County high points in - A challenge for Irish hillwalkers Climbing in Monte Rosa
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Summer 2019 €3.95 UK£3.40 ISSN 0790 8008 Issue 130
County
in high points
A challenge for Irish hillwalkers
Climbing in Monte Rosa
Six 4,000m peaks summited in four days
www.mountaineering.ie
Join the climbing squad!
Applications are now open for the
Climbing Development Squad
Mountaineering Ireland continues to provide the
book service previously operated by Joss
The Squad is suitable for young climbers who are keen to
Lynam. We can supply you with guidebooks
improve their climbing performance and who regularly
compete in competitions
and maps to almost any part of the world. The closing date for applications is Friday, August 30th, 2019
For the walker, there is a large collection of at 10.00pm. All applicants will be contacted on or before
Cicerone guides and books, or the wider Friday, September 20th
selection of books and guides distributed Training sessions will take place at a climbing wall in Dublin
by Cordee which also includes many on October 6th, November 10th and December 8th
climbing guides. Books reviewed in the The cost of a place on the Squad is €120 per climber
Irish Mountain Log can usually be
purchased through Joss Books with a
members’ discount. To place an order,
ring the Mountaineering Ireland office
on (01) 6251115 or email
info@mountaineering.ie.
Photograph: Dave Hunt
For more info, see the Mountaineering Ireland website page
www.mountaineering.ie/youth/talentdevelopment
or go to bit.ly/2RKOh9c
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2 Irish Mountain Log Summer 2019
A word from the edItor
ISSUE 130
The Irish Mountain Log is the
❝
membership magazine of
Mountaineering Ireland. The
organisation promotes the interests
Welcome of hillwalkers and climbers in Ireland.
Mountaineering Ireland
Mountaineering Ireland Ltd is a
company limited by guarantee and
C
éad míle fáilte! With the milder registered in Dublin, No 199053.
Registered office: Irish Sport HQ,
weather in Ireland and a heatwave National Sports Campus,
in Europe, it looks like summer is Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
here at last! Tel: (+353 1) 625 1115
Firstly, I must apologise for the delay in mountaineering Ireland has Fax: (+353 1) 625 1116
info@mountaineering.ie
getting this issue of the Irish Mountain Log made a small increase to the www.mountaineering.ie
to you. It has been an unfortunate
annual subscription fee, an
combination of factors that has delayed us Hot Rock Climbing Wall
in sending the magazine to the printers, increase approved at the AGm. Tollymore Mountain Centre
Bryansford, Newcastle
and I am sorry for that delay. County Down, BT33 0PT
climbed six 4,000m peaks in four days.
The Mountaineering Ireland AGM was Tel: (+44 28) 4372 5354
We also have an account of an interview
held in Sport HQ at the end of March and youth@mountaineering.ie
I did with Noel Hanna about his ascent of
we report on that important meeting on
K2 last year, only the second successful Editor: Patrick O’Sullivan
pages 5-8. In the report, Murrough
Irish ascent of the ‘Savage Mountain.’ The Tel: (+353 1) 837 8166 (pm, wknds)
McDonagh, CEO of Mountaineering Ireland, iml-editor@mountaineering.ie
interview also gives an overview of Noel’s
discusses the motion passed at the AGM Literary Editor: Peter O’Neill
other incredible mountaineering iml-literaryeditor@mountaineering.ie
to increase the annual subscription,
achievements. Features Editor: Aisling Spain
explaining the need for the increase, which
There are several shorter features that iml-featureseditor@mountaineering.ie
comes into effect in November this year.
make good reading as well, including a
Having run a small deficit for the last three The Irish Mountain Log is published by
report on what sounds like an excellent
years, Mountaineering Ireland needs to Mountaineering Ireland four times a
weekend in Joyce Country at year, in March, June, September,
balance its books going forward so that it
Mountaineering Ireland’s Ecology of December. The material published in
can continue to provide the same level of the Log by the voluntary editorial team
Mountains workshop in May. There is also a
services to its members. and contributors must not be taken as
very good account of the journey to
This issue of the Irish Mountain Log official Mountaineering Ireland policy
becoming a Mountain Leader; a report on unless specifically stated.
contains the usual wide range of material.
training a search and rescue dog; and a
In the features section, David Barnes Copy deadline for the Autumn 2019
description of a club trip on the Beara Way.
reports on taking on the County High issue of the Irish Mountain Log is:
I will close by hoping that we can all take
Points Challenge; Peter Wilson looks at the Friday, August 14th 2019.
advantage of the better weather and the
importance of the blanket peat that still
longer days to safely enjoy our excursions Advertising: info@mountaineering.ie
covers much of our uplands; and William
into the uplands in the coming weeks.
Nolan describes a trip to the Monte Rosa Production: Cóilín MacLochlainn,
massif, where the group he was with Patrick O’Sullivan, Editor environs@iol.ie
Printing: GPS Colour Graphics Ltd,
Alexander Road, Belfast BT6 9HP
Tel: +44 (0)28 9070 2020
Write for the Log PARTICIPATION AND RISK
Readers of the Irish Mountain Log are
reminded that hillwalking and climbing
are activities with a danger of personal
Contributions of features, news items and photographs for injury or death. Participants in these
the Irish Mountain Log are always welcome and should be activities should be aware of and
accept these risks, and be responsible
sent to the Editor at: iml-editor@mountaineering.ie.
for their own actions and involvement.
Mountaineering Ireland publishes and
Contributors’ guidelines can be downloaded from the promotes safety and good practice
Mountaineering Ireland website, www.mountaineering.ie. advice and through the Mountain
Training Board of Ireland administers a
ON THE COVER
To join Mountaineering Ireland and receive four issues of the Anni huovien enjoying a climb on fair
range of training programmes for
Irish Mountain Log delivered to your door each year, please head, Co Antrim, during the fair head walkers and climbers.
also go to the website, www.mountaineering.ie. meet (see report, page 16)
PHOTOGRAPH
PAUl KellAGher
Summer 2019 Irish Mountain Log 3
CONTENTS Summer 2019
Waterways for Health, a walking
programme on canal and river
routes across Kildare, Carlow
and Laois, was launched in
March. See story, page 9.
