Youth
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Why Climbing

"One of the things that separates climbing from other sports is how independent and personal it is. With most sports, you either win or lose, but climbing is about your own personal experience.”
Chris Sharma - Climbing legend!

Young children are natural climbers and getting involved in climbing as a regular activity provides many physical and mental benefits.

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How To Start?

Indoor climbing walls provide an ideal venue to give the sport a try. They provide a safe yet exciting environment to experience the thrills of climbing. Booking in with an indoor climbing wall for a taster session is an ideal way to see if this sport is for you.

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Talent Development And Competition

The Mountaineering Ireland Talent Development Pathway provides structure and opportunity for young climbers who want to develop their climbing performance levels.

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Safeguarding

Mountaineering Ireland is committed to safeguarding children. In line with our Safeguarding Policies and Procedures (2015) our staff and volunteers, seek to create a safe environment for young people to grow and develop.

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2024 Youth Climbing Camps

Mountaineering Ireland in association with Ambrose Flynn of Hike & Climb and Claire Comiskey of Rock Ready Outdoors are delighted to announce the 2024 Youth Climbing Camps.

These camps are for young climbers who are keen to experience climbing outdoors on rock and want to develop the skills to do so independently and safely. The camps will provide younger climbers with the opportunities to experience the amazing climbing that Ireland and Wales have to offer, and support them to develop the skills to enjoy it safely and to the fullness of their potential.

Participants in the climbing camps are expected to have previous climbing experience. They are expected to be capable of tying-in, belaying safely and have a good understanding of the basic principals of climbing. The camps are an ideal opportunity for indoor climbers that wish to explore the outdoors. They are also perfect for the outdoor climber looking to increase their confidence and skillset.

Please note that Members of Mountaineering Ireland can avail of a discounted rate per camp. For more information, or to book your place, please contact the providers directly. Contact details below.


For 2024 we are running five Youth Climbing Camps. They are:

  • Camp 1 – Dalkey Quarry, Co. Dublin – Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th June
  • Camp 2 – Ailladie, Co. Clare – Monday 17th to Thursday 20th June
  • Camp 3 – Dalkey Quarry, Co. Dublin – Tuesday 2nd to Thursday 4th July
  • Camp 4 – Inis Mór, Aran Islands – Monday 22nd to Friday 26th July
  • Camp 5 – Wales, Llanberis – Monday 26th to Friday 30th August


CAMP 1 – DALKEY

  • Location: Dalkey Quarry, Co. Dublin
  • Date: Tuesday 11th to Thursday 13th
  • Drop off 10:00am
  • Collection 5:00pm
  • Lower age limit: 12
  • Instructor ratio: 1:4
  • Residential: No
  • Cost: €250
  • Cost for Member of Mountaineering Ireland: €170

Dalkey Quarry provides an excellent location for climbers to build experience of climbing on real rock and to develop a broad range of essential climbing skills. Depending on age and ability climbers will climb, abseil, learn to build anchors, belay from the top of a cliff, simulated lead climbing and lead climbing.


CAMP 2 – AILLADIE

  • Location: Ailladie, Co. Clare
  • Date: Monday 17th to Thursday 20th June
  • Drop off 11:00am, Monday
  • Collection 11:00am, Thursday
  • Lower age limit: 14
  • Instructor ratio: 1:4
  • Residential: Yes – Hostel type accommodation
  • Cost: €370 – inclusive of accommodation and food
  • Cost for Member of Mountaineering Ireland: €290

The sea-cliffs of Ailladie and the inland crags in the vicinity provide a wide range of climbing options – from top-rope climbing to abseiling in and climbing out of sea-cliffs!


CAMP 3 – DALKEY

  • Location: Dalkey Quarry, Co. Dublin
  • Date: Tuesday 2nd to Thursday 4th July
  • Drop off 10:00am
  • Collection 5:00pm
  • Lower age limit: 12
  • Instructor ratio: 1:4
  • Residential: No
  • Cost: €250
  • Cost for Member of Mountaineering Ireland: €170

Dalkey Quarry provides an excellent location for climbers to build experience of climbing on real rock and to develop a broad range of essential climbing skills. Depending on age and ability climbers will climb, abseil, learn to build anchors, belay from the top of a cliff, simulated-lead climbing and lead climbing.


CAMP 4 – INIS MÓR

  • Location: Inis Mór, Aran Islands
  • Date: Monday 22nd to Friday 26th July
  • Drop off: 5:00pm, Monday, Rossaveal, Co. Galway
  • Collection 1:00pm, Friday, Rossaveal, Co. Galway
  • Lower age limit: 14
  • Instructor ratio: 1:4
  • Residential: Yes – Camping
  • Cost: €400 – inclusive of accommodation, food, and ferry
  • Cost for Member of Mountaineering Ireland: €320

This camp will focus on sport climbing in the incredible location of Inis Mór. The camp will cover the fundamentals of safe sport climbing as well as delving into strategies and tactics used to perform at one’s best.


CAMP 5 – Wales

  • Location: Llanberis
  • Date: Monday 26th to Friday 30th August
  • Drop off: 7am Dublin Port
  • Collection 6pm Dublin Port
  • Lower age limit: 14
  • Instructor ratio: 1:4
  • Residential: Yes – Hostel type accommodation
  • Cost: €800 – Inclusive of accommodation, food, and ferry
  • Cost for Member of Mountaineering Ireland: €720

This camp will focus on introducing the climbers to bouldering and sports climbing in the amazing setting of the Welsh Valleys. Llanberis has a deep and rich climbing history that never fails to inspire.


For further information, or to book your place, please contact either of the providers directly.

Ambrose Flynn: [email protected]

Claire Comiskey: [email protected]

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