Back in the autumn of 1976 when there were still haycocks in the field at the McBrides’ farm, a small group of Fairhead regulars were delighted, and grateful, to be able to call this cottage their hut. They cleared out the manure, stuck polythene in the windows and settled in beside the fire. And then the talk turned to forming a new club. A club meant lifts for the weekend, partners to climb with and chats over pints.
They called the club Dal Riada (Ree-a-dah) and the yearly membership requirement was set at 10 VS leads, though some of that original group – Ken Higgs, Tom Ryan, Dermot Somers, Sé Billane, Calvin Torrans and Clare Sheridan – were doing so many new climbs that 10 new routes each year was suggested.
Club members put up all the classic E1s and E2s on the Prow in 1976, along with big routes like Salango and An Bealach Runda, and went on to explore cliffs in Sligo and the Burren. Now, almost 50 years later, that passion for adventurous climbing is as strong as ever among Dal Riada club members. And they still love to chat over pints.
Membership of the club is open to all climbers who can provide a list of at least ten trad routes graded VS or higher that have been led in the past year. This requirement is to ensure that all club members are experienced and competent.
The club is affiliated to Mountaineering Ireland, and as such all members must be a paid up member of Mountaineering Ireland. Members can choose to pay their membership of Mountaineering Ireland through Dal Riada Climbing Club, through another club, or as an individual.
The club offers three membership types; Full member, Youth member and Associate Member. The total membership fee is made up of a €20 fee for Dal Riada Climbing club, plus the fee payable to Mountaineering Ireland.
Full Membership is for people who are over the age of 26, and who are NOT members of Mountaineering Ireland through another club or as an individual member. The total cost of Full Membership is €58.00, we retain €20.00, pay €38.00 to Mountaineering Ireland for your Mountaineering Ireland membership.
Youth Membership is for people who are under the age of 26, and who are NOT members of Mountaineering Ireland through another club or as an individual member. The total cost of Full Membership is €44.00, we retain €20.00, and pay €24.00 to Mountaineering Ireland for your Mountaineering Ireland membership.
Associate Membership is for people who are members of Mountaineering Ireland through another club or as an individual member. The total cost of Associate Membership is €20.00, we retain the €20.00, no funds are transferred to Mountaineering Ireland as you are already a member.
If you would like to join the club, please get in contact by sending an email to: dalriadaclimbing@gmail.com.
