Expedition to Patagonia - Irish team succeeds on South Avellano Tower The King's Trail - Mountaineering ...
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Spring 2018 €3.95 UK£3.40 ISSN 0790 8008 Issue 125
Expedition to Patagonia
Irish team succeeds on South Avellano Tower
The King’s Trail
A remote wilderness route in Sweden
www.mountaineering.ie
Photographs: Pietro Bertera (main photo), Elaine Mullan (walkers in snow), marlenka (girl on road), Matteo Galli (valley view)
A word from the edItor
ISSUE 125
The Irish Mountain Log is the
❝
membership magazine of
Mountaineering Ireland. The
organisation promotes the interests
Welcome of hillwalkers and climbers in Ireland.
Mountaineering Ireland
Mountaineering Ireland Ltd is a
company limited by guarantee and
C
éad míle fáilte! The start of registered in Dublin, No 199053.
Registered office: Irish Sport HQ,
another year and already we are National Sports Campus,
well into it, with spring now well Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland.
upon us. Another year and it Tel: (+353 1) 625 1115
brings a new Strategic Plan for our new Strategic Plan will Fax: (+353 1) 625 1116
info@mountaineering.ie
Mountaineering Ireland.
The Draft Strategic Plan 2018-2021 was
be the blueprint for www.mountaineering.ie
discussed at the Members’ Forum during mountaineering Ireland’s Hot Rock Climbing Wall
our Spring Gathering and AGM in the Glen Tollymore Mountain Centre
of Aherlow, Co Tipperary. The plan is
development over the next Bryansford, Newcastle
County Down, BT33 0PT
available for downloading on the website four years. Tel: (+44 28) 4372 5354
and final comments can be submitted youth@mountaineering.ie
now before it is finalised and published by
submitted are published on pages 6 and 7, Editor: Patrick O’Sullivan
the Board of Mountaineering Ireland.
Tel: (+353 1) 837 8166 (pm, wknds)
This is an important time for your and to my mind they are really quite iml-editor@mountaineering.ie
National Governing Body, as the Strategic inspiring. Thank you very much to everyone Literary Editor: Peter O’Neill
Plan is the blueprint for the organisation’s who submitted their favourite view. iml-literaryeditor@mountaineering.ie
development over the next four years. The inaugural Killarney Mountain Festival
The Irish Mountain Log is published by
Members’ engagement with, and was held over the weekend of March 9-11th. Mountaineering Ireland four times a
ownership of, the Strategic Plan is essential It was a great success and very well year, in March, June, September,
for its successful implementation. supported, with some great speakers and December. The material published in
This, the first issue of the Irish Mountain films. It augurs well for future such events. the Log by the voluntary editorial team
and contributors must not be taken as
Log for 2018, is full of interesting material. (See our report, page 16.) official Mountaineering Ireland policy
The result of the Christmas crossword Finally, in the features, Paul Swail reports unless specifically stated.
competition is announced on page 9. on what was a very successful and
There seemed to be a lot of interest in it enjoyable climbing trip to Patagonia, when Copy deadline for the Summer 2018
issue of the Irish Mountain Log is Friday,
this year and there were requests that we an Irish team made some impressive first
May 18th 2018.
include a crossword competition more ascents (see pages 54-57).
frequently; so we will look at that. As the evenings get longer and the Advertising: info@mountaineering.ie
The call for people to submit their weather improves, we can all hopefully look
Production: Cóilín MacLochlainn
favourite views of mountains also got a forward to getting out more.
environs@iol.ie
great response, making judging difficult.
The most interesting four images Patrick O’Sullivan, Editor Printing: GPS Colour Graphics Ltd,
Alexander Road, Belfast BT6 9HP
Tel: +44 (0)28 9070 2020
PARTICIPATION AND RISK
Readers of the Irish Mountain Log are
Write for the Log reminded that hillwalking and climbing
are activities with a danger of personal
injury or death. Participants in these
activities should be aware of and
Contributions of features, news items and photographs for accept these risks, and be responsible
the Irish Mountain Log are always welcome and should be for their own actions and involvement.
Mountaineering Ireland publishes and
sent to the Editor at: iml-editor@mountaineering.ie.
promotes safety and good practice
advice and through Bord Oiliúint Sléibhe
Contributors’ guidelines can be downloaded from the (BOS, the Irish Mountain Training Board)
Mountaineering Ireland website, www.mountaineering.ie. administers a range of training
programmes for walkers and climbers.
ON THE COVER
To join Mountaineering Ireland and receive four issues of the tackling the first pitch on the east face
Irish Mountain Log delivered to your door each year, please route of the South Avellano tower in
also go to the website, www.mountaineering.ie. Patagonia. See story, page 54.
PHOTOGRAPH
the IrISh torreS del AvellANo
ClImbINg exPedItIoN 2018
Spring 2018 Irish Mountain Log 3
CONTENTS Spring 2018
Relaxing at the Erzherzog Johann Hütte during the Coconuts Hillwalking Club’s trip to Austria. See story, page 36.
