Three Peninsulas Hike - Mountaineering Ireland
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Spring 2020 €3.95 UK£3.40 ISSN 0790 8008 Issue 133
HILLWALKING • CLIMBING • MOUNTAINEERING
Three Peninsulas Hike
Ireland’s greatest high-level long-distance hiking route
Climbing the Voie Petit
Hardest free rock climb on Chamonix granite
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2 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2020
A WORd fROM THE EdITOR
ISSUE 133
The Irish Mountain Log is the
❝
membership magazine of
Mountaineering Ireland. The
Welcome
organisation promotes the interests
of hillwalkers and climbers in Ireland.
Mountaineering Ireland
Mountaineering Ireland Ltd is a
company limited by guarantee and
C
éad míle fáilte! I hope you are registered in Dublin, No 199053.
all keeping well in these Registered office: Irish Sport HQ,
extraordinary times? We have National Sports Campus,
Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
a magazine that is full of
Tel: (+353 1) 625 1115
reports of activities that we We can still go walking Fax: (+353 1) 625 1116
can probably now only dream
about. However, life goes on! We may not locally, as long as we info@mountaineering.ie
www.mountaineering.ie
be able to plan exotic holidays at present, maintain our social distance. Hot Rock Climbing Wall
but we can still go walking locally, as long
Tollymore Mountain Centre
as we can maintain our social distance
Bryansford, Newcastle
from our companions. County Down, BT33 0PT
We have a magazine that is full of McDonagh, on hiking and climbing in the Tel: (+44 28) 4372 5354
inspiring accounts of activities in mountain era of Covid-19 (see page 7). However, that youth@mountaineering.ie
ranges around the world. The features start advice is changing all the time and will be
with Aidan Ennis’ account of the amazing Editor: Patrick O’Sullivan
updated further on Tel: (+353 1) 837 8166 (pm, wknds)
hike he undertook in Kerry – the Three www.mountaineering.ie as it develops. Our iml-editor@mountaineering.ie
Peninsulas Mountain Hike. Almost as CEO strikes a note that is optimistic but Literary Editor: Peter O’Neill
amazing is the story of the events that led that also emphasises the precautions we iml-literaryeditor@mountaineering.ie
up to that hike. all need to take to protect ourselves, our
In addition, we have accounts of hiking in The Irish Mountain Log is published by
family and friends, and most importantly Mountaineering Ireland four times a
New Zealand and in Nepal, and then a the vulnerable people we know in our year, in March, June, September,
description of a superb climb in the Alps, Le communities. December. The material published in
Voie Petit, the hardest free rock climb on As we go to print at the end of March, we the Log by the voluntary editorial team
Chamonix granite, which was undertaken are still promoting events that are planned and contributors must not be taken as
by two leading Irish Alpinists, John McCune for later in the year on the basis that they
official Mountaineering Ireland policy
and Freja Shannon. unless specifically stated.
have not officially been cancelled yet. The
Finally, we have an update on the elusive situation is changing day by day and it is Copy deadline for the Summer 2020
hen harrier, with some amazing pictures of likely Covid-19 will affect planned events for issue of the Irish Mountain Log is:
this very rare native bird in its breeding at least some months to come. Please do Friday, May 29th 2020.
habitat. check the website www.mountaineering.ie
Hopefully, there should be something in regularly for updated advice and for
Advertising: info@mountaineering.ie
this issue for everyone in the audience! updates on forthcoming events. Keep safe! Production: Cóilín MacLochlainn,
It is a difficult time for us all and we have
coilinmaclochlainn99@gmail.com
up-to-date advice from our CEO, Murrough Patrick O’Sullivan, Editor
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
sent to the Editor at: iml-editor@mountaineering.ie. accept these risks, and be responsible
for their own actions and involvement.
Contributors’ guidelines can be downloaded from the Mountaineering Ireland publishes and
promotes safety and good practice
Mountaineering Ireland website, www.mountaineering.ie.
advice and through the Mountain
ON THE COVER Training Board of Ireland administers a
To join Mountaineering Ireland and receive four issues of the View from finnararagh looking east range of training programmes for
Irish Mountain Log delivered to your door each year, please towards Mullaghanattin on the
walkers and climbers.
also go to the website, www.mountaineering.ie. Iveragh peninsula in County Kerry
PHOTOGRAPH
AIdAN ENNIS
Spring 2020 Irish Mountain Log 3
Participants at the launch of the
CONTENTS Spring 2020 Access & Conservation Forum in
November working on a timeline
on the history of access and
conservation in the uplands.
