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Skehan is a hill in County Donegal, in the Inishowen Municipal District of Ireland. It rises to 78 m, so it is a low summit by Irish standards, but it still forms a named high point in the local landscape.
The hill lies in Europe and sits among a cluster of higher hills and mountains to the south and southwest. Its modest height means it is more a local rise than a major climbing objective, but it can still serve as a viewpoint over the surrounding countryside.
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Skehan is in County Donegal, within the Inishowen Municipal District of Ireland. At 78 m, it is a low hill rather than a mountain, and it sits well below the higher ground that surrounds it in this part of Donegal. In national and regional terms it is not a high summit, but it is a named point in the local topography.
The landscape around it is typical of rural north-west Ireland: rolling ground, open hillsides and a generally wet climate that supports grassland and rough vegetation. Higher hills lie within a short distance, so Skehan is part of a broader upland setting rather than an isolated rise.
Nearby higher hills show how small Skehan is in its setting. The closest named summits in the area are all several hundred metres higher and lie mostly to the south and southwest.
Compared with these hills, Skehan is a much lower rise and would usually be treated as part of the foreground rather than the main upland objective.
From Skehan, the main higher hills within 25 km are spread across the southern half of the horizon. The nearest major summit is Raghtin More to the southwest, followed by Bulbin and Mamore Hill in the same general direction. Farther south, Slieve Snaght is the highest of the nearby peaks at 615 m.
Also within range are Damph to the south and Scalp Mountain farther south again. These hills define the local skyline and give a sense of the higher ground that surrounds this low summit.
Skehan The highest peak listed within 25 km is Slieve Snaght at 615 m, about 12.5 km to the south.
What is clear is that Skehan is a minor summit in a landscape dominated by much higher hills nearby.
Climate estimates from NASA POWER for 2001–2020 suggest that the summit is above freezing all year, with the warmest month, July, at about 14 °C and the coldest, January, at about 7 °C. Annual precipitation in the surrounding area is about 1,350 mm.
The wettest month is December at about 150 mm, while the driest is April at about 75 mm. Conditions are therefore cool, damp and changeable rather than severe, with frequent wet ground and a steady risk of wind and drizzle.
For a short hill walk on Skehan, the most comfortable period is usually the drier part of the year, when paths and open ground are less saturated. April is the driest month in the climate data, while late spring and summer offer the mildest temperatures, with the summit averaging about 14 °C in July.
Even in warmer months, the hill remains exposed to rain and wind, so a visit still calls for waterproof clothing and footwear that can handle soft ground. Winter and late autumn are likely to be wetter and less pleasant underfoot.
The surroundings of Skehan fit the usual pattern for rural north-west Ireland: grassland, rough pasture, wet ground and low upland vegetation. In this climate, mosses, heather and other hardy plants are common on higher or more exposed ground, while lower slopes tend to be used for grazing.
Wildlife is typically that of open Irish countryside, with birds of fields and hills, small mammals and livestock in the wider area. The damp climate also means muddy sections can persist for long periods after rain, especially on unsurfaced ground.
Skehan is a short outing rather than a serious mountain climb, but the ground can still be wet and uneven. Sturdy footwear is sensible, and a windproof or waterproof layer is useful even on mild days. In the warmer months, check for ticks if you spend time in rough grass or scrub.
For mountain rescue in Ireland, call 112 — or 999 — and ask for the Gardaí, who will contact the volunteer mountain rescue teams. As on any hill walk, carry a charged phone and download maps before setting out.
Skehan reaches only 78 m, so it is far below the higher hills around it. The nearest higher summit listed is Raghtin More, 9.1 km to the southwest, at 502 m. That contrast makes Skehan a low foreground hill in a much hillier part of Donegal.
The summit is in County Donegal and the Inishowen Municipal District, in Ireland. Its climate is mild but wet, with rain in every month and no month averaging below freezing at summit level.
How high is Skehan? It rises to 78 m.
Where is Skehan? It is in County Donegal, in the Inishowen Municipal District of Ireland.
What are the nearest higher hills? Raghtin More is 9.1 km to the southwest, and Bulbin is 10.5 km to the southwest.
What can you see from the summit? The main higher hills within 25 km are Raghtin More, Bulbin, Mamore Hill, Slieve Snaght, Damph and Scalp Mountain.
What is the weather like? It is cool and wet, with about 1,350 mm of rain a year. The warmest month is July at about 14 °C, and the coldest is January at about 7 °C.
How long does it take to walk up Skehan? Only a rough estimate can be made from its low height; from the surrounding area it would be a short walk, though the real path may be longer.
Will my mobile phone work on Skehan? Coverage in the hills is patchy and depends on the operator. 112 reaches emergency services over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before setting out.
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