News 19 Club Training Officers meeting
Greg Kenny reports
Features
5 Strategic Plan 2018-2021 20 The ultimate tick list 44 A weekend in North Wales
Photographs: Margaret Kennedy Collection (Austrian mountain view), Patrick O’Sullivan (Frank Nugent), Kevin Conroy Collection (Hotrock wlall)
6 What’s your view? Daniel O’Brien reports
22 Winter Meet 2018
Helen Lawless reports Ruairi English reports 48 The King’s Trail
8 Frank Nugent delivers Fran Lynch and Fióna Gallagher
22 Irish Mountaineering Club report
Lynam Lecture talks 52 Italy’s Lake Garda
10 Mountain Rescue Ireland 23 MountainViews Gathering Patrick O’Sullivan reports
Ruth Cunniffe reports
24 Beara-Iveragh Double 54 Patagonian first ascent
11 Volunteers restore old path Horseshoe Paul Swail reports
Brian Madden reports Aidan Ennis postscript
12 Get Ireland Walking rolls Regulars
out more projects News Features 58 Access & Conservation
Jason King reports
26 Wicklow Uplands Council Helen Lawless reports
14 Agri-environment scheme Jim Sheehan reports
for the Kerry Reeks 60 Training
28 Fiche bliain ag fás Jane Carney reports
Trisha Deane reports
Catherine Doyle profiles the 62 Books
14 Birds of prey are nesting Crannagh Ramblers of Inishowen Reviews of recent publications
Helen Lawless reports
30 Saint Jeannet 65 Reviews
16 Killarney Mountain Festival Ian Lawler reports on a Dublin Reviews of recent films and plays
16 Fair Head Meet 2018 Cliffhangers Club trip to France
66 The Last Word
Paul Swail reports 32 Climbing in Calpe Jim Bridwell
17 Irish Uplands Forum Fran Whelan reports on a Defence
Georgia MacMillan reports Forces club trip to Spain
18 Get Climbing programme 34 Calpe capers
Grainne O’Brien reports Anna Clare McGarvey reports on a
Feel Good Factor club trip to Calpe
36 Grossglockner
Margaret Kennedy reports on a
Coconuts Hillwalking Club trip
Climbing
38 Hotrock Climbing Wall
Kevin Conroy reports
40 Lead climbing and
bouldering competitions
Damien O’Sullivan reports
Frank Nugent Kevin Conroy
Training Opportunities
8 LYNAM LECTURE 2017 43 Adventure degree
Joyce Meade reports
38 HOTROCK CLIMBING WALL
4 Irish Mountain Log
Newsdesk
Staff & Board
General enquirieS
info@mountaineering.ie
Staff
Chief executive Officer
Murrough McDonagh,
murrough@mountaineering.ie
administration Officer
Siobhán Quinn, info@mountaineering.ie
Planning for
Membership Development Officer
Ruth Whelan, ruth@mountaineering.ie
Hillwalking, access
the future
& Conservation Officer
Helen Lawless, helen@mountaineering.ie mountaineering Ireland’s draft Strategic Plan 2018-2021
training Officer Representing and supporting hillwalking and climbing
Jane Carney, jane@mountaineering.ie
talent Development Officer
Damien O’Sullivan, Mountaineering Ireland published its draft
damien@mountaineering.ie Strategic Plan (2018-2021) in advance of the
Youth Development Officer for Spring Gathering and AGM, which was held in the
northern ireland Glen of Aherlow, Co Tipperary, over the weekend
Kevin Kilroy, kevin@mountaineering.ie of March 23-25th. The plan was discussed at the
Members’ Forum on the Sunday, March 25th.
Get irelanD WalkinG initiative Mountaineering Ireland’s purpose is “to
Programme Manager, Get ireland Walking represent and support hillwalking and climbing.”
Jason King, jason@getirelandwalking.ie Mountaineering Ireland’s vision in the new
Project Coordinator – Men’s Sheds strategy is that hillwalkers and climbers will
Project
become more skilled, self-reliant and informed,
Emer O’Leary, emer@getirelandwalking.ie
that access will be improved, and that our
MOuntaineerinG irelanD mountain landscapes will be valued and
BOarD OffiCerS protected.
President The strategy’s aim is to inspire and support
Paul Kellagher hillwalking and climbing throughout the island of
president@mountaineering.ie Ireland and encourage adventure and exploration in the mountains of the world.
Chairperson The values expressed in the strategy are:
Paul Barron
chairperson@mountaineering.ie Adventure
BOarD MeMBerS
• whatever
We find personal challenges in the hills, mountains, crags and climbing walls at
level
Imelda Buckley
imelda-board@mountaineering.ie
• activities the value of the unknown and the uncertain outcomes of our
We recognise
Helen Donoghue
(Chair of Access & Conservation Committee) Personal responsibility
helen-board@mountaineering.ie
Trish Kane
•• We take personal responsibility for our actions and we manage the risk involved
We foster the development of skills among clubs, groups and individuals
trish-board@mountaineering.ie
Colette Mahon Respect
colette-board@mountaineering.ie
Michael Maunsell
• forWeitsrespect our wonderful but fragile environment and we are a positive voice
protection
mike-board@mountaineering.ie
Gráinne McLaughlin
• We are responsible in how we enjoy access
grainne-board@mountaineering.ie Well-being
Clare O’Connor
clare-board@mountaineering.ie
•• We enjoy the relationships that flow from our activities
We appreciate the health benefits, both physical and mental, of our sports
Irene Sorohan
irene-board@mountaineering.ie Partnership
Dawson Stelfox
(Chair of Mountain Training Board of Ireland)
•• We are committed to advocacy to promote our members’ interests
We recognise that relationships and trust are vital in helping us realise our vision
dawson-board@mountaineering.ie
Geoff Thomas This challenging new Strategic Plan is available to download on the
geoff-board@mountaineering.ie Mountaineering Ireland website, www.mountaineeringireland.ie. It will be open for
Simon Walsh (Chair of Climbing Committee) final comments for a short period before being finalised and published by the
simon-board@mountaineering.ie Board of Mountaineering Ireland ■
Spring 2018 Irish Mountain Log 5
NewSL0G
What’s
your
view?
we asked readers to
submit a photo of their
favourite landscape and
say why it appealed to
them. here are four of the
best responses received.
By Helen Lawless
For its size, the island of Ireland
possesses an unusually diverse
geology, which has been sculpted
by episodes of glaciation to leave
us with a rich variety of mountain,
upland and coastal landscapes, all
Ben Gorm, Co Mayo
with regional distinctiveness. These “This is Ben Gorm, taken from Bundorragha Pier. I grew up here and my family have farmed sheep
landscapes inspire and attract on it for over a century. Why is it special? Simply put, it represents home for me. It’s the first
people to engage in a spectrum of mountain I ever climbed and is where my love affair with mountains began.” – Geraldine Nee
mountaineering activities that
range from adrenalin-pumping
adventure to relaxation and
restoration.
In the last issue, we asked
readers of the Irish Mountain Log to
submit a photograph of their
favourite landscape along with a
brief note of the qualities that
make that view special to them.
Here we show four of the
submissions, selected by our
judges for how they illustrate the
beauty of our mountains and how
the supporting comments give an
insight into what people appreciate
in our mountain and coastal
landscapes. Taken together, the
words and images show how the
mountains afford us some very
special experiences.
These, and the other submissions
received, confirm the strong
connection between the quality of
the landscape and scenery, and the
quality of our recreation
Silent Valley, Mournes, Co Down
experiences. “Any view from my tent on a Mournes summit would be my favourite. This example is from
Mountaineering Ireland strives to Doan summit, overlooking Silent Valley Reservoir, and was taken in March 2017. When I get up
protect Ireland’s mountains, and onto the summits for a night, the stresses of life are gone. It is my reset switch, and that is what
the quality of the experiences we makes these views my favourite.” – Seán Branagh
enjoy there, by working towards our
vision that Ireland’s mountain
landscapes will be valued and fUrther INformAtIoN: Read more about Mountaineering Ireland’s vision for the future of Ireland’s
protected as environmental, mountains and upland areas at bit.ly/2FJ9tcM or at
cultural and recreational assets ■ www.mountaineering.ie/accessandenvironment/EnvironmentalPolicy/default.aspx.