See story, page 28
News 18 Dingle Walking Festival 2020 42 Tongariro Alpine Crossing
By Ethna Garvey By Greg Butler
5 Alpinism now ‘cultural 19 Women with Altitude to 46 Overcrowding on the
heritage’ celebrate 10th anniversary Everest Trail
Patrick O’Sullivan reports Ruth Whelan reports By Jim Ryan
6 Be ‘AdventureSmart’! 20 Wicklow Uplands Council 48 The small way, and others...
John McCune climbs the Voie Petit
7 Covid-19: please take discusses recreation matters in Chamonix
these precautions Helen Lawless reports
52 The hen harrier
Murrough McDonagh reports 21 New climbing wall to open By Mario Mac Rory
8 ‘Life and Times’ – Lynam at UL in May
Lecture by Chris Bonington
A report by Patrick O’Sullivan
Martin Flood reports Regulars
11 The future of hill farming Climbing 56 Access & Conservation
Helen Lawless reports
in the Dublin Mountains 22 Youth Trad Climbing Camps
Wicklow Uplands Council reports 58 Training
Damien O’Sullivan reports
Photographs: Helen Lawless (Access & Conservation Forum), John McCune Collection (John on Voie Petit)
Jane Carney reports
12 Upland farm walks in Dublin 23 Climbing Meets 2020
Dublin Mountains Partnership reports 61 Crossword Competition
Damien O’Sullivan reports
13 Tracking the E8 in Ireland 62 Books
A report by Marian Wallis
24 2019/2020 Irish Reviews of recent books
Bouldering League 66 The Last Word
14 New members of staff: Ania Damien O’Sullivan reports
Bakiewicz and Linda Sankey Ed Drummond (1945-2019)
25 Youth Climbing Club Meet
16 The Woodlands for Health Kevin Kilroy reports
Programme 26 The Intervarsity Climbing
Linda Sankey reports
Competition 2020
17 Family-friendly walks A report by Lauren Conlon
Linda Sankey reports
News Features
28 Access & Conservation
Network launched
A report by Helen Lawless
30 A trip to the High Tatras
By Paul Griffin
32 Happy giving back
Chris Avison reports on the Irish
Nepalese Educational Trust’s
20th anniversary
34 Scottish Winter Meet 2020
A report by Aron Barry
Sir Chris Bonington
Features John McCune high on the Voie Petit route
36 The Three Peninsulas
Mountain Hike
8 LYNAM LECTURE 2019
By Aidan Ennis 48 IRISH ASCENT OF VOIE PETIT
4 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2020
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
access & Conservation Officer
Helen Lawless, helen@mountaineering.ie
Women in Sport Coordinator
Ania Bakiewicz, ania@mountaineering.ie
training Officer
Jane Carney, jane@mountaineering.ie
training & Membership
Support administrator
Laura Griffin, laura@mountaineering.ie
Climbing Officer
Damien O’Sullivan,
damien@mountaineering.ie
Youth Development Officer for The Matterhorn
northern ireland
Kevin Kilroy, kevin@mountaineering.ie
Get irelanD WalkinG initiative
Programme Manager, Get ireland Walking
Alpinism now ‘cultural heritage’
Jason King, jason@getirelandwalking.ie UNESCO recognises alpinism as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity
Communications & administrative Officer,
Get ireland Walking
Alpinism is not only a physical activity ■ of challenging one’s own capabilities
Linda Sankey, info@getirelandwalking.ie
requiring athletic qualities and technical and expertise while negotiating
MOuntaineerinG irelanD expertise; it is also an exploration of natural, non-artificial obstacles;
BOarD OffiCerS fascinating landscapes and a quest for ■ of evaluating and assuming measured
President personal achievements. These risks;
Paul Kellagher exceptional characteristics, plus its ■ of self-managing, self-responsibility
president@mountaineering.ie historical and cultural backgrounds, make and solidarity;
Chairperson alpinism worth identifying as an ■ of respecting other people and natural
Paul Barron
‘Intangible Cultural Heritage’ of sites.
chairperson@mountaineering.ie
outstanding and universal human and
The benefits of the inclusion of
BOarD MeMBerS social value.
alpinism on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural
Imelda Buckley In 2009, efforts were begun to get
Heritage (ICH) list include:
(Chair of Finance, Audit & Risk Committee) alpinism included on the UNESCO
imelda-board@mountaineering.ie Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity ■ the existence of a precise description
Helen Donoghue list. UIAA member federations were of alpinism’s characteristics, agreed
(Chair of Access & Conservation Committee) invited to lobby their respective after many working sessions of the
helen-board@mountaineering.ie governments to join the project. Three involved organisations, as an
Trish Kane countries took the lead on this, France, internationally recognised reference;
■ recognising alpinism’s specific and
trish-board@mountaineering.ie
Switzerland and Italy,
Colette Mahon
supported by several outstanding values;
colette-board@mountaineering.ie
Michael Maunsell
other Alpine countries ■ having an additional means of
mike-board@mountaineering.ie
and also UIAA, the promoting the activity and its values;
Gráinne McLaughlin International Climbing ■ having a definition in place to avoid
(Chair of Hillwalking Committee) and Mountaineering misuse of the term;
grainne-board@mountaineering.ie Federation. ■ having a duly signed engagement of
Clare O’Connor UNESCO finally decided at its General the concerned states to support the
clare-board@mountaineering.ie Assembly in Bogota in December 2019 to promotion of the activity and to
Dawson Stelfox
Photograph: Pascal Gertschen
include alpinism on the Representative preserve responsible freedom of
(Chair of Mountain Training Board Ireland) List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of practice and access to sites.
dawson-board@mountaineering.ie Humanity.
Geoff Thomas The inclusion of alpinism on UNESCO’s
Alpinism is now recognised by UNESCO
(Chair of Climbing Committee) ICH list was welcomed by UIAA President,
as the art...
geoff-board@mountaineering.ie Fritz Vrijlandt, who said: “Alpinism
■ of climbing mountain summits and deserves this recognition for its unique
faces by one’s own physical, technical characteristics and its deep historical
and intellectual strengths; and cultural significance” ■
Spring 2020 Irish Mountain Log 5
NEWSL0G
Be ‘AdventureSmart’!
Welsh outdoor safety campaign goes UK- and Ireland-wide
AdventureSmart prompts many people who explore the
people to ask three questions UK. Mountaineering Ireland is
before they set off on a walk, delighted to be extending this
hike or climb: campaign to the island of
■ Do I have the right gEar?
Ireland.
■ Do I know what the
Whatever the activity, being
adventure-smart is about
WEatHEr will be like?
■ Am I confident I have the
considering a few simple things
to help your day stay great, and
KNOWlEdgE aNd SKIllS
for the day? to ensure that you return safe
and sound, looking forward to Make sure your mobile is charged...
******* your next adventure. but don’t rely on it for navigation and communication
People enjoying the coast and Experts from leading safety
countryside across Wales, and sporting organisations
England and, now, the island
of Ireland, are being
have developed messages to
provide the essential
Crossword results
encouraged to be ‘adventure- information needed for people
smart’ with the launch of a the winners of our Christmas Crossword in IML 132 were Sheila O’Sullivan,
to get outdoors, confident that Carrigaline, Co Cork, who won a pair of Scarpa terra gtX boots, and John
new outdoor safety campaign, they have prepared for a great O'Brien, Lucan, Co Dublin, who won a deuter trail 30 backpack, prizes
AdventureSmart.UK. day. So, always ask yourself: worth a total of €304 from our crossword sponsor, Basecamp. the
Mountaineering Ireland and
■ Do I have the right gEar?
solution to the crossword is shown below. Mountaineering Ireland will
Mountain Training Board contact the winners to arrange the collection of their prizes.
S E V N B
Ireland have recently become ■ Do I know what the 1 2 3 4 5
C L I N T A R E T E
partners of WEatHEr will be like? 6 7
■ Am I confident I have the
L L N L S L
AdventureSmart.UK.
