UKC

Hi this is a question to the island communities west of the continent ...

where would you send a first time visitor to ireland on a family trip - for some easy sport/trad that is child friendly (the little mountain domina is 4). open to all suggestions ...

thanks in advance, thomas

In reply to tjekel:

You're taking a 4 year old girl climbing? Fairplay.

Most of Ireland is trad. There are sport locations but I've not visited them.

There is a database here
http://wiki.climbing.ie/index.php/Irish_Climbing_Route_Database#Introductio...

If you're up north I recommend the Mourne mountains. Lower cove is an area with lots of variety. It would probably take you an hour to walk in from the car park.
http://wiki.climbing.ie/index.php/Lower_Cove

If anyone suggests Fairhead to you be aware that the routes are long, hard and have a serious feel to them.

In reply to tistimetogo:

thanks for the first hints ...

In reply to tjekel:

The friendliest in terms of accessibility top and bottom that I can think of is Daley near Dublin

In reply to GrahamD:

Aye, should have mentioned Dalkey

Dalkey quarry

http://www.ukclimbing.com/articles/page.php?id=611

http://wiki.climbing.ie/index.php/Dalkey_Quarry

In reply to tjekel:

There is no Sport Climbing in Ireland. With a small child I would recommend going to Glendlough in county Wicklow bouldering. The walk in is very nice (Flat and on a super good path). Its very pretty there and the bouldering has great landings.

In reply to Aigen:

That's what I thought too.

+1
Otherwise +1 for Dalkey, where there are quite a few Mods and Diffs.

In reply to tjekel:
Another Dalkey vote, a bit polished but nice handy venue.

In reply to Aigen:


How come? No suitable rock?

In reply to Toerag:

There are strong traditional climbing ethics in Ireland. Bolting is not encouraged in the vast majority of crags, to keep the environment as natural as possible. Most of the rock is granite and has adequate possibilities for natural protection.

There is a bolted quarry near Kilkenny (Ballykeefe) but the bolting style is very different from European standards and is only there "as a last resort" in case you fall off. You might find the spacing very varied or wide apart. Its also like most quarries, a hole in the ground. Much prettier to go to Dalkey or Glendalough.

In reply to tjekel:

Cruit Island in Donegal is very child-friendly. Lots of short VDiffs, non-tidal approaches and nice beaches. http://www.uniqueascent.ie/cruit_island_guide

In reply to tjekel:

thanks all for lots of information to ponder!