6 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2018
Mount Brandon, Dingle Peninsula, Co Kerry “This view of Mount Brandon from the Conor Pass near Dingle never ceases to lift my spirits every time, whatever my mood! Having climbed its various slopes and summit many, many times, each providing a totally different experience, this vista invariably whets my appetite for the next trip up this magical mountain.” – Noel O’Neill Eastern MacGillycuddy Reeks, Co Kerry “The view of the eastern Reeks from the top of Carrauntoohil is known to many climbers, but the view captured in this picture is seldom experienced. The eastern Reeks are dusted in snow and tower above a low-lying blanket of soft cloud and into a bright blue sky on a beautifully clear and sunny day.” – Bertie Hickey Spring 2018 Irish Mountain Log 7
NewSLOG
Frank Nugent delivers 2017 Lynam Lecture
By Patrick O’Sullivan
Frank Nugent, the outstanding
Irish mountaineer, explorer
and author, delivered an
enthralling Lynam Lecture to a
large and very enthusiastic
audience in Trinity College’s
Davis Theatre on the evening
of Thursday, December 7th,
2017.
The Lynam Lecture was
inaugurated in 2011 in
memory of Joss Lynam (1924-
2011), one of Ireland’s
best-known mountaineers, in
recognition of his enormous
achievements in hillwalking,
climbing and mountaineering
in Ireland and overseas over
some 60 years. During his
lifetime, Joss initiated
numerous developments in
these areas of our sport in
Ireland and he was an Frank Nugent delivering his Lynam Lecture in Trinity College, Dublin, in December.
inspiration to a number of
generations of Irish was also the editor of the Irish Papert (2015), Paul Swail and in 1993. These earlier
mountaineers. Mountain Log for more than John McCune (2016). These expeditions had not reached
Joss Lynam’s achievements have been outstanding the summit but the lessons
20 years. Joss continued as
included many mountain- lectures that have generally learnt established an
the Literary Editor of the Log
eering expeditions to the reflected on the development expedition model that
up to the time of his death.
Greater Ranges and an of our sport and how it might facilitated the Irish success on
Since it was inaugurated in
outstanding voluntary progress in coming years. This Everest.
contribution to the 2011, the Lynam Lecture has
year’s lecture by Frank Nugent Frank remembered summit
development of adventure been delivered by leading
followed very strongly in that day on Everest in 1993, climbing
sports in Ireland. Joss was national and international
tradition. un-roped high on Everest with
known to many Irish and mountaineers: Harish Kapadia
Frank knew Joss Lynam very Dawson Stelfox. Having
international walking (2011), Dawson Stelfox (2012), well, having collaborated with problems with his oxygen
enthusiasts for his many Stephen Venables (2013), him on several initiatives supply, he decided to abandon
hillwalking guidebooks. He Clare Sheridan (2014), Ines ranging from expeditions to his own attempt, so that he
■ lyNAm leCtUre
developments in our sport at wouldn’t hinder Dawson’s
home. That association and summit bid. That team success
friendship came through increased the prominence of
strongly in his presentation. our sport in Ireland and also
He divided his wide-ranging saw the setting up of the Irish
talk up into various sections. Himalayan Trust by the
Expeditions with a big ‘E’, he expedition members so that
told us, needed funding over surplus expedition funds could
and above the norm because be used to support future Irish
Photographs: Patrick O’Sullivan
of their importance to expeditions as well as
national self-esteem. Frank supporting environmental
talked about the Irish projects in the Himalaya and
expeditions to Chang-tse in the building of a school for a hill
Tibet (1987) and Manaslu in community in Nepal.
Nepal (1991), and the lessons After Everest, Frank’s
learned, which he felt laid the attention turned to repeating
foundations for the Shackleton’s Endurance rescue
successful Everest expedition voyage in Antarctica by
8 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2018
planning the 1997 South Arís about his time as Chair of
Expedition with Paddy Barry, the Mountaineering Council
Jarlath Cunnane and others. of Ireland (1997-2000).
In the Tom Crean, a replica Among his
they built of Shackleton’s accomplishments, he listed
James Caird lifeboat, they the employment by MCI of
followed Shackleton’s track its own staff, opening its own
from Elephant Island to South office in the House of Sport,
Georgia, and successfully the first MCI Alpine Meet in
made the first repeat traverse Ailefroide in 1998 and the
of South Georgia since Millennium Youth Project
Shackleton in 1916. 1998-2000. He then talked
In 2001, Frank, again with about the ascents he made
Paddy and Jarlath, built in the Alps and Norway
Northabout, a 50-ft following in the footsteps of
aluminium sailing boat, with the Irish mountaineers
which they completed the featured in his 2014 book, In
first Irish navigation of the Search of Peaks, Passes and Ruth Lynam presents Frank Nugent with a Lynam Lecture medal on
North-west Passage, sailing Glaciers: Irish Alpine Pioneers, the occasion of his talk in Trinity College Dublin last December.
from Westport to the Bering which was shortlisted for the
Strait. Following his polar Boardman Tasker Prize for been a most absorbing we all need to support local
exploits, he recorded the Mountain Literature. Finally, reflection on his life as a upland groups who are trying
achievements of Irish Polar he talked about his trips in mountaineer and explorer by to manage our hills
explorers since 1740, in both recent years, which have talking about his recent work sustainably for future
the Arctic and Antarctic, with included making many first as Chair of the Irish Uplands generations, something that
his book Seek the Frozen ascents in Greenland and a Forum. He closed with a plea would have very much been
Lands. traverse of the Haute Route. to those present, “Who Cares in keeping with all that Joss
Frank then went on to talk Frank finished what had for the Uplands?”, saying that Lynam valued ■
Crossword competition Reviewers wanted
the winner of our Christmas crossword in IML 124 was Enid Hughes like to write a book review for the Log?
from Swords, Co dublin. enid won an Airzone trekplus rucksack from
our crossword sponsor, basecamp. the solution to the crossword is
shown below. The book review pages of the Irish Mountain Log comprise
one of the most popular sections of the magazine. A
C C B C S C P C R C
1 2 3 4 5
prerequisite for publishing book reviews is a good pool of
M O O R C L E A D E R
6 7 reviewers, and the Log is always looking for new volunteer
U C I C I C T C D C
reviewers to add to its pool.
You do not need to be a literary critic to review a book for
M A T T E R H O R N
8
the Log. You review a book or guidebook as a reader writing
C C O C V C C C U C
for other readers. Reviews of even the most significant books
E R 1 N C E C C A M P
9 10 11
rarely exceed 500 words, and most reviews are generally
between 200-400 words. Ideally, to review a guidebook, you
E C C C N C H C C C should be familiar with the area covered. To review other
F E R M A N A G H C
12 13 14 books, it should be a topic which interests you or you know
U C O C M C L C U C
something about.
Unfortunately, our reviewers cannot keep the books they
V E L C R O C E T N A
15 16
review, as all of the books are put in the Mountaineering
L C K C N C T C T C
Ireland library so that others can read them.
If you would like to volunteer to join our pool of reviewers,
please email our Literary Editor, Peter O’Neill, at
peter.oneill@ucd.ie, adding a short note outlining your
interests – whether hillwalking, climbing, travel, botany,
geology, ornithology, or whatever – and the name of your
club, if you are a club member.
We email a list of books received for review about six times
per year, asking for expressions of interest, and we try to
match books to the preferences expressed. We look forward
to hearing from you. Thank you ■
Spring 2018 Irish Mountain Log 9
NewSL0G
Mountain Rescue Ireland
recent advances in mountain rescue messaging systems
have improved the response time and efficiency of our
mountain rescue teams.
By Ruth Cunniffe (PRO, there are several
Mountain Rescue Ireland) requirements. For instance,
the subject has to have a
Currently, eleven voluntary smartphone, with sufficient
mountain rescue teams battery power left, and to
provide search and rescue know how to switch on the
services in upland areas location services, so it is
across the island of Ireland. generally used as a back-up
Collectively, the teams are to good old-fashioned
represented by Mountain detective work.
Rescue Ireland (MRI). MRI is a The key to undertaking a
member of the International rescue mission is getting the
Commission of Alpine Rescue location of the casualty.
location. and transported to the
(ICAR), the international While that is being
coordinating body for All communications during nearest medical/hospital
established, team members
mountain rescue the rescue are conducted by facility, as required.
will have been alerted by text
organisations. radio. Most teams are now Callouts in Ireland in 2017
message, bleeper or a phone
In 2017, there was a total of using Tetra radios, which use mostly happened during the
call. The team leader
272 incidents that were a shared network and make summer holiday months,
assembles a first response
responded to by volunteers in talking to other teams when more people were out
team, usually two or three
the eleven teams in MRI. possible from any location in on the hills. The duration of
people. The first response
When a person is injured or the country. the callouts ranged from one
team will take essential
lost in the hills, they or Once the casualty has hour to six hours. Some went
medical equipment and
someone who is aware that received supportive well beyond that, lasting
patient comfort bags and go
they are overdue or injured treatment at the location of several days in the case of
directly to the casualty’s
should report the incident by the incident, the responding one search operation.
location, when it is
dialling 999 or 112. The team/s will make an Mountain rescue
established.
operator who takes the call evacuation plan. This may volunteers are committed
Meanwhile, other groups of
will then re-direct it to An involve another service like 24/7/365 to participating in
team members will be
Garda Síochána or the Irish the Coast Guards or the rescue missions. Funding is
assembling and getting
Coast Guard, depending on National Ambulance Service. always an issue for teams
ready to go out with the
the nature of the call. An The casualty will then be and, in addition to the time
stretcher and any other
Garda Síochána or the Coast spent on rescues or on
necessary equipment to the evacuated from the location
Guard will then contact the practice exercises in the hills,
■ moUNtAIN reSCUe
relevant mountain rescue much time also has to be
team and pass on all details spent by volunteers
available about the callout to fundraising for their teams.
the team. Mountain Rescue Ireland
The team will then contact was delighted when, in 2017,
the injured person, or who- the Minister for Rural and
ever reported the incident, to Community Development,
obtain any further relevant Michael Ring TD, announced
information that is available. a scheme to support first-
The team can use a message response rescue services
system called SARLOC, a under the CLÁR programme.
Photographs: Mountain Rescue Ireland
location positioning software The programme allows the
system. The rescuer sends a mountain rescue teams to
text message with an internet seek funding to replace
link in it, the casualty or vehicles and equipment
person reporting the incident approaching the end of their
clicks on the link and this operational life. It is certainly
allows the link to interrogate welcomed by the team
the phone’s GPS and shows members, who give so much
its location to the rescue of their own time to
team in digital mapping. providing this essential first-
To be able to use SARLOC, Sligo mountain rescue team training with the Irish Coast guard. response service ■
10 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2018Volunteers restore old hill path
members of hillwalkers Club clear an overgrown path at oldboleys in glencree.
By Brian Madden (Hillwalkers Club)
Last July, on the last leg of a Hillwalkers
Club hike from Prince William’s Seat to
Glencree, in the Dublin and Wicklow
Mountains, we took the path from
Cloon Wood to Oldboleys Quarry. We
found that about half of this path,
which is about 2km long, was seriously
choked with gorse: luxuriant, virile and
colourful, but savagely prickly. Everyone
agreed that something should be done
about it; otherwise, we could lose the
path permanently to nature’s territorial
ambitions.
members of the hillwalkers Club and the ramblers gather to cut gorse in february.
Jim Barry got working on the legal
and safety end of things. The National
Parks and Wildlife Service, Andrea Webb gloves and goggles for eye protection.
of Wicklow Mountains National Park, During our third session, a group from
the landowners and Helen Lawless of the Irish Ramblers Club passed by and
Mountaineering Ireland were all very offered to help. True to their word, four
helpful. The cutting could take place members of the Ramblers joined us for
between September 1st and March 1st our fourth and final cutting day on
and would be covered under our club’s February 17th, 2018.
insurance with Mountaineering Ireland. The map shows the track marked in
On Saturday, November 11th, 2017, red. It starts at Oldboleys Quarry (on the
eight of us gathered at Oldboleys to left) and finishes at Cloon Forest (at the
hack the gorse. A second work session star on the right). Hikers can continue to
took place on Saturday, November 25th, the top of the forest and head for
and once again we had a work party of Prince William’s Seat and the Wicklow
eight. The weather was perfect on both Way, as indicated.
occasions. Everyone worked hard and, The greatest reward for our labours
more importantly, enjoyed themselves. would be to see lots of walking groups
Photographs: Brian Madden. Map scanned with permission of EastWest Mapping
Loppers turned out to be the most making use of this most interesting
useful tool, with a bowsaw needed path. Get out and enjoy it before the
occasionally. Everyone had working the path, overgrown with gorse. gorse grows back! ■
the cleared track, marked in red on a scan of one of eastwest mapping’s detailed maps. the path, cleared of gorse.
Spring 2018 Irish Mountain Log 11NewSLOG
men’s Sheds group on a walking exercise.
Get Ireland Walking rolls out more projects
There is a lot going on in the Get Ireland Walking initiative. The following is a snapshot of some
of our work, which includes some of the programmes we are currently offering and how,
through a partnership approach to delivery, we are getting the job done. Read on....
By Jason King (Get Ireland Transformation show.
Walking) The overall day was a huge
success and the feedback we
Ireland lights up with received was fantastic.
