Access In Ireland

Public enjoyment of the vast majority of Ireland’s mountains and crags is due to the goodwill and tolerance of the landowners, rather than access being based on any formal arrangement.

Land ownership in Ireland is a complex jigsaw of individually-owned land, commonage areas (where a number of people share grazing or other rights to the land) and State-owned lands (e.g. Coillte, national parks, Forest Service and Northern Ireland Water properties).

As land ownership and other circumstances can change, access should not be taken for granted, even on routes that have been used for decades.

Maintaining the goodwill that access depends upon is a shared responsibility. Taking the time to say hello or check about parking can make a big difference.

It’s also important to remember that we climb the mountains at our own risk, as expressed in Mountaineering Ireland’s participation statement:

Mountaineering Ireland recognises that hillwalking, climbing and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

While there is a lack of clarity regarding where you can walk or climb, useful information is available from Mountaineering Ireland (email [email protected]), and a variety of sources including:

MountainViews.ie
Climbing.ie
Publications such as Irish Peaks
Local Mountaineering Ireland clubs
Rural Recreation Officers or Countryside Officers in councils (NI)

Learn more about access in the following sections: