Colmcille Climbers

An invite from Colmciller', and MI President, Alan Tees to attend the MI AGM seemed like a good offer, the offer of a pint sealed the deal. As non-climbing President, I thought a spot CCC-promotion would be a good use of my time. Alas, I have to report I had a jar too many and the CCC have been thrown out of MI. A joke, honest!

We went via Finbarr's (CCC) in Dungiven, canvassing grass-root opinion and cups of tea, before travelling over the Sperrins for coffee in Belfast with Alan's son, Peter. We got down to Glendalough in fine time and later we met up with one of our own, Sandra Kennedy (CCC). Later I was introduced to Karl, MI's new Chief Officer and Ruairi, MI's Chair. Angela Carlin was in chipper-form and full of enthusiasm. The beers in the Glendalough Hotel flowed well. As a Yorkshire-man I never dreamed I'd ever welcome the opportunity to drink Kilkenny so enthusiastically.

The following day Angela gave a presentation on climbing walls, which are certainly taking-off in Ireland. The measure, for me, of a good talk is coming away  with new insights into a subject you think you know and are up-to-date with. After the talk I was introduced to the Architect of Derry's proposed new climbing wall, Peter. Paul Cornforth gave a presentation on climbing wall construction and development, his company, King Kong, installed the wall in Dingle; which everyone raves about. Paul has tendered for the Derry Wall. Entre-Prise were also represented and will hopefully be adding to Ireland's future walls. Paul Dunlop and Angela Carlin's work for a new wall for Derry is not always publicised, this needs to be appreciated. The CCC and St Columb's Park Users have all been behind this work, this needs to continue whenever it's requested.

I got to do a fair bit of talking with folks from the MI and other clubs around the country. On a personnal level it was good to get involved with long chats with Robin Merrick former IMC and FMCI President and Mtn Log Editor Patrick O'Sullivan. At the AGM dinner, Paul Cornforth and Climbing.ie's Stephen McMullan proved stimulating company. Stephen has offered his help with the Donegal guidebook, he was one of the pioneers in the frenzied early stages of Gola development.

In summary, Alan was re-elected, for the 3rd time, as the MI's President. Sandra Kennedy is now a member of the Board of MI: well done to Alan and Sandra. Both bring their own skills and experiences to steer MI in its activities for and on behalf of the membership. It's quite a coup for our club to have such high-profile positions at a national level.