Get Ireland Walking
the GAA
supports the delivery of many
The GAA, in partnership with
walking programmes to a
RTÉ’s Operation
variety of population groups
Transformation, invited
across the country. These
community champions to
include our Active Community
attend a Get Ireland Walking
Walking Programme, the
training day in Croke Park in
Men’s Sheds Walking Project,
early January. The Get Ireland
the Schools Walking Project
Walking team was asked to
and the Woodlands for Health
coordinate and deliver
initiative. The following
training to 160 attendees, to
explains these initiatives a
empower and upskill them to
little bit more:
engage with their local
communities to set up and
support walking groups in Active Community
their localities. Walking Programme
We delivered four Fennelly; Cormac MacDonnell Walking Facilitators, delivered The Active Community
workshops: The Benefits of from Sport Ireland intrigued training on engaging and Walking Programme
Photographs: Get Ireland Walking
Walking by Michelle Hardie- the attendees with different motivating groups. The event commenced a number of
Murphy of Get Ireland locations to walk; and Nollaig was also attended by the years ago as a pilot. It has
Walking; a Fitwalk by Majella Cruise, one of our County experts from the Operation grown into a nationwide
12 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2018initiative and has had a very incorporated into Active
positive impact on many School Week in April and the
people’s lives. It addresses European Week of Sport in
physical inactivity, improves September.
mental health and wellbeing, This initiative will be
and promotes walking within formally launched this April
communities that are and we look forward to
generally inactive. Importantly, circulating the packs with our
it connects people, and that is partner, Active School Flag.
a huge benefit! Watch this space for further
We have found that the information! within their communities, and programme will be fully
social element is very they can offer so much to a supported. This will include
important; people make new Men’s Sheds Project local walking agenda. transport to a suitable
friends and explore new Get Ireland Walking has Workshops kick off in Cork location with qualified and
places, and groups love to partnered with the Irish Men’s in the coming weeks and will trained personnel, who will
finish off their walk with a cup Sheds Association to support include a variety of different support the walks when they
of tea, sharing stories of the ‘Shedders’ in becoming more approaches to walking. The get there.
walks and the fun that they active through walking. Like Irish Heart Foundation has Again, there is a big social
had along the way. the schools initiative, this trained local facilitators in factor to this, and walking and
The Local Sports project is supported by the Cork (as part of Cork Local talking together can have a
Partnerships facilitate these Dormant Accounts Fund. Sports Partnership) to deliver hugely positive impact on
groups on the ground. “Get into Walking” work-shops people’s mental health. The
If you want more in sheds. These facilitators will research suggests that
information, contact then aim to engage the walking within green spaces
your Local Sports shedders in an eight-week has a more positive impact on
Partnership walking programme. We are our mental health than
Coordinator, who can looking forward to this walking in general. It’s fair to
link you to a group immensely and can’t wait to say that we always feel better
within your local area. get started. after a walk than we did
A full list of all the Local before we went out and, when
Sports Partnerships walking in forests and
Woodlands for Health woodlands, this is greatly
can be found on the
Following the successful pilot
Sport Ireland website, enhanced.
of a Woodlands for Health
www.sportireland.ie. The findings from the
initiative by Coillte and the
previous programme suggest
HSE in Dublin, Get Ireland this, and Get Ireland Walking is
Schools Walking Walking got on board and is
Programme fully committed to supporting
now expanding the initiative the users of mental health
Get Ireland Walking to other counties.
values the participation services. Some previous
Positive mental health is participants have gone on to
it gets from children something we all try to attain,
and young people in its set up their own walking
but for some who are groups or joined other groups
programmes. Children
experiencing life’s more within their local area. That is
love to be active in the Get Ireland Walking
difficult challenges, it’s not so what it’s all about. All finished
outdoors, and we understand coordinates workshops in the
easy. Motivation to get out off with that cup of tea or
that it’s hard for them to sit at Sheds for men and informs
them about the benefits of and be active can be a huge coffee.
desks all day long. We want to
walking, how they can challenge, and although many For further information,
support children to learn
incorporate walking into their know the benefits of this contact us on (01) 625 1109 or
through play and activity, too.
day and the value of walking approach it is difficult to send an email to
Get Ireland Walking has
developed an Active School within a group. make this first step. jason@getirelandwalking.ie
Walkway pack that includes Walking and talking is With the support of Mental with any questions or queries
something we find that men Health Ireland as a service you may have. Happy walking!
■
walkway signs that a school
can erect on their grounds. In enjoy, and the shoulder-to- provider, participants on this
Photographs: Get Ireland Walking
addition, the pack includes shoulder approach seems to
useful information on how sit well with them. It’s all AUthor: Jason King is Programme Manager
best to use the walkway about having a bit of fun and of Get Ireland Walking. Get Ireland Walking is
craic with your mates, an initiative of Sport Ireland, supported by
before, during and, indeed,
Healthy Ireland and hosted and delivered by
after school. Posters are also exploring new areas such as Mountaineering Ireland.
provided that can be placed woodlands and forests, and fINd oUt more: To find out more about
on school noticeboards, and tapping into the skill-set Get Ireland Walking, visit the website
information about challenges within the Sheds. These men www.getirelandwalking.ie.
and events that can be are very creative and valued
Spring 2018 Irish Mountain Log 13NewSLOG
Beenkeragh, Ireland’s
second highest mountain.
Its Irish name, Binn
Chaorach, means
‘mountain of sheep.’
Agri-environment scheme for MacGillycuddy Reeks
By Trisha Deane, Rural The project title is: the development of a four- MacGillycuddy Reeks Forum
Recreation Officer, Kerry “Maintaining and Increasing year pilot scheme for farmers monthly photo competition
Sustainable Agricultural to restore, preserve and and other initiatives, via the
The Department of Agriculture Practices for the enhance the biodiversity of Forum’s website
recently announced that the Conservation and Restoration this unique Natura 2000 area. macgillycuddyreekskerry.com
MacGillycuddy Reeks of Upland Habitats in the Landowners will be invited to and its Facebook page,
Mountain Access Forum MacGillycuddy Reeks through participate in the scheme.
macgillycuddyreeksforum.
(through lead partner South Collective Management In order to fully achieve the
Kerry Development You can also become a
Regimes.” project objectives, 1,500
Partnership CLG) has been The aim of the project is to hectares of upland habitats Friend of the Reeks for as little
successful in its application develop practical, achievable in the MacGillycuddy Reeks as €10 by visiting the website
for a locally-led agri- actions and innovative will need to be under the and, in return, you will receive
environment scheme under solutions to address the scheme. a car sticker to publicly show
the European Innovation issues facing farmers in the You can keep up-to-date your appreciation of this
Partnership Initiative. MacGillycuddy Reeks, through with this project, and with the beautiful resource ■
Birds of prey are nesting
Climbers are asked to respect nesting birds on cliffs and crags.