News 16 Fair Head Climbing Meet Features
Freja Shannon reports
5 Club membership fee 17 Galway Walk Marathon 41 Blanket Peat
increase approved & Half-marathon By Peter Wilson
Murrough McDonagh reports Anne Brindley reports 45 An Irish ascent of K2
6 Mountaineering Ireland 18 Get Climbing Project
Patrick O’Sullivan interviews Noel
AGM 2019: a report Hanna about his epic climb
Natasza Berlowska reports
8 Increase in Mountaineering 50 County high points odyssey
19 New visitor attractions for David Barnes takes on the all-
Ireland club membership fee Avondale Forest Park Ireland county high points challenge
Murrough McDonagh reports
19 Climbfest 2019 54 Climbing in the Monte Rosa
9 Walking on water: Alan Tees reports
waterways to health William Nolan summits six 4,000m
20 Women With Altitude Meet peaks in four days
Jason King reports
Ruth Whelan reports
10 Autumn gathering to be
held in the Comeraghs 22 Sir Chris Bonington to give Regulars
Con Murphy reports 2019 Lynam Lecture 49 Crossword Competition
Patrick O’Sullivan reports
11 The Comeragh Mountains 58 Access & Conservation
Con Murphy reports 23 Big boost for mountain biking Helen Lawless reports
12 Club Support Meetings 2019 23 2018 sports capital grant 60 Training
Jane Carney reports
13 The hidden Comeraghs 24 Hillwalking Committee set up
Emily Shakespeare reports 62 Good Practice Guide (No 4)
14 Carlingford Lough Greenway News Features By Clare Sheridan
64 Books
opened 26 Training search dogs Reviews of recent books
By Pat O’Rourke Sheelagh O’Malley reports
66 The Last Word
15 Mountaineering Ireland 28 Along the Beara Way Irish deaths on Everest and Elbrus
Board member elected Vice- Geraldine Dunne reports
President of UIAA Mountain 30 The delights of Joyce Country
Protection Commission Aine McGirl reports on the recent
Ecology of Mountains workshop
33 Why a Geopark project?
Trish Walsh reports
34 Becoming a Mountain Leader
Fergal Harrington reports
Climbing
36 2019 Youth Climbing Series
By Jon Henchion
38 2019 Irish Bouldering
Championship
Mike Maunsell Damien O’Sullivan reports Noel Hanna on summit of K2
40 Youth Climbing Team
BOARD MEMBER APPOINTED
15 TO UIAA COMMISSION
A report by Damien O’Sullivan
45 CLIMBER NOEL HANNA INTERVIEWED
4 Irish Mountain Log Summer 2019
Newsdesk
Staff & Board
General enquirieS
info@mountaineering.ie
Staff
Chief executive Officer
Murrough McDonagh,
murrough@mountaineering.ie
administration Officer
Siobhán Quinn, info@mountaineering.ie
Hillwalking Development Officer
Ruth Whelan, ruth@mountaineering.ie
Hillwalking, access
& Conservation Officer
Helen Lawless, helen@mountaineering.ie
training Officer
Jane Carney, jane@mountaineering.ie
training Office administrator
Laura Griffin, laura@mountaineering.ie
Climbing Officer
Damien O’Sullivan,
damien@mountaineering.ie
Youth Development Officer for
northern ireland
Kevin Kilroy, kevin@mountaineering.ie
Project Coordinator, indoor
Climbing/Social inclusion Project
Natasza Berlowska, Members of the Board of Mountaineering Ireland with CEO Murrough McDonagh (third from
natasza@mountaineering.ie right) and members of the organisaton at the AGM at Sport HQ on March 30th.
Get irelanD WalkinG initiative
Programme Manager, Get ireland Walking
Jason King, jason@getirelandwalking.ie
New club membership fees approved
MOuntaineerinG irelanD At the Mountaineering Ireland AGM in assured access for responsible
BOarD OffiCerS March 2019, a motion proposed by the hillwalkers and climbers;
President
Paul Kellagher
Board to increase the fee payable by club
members to €35.00 was passed by a
• Strengthen our support for clubs and
hillwalkers by establishing a new
president@mountaineering.ie
substantial majority. There is no increase Hillwalking Committee and ensuring
Chairperson
in the fee for club members aged under that we have a fulltime Hillwalking
Paul Barron
chairperson@mountaineering.ie 23 years, which remains at €20.50. The Development Officer;
BOarD MeMBerS
special rate of €7.60, for a club member
who is under 23 years and is the son or
• Strive to ensure that mountain
landscapes are valued and protected;
Imelda Buckley
(Chair of Finance, Audit & Risk Committee)
daughter of a registered member of the
same club, also remains unchanged.
• Work with other relevant organisations
to tackle upland path erosion;
imelda-board@mountaineering.ie
Helen Donoghue
This increase will be payable in the
next membership year, i.e., from
• Develop and promote formal and
informal training to meet the needs of
(Chair of Access & Conservation Committee) November 2019. hillwalkers and climbers;
helen-board@mountaineering.ie
Trish Kane
The discounts for early payment and
for clubs with over 200 members have
• Encourage young people to participate
in all aspects of mountaineering;
trish-board@mountaineering.ie
Colette Mahon
been discontinued. The fee of €35.00
covers all of our benefits and services,
• Continue to ensure we get the highest
level of benefits in our insurance policy
colette-board@mountaineering.ie including the insurance cover and receipt at competitive rates;
Michael Maunsell
mike-board@mountaineering.ie
of the Irish Mountain Log. It will also no
longer be possible for members to pay a
• Offer an annual suite of membership
events (Gatherings, Winter Lectures,
Gráinne McLaughlin lower fee by opting out of particular Meets, Environmental Workshops, the
(Chair of Hillwalking Committee) benefits or services. Mountaineering Ireland Lynam Lecture,
grainne-board@mountaineering.ie The fee for those wishing to pay in Coaching and Training events, and
Clare O’Connor sterling will be set by reference to the Club Development initiatives).
clare-board@mountaineering.ie euro to sterling exchange rate in
Photographs: Patrick O’Sullivan
Dawson Stelfox September annually and also possibly If you require more information on this,
(Chair of Mountain Training Board Ireland) reviewed pending developments in Brexit. please feel free to contact the
dawson-board@mountaineering.ie This increase in the membership fees Mountaineering Ireland office. Thanking
Geoff Thomas will help Mountaineering Ireland to: you in advance for your support and
(Chair of Climbing Committee) wishing you and yours a very enjoyable
geoff-board@mountaineering.ie • Deliver the Strategic Plan for
2018-2021, as mandated by our
and safe summer on the hills.
membership in 2018; Murrough McDonagh
• Continue lobbying for improved and CEO, Mountaineering Ireland
Summer 2019 Irish Mountain Log 5
Mountaineering
Ireland AGM
2019: a report
This year’s AGM was held at Sport HQ at
the National Sport Campus in Paul Kellagher, President of Mountaineering Ireland, addressing the AGM. Murrough McDonagh (CEO,
Blanchardstown, Dublin, on Saturday, Mountaineering Ireland) to the left and Mountaineering Ireland Board member Irene Sorohan to the right.
March 30th. It was an extremely positive
meeting. responsibility. With increasing footfall, subcommittees and representatives on
The AGM was chaired by the Chair of the erosion is ever more evident. It is a other bodies. He also paid tribute to the
Board of Mountaineering Ireland, Paul challenge that will not go away and one officers and volunteers in our clubs.
Barron. Paul welcomed everyone, thanked that requires a coordinated response. Paul then handed over to his fellow
them for attending and called the meeting Following a motion at last year’s AGM and Board member, Mike Maunsell, to give the
to order. The first items on the agenda the excellent work of the working group, a citation for an award to one of
were the adoption of the standing orders Hillwalking Committee has been Mountaineering Ireland’s volunteers, who
and the approval of the minutes of the established (see report, page 24). Paul called ‘an unsung hero.’
2018 AGM. After that, the President of
Mountaineering Ireland, Paul Kellagher, Mountain Training Board New Honorary Member
gave his annual address. 2018 also saw the successful first full year An Honorary Membership was awarded to
Paul began by reflecting that we all go to of operation for the new Mountain Training the present Editor of the Irish Mountain Log
the mountains and crags for a wide variety Board of Ireland. The new structure will for services to Mountaineering Ireland.
of reasons, for the peace and solitude that allow the sharing of knowledge and Patrick O’Sullivan has spent a lifetime
we find there, for the companionship of experience across the island of Ireland to pursuing various aspects of our sport,
the like-minded people we meet, or for the the benefit of the candidates on our since starting mountaineering as a
serenity, or the challenge, or the sense of training schemes. teenager in North Wales and Scotland.
adventure they offer. The sense of The introduction of the new Rock Skills Apart from hillwalking and climbing in
adventure is a key value in our new scheme at the beginning of this year many different parts of Britain and Ireland
Strategic Development Plan, but it has to complements our extremely popular and in the European Alps, he has lived and
be closely balanced against the skills we Mountain Skills scheme. It recognises and worked in many different mountainous
have or aspire to, in order to pursue our addresses the needs of a rapidly growing areas around the world, including New
sport safely. population of climbers, whose introduction Zealand, Nepal and Malawi, spending a
In 2018, Mountaineering Ireland to the sport has been mainly through total of twelve years living in Asia and
developed the Strategic Development indoor climbing walls. The new scheme will Africa.
Plan 2018-2021. This plan resulted from a assist those climbers in making a safe Patrick is retired now but, while he was
period of consultation, in face-to-face transition to our mountain and coastal working as a busy medical doctor, he also
meetings and through seeking feedback crags, gaining the necessary skills for served as Treasurer of the then
from our members online. The plan sets independent climbing. Mountaineering Council of Ireland for six
out our purpose, vision, values and five The popularity of this aspect of our sport years, was on the Board for many years
strategic pillars for the years ahead. is evidenced by three very popular and has been Editor of the Irish Mountain
During the consultation, many of our climbing gatherings that are held annually, Log for the last sixteen years.
members emphasised the importance to the Climbfest, the Fair Head Meet and the In accepting the Honorary Membership
them of continued access to our Burren Meet. from the President, Patrick expressed his
mountains. Without that access, Paul expressed particular thanks to sincere gratitude, saying he was
hillwalking and climbing will become Murrough McDonagh and the rest of the overwhelmed by the gesture and that he
impossible. Continued free access to our staff, who make all the services we deliver felt he had already got so much from our
Photograph: Patrick O’Sullivan
mountains is at the heart of what we do. to our members possible. He also sport and from being part of
The growing pressure on our landscape has acknowledged our funders, Sport Ireland Mountaineering Ireland.
resulted in a challenging year. The recent and Sport Northern Ireland, and all our
issue of the planned sale of Luggala Estate members, who support our activities. Secretary’s report
highlights the fragility of the access that Ending his address, Paul stated that our Murrough McDonagh, CEO, then gave the
we currently enjoy, but there are now a volunteers are at the heart of everything Company Secretary’s report. The last
myriad of other challenges to that access that Mountaineering Ireland does and Mountaineering Ireland Annual General
across the country. stands for. He paid tribute to his Meeting was held at the Spring Gathering
Our access to hills and crags comes with colleagues on the Board, and the on March 24th, 2018, in the Aherlow House
6 Irish Mountain Log Summer 2019
The Mountaineering Ireland Board, CEO Murrough McDonagh (at laptop) and ordinary members of Mountaineering Ireland at the AGM at Sport
HQ, Blanchardstown, Dublin, on March 30th.
Hotel and Lodge, Co Tipperary, hosted by and procedural requirements have been then presented by Board member Imelda
Limerick Climbing Club. followed, including reporting and Buckley, Chair of the Finance, Audit and
At the AGM, amendments were made to submissions to the Companies Risk Sub-committee, for approval, and the
the Constitution, which were notified to Registration Office. Mountaineering auditor was reappointed for 2019.
the Company Registration Office. Ireland is a company limited by guarantee Several aspirant clubs were unanimously
A new Board was elected and eight and is a sporting organisation supported elected to full membership. They were Hell
meetings of that Board were held in 2018. by both Sport Ireland and Sport Northern Fire Rangers, Pathfinders Mountaineering
We have continued to review our Ireland. Club, Mourne Youth Climbing Club, Gilford
governance policy in the past year and are Murrough concluded by saying that he Youth Climbing Club, Glencree Walkers,
currently updating some of our processes felt the Board of Directors had acted at all We Walk Together, Kick Ass Adventures,
and structures to reflect best practice in times in the best interest and to the best Barryroe Walking Club, International
governance. We have created a new sub- of their capability with regard to the Women’s Club and Shannon Trekkers.
committee of the Mountaineering Ireland Mountaineering Ireland organisation, its Paul Barron congratulated them all on their
Photographs: Patrick O’Sullivan (AGM), Helen Lawless (Patrick O’Sullivan receiving Honorary Membershhip)
Board, the Finance, Audit and Risk Sub- members and other stakeholders. achievement and wished their members
committee. much pleasure as they progressed in our
We have met the compliance standards Financial statements sport.
of the governance code in 2018. All legal The financial statements for 2018 were Mountaineering Ireland’s statements
regarding Safeguarding and Anti-Doping
were read and approved by the meeting.
Finally, a motion that had been proposed
by the Board of Mountaineering Ireland was
approved by the meeting, namely that ‘the
annual subscription payable by club
members in respect of the subscription
year beginning on 1 November 2019 and
each subscription year thereafter shall be as
follows: club member aged 23 years and
over - €35.00; club member aged under 23
years - €20.50; where a club member aged
under 23 years is the daughter or son of a
registered member of that club, a special
rate of €7.60 shall apply.’
