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Women With Altitude

Women from all over the country will be gathering in the beautiful setting of the Wicklow Mountains with a base at Ballinacor Community Centre Carriglinneen, Co. Wicklow, for a weekend of adventure for all women interested in hillwalking and climbing. ‘Find Your Way" is the theme of this year’s event, and there will be plenty of opportunity to do so over the course of a weekend packed with training activities, our guest speaker and chances to network with likeminded adventurous women!

For more information on this event click here.

For women who love the mountains.

Women with Altitude is a Mountaineering Ireland initiative to encourage women to take on greater challenges in mountaineering, be they personal challenges, 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.

Meet the Organising Team

Ruth Whelan

One of Ruth’s goals as Hillwalking Manager for Mountaineering Ireland is to increase female participation, but also to encourage the skill development of women and girls already involved in the sport. She has been actively involved in hillwalking and climbing for many years. exploring various mountains/crags in Ireland and abroad. Her studies at UCD also had a women in sport focus, having completed a research masters on the perception of women leaders in sport and a dissertation on the motives to participate in rock climbing and the risk involved. Ruth is delighted to be the Mountaineering Ireland’s staff representative for Women With Altitude.

Ursula Timmins

Ursula lives and works in Waterford and loves nothing more than spending her free time in the hills with friends. She is a qualified mountain leader and wilderness EMT and proud member of South Eastern Mountain Rescue (SEMRA) and Wexford Hillwalking/Mountaineering Club. Ursula is delighted to be involved in pushing the boundaries of women in sport through the Women with Altitude organising committee.

Oonagh Kelly

Oonagh is a qualified Rock Climbing Instructor and is currently working towards her Mountain Leader qualification. She spent two years formally training in Cappanalea Outdoor Education & Training Centre - now Kerry College and is passionate about transferring her knowledge and skills to those seeking adventure and experiences in the outdoors. Alongside her full-time role she freelances, teaching rock climbing to individuals and groups. Oonagh is delighted to be part of the organising team for the Women with Altitude event, carrying forward the significant and meaningful work that has taken place since it’s inception in 2011.

Martha Burton

Martha is a relatively new Mountain Leader (2024) and spends her free time guiding groups and individuals, mainly in Wicklow. Hillwalking has been her main hobby for many years, so it was a natural progression to gain some qualifications in the area. Martha is an active member of Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team, and is also a board member with Mountaineering Ireland. She tried (and loved) climbing for the 1st time at Women with Altitude a few years ago, and would love others to have similar opportunities and experience the positive, supportive 'WWA vibe'.


Barbara O’Donnell

Barbara is a qualified mountain leader with a strong passion for the outdoors and helping others build confidence in the hills. Originally from Germany and now based in Ireland, she enjoys exploring a wide range of landscapes and sharing those experiences with others.

Through her work, Barbara leads guided hikes and creates supportive, memorable experiences for walkers of all levels. She is currently working towards becoming a Mountain Skills provider and is also developing her skills as a rock climbing instructor, continuing to expand her experience across different areas of mountaineering.

Barbara is part of the Women With Altitude organising team, where she contributes to encouraging more women to get involved, progress their skills, and enjoy time in the mountains.