The AdventureSmart
I C E F A L L S P A
KNOWlEdgE aNd SKIllS
initiative began in Wales with 8 9
P N E Y
for the day?
funding from the Welsh
S T O N E Y T O P
government. Building on the A new website,
established AdventureSmart www.adventuresmart.uk, now 10 11 12
R O F T
Wales branding, a strong, linked to the Mountaineering 13 14
A G A D U N G F L Y
eye-catching UK brand was Ireland website 15 16 17 18
N L O A A L
then developed. It is hoped www.mountaineering.ie,
that the campaign can be
G A P O F D U N L O E
provides all the information
extended to include the island you need to answer these 19
E S F L Y R
of Ireland. questions, including detailed
The aim of the campaign is information for the
to reduce the number of
AdventureSmart regions. As a
avoidable incidents that the
new partner organisation, we
rescue and emergency
have joined forces to spread
services have to deal with in
the AdventureSmart messages
the mountains each year,
through the development far and wide across the island
and promotion of a of Ireland.
comprehensive set of safety
messages. The campaign is an FINd OUt MOrE For more
innovative approach to information, visit the website
communicating safety to the www.adventuresmart.uk ■
6 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2020
Covid-19: please take these precautions
Mountaineering Ireland has the following advice for all members and affiliated clubs
■ Do not go in large groups, and practice
Club events good social distancing throughout the
Mountaineering Ireland advises that all of day. There is plenty of space on the
its member clubs should observe the hills for everyone.
guidelines issued by the HSE in the
Republic of Ireland and the HSC Public ■ If car-pooling, do not car-pool with
Health Agency in Northern Ireland. In people with whom you are not in
particular: regular contact, and avoid converging
as a group for breaks, for photos and
By Murrough McDonagh ■ We encourage all attendees at on summits.
■ With schools closed and more people
(CEO, Mountaineering Ireland) meetings or other events that are
held to maintain good social going out individually or in small
In the face of the threat that is posed to distancing practice and good groups, there is extra pressure for
public health by the Covid-19 pandemic, personal, hand and respiratory parking space. To avoid congestion,
Mountaineering Ireland is following the hygiene by following the HSE consider doing a walk around your
advice being issued by the Government guidelines on local area or choose a less busy
of Ireland as the situation develops. The www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus location.
/coronavirus.html or see
■ If you arrive at a car park that is full,
National Governing Body recommends
that all of its members and member www.bit.ly/coronaconditions.
clubs do likewise. ■ If you have travelled from other please find alternative safe parking
countries outside of the island of and never park in front of farm gates,
At this time, the advice from the
Ireland, please follow the guidance or in any position that will obstruct
public health experts is that everyone
under the HSE website section on the emergency services, farmers or
should limit social contacts and that all
www2.hse.ie/conditions/coronavirus other road users.
indoor events catering for one hundred
people or more and outdoor events, /advice-for-people-returning-from- ■ If you do need assistance from
affected-areas.html or see Mountain Rescue, they will respond.
where five hundred people or more are
www.bit.ly/corona-return. Mountain Rescue teams are taking
■ If you have had contact with infected
expected, should be cancelled until at
least March 29th. extra precautions at this time to
Mountaineering Ireland advises all people, please do not attend any protect their members and their
events. families.
members to follow this advice from the
public health experts in their private ■ Anyone with flu-like symptoms ■ To help support the government’s
lives and when participating in any should avoid the risk of spreading advice on limiting social contact in
mountaineering activities, in particular their infection, whatever that cafés, restaurants, etc, if you’re
limiting social contacts and observing infection may be, by staying at home meeting in such places either before
and recovering. or after your activity, please ensure
good hand and respiratory hygiene.
At this time, anyone who is ■ For club events in Northern Ireland, that social distance is maintained
symptomatic should self–isolate and please refer to the following (minimum two metres between
contact their doctor by phone to guidelines for the HSC Public Health people).
Agency:
arrange to be tested for Covid-19.
www.publichealth.hscni.net/news/ Mountaineering Ireland will be reviewing
covid-19-coronavirus or see the evolving situation on a day-to-day
www.bit.ly/coronanorthernireland.
Postponed events basis and will provide updated advice,
when it is available, on the website,
In line with this advice, the following
www.mountaineering.ie.
events have been postponed by Advice when planning This is a time when we all need to be
Mountaineering Ireland:
to go out on the hills working together to reduce the threat
■ Youth Climbing Round 4 (scheduled ■ All clubs and members must take that this new pandemic poses to our
responsibility for their own actions. relatives and friends, our communities,
for March 18th, 2020)
■ If you are heading out for a walk, a our island and the world.
■ Spring Gathering 2020 (scheduled hike or a climb at this time, it is It appears that older people and people
for March 27-29th, 2020) reasonable to suggest using familiar, with chronic diseases are more vulnerable
■ The Wildflowers of Ireland Lecture low-risk routes, as you do not want to to Covid-19’s more serious effects. We
end up needing to call out the need to be aware of this when we are
(scheduled for April 2nd, 2020)
emergency services or be sent to socialising and, if we are symptomatic, to
■ Michael Fewer’s Lectures hospital with the current pressures self-isolate and to particularly avoid
(scheduled for Dublin, May 12th, and on the health sector across the island contact with those who are more
Waterford, May 19th, 2020). of Ireland. vulnerable ■
Spring 2020 Irish Mountain Log 7
NEWSLOG Rapt audience at the 2019 Lynam
Lecture by Sir Chris Bonington in
Dublin in December
Chris Bonington: ‘Life and Times’
Sir Chris Bonington delivers the 2019 Lynam Lecture to a full house
Lynam Lecture
By Patrick O’Sullivan
Sir Chris Bonington, the renowned
British mountaineer, lecturer and author,
delivered the 2019 Lynam Lecture to a
packed auditorium in the Chartered
Accountants Ireland lecture hall on
Pearse Street, Dublin, on Thursday,
December 18th, 2019.
The Lynam Lecture was inaugurated
in 2011 in the memory of Joss Lynam Chris Bonington with Joss lynam at the great Sugar loaf, Co Wicklow, in 2007
(1924-2011), one of Ireland’s best-known
Photographs: Patrick O’Sullivan (Bonington delivering lecture)
mountaineers, in recognition of his enormous achievements in hillwalking, magazine for more than 20 years. Joss
climbing and mountaineering in Ireland continued as the Literary Editor of the
and overseas over some 60 years. During magazine up to the time of his death.
his lifetime, Joss initiated numerous Since it was inaugurated in 2011, the
developments in these different areas Lynam Lecture has been delivered by
of our sport and was an inspiration to leading national and international
a number of generations of Irish mountaineers: 2011, Harish Kapadia;
mountaineers.