Mountaineering Ireland’s Annual Review
2018 was also presented at the AGM. The
Annual Review provides an overview of key
work achieved over the past year and can
be read or downloaded from
www.mountaineering.ie.
A Members’ Forum followed the AGM.
The Members’ Forum is an informal
meeting, which provides an opportunity
Patrick O’Sullivan being awarded Honorary Membership of Mountaineering Ireland by President for clubs and members to raise items for
of Mountaineering Ireland, Paul Kellagher (left) and Board member Mike Maunsell (right). discussion ■
Summer 2019 Irish Mountain Log 7
NEWSL0G Increase in Mountaineering Ireland club membership fee This is just a short note to say thank you to our members for supporting the motion that was approved at the March AGM to increase Mountaineering Ireland’s club membership fee to €35 from November 2019 for the coming 2019/2020 membership year. This is the first increase to Mountaineering Ireland membership fees since 2007. There is no increase in the fee for either club members aged under 23 years (which remains at €20.50) or for club members under 23 years who are the son or daughter of a registered member of the same club (it remains at €7.60). Below is an infographic showing where our funding came from in 2018 and where we spent it to maintain the level of work we do to represent and support hillwalking and climbing in Ireland. Our 2018 funding came from two main income streams: Where we spent our 2018 funding: In maintaining the same level of service to our membership over the past three years, we have incurred a combined financial shortfall of €128,886. Therefore, our focus moving forward has to be on increasing our income, while at the same time expanding our level of activity to deliver on the Strategic Plan adopted in 2018. This includes increased support for hillwalking by establishing a new Hillwalking Committee and by appointing a fulltime Hillwalking Development Officer. For further information on our audited accounts, please visit www.mountaineering.ie/AboutUs/Downloads. We sincerely appreciate your continued support in this process. Murrough McDonagh, CEO, Mountaineering Ireland 8 Irish Mountain Log Summer 2019
Launching the Waterways For Health programme on
the banks of the River Barrow in Co Carlow in March
Walking on water: waterways to health
By Jason King (Get Ireland on these paths and, where accessibility of places to walk, Partnerships, is an ideal
Walking) possible, to collaborate with and the amenities which opportunity to encourage
and support Get Ireland surround us, can enhance our people to see inland waterways
Research has shown that Walking in its campaign to get quality of life: this is the as a fitness and recreational
engagement with nature more people more active more objective of the programme opportunity. Through the
through outdoor activities can often. and the aim for all participants. Waterways for Health
have a significant positive As National Programme “Waterways Ireland has seen programme, they will develop
impact on an individual’s Manager with Get Ireland a huge increase in the number skills to help them stay fit and
health and wellbeing. Get Walking, I am excited about of recreational and tourist users healthy for life.”
Ireland Walking, Waterways this new programme. We live on and along all our waterways Waterways for Health kicked
Ireland and the Local Sports on an island surrounded by in recent years,” says Sharon off on March 8th. We look
Partnerships from Kildare, green and blue spaces, which Lavin, Head of Marketing and forward to sharing with you the
Carlow and Laois are now provide a plethora of Communication, Waterways successes of the programme
launching a walking opportunities to engage with Ireland. “With the provision of and to share our plans for
programme on canal and nature for improved health and our Blueway and Greenway further promotion of walking
river routes across the wellbeing. This programme will trails, we have now created trails on Ireland’s waterways.
three counties. consist of a series of walks for even more opportunities for The Get Ireland Walking
The aim of this programme six weeks for three separate people to try new recreational initiative and Local Sports
is to immerse participants in a groups and service providers. activities. This also offers Partnerships are supported by
natural environment, Families, and addiction and greater health and wellbeing Sport Ireland and Healthy
enhancing their walking cardiac care services’ and social opportunities for Ireland. For more information
experience, with water participants, will be targeted. many. on the partners and their
providing the therapeutic We hope the experience for “For Waterways Ireland, the services see the websites
element. A network of walking those who do participate Waterways for Health www.getirelandwalking.ie,
trails along the canals provides will be enjoyable and fun. programme, in conjunction www.waterwaysireland.org
accessible and fun ways for Walking can result in with our partners in Get Ireland and www.sportireland.ie (to find
families, groups, clubs and physical, mental and social Walking and the Local Sports your Local Sports Partnership) ■
individuals to regularly get benefits. Walking gives an
out into the outdoors. opportunity for the AUTHOR: Jason King is Programme Manager of
This programme will participants to disconnect Get Ireland Walking. Get Ireland Walking is an
facilitate this for targeted from the rat race, to be still, to initiative of Sport Ireland, supported by
groups with support from engage with themselves and Healthy Ireland and hosted and delivered by
Mountaineering Ireland.
County Walking Facilitators to chat with friends and family.
and coordinators from Local FIND OUT MORE: To find out more about Get
It helps break down barriers
Ireland Walking, visit the website
Sports Partnerships. and lays the foundations for
Photograph: Get Ireland Walking
www.getirelandwalking.ie, contact us on
Waterways Ireland is keen to growth, better health and (01) 625 1109 or email Jason at
promote the activity of walking better wellbeing. The jason@getirelandwalking.ie.
Summer 2019 Irish Mountain Log 9
NEWSL0G
Members of Kilmacthomas
Walking Club in the Comeraghs
Gathering to be held in the Comeraghs
The members of Kilmacthomas Walking Club are celebrating their fifteenth anniversary this year
and have offered to host the Mountaineering Ireland Autumn Gathering. They are keen to show
off the beauty of their home turf, the Comeraghs, and the joys of walking there.
other better-known tourist sites, which is The club encourages its members to
a pity. Few other counties have such a improve their abilities in navigation, walk
variety of mountain, sea and river leadership and other mountain skills,
Autumn Gathering
environments, all within such close while at the same time benefiting from
proximity of each other and all so easily improved health and fitness. We believe
accessible. The club is fortunate to have that it is very important to stop and
all of this natural beauty on its doorstep. enjoy the beauty around us. We are
The club likes to pride itself on its always grateful to the local agriculture
Kilmacthomas Walking Club friendliness, and we accommodate community for their goodwill in allowing
walkers of all levels. Companionship is an us access to such marvellous amenities.
