The old ladder-type stile (which no longer traverses the fence. We had previously repaired and moved this stile, but we had to replace it once the sheep learned how to use it

The new type style - pictures taken before the covers for the barbed wire were added

A bunch of us from Mountain Meitheal West put up a new stile that cross the fence behind the Ben Lettery in the Twelve Bens on Sunday. Why ? Because the sheep had learned how to climb over the old ladder-style one. #mountainmeithealwest #stile #TwelveBens

Nice hiking weather in Connemara today #TwelveBens #Derryclare #Galway #Ireland

Late summer perfect time for #Connemara. On Thursday headed for the #ConnemaraNationalPark. First stop the Inagh Valley; the ice-sculptured #TwelveBens looking as spectacular as ever. Turf cutting, now largely no more, still to be seen. Connemara mountainy sheep seek out best grazing on road verges

Sunday was a great day for hiking in Connemara. #Maumturks #mountains #hiking #Galway #GalwayWalkingClub #Ireland #wildatlanticway #TwelveBens

Twelve Bens from near summit of Diamond Hill (photo: Michael O'Connell, 2025-07-10)

View to NE: Kylemore and its lakes in glacially deepened valley (photo: Michael O'Connell, 2025-07-10)

View to SW on descent from Diamond Hill. Tussocks of purple moor grass (Molinia) dominant (photo: Michael O'Connell, 2025-07-10)

View to SW across expanses of blanket bog that it partly interrupted by afforestation that is some decades old. In the distance, Ballyconneely, Doon Hill (of volcanic origin) and ultimately Slyne Head, the western point of Co. Galway (photo: Michael O'Connell, 2025-07-10)

Descent via the #DiamondHillLoop also affords spectacular views. To east, Peaks of the #TwelveBens, further glimpses of #Kylemore, sheep grazing, & views of #BlanketBog stretching as far as Ballyconneely & beyond @npwsireland.bsky.social @wildatlanticway.bsky.social

Already near start of climb spectacular views to the west. Tully Mountain guards Ballynakill Harbour. Out the Atlantic, Inishbofin and Inishshark on the skyline (photo: Michael O'Connell; 2025-07-10)

View to west from higher elevation, on west slopes of Diamond Hill (photo: Michael O'Connell; 2025-07-10)

View to the north as the steep upper part of Diamond Hill is approached. Clare Island at the mouth of Clew Bay; Achill & Mulranny beyond ((photo: Michael O'Connell; 2025-07-10)

Kylemore Abbey at the base of Doughruagh; lakes stretch to the east; beyond the mountains of N. Connemara and S. Mayo (Joyce Country and Western Lakes Geopark) (photo: Michael O'Connell, 2025-07-10)

Diamond Hill (442 m) outlier of #TwelveBens #Connemara - what views it affords. To west Letterfrack & Ballynakill Bay, Inishbofin & Inishshark beyond; to north, Clare Island & Achill Island & Mullrany in background. On getting to summit, spectacular views of #Kylemore with Duaghruagh & lakes

It didn't feel like summer in the Twelve Bens yesterday (though we did get a bit of sunshine too) #TwelveBens #Connemara #Galway #hiking #Ireland

Thrift on Binn Gabhar in the Twelve Bens today (that's Binn Leitrí/ Ben Lettery in the background). We had rain, hail, wind as well as sunshine today - all in a day's hike in the Bens. #TwelveBens #Galway #Ireland