Climbfest
The Club held their nineteenth Climbfest during the early May bank holiday weekend. Since its inauguration in 2005, the event continues to attract climbers from across Ireland and further afield, to the joys of trad climbing in Donegal. This year the Club went back to its base in Culdaff, Inishowen which resulted in a large number of climbers (80+ turning up) coupled with a prolonged four day assault on Inishowen’s many crags. Lá Bealtaine (1st of May) brought the sunshine and an unprecedented early invasion of Culdaff with up to 25 climbers out enjoying the crags at Dunowen and Dunmore Head. The Club’s campsite proved popular for the tented dwellers while the recently extended campervan bay was pushed to its limits and beyond. A new firepit was christened and a large contingent gathered for an evening of catching up, planning ahead and celebrating Bealtaine in the tranquil surroundings of Bunnagee.
The annual Saturday ‘Come and Try’ session at Dunmore Head was curtailed by the ever-increasing moisture coming in off the Atlantic. This eventually transcended into rain thus creating the perfect conditions for a full-on assault of Culdaff’s most popular non-climbing crag – McGuinness’ Bar. Another campfire session followed, albeit a bit more disjointed.
Sunday morning showed signs of promise. The brave and the depraved sought the wave while the sane and vain rolled their eyes in the rain. After hearing how lovely the water was and how it wasn’t all that cold or wet for that matter, the serious matter of where best to climb that day and when would the sun come out, were all discussed.
Brasil Rock became the venue of choice and very soon this unique rock outcrop was overwhelmed with climbers enjoying both the variety of climbs and the fantastic climbing location. The top roped Dunowen crags next the Club’s campsite also received a large number of climbers and a few more adventurous climbers made it to Glenagiveny with its many demanding routes. On Sunday evening, the Club hosted a social event in McGrory’s of Culdaff. Jo Green – Climber and officer with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, give a great talk on the species we can see of our coast and illustrated how climbers can help the group by reporting sightings of Whales, Dolphins and Sharks. Club member and seasoned climber, Hugh McCann, then give a talk and a slick slide show on the joys and logistics of climbing in the Sierra de Gredos mountains in central Spain. Food, much chat and many tales followed.
Monday morning and the sun did shine. Dunmore Head and the sheltered Finbarr’s Wall were enjoyed by a large contingent that remained for the fourth day. The latter crag received much praise from visiting climbers. Overall, Colmcille Climbers once again ran a very successful Irish Trad climbing event with the weather helping to both encourage climbers out and, when needed, in. Some routes that climbers reported enjoying the most included Alhambra, The Hustler, Broadbins Emporium (Brasil Rock), Orange Blossom, Black Perception (Dunmore Head) and Redford Classic (Finbarr Wall).
Many thanks to Mountaineering Ireland for continual support of this annual event and to the inhabitants of Culdaff for accommodating a large influx of brightly clad halfwits.