2012, Dawson Stelfox; 2013, Stephen
Joss Lynam’s achievements included
Venables; 2014, Clare Sheridan; 2015,
participating in many mountaineering
Ines Papert; 2016, Paul Swail and John
expeditions to the Greater Ranges and an
outstanding voluntary contribution to McCune; 2017, Frank Nugent; 2018,
the development of adventure sports in Paddy O’Leary. All of these have
Ireland. He was known to many Irish and delivered outstanding lectures that have
international walking enthusiasts for his reflected on the development of various
many hillwalking guidebooks. He was also aspects of our sport and how it might
the Editor of the Irish Mountain Log progress in coming years.
8 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2020
This year’s lecture was opened by Mike
Maunsell, chair of the Lynam Lecture
Working Group. He reminded those
present that the intention of the Lynam
Lectures was to commemorate a great
Irish mountaineer by reflecting on
developments in our sport, in Ireland
and abroad. He then introduced
Sir Chris Bonington as the well-deserving
recipient of the 2019 Lynam Medal.
Sir Chris delivered an excellent and
sometimes emotional lecture to a rapt
audience of about 400 Mountaineering Bonington, right, celebrates receiving his Lynam Lecture Medal award at the end of his talk
Ireland members from all around the
country. His ‘Life and Times’ lecture took After school, he did his National Service, mountaineers he had climbed with, and
us through his more than sixty years of all the time pursuing his fascination with of the significant climbs and first ascents
climbing the world’s highest mountains. climbing and mountains, mostly in North which he had undertaken around the
He reflected on his successes and Wales. After a couple of years’ basic world. The Freney Pillar, the North Face
failures but also on the losses he had training he was commissioned in the of the Eiger, the Walker Spur, Torres del
suffered in that time, both in his personal Tank Regiment, based in Germany, where Paine, Annapurna 2, Nuptse, Annapurna
life and in his professional life as a he spent another two years. South Face, Everest SW Face, K2, Ogre,
mountaineer. Shivling, Sepu Kangri... the list is endless.
Chris wears his heart on his sleeve, First visit to the Alps All that, while still climbing at the highest
and there were times when he was In 1957, inexperienced as Chris was on grades at home and continuing to put up
clearly quite emotional talking about snow and ice, Hamish MacInnes invited numerous first ascents on crags all over
some of the losses he had experienced. him to join him in an attempt at the first England, Scotland and Wales. He even put
Sir Chris had met Joss on several British ascent of the North Face of the up a long new route at Fair Head with
occasions at various meetings over the Eiger. The weather was against them, Nick Estcourt.
years, around Europe, at UIAA meetings but that seems to have been the start
and others, and including at BMC of repeated visits to the Alps to attempt Turning professional
meetings in the UK. Chris reflected early repeats of some of what are now Chris was one of the first to make a
warmly on his meetings with Joss. classic routes. Failures in bad weather living from his climbing, to become a
Chris was born in 1934 in Hampstead were followed by successes. In 1958, he professional mountaineer, not by guiding
in north London and was brought up climbed the Bonatti Pillar on the Dru with but by receiving an income mainly from
there. It was only in his teenage years, MacInnes, but he also teamed up with, lecturing and writing about his climbs,
on his way by train to Holyhead to spend amongst others, Don Whillans for the first but also by getting sponsorship from
time in Dublin with his grandfather, that time. The following year, he led a climb on companies such as Berghaus. He felt he
he became aware of mountains as he the North Face of the Cima Grande. was very much in charge of his own
was passing through North Wales. He In fact, after his introductory remarks, world when he was mountaineering.
was struck by the challenges they Sir Chris’s rapid account of his more than He married Wendy and started living
presented, stark as the Carneddau sixty years of mountaineering became a in the Lake District, where he still lives.
▲
appeared from that side. Chris’s ‘Who’s who’ of mainly British He reflected that when you are
exploratory instincts were aroused. He
found the Wicklow hills more friendly
and he told us that the Little Sugar Loaf
had been his first mountain climb.
Photographs: Patrick O’Sullivan (Bonington with medal)
After Christmas 1950, Chris hitched up
to North Wales with a school friend and
they attempted to climb Snowdon on
the Miners Track, only to be hit by an
avalanche off Crib Goch. He wasn’t
injured, but it was the most exciting day
he had ever had.
Back in London, he started climbing at
Harrison’s Rocks. Then it was back to
North Wales, where he attempted
various routes that demonstrated his
natural ability on rock, even in those early Chris Bonington relaxing
days. A winter trip to Scotland when he in the Himalayas, with
was eighteen saw him putting up three Everest, which he summited
new routes when he teamed up with in 1985, and the Khumbu
Hamish MacInnes. Glacier behind him
Spring 2020 Irish Mountain Log 9
NEWSLOG
engaged in a dangerous sport, such
as mountaineering, there will be losses
along the way. He has lost many good
friends on the various climbs he has
been involved in. He mentioned Ian
Clough, Mick Burke, Joe Tasker, Pete
Boardman, Nick Estcourt and the many
others. He was quite emotional at times,
talking about those deaths, but it was
clear that he saw them as to be
expected, given the seriousness of the
routes he was tackling. He felt you still
had to go on.
He also talked about his personal
ruairí Shortt (grandson of Joss lynam) presents Sir Chris Bonington with the 2019 lynam lecture
losses: his son, and his wife Wendy, who Medal (with Mike Maunsell on left and Mountaineering Ireland President Paul Kellagher on right).
died of motor neurone disease in 2014.
Chris finally succeeded in climbing change as you get older but you can still Who better to remind us of that than Sir
Everest (8,848m) when he summited feel a sense of adventure in the things Chris Bonington, given the adventurous
with a Norwegian expedition in 1985. you do, whatever age you are. He life he has clearly led, as he recounted in
However, he felt Shivling (6,543m) in encouraged us all to do the most with his truly inspiring lecture.
northern India had been his best climb what we have at the time. After the talk, Sir Chris answered a
because they had done it Alpine-style, He felt we are too risk adverse now. wide range of questions from the
as opposed to the big expedition siege We need to be sensible, but adventure is audience. He was then thanked by the
tactics he had used on many of the an important part of our lives. We should Mountaineering Ireland President, Paul
bigger mountains he had tackled. all love the outdoors at whatever level Kellagher, for a truly outstanding talk,
He talked about the joy of exploring we are at. He spoke about the joy that and presented with the 2019 Lynam
and the need to keep a sense of he and his new wife, Loreto, get from Medal by Ruairí Shortt, Joss’s grandson
adventure in life. The objectives may spending time together in the outdoors. ■
History articles sought
articles sought for Journal of the Irish
Mountaineering and Exploration Historical Society Mountaineering Ireland continues to provide the
book service previously operated by Joss
In 2001, Mountaineering Ireland established Lynam. We can supply you with guidebooks
the Irish Mountaineering and Exploration and maps to almost any part of the world.
