The appearance of signs prohibiting climbing in Dalkey Quarry sent a shockwave through Ireland’s climbing community on the 11th of August.
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.
The signs were erected by Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, which owns the quarry, without consultation with Mountaineering Ireland or the wider climbing community. Mountaineering Ireland contacted the council immediately.
We understand that the ban on climbing does not stem from any climbing accident or insurance claim. It seems that a request the council received for a climbing event in the quarry triggered concerns within the council. Mountaineering Ireland’s CEO, Liam Feeley, has described the ban as disproportionate and unwarranted.
Mountaineering Ireland has proposed alternative wording for signage to state that the quarry includes hazards and that those enter the quarry do so at their own risk*. We understand that the council is considering changing the signage, but the consideration of wording is taking longer than expected.
We are also liaising with the council regarding a risk assessment of Dalkey Quarry in accordance with the Visitor Safety Group approach (visitorsafety.group), it is hoped this will take place in late September.
We acknowledge the frustration within the climbing community and the financial losses experienced by activity providers. Mountaineering Ireland will continue to advocate strongly for a swift resolution. Any developments will be shared on our website and social media.
*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