By Helen Lawless Signs of disturbance include allow these
agitated behaviour, alarm calls impressive birds to
Crags and cliffs provide and birds flying out of the nest breed successfully
suitable nest sites for ravens and not returning. Disturbance ■
and birds of prey such as places stress on the birds and
peregrine falcons and kestrels interrupts their ability to reCordS wANted:
in many areas. These birds are incubate their eggs, and also The Irish Raptor
now nesting on crags in the Study Group is
to hunt and supply their
seeking breeding
Burren, Wicklow and other chicks adequately. records for all
coastal and upland sites If you notice any suspicious upland bird-of-prey
Photographs: Helen Lawless
across the country. behaviour close to a nest site, species. Reports
Climbers who come across please report it to the local should be
signs such as the one shown, submitted to
wildlife ranger at
Irene O’Brien,
or who sense that they are www.npws.ie/contact-us or, secretary@irsg.ie,
disturbing, or might disturb, in Northern Ireland, the PSNI with as much detail
nesting birds are asked to on 101. as possible, ideally including grid
respect the birds and climb Vigilance and responsible reference, townland, county and
elsewhere. behaviour by climbers will habitat type.
14 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2018Alex Schweikart on pitch two of The Mask (E5 6a), Fair Head, Northern Ireland. Photo: Ray Wood
climb now
work later
Sneem, Ring of Kerry, Ireland
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Spring 2018 Irish Mountain Log 15NewSLOG
Killarney festival
By Patrick O’Sulllivan impressive. The opening
speaker on the Friday evening
The inaugural Killarney was the Scottish
Mountain Festival was held mountaineer and author Killarney Mountain Festival’s basecamp.
over the weekend of March Cameron McNeish.
9-11th, in association with On the Saturday, the (NPWS), talked about the 2016, the house and gardens
Kendal Mountain Festival. speakers included Trisha Killarney House restoration have been restored to their
Mountaineering Ireland had a Deane, Regional Recreation project, which he had been rightful place as the gateway
stand at the festival, where Officer for Kerry, who spoke involved in before his move to Killarney National Park.
Mountaineering Ireland’s to the NPWS and which was Dermot Somers, Dawson
about the work of the Reeks
Membership Development Stelfox and Tom Curtis gave
Access Forum. clearly still close to his heart.
Photographs: Patrick O’Sullivan (Killarney festival), Paul Kellagher (Fair Head)
Officer, Ruth Whelan, as well an entertaining presentation
Pat Dawson, SW Regional Following the completion of
as volunteers, dealt with about their experiences
Manager of the National extensive restoration and
enquiries from the public.
Parks and Wildlife Service reconstruction work there in climbing the six great North
The festival was designed
Faces in the Alps – the
to celebrate the wonderful
Grandes Jorasses, the Eiger,
surrounds of Killarney. There
the Piz Badile, the Petit Dru,
was a programme of over
the Cima Grande di Lavaredo
forty events during the
and the Matterhorn.
weekend, including guest
speakers, outdoor adventure They were followed by
films, guided walks, a park mountaineer Andy Cave. On
run, a photographic the Sunday, the speakers
exhibition, an opportunity to included Mike O’Shea and
climb on Ireland’s highest Stephen Venables.
climbing wall, and an The first Killarney Mountain
interactive exhibition with Festival was a very successful
SARDA Ireland (the national event with some great
search & rescue dogs speakers and some great
association) and the Kerry mountain films. It was very
Mountain Rescue Team. well attended and augurs well
The line-up of guest Festival speakers Dawson Stelfox, Tom Curtis and Dermot Somers. for future mountain festivals
speakers at the festival was there ■
George Ponsonby on the second pitch of “Mizzen Star” E2 5b
Fair Head Meet 2018
the annual meet at fair head, Co Antrim, will take
place this year on the weekend of June 1-3rd.
By Paul Swail
The 2018 Fair Head Meet will take place over the weekend of
June 1-3rd. It will follow the usual format of camping at Sean
McBride’s farm (£5 per person per night), a guest speaker on
the Saturday night, and lots of climbing and laughs during what
will hopefully be a weekend of good weather!
This year’s guest speaker will be the North Wales-based
climber Calum Muskett. He will be talking about his
progression from the crags of North Wales to the big rock and
ice-faces of the Alps, Yosemite and Patagonia, as well as his
motivation for climbing them. Some of the stories he will tell
will include his climbs on Paciencia on the Eiger; new routing in
Patagonia; and an assortment of shorter tales about successes
and failures.
This year’s Fair Head Meet will be hosted by the Dal Riada
Climbing Club and is supported by Rab (outdoor clothing and
climbing gear manufacturers) and Mountaineering Ireland ■
16 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2018Irish Uplands Forum
A summary of the Irish Uplands forum’s activities during 2017.
By Georgia MacMillan ordinator. The IUF was
pleased to see the
The Irish Uplands Forum (IUF) appointment, in October 2017,
is a voluntary organisation of Mary Mulvey as Uplands
Photographs: Helen Lawless (group photo), Deirdre Lewis (Frank Nugent and Colin Murphy)
dedicated to promoting a Network Co-coordinator.
partnership approach to the Mary is contracted by the
sustainable management of Heritage Council and will be
Ireland’s upland areas. reporting to a newly-formed
Mountaineering Ireland has Upland Partnership Network
been a member of the forum Management Board. Her role
since its foundation in 1995. is to liaise with and support
In April 2017, the IUF held its local upland groups to plan
annual general meeting and and sustainably manage their
networking event in Kinnity, local mountain environment
Co Offaly, hosted by Frank with the aid of state bodies,
Bergin and the Slieve Blooms local authorities and NGOs.
Walking Group. The event was The IUF reviewed its Frank Bergin (Slieve Bloom Walking Group), right, with Michael
well attended and the governance during 2017. It Monahan, Catherine Bergin, Georgia MacMillan and Ged Dowling on the
programme featured guest created four sub-committees Irish Upland Forum AGM walk in Kinnitty Castle Forest in April 2017.
speakers Áine Macken-Walsh to manage key focus areas
(Senior Research Officer at and is currently updating its and cultural services. Frank finished his lecture
Teagasc) and Michael Starrett Constitution and developing The first of two opportun- by summarising the work of
(CEO, The Heritage Council). a Members’ Handbook. ities to apply for this grant the IUF and by making a plea,
The IUF’s Uplands In November 2017, the IUF closed on January 31st; there “Who cares for the uplands?”,
Community Study, published made a presentation to Colin will be a further opportunity to the audience.