Historical Society in order to further For the walker, there is a large collection of
interest in the rich history of Irish Cicerone guides and books, or the wider
mountaineering and exploration. The selection of books and guides distributed
by Cordee which also includes many
climbing guides. Books reviewed in the
society published two issues of the journal
Irish Mountain Log can usually be
in 2002 and 2005, both edited by the late
purchased through Joss Books with a
Joss Lynam. They were well received and
members’ discount. To place an order,
contained much information of historical
ring the Mountaineering Ireland office
importance in the field. The journal was
on (01) 6251115 or email
successfully revived in 2012 with Volume 3,
info@mountaineering.ie.
and Volume 4 followed in 2015. Plans are
now afoot to produce a fifth volume next year, 2021. Next year will be
the fiftieth anniversary of the national governing body for the sport
of mountaineering on the island of Ireland, now Mountaineering
Ireland. As with the previous issues, the journal will include fresh
research as well as articles published elsewhere in order that, in
Photograph: Patrick O’Sullivan
Joss’s words, “the Journal of the Irish Mountaineering and Exploration
Historical Society will be recognised as the best source of information
on our history [and] that all important articles be found in it.”
We are interested in receiving relevant material for the Please note: a substantial discount is available
forthcoming issue. If you are interested in writing an article on an for Mountaineering Ireland members on book
appropriate subject (or already have done so, even if already purchases ordered directly from Cicerone
published elsewhere), please contact the editor, Declan O’Keeffe, at
caldeno@gmail.com. Copies of issues 1-4 of the journal can be
purchased from Mountaineering Ireland and through its website ■
10 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2020Declan Byrne, Project Manager of the
SUAS Pilot Project, delivers a presentation
at Glenasmole Community Centre
The future of Dublin Mountains hill farming
Wicklow Uplands Council reports on an information event held in Glenasmole, Co Dublin, in February
An information event entitled that healthy upland habitats Parks and Wildlife Service, who farming practices in the
‘The Future of Hill Farming in play a vital role in providing pointed out many of the plant Wicklow and Dublin uplands.
the Dublin Mountains’ was good quality water sources, species in the biodiversity of Speaking after the event,
held in early February in the preventing flooding and the uplands and gave an Declan Byrne, Project
picturesque south County sequestering carbon. overview of the impact recent Manager of the SUAS Pilot
Dublin townland of After the presentations and fires have had on the area’s Project, said: “The
Glenasmole. Sixty people an open discussion with sensitive ecology. importance of our uplands
attended the event, which attendees, many of the group The attendees included and the preservation of its
was jointly organised by the travelled to a nearby hill to farmers, participants in the healthy, thriving biodiversity
SUAS Pilot Project and observe first-hand the many SUAS Project and really cannot be
Teagasc, to explore a range of ecological factors affecting representatives from the underestimated. The work of
topics related to hill-farming in upland habitats. Surrounded National Parks and Wildlife the SUAS Project is to
the Dublin and Wicklow by stunning mountain views Service, with one group from discover and promote the
Mountains and the issues and overlooking the Northern Ireland’s upland best approaches and
affecting hill-farming Glenasmole valley and the partnership groups also methods for land
communities throughout 19th-century Bohernabreena travelling down for it. management, to create a
Ireland. Reservoir, the group Launched in 2018, the better understanding of
Guest speakers from the
assembled for a short guided Sustainable Upland Agri- appropriate grazing and to
National Parks and Wildlife
walk within the Wicklow Environmental Scheme (SUAS) better support hill-farming
Service, Teagasc and the
Mountains National Park. is a locally-led pilot project communities.”
SUAS Project gave
presentations on the
Leading the large group was designed to address the ■ For further information on
Enda Mullen, the Divisional decline in hill-farming activities the SUaS Pilot Project go to
www.wicklowuplands.ie ■
ecological importance of our
Ecologist for the National and to promote sustainable
uplands, sustainable and
profitable hill-farming
practices and the appropriate
land and vegetation
management approaches for
upland terrain.
There was much discussion
about optimum grazing
periods, flock sizes and
breeds, and how best to
Photographs: Wicklow Uplands Council
create a sustainable upland
farming model using a blend
of modern and traditional
farming techniques. The
general consensus was that
the role of upland farmers is of
national importance in Ireland Enda Mullen (National Parks
and contributes widely to the and Wildlife Service) speaking
greater public good and on the uplands above
enhances sustainable rural Glenasmole valley, Co Dublin
communities. It was agreed
Spring 2020 Irish Mountain Log 11NEWSL0G
Donie Anderson leads a walk in the
Castlekelly area of Glenasmole, Co Dublin
Upland farm walks in Dublin
Dublin Mountains Partnership is organising guided walks to connect people with the farm landscape in
the Dublin foothills. The Dublin Mountains Partnership reports
At the beginning of March, including pointing out the Everyone who has taken ■ You can follow the
the Dublin Mountains Fionn Mac Cumhaill Stone. part so far has really enjoyed Dublin Mountains
Partnership (DMP) started He also explains what the the walk, which has given Partnership on Facebook to
organising weekly walks place-names in the area them a greater find out more about the
through upland farmland in mean. understanding of the life of organisation and the walks
south Dublin to help people After the walk, participants a sheep farmer as well as they are organising.
connect with farming and are able to warm up in the demonstrating the beauty ■ Please note: walks may
nature, and also to try to Glenasmole Community of the area. be cancelled due to the
encourage the use of the Centre. Covid-19 crisis ■
walking trails in the area so
that they might become
sustainable.
The walks are led by
Glenasmole farmer Donie
Anderson with the assistance
of his trusty sheepdog Jess.
They give participants an
insight into upland sheep
farming as they walk along an
historical trail in the
Castlekelly area.