By Con Murphy (Chairperson, important aspect of the club. Our mantra We have a few weekends away each
Kilmacthomas Walking Club) is “It’s not a competition” and we walk at year and we celebrate Christmas and the
a pace that suits all of our participants. summer with nights out. In addition, in
Kilmacthomas Walking Club, based in
We generally alternate between flat most years the club plans a walking trip
Kilmacthomas, Co Waterford, was
walks and hill or mountain walks every abroad. Previous trips have included
founded in November 2004, so we are
other week. Most of our walks take sections of the Camino de Santiago de
approaching fifteen years in existence. We
between two and four hours. Compostela and visits to Snowdonia, the
currently have approximately sixty
Dolomites and Nepal.
Photograph: Kilmacthomas Walking Club Collection
members. We walk primarily in the Comeragh and
Monavullagh Mountains, but we also We have also organised night walks in
Kilmacthomas is located at the base of
regularly go to the Knockmealdowns, the the Comeraghs, which have been
the Comeragh Mountains, in the heart of
Galtees, Slievenamon and elsewhere, as dependent on a full moon and clear
County Waterford, halfway between
well as doing flat walks throughout the skies. We are generally always happy to
Waterford city and Dungarvan. The club
south-east, along river, forest and coastal walk in our local mountains.
was formed to explore and appreciate the
beauty of the local mountains. routes.
The club normally meets on Sunday The club is conscious of its
mornings in Kilmacthomas to carpool responsibility not to disturb the
before heading to the walk location. Our environment in which we walk and of the
walks programme is available on our need to protect and conserve the
website and any last-minute alterations are landscape that we enjoy so much. It is
notified to club members via Whats App. important that we leave it so that others
The natural beauty of the countryside in may also derive the same pleasures as
Waterford is often overlooked in favour of we have from it.
10 Irish Mountain Log Summer 2019Knockanaffrin ridge
The Comeragh Mountains in the Comeraghs
seem an easy crossing, but there are lakes in the country, rivers, forests,
many obstacles in the soft peat covering, valleys, waterfalls, cliff faces, ridges and
such as wet bog, cuttings and rivers, all of rolling hills. There is a waterfall above the
which can be energy-draining. Sgilloge Loughs, where the prevailing
Autumn Gathering
When visibility is poor, good navigation wind can blow the water backwards to
skills are required to safely traverse the form a mist; that is referred to as ‘sean
mountains, as there are few suitable bhean ag caitheamh tobac.’
landmarks to guide the way. Coumshingaun Lake is the largest lake
The Comeragh plateau is an eroding in the Comeraghs. It covers an area of
Details of this year’s Autumn blanket bog with numerous peat haggs, about fifteen hectares and has a vertical
Gathering for your diary exposed gravel and wet bog areas. The cliff face to the rear, which is 350 metres
plateau landscape might be compared to high, almost double the height of the
Date: October 18-19th 2019
a lunar-type situation. Ground cover Cliffs of Moher. Most of the lakes in the
Base: The Park Hotel, Dungarvan consists principally of grasses, peat, Comeraghs are corrie lakes or coums,
Host club: Kilmacthomas Walking Club heather and ferns. which were formed by glacial movement
Location: The Comeraghs, Co Waterford The attractions of the Comeraghs are during the last Ice Age. Not all of the
the variety of landscapes that they offer, coums contain lakes, though; Coum Eag,
which include some of the finest corrie for example, is a dry coum. ➤
By Con Murphy (Chairperson,
Kilmacthomas Walking Club)
The Comeragh mountain range contains a
number of peaks, including Monavullagh,
Coumaraglin and Lyre Mountains, and
stretches from Dungarvan in the south
to Clonmel in the north.
There are a series of corries along the
east and west flanks of the mountain
range. The eastern face of the range
contains cliff faces and corries, while the
western face consists of a more gentle,
sloping landscape. The entire mountain
range is covered by Ordnance Survey Map
No 75.
The mountain range contains only a few
Photographs: Con Murphy
peaks, because the summit is a plateau.
The highest point is 792 metres and is
marked by a cairn, because otherwise it
might not be located easily, as there is
nothing to distinguish it from the
surrounding area. Coumshingaun, a jewel of
a corrie in the Comeraghs
Once climbed, the Comeraghs may
Summer 2019 Irish Mountain Log 11NEWSL0G
Sgilloge Lough in
the Comeraghs
The high-level horseshoe walk above a pleasant walk in Crough (pronounced Corraun, an ex-British Army shooting
Coumshingaun is one of the finest walks ‘crew’) Wood, which is a beautiful oak and range on Long Hill, old stone sheep
in the south-east of the country and beech forest straddling the Mahon River. enclosures and two disused, ugly MMD
includes scrambling, a bit of bouldering Much of the walking in the Comeraghs relay stations.
and great views out to sea and inland to is on open ground, and maybe, if you’re The Comeraghs are a most under-used
the Galtees and the Knockmealdowns on lucky, you will find some sheep tracks to amenity: it is possible to spend a
a clear day. ease the trek. weekend in them without seeing another
Adjacent to Coumshingaun are Crotty’s The Mahon, the Clodiagh and the Nire human being. However, the walk into
Lake and Crotty’s Rock, which was the rivers rise in close proximity to each other Mahon Falls and the low-level access to
hiding place of an eighteenth-century in the plateau above Coumshingaun. Coumshingaun can be very popular,
highwayman. Despite many years of Other rivers that rise in the Comeraghs especially at weekends.
searching, we have not found any of his include the Glasha, the Glenary, the To date, hillwalking has had little
rumoured hidden hoard. To the west of Colligan, the Dalligan and the Tay. adverse impact on the mountain, but
Crotty’s Lake is Coum Iarthar, another fine The Comeraghs contain much there are signs that this could change,
example of a corrie lake, with a flat evidence of past civilisations, with especially on Coumshingaun ridge. The
plateau overhead, a rear cliff wall and a numerous standing stones, stone circles, main activities affecting the mountains
lake entrapped by a moraine. There are a barrows and fulachta fiadha. It is are sheep grazing, the burning off of
number of smaller lakes downstream from astonishing to think that we can walk heather and peat erosion. Lately, a track
the main lake. today in an area that held a thriving has been formed close to the Falls, along
Continuing anti-clockwise around the community more than 4,000 years ago. the bank of the Mahon River, that is
perimeter of the mountain we come to There are many remains of the built causing increasing erosion. Attempts
Coumdula, and further on under environment hidden in the hills, ranging have been made to reverse this impact.
from the above archaeological finds to County Waterford is fortunate to have
such a rich and varied mountain range ■
Knockanaffrin is Lake Morha.
In the Nire Valley, we find the two deserted villages in Glenary and in
Sgilloge Loughs, the two Coumalocha
Lakes and, further on, Lough Coumfea.