in 2016, recommended the Murphy to commemorate his later in 2018 (deadline: August Membership of the IUF is
provision of multi-year retirement from the Board. 1st). growing steadily, with more
funding for active upland Colin was made an Honorary An eventful 2017 closed than 30 groups affiliated in
community groups and the Member of the Irish Uplands with a highlight for the IUF as 2017, spread over the island
deployment of a national Forum for his long association the Chairperson, Frank of Ireland. This shows
Upland Partnership Co- with and service to the forum Nugent, was invited to increasing interest and
as well as to the Wicklow present the Joss Lynam support for the sustainable
Uplands Council. Lecture for Mountaineering management of upland
In December, the IUF Ireland in December. Frank’s areas. Individual membership
announced a small grant lecture, “Of Mountains and is also available.
opportunity of €500 for a Wild Places,” was a wonderful It is important that the
research project concerned blend of memoir, history, membership of the IUF is
with Irish mountains science and superb reflective of those who care
(defined for the purpose of photographic records of for and represent the
the project as any area Frank’s exploits with many uplands.
above 150m in altitude). hardy comrades, including on IUF’s 2018 events include:
•
Eligible topics inclue:
Physical environment of
the first Irish expedition to
Everest; on the South Georgia
• April 7th: Annual General
Meeting, The Club House,
mountains (particularly expedition in the steps of Castlegregory, Dingle
water); Shackleton and Crean; and on Peninsula, Co Kerry.
• Natural environment of
mountains (particularly in
his journey through the
Northwest Passage in the
• October 4-5th: Autumn
Conference, “Innovation and
relation to farming and footsteps of Franklin and his Partnerships in the Uplands.”
recreation); crew, as well as on a range of Mulranny Park Hotel,
• Cultural environment of
mountains (evidence of
other climbs. Mulranny, Co Mayo ■
past use, and people who
live, work or recreate in AUthor: georgia macmillan is Mountaineering
mountain areas); Ireland’s representative on the Irish Uplands Forum.
Frank Nugent (Chairperson, Irish
Uplands Forum) makes a
• Any other topic related
to the centrality of
to JoIN: The Irish Uplands Forum encourages
readers with an interest in the sustainable
management of upland areas to join through their
presentation to retiring Board mountains in the website www.irishuplandsforum.org or by
member Colin Murphy. provision of ecosystems contacting membership@irishuplandsforum.org.
Spring 2018 Irish Mountain Log 17NewSLOG
‘Get Climbing’ programme expands and grows
get Climbing is a social inclusion project working in disadvantaged areas to engage young people.
By Gráinne O’Brien, Get Climbing Project now, after a few
Coordinator months of it, I have no
problem climbing. I
Mountaineering Ireland’s Get Climbing can even do certain
programme continues to grow, with climbs I wasn’t able to
additional funding now secured from do before, after being
Sport Ireland to ensure that the taught some tricks
programme can run until the end of about how to climb.
2018. “My favourite time
New groups are continuing to feed by far has been the
into the programme, with participants week when Michael
from Killinarden Community Centre Duffy came in to
Youth Project and Firhouse Community teach us. He was so
College among the latest recruits. interesting and easy
Get Climbing now runs weekly club to talk to, and he went
nights at Awesome Walls and the Dublin into so much detail,
Climbing Centre, where participants demonstrating
who have completed the programme techniques to us so
■ INdoor ClImbINg
can continue to climb each week and that it was much
develop their skills. Recently, we have easier for us to
had some guest coaching sessions with understand and Students from Killinarden Community School enjoying the Dublin
Michael Duffy and Ricky Bell, which learn.” Climbing Centre wall.
have proved very popular with Cian from Finglas
participants. says, “I always look forward to the schools at the Schools Climbing
Wednesday evenings when we go Competition in Awesome Walls in
Club nights climbing, because I really like climbing, March.
As Brandon from Finglas explains, solving problems while climbing and In addition, plans are underway for an
“I remember first doing rock-climbing being taught new techniques to outdoors climbing day in spring.
and it killed my arms, hands and fingers. overcome the problems on certain We are also expanding the
I was extremely tired afterwards, but routes. I can already see myself getting programme to include groups at Gravity
better, and that wouldn’t happen if the Climbing Centre and at Activate
lessons were much more than €3, Waterford. We are looking forward to
because it wouldn’t be as easy to go working with these centres in 2018 ■
weekly.”
CoNtACt: For more information on the
Plans for spring Get Climbing project, please contact
There will be three teams from the Get Mountaineering Ireland’s office at 01 625
Climbing programme representing their 1115.
Wayfarers’ Four Peaks Challenge, May 25-27th, 2018
The Wayfarers Hiking Club is inviting Mountaineering Ireland members, club or
individual, to join them as they undertake the Four Peaks Challenge over the last
weekend in May, to raise funds for the charity Concern.
The organiser of the challenge is PJ Howell, Chairperson of the Wayfarers, who has
served as a volunteer with Concern in Bangladesh, Uganda and Lebanon.
A busload of thirty Wayfarers and friends will leave Dublin at 6.30am on Friday, May
25th, returning around midnight on Sunday, May 27th, having summited (all going well)
on the highest peak in each province in the following order:
Photographs: Grainne O’Brien
(1) Friday, May 25th, 12.00 noon:Carrauntoohil from Cronin’s Yard. (2) Saturday, May 26th,
9.00am: Mweelrea from Dadreen. (3) Sunday, May 27th, 7.00am: Slieve Donard from
Newcastle car park. (4) Sunday, May 27th, 4.00pm: Lugnaquillia from Fenton’s Pub.
Each participant will raise a minimum of €200 for Concern.
Mountaineering Ireland members are invited to join the challenge for any of the
hikes, with a suggested donation of €25, payable in cash on the day to PJ Howell ■
Matthew from Finglas receives coaching
tips from Michael Duffy. fINd oUt more: For further information, contact PJ Howell at 1pjhowell@gmail.com
or on 087 259 7658.
18 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2018Club Training Officers meet in Clonmel
By Greg Kenny, Club Training
■ regIoNAl meetINg
Officer, Peaks Mountaineering
Club
Peaks Mountaineering Club,
based in Clonmel, hosted the
first Regional Club Training
Officers’ Meeting of this year in
Clonmel in January.
