sign, remain on the permitted approach and do not enter the range or cross into prohibited ground. Confirm current access before setting out.
ROUTE FILE
Take the route with you.
The original GPX, exactly as walked. Load it into your watch, phone or offline mapping before you leave signal.
Distance, heights, time and track come from my GPX and GeoJSON, recorded on 14 June 2026. Check access, military restrictions and local conditions before you go.
Download original GPXthe-iron-man.gpx · as recorded
Confirm the download when your browser asks, then open the file from your browser’s downloads and your mapping app will offer to take it. HiiKER and Garmin Explore both do; the route loads on HiiKER’s free tier, though its EastWest mapping of the Irish uplands is a paid layer. Onto a watch: import the GPX into Garmin Connect, Komoot or Strava and send it to the device from there.
Read the ground. Keep your margin.
Conditions can change the seriousness of any route.
Before you leave
- Check the forecast and warnings
- Plan your daylight
- Save the GPX or an offline map
- Pack footwear and layers
- Share your route and return time
Leave a plan.
Tell someone your route and return time. For emergencies in Ireland call 112 or 999 and ask for Mountain Rescue.
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