[6] According to Irish academic Paul Tempan, Patrick Weston Joyce notes that Mullaghcleevaun was named after a "cradle-like depression near the top, presumably the one occupied by Cleevaun Lough".

[2] Mullaghcleevaun is the 2nd highest peak in the Wicklow Mountains, and is situated in the central sector of the whole range, on the western edge overlooking the Poulaphouca Reservoir (also called the "Blessington Lakes").

[5][9] Mullaghcleevaun's flat summit is visible from other peaks in the range, and its massif also includes the subsidiary summit of Mullaghcleevaun East Top 790 metres (2,590 ft), whose prominence of 40 metres (130 ft) qualifies it as Hewitt.

[5] Further away on Mullaghcleevaun's larger massif is Duff Hill 720 metres (2,360 ft), which lies to the north.

[6] Mullaghcleevaun's most distinctive feature is its deep northern corrie, which contains Wicklow's highest natural lake, Lough Cleevaun 686 metres (2,251 ft).