Over the mountain is a string of small Club Support Meetings 2019
lakes in Coumtae. Many of these lakes Following on from the success of last year’s Mountaineering Ireland Club Support Meetings,
contain small brown trout, which may when we visited Sligo, Bray, Kerry and Derry, we plan to hold more meetings this year.
trace their ancestry back to the last Ice The meetings will follow a similar agenda to last year’s, with Ruth Whelan (Hillwalking
Age. Development Officer), Helen Lawless (Access & Conservation Officer) and Jane Carney
There are few defined tracks in the (Training Officer) from Mountaineering Ireland visiting Cork, Newry, Dublin and Galway to give
Comeraghs, but a number of marked ways clubs in each region the opportunity to raise club-related topics with them. The meetings will
have been established in the Nire Valley allow clubs to network with other clubs in their region, to share ideas and information.
Photograph: Con Murphy
area. There are trailheads at the Nire car
Date Location Venue
park (S 277 128) and at Curraheen (S 307
25th September Cork The Hibernian Hotel, Mallow, Co Cork
154) that give access to these tracks.
3rd October Newry Mourne Country Hotel, Newry
A tarmac path gives access to the 21st November Dublin Irish Sport HQ, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15
waterfall at Mahon Falls, which is a very 27th November Galway Menlo Park Hotel, Headford Road, Galway
popular tourist attraction. Close to the
Falls, the local community has developed Refreshments from 7.00pm. Meeting time: 7.30-9.30pm.
12 Irish Mountain Log Summer 2019The hidden Comeraghs
By Emily Shakespeare slopes in the earlier maps, the
outlines of fields, roads and
The research that I recently buildings are clearly shown,
completed into changes over whilst the detail on the other
time in settlement patterns in side of the boundary is sparse,
Kilrossanty parish in the only containing townland
Comeragh Mountains has boundaries, streams and
been very interesting. By altitude markers. Fifty years
comparing historic Ordnance later, the demarcation is even
Survey maps with present-day more pronounced: roads and
aerial photography and rivers end abruptly on entering Ned Curran’s cottage
cartography using GIS, I was the blank, mountainous space.
able to create a picture of how The message from these maps 1 km north, Ned Curran’s line of cultivation, the maps
settlements in this area have is, therefore, that there was no farmstead also still stands performed an ‘ideological
grown, declined or even inhabitation above this line. and, although it is understood filtering’ of what would have
disappeared since 1840. However, the plethora of that it was occupied until the been predominantly poorer
Doody’s farm and the edge of cultivation as depicted on the 25” OS map 1920s, it was not included in Gaelic Irish families, reflecting
the official OS maps. the power and social
These omissions or ‘silences’ structures of the time. The
on the maps can tell us just as collective memory of this
Photographs: Helen Lawless (Ned Curran’s cottaage); map and satellite image copyright of Ordnance Survey of Ireland (licences pending)
much about society at the invisibility may have influenced
time as what was included. By the decision for Ned Curran’s
denying the existence of farm to be used as a safe
inhabitants living above the house during the Civil War ■
Ned Curran’s
farm
During the research, it archaeological evidence in the
became apparent that the mountains shows that the land
historic maps were not telling above this dividing line was
the whole story and appear to lived in and was worked.*
have excluded dwellings for Temporary dwellings were
which there is clear alternative also erected when families
physical or anecdotal were evicted and urgently
evidence. needed shelter (brácha), which
Compiled by the British left no mark on the landscape.
military in the 1840s, the 6” Nor, in fact, did those
Ordnance Survey map was the dispossessed families who
first cartographic endeavour of sought shelter in farmers’
its kind and enabled a outbuildings or in field corners.
comprehensive valuation of Booleying, or transhumance, Doody’s farm
land in Ireland to create a new is the agricultural tradition of
up-to-date tax system. taking cattle up to the high
In the 1890s, a more open lands to graze during the
detailed 25”-to-one-mile map summer months. Booleying Further reading
was created to allow more structures, an important Andrews, JH (2002) A Paper Landscape: the Ordnance Survey in nineteenth-
century Ireland. Four Courts History Classics.
accurate coverage of the land extension of lowland Harley, JB (1988) Maps, Knowledge and Power in Daniels, S and Cosgrove, D
being sold off by Irish settlement life, were also (eds) The Iconography of Landscape. Cambridge University Press.
landlords who had suffered excluded from the official
financially during the Famine. maps.
AUTHOR: Emily Shakespeare is a PhD
Both historic maps have a The floating island of candidate at Waterford Institute of
boundary dividing cultivated ‘Doody’s farm’ in the Technology, researching the landscape
and uncultivated land on Comeragh townland on the 25” biography of Kilrossanty parish in the
mountain slopes, and the map is clearly outlined and its Comeragh Mountains. This research is part-
topographic detail differs physical imprint still exists funded by the Irish Uplands Forum and
significantly between the two today, including some building Landscape Research Group. Emily thanks all
areas. On the cultivated lower ruins. Looking upslope around those in the local community who offered
their invaluable knowledge of the area. She can be contacted at
Emily.shakespeare@postgrad.wit.ie and on Twitter at @emstar73.
* http://webgis.archaeology.ie/historicenvironment
Summer 2019 Irish Mountain Log 13NEWSL0G
Carlingford Lough Greenway opened
the future. The partners in this project operation and agreement of
The central aim of the are Louth County Council, the numerous landowners
Carlingford Lough Greenway is Newry, Mourne and Down along the route. There were
to inspire active travel, as it is District Council and the East thirty-three landowners along
planned to be a quality, off- Border Region. Together, we the 2013 section of the
road, cross-border Greenway have successfully secured over Greenway, and there are at
trail between Newry city and €3 million in funding to least twenty-four non-
Carlingford, a distance of 20 complete a 20km section of statutory landowners on the
kilometres. This project Greenway along Carlingford latest section of Greenway. This
primarily utilises disused Lough by the end of 2020. involvement of the landowners
railway line and canal bank has developed into a genuine
infrastructure along the Last year, we opened broad community buy-in to
majestic shores of Carlingford another section of the the Greenway.
Lough. Carlingford Lough Greenway The Greenway is the starting
The idea started with the from Newry south to Victoria place for so many meaningful
original section of Greenway, Lock, located between the conversations, from heritage to
which had been developed canal and the tidal Newry sustainability, to simply getting
alongside Carlingford Lough in River. better acquainted with this
2013, between Carlingford This cross-border beautiful part of Ireland.
Marina and Omeath. This partnership is advancing the The Carlingford Lough
proved to be very popular, with remaining 10km of Greenway Greenway is an important
over 50,000 users per year on to complete a quality trail from motivator for sustainable
By Pat O’Rourke the 6-km trail. This original Carlingford to Newry, linking mobility in the population and
Greenway followed the line of with the existing 30km Newry increased partnership across
Greenways are being developed the disused Dundalk, Newry Canal Way walking and cycling the border. The cooperation of
in many scenic locations on the and Greenore Railway, which trail. numerous landowners as the
island of Ireland that were not was built in 1875/76 and on The longer-term vision is to project has evolved has been a
traditionally accessible. These which the last train had complete a quality offroad crucial element in this process.
trails are proving to be popular travelled in 1951. Greenway trail from Belfast to It is also opening opportunities
entry points to a more active While I am working for Louth Dublin, which we boldly call the for the local population to get
lifestyle for people of all ages, County Council, our local East Coast Trail. out and be active, and inspiring
Photograph: Patrick O’Sullivan (Greenway)
supporting their overall health authority colleagues in While significant sections of all of us to consider behavioural
and wellbeing and connecting Northern Ireland have been land were in state ownership, changes in relation to our car
them with nature in a very real developing a plan for a trail the remainder of the trail was use and ultimately to reduce
way. heading south from Newry developed with the close co- our carbon footprint ■
However, while the rural along the banks of the Newry
landscapes through which they Ship Canal, which dates from
pass are a major part of this the 1740s. We combined our AUTHOR: Pat O’Rourke is an executive
Greenways success, their links efforts and successfully technician in the Infrastructure Section of
to urban centres are crucial Louth County Council, working on the
applied for EU Interreg funding
elements in the progress to Carlingford Lough Greenway. He is a member
for a cross-border Greenway of the CROWS Hillwalkers and of
sustaining the increased project from Newry to Mountaineering Ireland.
mobility of the population into Carlingford.
14 Irish Mountain Log Summer 2019Mike Maunsell (second from right) representing the UIAA Mountain Protection Commission at the UN World Tourism
Organisation’s 4th Euro-Asian Mountain Tourism Conference, held in Germany in March. Also pictured (from left): Dirk
Glasser, (Director, Sustainable Development Tourism, UNWTO); Sara Manuelli (Policy & Advocacy Officer, UN Food &
Agriculture Organisation Mountain Partnership); Alina Szasz (Coordinator, Carpathian Mountains Sustainable Tourism
Platform) and Matthais Jurek (United Nations Environment Programme, UNEP).
Mike Maunsell
Mountaineering Ireland Board member
Federation of Mountain Guides
elected Vice-President of UIAA Mountain Associations (IFMGA). The UIAA
Mountain Protection
Protection Commission Commission is collaborating
with the IFMGA to implement
environments. and mountain communities in
new projects on training,
Some of Mike Maunsell’s work the face of climate change and
education and sustainability
on the UIAA Mountain how these will impact on
guidelines for member
Protection Commission society in general.
associations and the
includes speaking at Some of the recent
international conferences, as collaboration and advocacy mountaineering community.
well as collaboration and work of the UIAA Mountain The UIAA Mountain
advocacy work for mountain Protection Commission Protection Commission is also
environments and includes signing up to the five collaborating with the
communities. principles of the United international network Mountain
Mike was a speaker and Nations Framework Research Initiative and with the
Mike Maunsell, a member of panellist representing the UIAA Convention on Climate UN Environment Programme
the Board of Directors of at the UN World Tourism Change (UNFCCC) initiative, (EU Environment) on training,
Mountaineering Ireland, was Organization’s 4th Euro-Asian Sports for Climate Action. The education and sustainability
elected Vice-President of the Mountain Tourism Conference, five principles are: projects.
Union Internationale des held in Berchtesgaden, Mike contributed to the
Associations d'Alpinisme Germany between March 2-5th 1 Undertake systematic
efforts to promote greater
environmental section of the
(UIAA) Mountain Protection this year. His speech and panel UIAA’s Summer Alpine Training
environmental
Commission in May this year. Q&A covered how the UN’s Handbook, which is used by
responsibility
The UIAA, the International sustainable development goals thousands of mountaineers
Climbing and Mountaineering
Federation, which is based in
and sustainable mountain
tourism initiatives can be
2 Reduce
impact
overall climate visiting the Alps each year. He
became a Fellow of the Royal
Switzerland, is the international implemented in adventure
governing body for climbing tourism to protect local 3 Educate for climate action Geographical Society in 2014
and works as a lecturer in
and mountaineering, and
represents climbers and
communities and fragile
environments.
4 Promote sustainable and
responsible consumption
environmental and geographical
science with the Department of
mountaineers around the world Mike was the keynote speaker
on a wide range of issues at the international conference 5 Advocate for climate action
through communication.
Applied Science at Limerick
Institute of Technology. He is a
related to mountain safety, Mountains: Cultures,
former Chair of Mountaineering
sustainability and competition Landscapes and Biodiversity, As an observer organisation
to the UN Framework Ireland’s Access and
sport. It was founded in 1932 held between May 10-12th. This
conference was hosted by the Convention on Climate Conservation Committee.
and represents over ninety
Western Caspian University in Change, the UIAA Mountain Congratulations to Mike
member associations and
federations from sixty-nine Baku, Azerbaijan. It was Protection Commission has Maunsell on his election as Vice-
countries on six continents. The attended by international taken steps towards President of the UIAA Mountain
UIAA represents the interests of academics, NGOs, researchers, addressing climate-related Protection Commission. Having
Photographs: UIAA
over three million individual government officials and UN initiatives within UIAA a representative at that level in
mountaineers, to promote the agencies from thirty countries. operations. the UIAA is a great achievement
values of safety, self- Mike spoke on the immediate A Memorandum of for a relatively small
sufficiency, and sustainability in and long-term issues facing Understanding was recently organisation like
mountaineering and mountain fragile mountain environments signed with the International Mountaineering Ireland ■
Summer 2019 Irish Mountain Log 15NEWSLOG
Fair Head Climbing Meet 2019
The classic must-do routes saw a fair amount of traffic at this year’s Fair Head Meet.
By Freja Shannon weather forecast a couple of
days beforehand, those who
The Fair Head Meet is committed to the weekend
everybody’s favourite were rewarded with enough
weekend! Well, certainly for sunshine on both the Saturday
those of us itching to escape and Sunday to tick routes off
the urban jungle on a Friday their ever-growing Fair Head
evening in a car filled to the tick-lists.
brim with climbing gear, ropes, Classic must-do routes saw
sun hats, beer, camping their fair amount of traffic with
chairs... you name it. Climbers several ascents of Jolly Roger,
Photographs: Paul Kellagher
gathered from all corners of Hurricane, Cuchulainn, Ocean
the world – France, Scotland, Boulevard and Hell’s Kitchen.