The walks will be organised
weekly and are intended to
Photographs: Helen Lawless
connect walkers more closely
with the area in which they
are walking. In addition to
talking about sheep farming
and demonstrating Jess’s
skills in herding sheep and
geese, Donie also talks about
Donie Anderson’s trusty sheepdog Jess
the history of the area,
12 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2020Tracking the E8 from Dursey to Dublin
Marian Wallis completes an inspection of the Irish leg of the long-distance route from Cork to Istanbul
The E8 is a European long- route can be divided into the
distance route that now runs following stages:
from Dursey Island, Co Cork, It follows the Beara Way
to Istanbul in Turkey. It is the from Dursey Island to Allihies
task of the European via the Garnish Loop; it then
Ramblers Association (ERA) goes from Allihies on to
to track the definite version Castletownbere, and from
of this walk. there to Adrigole, ending in
The E8 in Ireland is a Glengarriff.
wonderful route that takes From Glengarriff, I followed
you from the wild Atlantic the Slí Gaeltacht Mhúscraí to
coast to the Irish Sea. The join the Duhallow Way near
landscape tells its own story Millstreet, Co Cork.
of myths, history, culture, Heading east on the
language, traditions, music Duhallow Way, I passed
and commerce. through Bweeng, and then
As the representative of followed the Blackwater Way
Mountaineering Ireland’s through Mallow, Killavullen,
Hillwalking Committee on Fermoy and Kilworth, to meet
the European Ramblers the Avondhu Way shortly
Association’s E8 Working after Arraglin. It was here also
Group, I found myself leaving that I finally left County Cork
home at 5.30am on a wet, after a traverse of 300
stormy, October morning to kilometres, before joining the
drive to Dursey to begin the Avondhu Way.
Marian Wallis in Marlay Park, dublin, on completing the Irish section
trek to Marlay Park, Dublin. Crossing the of the E8 route. the final leg follows the Wicklow Way from Clonegal,
540 kilometres and 17,815m Knockmealdowns, I wound in Co Carlow, to Marlay Park in rathfarnham, dublin.
of ascent later, with help from and out of counties Tipperary
family and four friends from and Waterford before finally
the Ballyhoura Bears, I arriving beside Bay Lough, a Tipperary. Irish leg of the E8.
Photographs: Marian Wallis Collection (herself in Marlay Park), Hywel Williams (Bay Lough)
arrived in Marlay Park. The corrie lake near Clogheen, Co From here, the East The E8 in Ireland extends
Munster Way took me to over seven counties and nine
Carrick-on-Suir, Co Waterford. mountain ranges, descends
Leaving Carrick, the South into numerous valleys,
Leinster Way led me through crosses rivers and winds
Mullinavat, Inistioge,
through forests to finally pass
Graiguenamanagh and Borris,
under the M50 and arrive
to end in Kildavin, Co Carlow.
triumphantly in Dublin. The
Then it was 4.3km along a
minor road to Clonegal, Co walk reveals the many faces
Carlow, where I joined the of Ireland and yet is
Wicklow Way. testimony to the
I then followed the Wicklow timelessness of our
Way to Dublin’s Marlay Park, landscape and the richness
where I ended my hike of the of our history ■
aUtHOr: Marian Wallis is a member of
Mountaineering Ireland’s Hillwalking
Committee and represents Mountaineering
Ireland on the European ramblers
association’s E8 Working group. Marian has
now tracked the entire 540 kilometres of the
Irish leg of the E8 European long-distance
path from Dursey Island in Cork to Marlay Park
Bay lough, a corrie lake near Clogheen, Co tipperary in Dublin.
Spring 2020 Irish Mountain Log 13New members of staff
Mountaineering Ireland recently appointed a new Women in Sport Coordinator, Ania Bakiewicz
Ania Bakiewicz
Women in Sport Coordinator
Ania transitioned to working where she enjoys walking
in a coffee shop, rising to and rock climbing in every
management level. season. She especially
In 2013, she decided to enjoyed the winter
get involved in outdoor mountaineering and ice
education, initially at Bray climbing trip.
Institute of Further In January 2020, she
Education and then on the joined Mountaineering
Outdoor Instructor Ireland as the Women in
Development Programme in Sport Coordinator. Her role
Tollymore National Outdoor is to foster greater
Centre. During that time, she involvement of women in
explored the Mourne, mountaineering as self-
Donegal, Kerry and Wicklow sufficient hillwalkers,
mountains. Ania qualified as well-trained climbers and
a mountain leader, kayaking coaches.
coach and an indoor and She wants to support
outdoor climbing instructor. women to become more
She particularly fell in love involved in leadership roles
with rock climbing. in their hillwalking and
Since 2016, Ania has mountaineering clubs. She
worked as an indoor wants them to be seen as
climbing instructor in Dublin potential mountain leaders,
Climbing Centre in Tallaght. club officers and board
There, she worked with members. She intends to
children and teenagers, encourage active
delivering NICAS (National participation of women in
Indoor Climbing Award mountaineering events
Schemes) classes, and
throughout Ireland.
taught the fundamentals of
Ania wants to promote
climbing to adults.
Mountaineering Ireland’s
She still actively runs
mission to women of all
Ania Bakiewicz women’s coaching sessions
ages, from all social and
in Dublin Climbing Centre on
Mountaineering Ireland’s new Poland dating from the economic backgrounds. She
Thursday evenings,
Women in Sport Coordinator, Neolithic period to the late particularly hopes to ensure
overseeing the development
Ania Bakiewicz, was born Middle Ages. that teenage girls continue
of female climbers, many of
near Szczecin, in Poland, on She came to Ireland in their participation in
whom started to climb there
the edge of the Drawa 2005 to work as an mountaineering into their
under her supervision and
National Park, where she archaeologist, and her work adult lives. Ania would also
who have since progressed
spent her childhood, brought her all over the like to support existing
to being self-sufficient
exploring the natural beauty island of Ireland and to a outdoor climbers. female mountaineers and
of the forest and learning wide variety of sites, Ania also coaches children promote them as role
about the flora and fauna. including Iron Age ring forts, from Mountaineering models to follow.
Ania graduated with an MA burial sites and King John’s Ireland’s Climbing
in archaeology from the Castle in Carlingford, Co Development Squad. CONtaCt You can contact
Adam Mickiewicz University Louth. She became Ania spends all of her Ania Bakiewicz,
in Poznan, Poland, and for immersed in Irish culture, holidays climbing or Mountaineering Ireland’s
many years worked as a field mythology and traditional bouldering in Ireland and Women in Sport
archaeologist in the music, and enjoyed Irish abroad. She has explored the Coordinator, at
Cistercian Monastery in food and, of course, the Isle of Skye and Mont Blanc. ania@mountaineering.ie
Bierzwnik, and in numerous Guinness. Ania loves going back home or phone her at
other archaeological sites in With the economic crash, to the Tatra Mountains, +353 (0) 87 755 5908 ■
14 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2020Mountaineering Ireland recently appointed a new officer to get Ireland Walking, Linda Sankey
Linda Sankey
Communications & Administrative Officer, Get Ireland Walking
she studied radio and television Linda enjoys walking as she
production. Linda then spent ten years appreciates its accessibility. Her father
working as a freelance television has a neurological disease and is
production manager. Her TV credits dependent on a walking stick, yet he
include No Frontiers, About the House, goes for walks daily. That level of
Beyond the Hall Door, Garden Heaven
tenacity is inspiring to Linda. The
and various documentaries. Linda also
self-care aspect to walking and the
worked in event management, working
opportunity to clear your mind appeals
on Riverdance, as well as on various
festivals and exhibitions. greatly to her.