Invitations to attend were
sent to all hillwalking clubs in
the Munster area. Despite the
extremely poor driving
conditions on the evening, the
meeting was very well
attended, with more than fifty
Jane Carney and Helen Lawless of Mountaineering Ireland (both in blue tops) with some of those
representatives present from who attended the Regional Club Training Officers' Meeting in Clonmel in February.
eleven clubs from as far apart
as Wexford and Tralee. training within the club regions. She gave details of meetings are important events
In his opening address, the setting; the various resources how mass tourism projects for a number of reasons: as
Chairperson of the Peaks club, available to hillwalking clubs and new windfarm well as bringing hillwalkers
Ray Prendergast, welcomed through Mountaineering developments were having from different clubs in the
Jane Carney (Mountaineering Ireland; and how such a negative and damaging region together to discuss
Ireland’s Training Officer) and Mountaineering Ireland can be impact on some of the most various topics of interest and
Helen Lawless of assistance to clubs in their scenic mountain regions. She relevance to them and their
(Mountaineering Ireland’s development. One topic that also highlighted the need for
clubs, they also allow the
Hillwalking, Access & got a lot of attention was how greater communication
Conservation Officer). membership at large to meet
hillwalking could be promoted between the hillwalking
The topics discussed during the full-time officials within
within secondary schools. community and the
the course of the evening were Helen Lawless gave a very landowners of these special the Mountaineering Ireland
many and varied, and included interesting presentation on the and fragile places. administration and be brought
such items as ways to need for a more responsible Overall, it was a very up to date with the most
encourage new members to attitude towards the successful evening, enjoyed by recent news and
join hillwalking clubs; skills recreational use of the upland those in attendance. These developments ■
Articles sought for historical Staff departures
mountaineering journal Ruth Carson, Training Administrator and
By Declan O’Keeffe revived in 2012 with Volume 3. Volume 4 Website Development Officer, and
followed in 2015. Plans are now afoot to Gráinne O’Brien, Project Coordinator,
In 2001, Indoor Climbing/Social Inclusion Project,
produce a fifth issue later this year.
Mountaineering have decided to leave Mountaineering
As with its predecessors, the journal
Photograps: Greg Kenny/Peaks Mountaineering Club
Ireland Ireland to take on new career challenges.
will include fresh research as well as
established the
articles published elsewhere in order
Irish Michelle Hardy-Murphy, National
that, in Joss’ words, ‘the IM&EHS
Mountaineering Development Officer, Get Ireland
Journal…be recognised as the best
and Exploration Walking, and David Gaul, Project
source of information on our history
Historical Coordinator, Schools Walking Project,
[and] that all important articles…be
Society (IM&EHS) have also decided to move on.
found in it.’
in order to further interest in the rich
We are always interested in getting
history of Irish mountaineering and We thank them all sincerely for the
exploration. The society published two new material for the journal. If you are
interested in writing an article on an commitment and expertise they
issues of a journal in 2002 and 2005, demonstrated in their work, which will
which were edited by the late Joss appropriate subject (or already have
be missed. We wish them well in their
future careers ■
Lynam. They were well received and done so, even if already published
contained much of historical importance elsewhere), please contact the editor,
in the field. The journal was successfully Declan O’Keeffe, at caldeno@gmail.com ■
Spring 2018 Irish Mountain Log 19NewSLOG
The ultimate tick list?
Be tick aware!
Some ticks carry the bacterial infection that
causes lyme disease, a debilitating illness.
By Dr Patrick O’Sullivan tick bite and spreads outwards
from the initial bite site. It can
From spring to autumn, last up to a month.
anyone who spends time A small, red bump often
■ lyme dISeASe
walking in grasslands or woods appears at the site of a tick
in Ireland should be vigilant for bite or tick removal but it
tick bites. Ticks are tiny, insect- resolves over a few days. This is
The ‘bull’s-eye’ rash of Lyme disease on arm of five-year-old girl.
like creatures that feed on the normal after a tick bite and
blood of birds and mammals, does not indicate Lyme
including humans. A small disease. conjunctivitis and eye pain; and water. The area should
proportion of ticks carry a People with the infection and the nervous system, with then be checked from time to
bacterial infection that causes also complain of flu-like numbness and weakness, time over the following few
Lyme disease, or Lyme symptoms such as headache, meningitis/encephalitis and weeks for any redness or
borelliosis. This bacterium may sore throat, neck stiffness, Bell’s palsy, a facial paralysis. swelling.
be transmitted to humans fever, muscle aches and Removing a tick within 24-48
when they are bitten. general fatigue. Occasionally, Prevention hours of it biting you should
In a minority of people who there may be more serious Currently, there is no vaccine prevent transmission, as all the
are infected, Lyme disease symptoms involving the available for humans. There evidence suggests that ticks
causes debilitating heart and nervous system, the heart, the was one in use, but it was need to be attached and
nervous system disorders. It joints or other tissues. withdrawn in 2002. Therefore, feeding for quite some time (as
can also cause arthritis, with Complications following the best prevention is to avoid long as 48 hours, according to
pain and swelling in the big Lyme disease are uncommon tick bites. some authorities) before there
joints. It is estimated that and tend to occur some time People who spend time is a risk of becoming infected.
there are now at least 50-100 after initial infection. They are walking where sheep or deer In addition, in Europe generally
cases of Lyme disease in common in people who did are present in the countryside only 10-15% of the ticks that
Ireland each year. not realise they had been can prevent tick bites by: transmit Lyme disease are
infected or who did not receive infected with the causative
Symptoms
Many infected people have no
treatment initially. They may
affect different parts of the
• covering up by wearing
long trousers, long-sleeved
bacterium, Borrelia burgdorferi.
Anyone who develops the
symptoms at all. The body, including the joints, with shirts, a hat and boots typical bull’s-eye rash
commonest evidence of swelling and pain in large when walking in long grass, (erythema migrans), which
infection is a characteristic red joints; the heart, with bracken or woods; occurs in 80-90% of infected
‘bull’s-eye’ rash that occurs in
80-90% of infected people.
inflammation of the heart
muscle (myocarditis) and • tucking the ends of their
trousers into their socks, or
tick-bite cases, or any other
symptoms, such as fever, chills,
headaches, stiff neck, fatigue,
This rash develops between irregularities in the heart
wearing gaiters;
three days and a month after a rhythm; the eyes, with muscle aches or joint pains,
• using a DEET-containing
insect repellent on exposed
should go to their family doctor
and explain that they have
skin. been bitten by a tick.
Only a minority of ticks (10-
At the end of your walk, you 15%) carry this infection. If a
should check your skin tick is removed within 48 hours,
(particularly in the skin folds) the risk of infection is low. Once
Photographs: H Krisp (tick), Ltshears (rash)
and hair for ticks. If you find diagnosed, Lyme disease can
any, you should remove them be treated by using antibiotics.
as carefully as possible, trying Ignored and untreated, the
not to leave any of the mouth- infection may go on to cause
parts, which may break off. severe debilitation and chronic
Ideally, tweezers should be health problems ■
used to remove the tick and its
mouth-parts by gripping it as ➤ Further information about
close to the skin as possible. Lyme disease can be obtained
When practicable, the skin from the national Health
where the tick was attached Protection Surveillance Centre, at
The dog (or castor bean) tick, Ixodes ricinus, common in Ireland. should be washed with soap www.hpsc.ie/A-Z/LymeDisease.
20 Irish Mountain Log Spring 2018You can also read
