The recent appearance of signs prohibiting climbing in Dalkey Quarry sent a shockwave through Ireland’s climbing community. Mountaineering Ireland has been engaging with the council, which owns the quarry, since the signs appeared on 11th August.
Mountaineering Ireland submitted alternative wording for signage to the council on 18thAugust, and is asking that the signs be changed within the next week.
Mountaineering Ireland also hopes that yesterday’s meeting will lead to ongoing collaboration with the council regarding the promotion and management of responsible recreation in Dalkey Quarry.
Rock climbing has taken place in the quarry for almost 100 years. Due to its accessible location, variety of quality routes, and beautiful setting overlooking Dublin Bay, Dalkey Quarry is the busiest and arguably most important rock climbing venue in Ireland. It has been described as the crucible of Irish mountaineering, with generations of people having their first climbing experience in Dalkey Quarry.
Speaking on RTE News Mountaineering Ireland CEO Liam Feeley has described the closure as a disproportionate response, taken without prior consultation with Mountaineering Ireland. The reasons for the prohibition on climbing remain unclear; but seem to include concerns raised by a neighbouring landowner.
Amendments to the Occupiers’ Liability Act passed in 2023, limit the duty of care that the council and other landowners owe to people who enter on to their property to engage in climbing or other recreational activities. The amended legislation provides for voluntary assumption of risk, embedding in law a long-established principle that participants in outdoor recreational activity take responsibility for their own actions and their own safety. For more see - https://www.mountaineering.ie/_files/DRCD_Recreation-in-Irelands-Outdoors-A5-FINAL.pdf
Mountaineering Ireland members, especially those living in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council area, are encouraged to contact their local elected representatives if they have concerns about the council’s ban on rock climbing