After starting a family, Linda realised Linda’s role in Get Ireland Walking
that she wanted to change her career initially is to develop a communications
path and took advantage of being at strategy, which will involve researching
home to go back to college at night to all the existing communications outputs
study communications, web design and to date and creating new objectives for
development. She then decided to work the different communications channels.
in the charity sector and worked there in One of the most important aspects of
communications roles for several years. the role for Linda is capturing stories
She loves visual inspiration and and sharing them. Be prepared to hear
content, including graphic design,
more from Get Ireland Walking!
typography, branding and websites.
Linda is never happier work-wise until
Linda Sankey she is redrafting and reinvigorating CONtaCt You can contact
content and resources. She recently Linda Sankey, Get Ireland Walking’s
Linda Sankey joined the Get Ireland completed a certificate in digital Communications & Administrative
Walking initiative in December 2019. She marketing to keep her skill-set up Officer, at info@getirelandwalking.ie
is from Dublin and, after leaving school, to date. or phone her at (01) 625 1109 ■
Skills workshop
23-24 May 2020
laragh,
county wicklow
Scrambling
Navigation
Climbing
To book:
www.mountaineering.ie
00353 (0)1 625 1112NEWSLOG
The Woodlands for Health Programme
Taking a walk in the woods makes you feel better!
By Linda Sankey Kerry. This study was HSE mental health Participants reported that
(Get Ireland Walking) completed by Kerry’s occupational therapists were provision of the bus was
Community Walking present every week as walk fundamental to their ability to
With the success of the Development Officer. The leaders and to support the access many of the walks as
Woodlands for Health walking twelve-week walking series group. In addition, the most of the participants have
programme in Wicklow and commenced in spring 2019 Community Walking no access to private transport.
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown, Get and was held every Programme Facilitator joined A central meeting point and
Ireland Walking coordinated Wednesday. The walks covered the walks at the start, middle time was agreed to
the expansion of the a wide geographical spread of and end points of the convenience the participants.
programme in 2019 with its locations across Kerry, programme to monitor
delivery to Kerry, Wexford, encompassing woodland trails, programme progress. Feedback
Laois, Sligo, Roscommon and including in Killarney National
Participants:
Limerick. Park and Kilaclohane Woods, Transport
Woodlands for Health offers coastal walks and other To provide transport, Kerry Overall, the participant feedback
a recovery-focused eco- walking routes, and generally Recreation & Sports was very positive and in favour
therapy programme, which lasted one hour. Partnership partnered with of the group continuing. Below
complements traditional Twenty-seven people in total Local Link Kerry (Transport are some of their comments:
mental health treatment and participated in the walking Coordination Unit), who
fosters the social inclusion of programme, with an average of coordinated the transport ● Walking in fresh air...relaxed.”
people who have experienced thirteen participants per week. under their Social Inclusion ● “Exercise is key to good
mental health difficulties. The The pilot group was a closed Transport Support stream. mental health.”
concept of the programme is group. Participants were Local Link Kerry contracted a ● “Doing different walks in
simple: taking a walk in a green informed of the programme local operator to provide different locations…going for
space such as a local park or and invited to join it by their transport for the group to and a coffee afterwards.”
woodland makes you feel local HSE Kerry Mental Health from the walking locations. ● “The variety of walks...and
better. Services team. Under this agreement, 50% of their short duration. The
The Kerry Recreation & The programme was the cost of the bus was best were the Coillte and
Sports Partnership, with the facilitated by Kerry’s subsidised by Local Link Kerry national park walks.”
support of the HSE Health Community Walking and 50% by Kerry Recreation ● “Meeting new
Promotion Department and Development Officer and and Sports Partnership/Get people...having good
the Institute of Technology, Coillte staff, who welcomed Ireland Walking. conversation…helping each
Photographs: Get Ireland Walking
Tralee, was instrumental in the group, introduced the The agreement to subsidise other.”
developing a feasibility study Coillte woodlands to them and the transport facilitated a ● “I enjoyed spending time
to pilot the programme in also led some of the walks. sustainable programme model. with friends and meeting
16 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2020new people. I loved Health programme engage woodland area and being Participant
spending time in nature people in the occupational part of a social group.”
and looking at trees, etc.”
benefits
therapy concept of doing,
●
To assess and monitor the
“The atmosphere of being and becoming.” Kerry Recreation &
● “It benefited our clients so
participant health and
walking in the woods was Sports Partnership: physical fitness benefits
great.” much, as they were able to ● “To witness the extensive
●
associated with participating
“Going for walks that you fully engage in meaningful collaborative efforts made in the programme, it is
would otherwise not get activity in their local in implementing the
to.” planned to link it with the
communities.”
●
Woodlands for Health
● “The occupation of walking
“Walking in different local park runs that were
programme, whereby all established in Kerry by Kerry
locations...meeting others allowed the constructed programme partners
and chatting while Recreation & Sports
barriers between benefited holistically, was
walking...feeling energised Partnership and the local
volunteer groups ■
professionals and clients to very rewarding.”
afterwards.”
●
be broken down, as
“Talking to others.”
● “Getting a chance to lead
everybody was an equal 2020 programme Acknowledgments
member of the walking This programme will be run in
walks, and interacting with Our thanks to HSE mental health
group. Social barriers were 2020 on a quarterly basis and
others.” occupational therapists Caroline
eliminated and people will encompass locally McCarthy and Catherine
engaged on a truly accessed woodland walks. Fitzgerald; to Kerry Recreation &
HSE occupational meaningful level through Transport will be available for Sports Partnership Coordinator
therapists: the occupation of walking.” the less accessible woodland
● “It was hugely rewarding to ● “It was lovely to see people
Córa Carrigg; to the Community
areas, e.g. Lyracrumpane Mass Walking Programme Facilitator
see the Woodlands for chatting and walking in a Rock Loop, Listowel, Co Kerry. askea Calnan, and to Coillte.
Get active on family-friendly walks
By Linda Sankey there are six national parks in Or maybe you could take a get lost.