Wales, Sweden, the States, John Orr cleaned and
Australia, we even had a climbed Nightrider, whereby
Kerryman this year! – to word spread and Conor
celebrate exactly that: Irish McGovern and Paul Collins
climbing. snatched an impressive ascent
Despite a dubious-looking right after.
Michelle Dvorak and Harriet
Paul Swail on Wall of Prey, Ridley showed some girl power
Fair Head with a double-onsight of Track
of the Cat, and many walked in
Calvin Torrans and Claire jaw-dropping awe. Speaking of incredible hospitality and for
Sheridan’s footsteps on their the use of their land; to Paul
his hard gritstone and
new route, Heart and Soul, Swail for organising yet
Yosemite ascents, he provided
which I have to say was another memorable weekend
more than enough inspiration
definitely my favourite climb of in association with Dal Riada
to last us until next year’s
the weekend! Climbing Club; and to Jorg
meet.
The guest speaker, Jorg Verhoeven for sharing his
The evening was rounded off
Verhoeven, and organiser, Paul stories.
with a BBQ and a bit of a party
Swail, danced up the iconic Last but not least, a big
to wrap up the weekend. I’m
Wall of Prey, but that was to be thank you to each and every
sure there were a few sore
expected, right?! one who attended this year’s
Those not quite feeling like heads on the Sunday
morning... a success, to say the meet, for respecting the land
hand-jamming or long belays and the people within it. Even
had a great day out bouldering least!
the Portaloos weren’t that
smelly! ■
with Rob Hunter in Murlough Massive thanks to Sean and
Bay on the Saturday, in the McBride family for their
between the odd shower and
AUTHOR: Freja Shannon grew up in the Burren,
swarms of midges. Co Clare, five minutes from the famous Mirror
Jorg Verhoeven, an Wall, though she only started climbing when
incredibly accomplished she moved to the French Alps at the age of 18.
Austrian climber, was invited She has been based there since then, pursuing
as guest speaker on the her dream of becoming a mountain guide.
Saturday night and left us all in
Summer 2019Galway Walk Marathon &
Half Marathon, August 17th
By Anne Brindley (Environment park. Water bottles should be
Officer, Galway Walking Club) refilled here, as the highest
point lies ahead. A 259-metre
“I was high as a kite after I climb takes you to Máméan
finished, and I stayed like that (the Pass of the Birds), a small
for hours,” says Peter Leonard, chapel and stations, up to your
Chairperson of Galway Walking left, which mark the spot
Club, about his walking where St Patrick blessed the
marathon experience in 2018. West. From there, it is a gentle
Now in its 23rd year, the descent to the last checkpoint.
club’s annual walking One last steep climb up the
marathon and half-marathon road. Aill na gCat is the cliff-
is coordinated by Jerry Lalor, face to the north. From there
who is passionate about it is downhill all the way,
outdoor activities and meandering along a small
particularly about walking in country road with views of the
Connemara.
Maam valley, the meandering
From the departure point
Bealnabrack River and Joe
near the Our Lady of the
Keane’s Pub, home of 19th-
Wayside Church, the first
century Alexander Nimmo,
stage takes participants close
engineer of roads and
to Killary Harbour. The second
harbours from Sligo Bay to
stage takes them along the
Galway Bay.
old green road, looking across
At the T-junction, turn right
the mussel farm in the deep
for Maam Community Centre,
waters of the fjord towards
where a warm welcome awaits
Mweelrea (814m), the highest Touchscreen Buttons
participants, hot soup, good
peak in Connacht, and ahead Outstanding GPS performance GPS/GLONASS/GALILEO
food, tea and coffee, a
towards Leenane. Large 3.5" Hi-Res screen Hi-Res OS Mapping
certificate and the time to sit, Very long battery life (16 hours) Barometric altimeter
The third stage is the start
take off their boots, stretch Bluetooth Smart Wi-Fi
of the half-marathon, near
their toes and relish their Waterproof (IP68) Shockproof (IK7)
Tooreenacoona River. This is a
achievement!
glorious trek up the Inagh
Good walking boots, a
valley: to your left (east) are
Photograph: Galway Walking Club
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Summer 2019 Irish Mountain Log 17NEWSL0G Project participants from Firhouse College and Killinarden
Community Centre Youth Project at the competition in the Dublin
Climbing Centre, Tallaght, in May, together with project instructors
Get Climbing Project
By Natasza Berlowska (Get but also help you to find a safe
Climbing Project Coordinator) space and friendship among
the climbing community.
After a long, cold winter and Most of the participants in
colder spring, it looks like we are the Get Climbing Project come
finally being blessed with some from really disadvantaged
warm weather. However, backgrounds. Seeing them
despite the hard-to-resist call build their confidence and
to hibernate during the dark self-esteem week after week Some of the Killinarden Community Centre Youth Project participants
in Tallaght after receiving their Get Climbing Programme Certificates
Photographs: Patricia Kane (main photo and two at bottom of page), Natasza Berlowska (group with certificates)
and windy months, the young through participation in the
participants of the Get project is truly an amazing
Climbing Project kept working experience. plan to climb together over the muscles, teaches balance and
hard to learn new skills and From a climbing point of summer months. improves coordination through
become better climbers. view, the participants who
In the meantime, the Get fun and challenge.
Shortly after Christmas, both engaged most with the project
Climbing Project managed to As the school year is ending
Firhouse College and mastered the skills so well that
reach outside the Dublin area and summer is here, it is getting
Killinarden Community Centre they now climb independently
and start an eight-week close to the time to start planning
Youth Project came back to at their local walls, fighting with
programme near Kilkenny in the autumn events. For now, it is
Dublin Climbing Centre with grades around the 6c mark.
new groups of students, keen to At the end of May, both partnership with Active confirmed that Ballyfermot
find out what the rock climbing groups took part in a Connections. The climbing Youthreach will organise a group
is all about. competition at the Dublin sessions took place in of participants from the early
Climbing is not only about Climbing Centre wall, which Ballykeefe Quarry and targeted, school leavers programme, who
swinging on ropes. It is about included both top roping and among others, young people will be introduced to rockclimbing
challenging yourself and finding boulder problems. The outcome with developmental co- in October 2019. Apart from that,
powers that you did not know was really good, as they not only ordination disorder (DCD). Rock we are hoping to be part of
you had; powers that not only climbed very well, but they also climbing is known to be a great European Week of Sports, which
help you to fight your fears and made new friendships. therapy tool for people with takes place in the last week of
overcome everyday problems Participants from both groups DCD, as it exercises the core September ■
Project participants and trainer at the competition in May Project participants on the climbing wall at the competition in May
18 Irish Mountain Log Summer 2019You can also read