(Get Ireland Walking) the Republic and nine Areas of walk on one of the four existing You can also download the
Outstanding Natural Beauty in blueways: see Playground GPS Ireland app,
It can be hard to find the time Northern Ireland. You should www.bluewaysireland.org. which will guide you to the
to catch up on life at the also check out your local parks: Blueways are stunning trails exact location of more than
weekend. The weekend is short there are many hidden gems running on and alongside lakes, 650 outdoor playgrounds, and
and may be taken up with that you may not be aware of, canals and rivers. you can combine the walk with
cleaning the house and ‘admin.’ such as St Catherine’s Park in If you need some digital fun in a playground. I tend to
Sadly, while we cannot give you Lucan on the Dublin/Kildare assistance to get organised, try bribe my children with a
more time or any incentive to border, where you can walk some useful apps. promise to go to the
do more active things at the along a glacial ridge and play The AllTrails app is a free app playground post-walk.
weekend, we can suggest that ‘Spot the Highland cattle.’ Yes, that requires you to sign up If you fancy being more
you prioritise your activities to you read that correctly! The and which will show you trails active, you can join a park run.
make the most of your time fifteen cattle were introduced near your location. You can These are free, available in
off: get out of the house and to improve the biodiversity of filter it for a more specific area. nearly every park across the
go walking! Take your family the area. The trails are handily marked country and a good active start
and take your dog! You will The website as easy, moderate or hard. The to the weekend. You can walk,
need some suitable wet familywalksireland.com is a app allows you to download jog or run! See www.parkrun.ie.
weather clothes, of course, just handy database for buggy and offline maps. The walks are Ultimately, at the weekends,
in case, but try to leave the family friendly walks. You could tagged ‘kid friendly’ and ‘dogs it is worth remembering that,
technology behind. also take a woodland walk: on a leash,’ and there are useful while urban environments are
Getting out walking doesn’t check out Coillte’s webpage reviews and tips for each walk. filled with stimulation, natural
need to be expensive or www.coillte.ie/activity/walking. You can also turn the app into environments are more
complicated. Think green and There are twelve forest parks a GPS tracker so that you don’t restorative ■
blue. I live in a very urban space and 260 recreational sites
and have a great local park across the Republic, with car
Photographs: Get Ireland Walking
almost on my doorstep, which I parking and picnic areas. aUtHOr: linda Sankey is Communications
use a lot during the week, Beaches are also fun, free Officer with Get Ireland Walking. get Ireland
walking the dog. By the time places to walk with kids and Walking is an initiative of Sport Ireland,
the weekend rolls around I dogs. It is impossible not to run supported by Healthy Ireland and hosted
and delivered by Mountaineering Ireland.
need something spectacular up and down a sand dune and
like a beach or a big open not enjoy it! You could also FINd OUt MOrE: To find out more about Get
Ireland Walking, visit the website
space to give my soul a lift. walk beside a waterway: see www.getirelandwalking.ie, contact us on
Choose what works for you www.waterwaysireland.org/ (01) 625 1109 or email Linda Sankey at
and your family. Don’t forget things-to-do/walking. info@getirelandwalking.ie.
Spring 2020 Irish Mountain Log 17NEWSL0G
Walkers on the dingle Way
near Slea Head on the dingle
peninsula, Co Kerry
Dingle Walking Festival 2020
By Ethna Garvey these should be at their best regular hillwalkers. It is also Head area.
this coming May, when the planned to incorporate a We look forward to
Dingle Hillwalking Club festival will take full advantage Mindfulness Walk, a welcoming many old and new
(Cumann Sléibhteoireachta of this idyllic environment. Biodiversity Walk and a friends to our town in May
Chorca Dhuibhne) is There is a wide variety of Historical Walk into the 2020.
organising this year’s Dingle accommodation and programme.
Photographs: Ethna Garvey Collection (Slea Head area), Noel O’Neill/Lens Alive Photography (bottom photos)
Walking Festival over the restaurants in Chorca We also hope to take full aUtHOr: Ethna garvey is the
weekend of May 15-17th, 2020. Dhuibhne to suit different advantage of the many club secretary of dingle
The Dingle peninsula in budgets and every taste. ancient monastic and Hillwalking Club.
west Kerry is famous for its There will be easy, moderate archaeological sites on the FINd OUt MOrE: For the latest
natural beauty and its and difficult walks. The difficult peninsula, with a combined festival information, check
stunning sea, cliff and walks should prove a decent bus tour and walk to sites of www.dinglehillwalkingclub.com
mountain scenery. Hopefully, challenge for experienced, interest around the Slea ■
18 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2020Women With Altitude
to celebrate its 10th
anniversary this year
Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, Co Clare, May 15-17th, 2020
By Ruth Whelan
Women With Altitude (WWA) is a Mountaineering Ireland
initiative to encourage women to take on greater challenges in
mountaineering, be they personal, technical or leadership
challenges. Established in 2011, this initiative promotes and
facilitates women’s participation by providing support with
skills training and leadership development, inspirational role
models and opportunities to network.
To celebrate the tenth anniversary of this initiative, we are
going to the Burren and will be based at the Falls Hotel, in
Ennistymon, Co Clare. This year’s WWA event is all about
building confidence on the hills and crags, where new
participants and some familiar faces will come together to
celebrate women in the mountains and continue to develop
their skills and build confidence at all levels.
As part of the weekend and to celebrate ten years of Women This is also a great opportunity for female members of clubs,
With Altitude, we decided we would include a panel discussion who could potentially become great club walk leaders, to
session. The panel will consist of women who have been increase their confidence.
involved in Women With Altitude down through the years, be it The event offers an open and welcoming environment where
as an instructor, a key speaker or an organiser. Such women are women will have the opportunity to develop their skills and gain
role models for other women in our sport and have been knowledge from some of the country’s top female instructors,
influential in progressing female participation in and to meet and socialise with like-minded females interested
mountaineering. in hillwalking and climbing.
Our panellists will include Helen Lawless, Orla Prendergast, This year’s programme is bigger and better than ever, with a
Sinead Pollock and Ursula MacPherson. variety of courses to suit all levels of ability for both hillwalkers
To guide the discussions and make sure all your pressing and climbers.
questions are answered, Colette Mahon (Women With Altitude
organising team member and instructor) will chair the ■ Bookings are now open!
discussion. Go to www.mountaineering.ie/events ■
Photograph: Sorcha Dolan
Spring 2020 Irish Mountain Log 19You can also read
