Secrets of the Wild Atlantic Way - Rock climbing in Donegal, Ireland

When I started mng three years ago little did I know of the journey it would take me. Most recently it took me on an adventure to Gola Island, one the hidden gems of the Wild Atlantic Way, or "Secrets" as they say. 'County Donegal' itself is Ireland's hidden gem, but in Western Donegal, the Gaeltacht region in particular, this place takes secrets and gems to another level. You really have to experience it to believe it. 

The mission! Spectacular images of rock climbing on Gola Island, Donegal, an undiscovered corner of Ireland. The task for me! Climb down the side of a sea cliff attached to harnesses and ropes with nothing but the Atlantic Ocean beneath you and smile. I didn't google sea cliff climbing and sign up that way, just for the record. This was work, but not the usual presenting mng’s services, adventure holidays and cultural tours or customised packages. This was “climb down the sea cliff work". Oh how I love my job!

Iain Miller & Moira Ní Ghallachóír, pre climb nerves. 

Of course I was nervous and trying not think about what I was about to do. I knew that ultimately, I trusted this man who was carefully preparing the ropes and attentively checking my gear and that my safety was paramount, I still s**t myself when Iain said:

“Step forward towards me Moira” I looked him in the face and said, I cannot step backwards off a cliff”. Iain said, sit down and face me, then turn around and ease yourself off the edge and climb down the cliff.”

It changed the whole task at hand, this sounded easy right! So I did just that. And you know what, it was kind of easy. The rope felt amazingly secure, there was lots of places for my feet to grip, and hey, the view was spectacular. It was a powerful feeling, in fact I highly recommend rock climbing as a must do when visiting Ireland. 

Moira ní Ghallachóír, mng, rock climbing on Gola Island with Iain Miller, Unique Ascent

It got me thinking about adventure activities, what does it take? Is it guts? Courage? The need for excitement or what? I’m certainly no free climber but I can climb a rock face with ropes and a helmet no bother. What I learned yesterday was that it's not about being able to rock climb but that it's about trust and I trusted Iain Miller. A sense of humour is also very important, thank God we kept the craic going throughout as that just made the whole experience more relaxed. (There was a lot of swearing, I'm glad it wasn't audio recorded)

Talk about expertise, firstly we watched Iain free climb this rock face pictured right, that was about 100 feet. I timed him, and it took two minutes. I wasn’t afraid or nervous as I watched, mostly I watched in awe of his agility, and technique  as he ascended the cliff face that could only make you think, Spiderman! 

Rock climbing is the ultimate adventure experience in Ireland, if not Europe. It's the best adventure experience in Donegal and the best part is YOU can do it. Come to mng's Rock climbing day on the amazingly spectacular Cruit Island, 8th July 2015. There are climbing and abseiling sessions throughout the day for families early in the day and later for adults. It's guaranteed to have you seeing things from a different perspective. There's a harness for kids as young as 3. Bring a picnic and your bikes, there will also be Archery. Enjoy a customised adventure in Donegal. 

Now where is that Sea Stack?

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Press release - Step outside and feel alive this spring

Step outside and feel alive this spring.
Press release

For immediate release: 7th Feb 2014

Mng presents the Rock agus Roam Spring Extravaganza 2014. Taking place across west Donegal on the 29th and 30th March, this is an experience not to be missed.

Founded just last year by local entrepreneur Moira ní Ghallachóir, mng has rapidly grown to become one of the most successful tourism enterprises in the Donegal Gaeltacht. Dedicated to designing adventure and culture-based experiences for the visitor. The Rock agus Roam package allows you to get a real taste of this incredible corner of Ireland.

The Rock agus Roam Spring Extravaganza challenges you to shake off the cobwebs, step outside and feel alive. The weekend is specifically designed so you can try a vibrant selection of outdoor activities, including rock climbing on Cruit Island with one of Irelands most famous climbers. Sea kayaking along the wild Atlantic coastline. Sailing around the Donegal Gaeltacht islands in a traditional lug rig or hill walking and navigation on the Poisoned Glen, where the golden eagles soar.

All of this exhilarating activity takes place in outstandingly beautiful locations where a team of local professional instructors will share their hidden gems and folklore with you as you go. Donegal is a paradise for outdoor activities, what are you waiting for, come and see for yourself.

You will stay in one of Ireland’s best Eco Friendly Hostels, nestled at the foot of the mighty Errigal Mountain as part of this exclusive weekend package. With plenty of alternative activities, there really is something for everyone to enjoy. And being in the Gaeltacht, you’ll have a chance to dust off your Irish or even learn a few new words. It has never been a more important time to show some love and attention to our native Irish language.

With an extra hour of daylight to mark the start of spring, this is going to be an amazing weekend that is guaranteed to put a real spring in our step for 2014.

Moira is available by phone or email to answer any questions and happy to offer group discounts or help you design your own experience.

We look forward to seeing you there, and remember, you never know who you’ll might.

Ends.

For further Information.

E: moira@mng.ie
M: 0831230529
W: www.mng.ie

Rock agus Roam testimonials and reviews Donegal Gaeltacht

Here are some of the comments and pics from Rock agus Roamers in 2013. Thank you all for taking part and look forward to having you back!

“Thanks for organising the Rock-climbing with Ian and the Hillwalking with Seamus throughout this weekend we really enjoyed Rock & Roam. It was wonderful and brilliantly organised from start to finish. Such a great night at the Cabaret Craiceailte on Saturday to top it all off! Will deffo be back, keep me posted of future events!!”. Sally Murphy, Letterkenny, September 2013.

“ I was a bit apprehensive about the hill walking at first, being a local myself and needing a guide, but when we were out there and Séamus was able to share such knowledge of the area and of the earth, it was definitely worth every penny and definitely doing it again!”. Suzanne Comerford, Ballyboffey

Suzanne Comeford, Ballybofey. She totally nailed this particular climb when nobody else could! Go on the girls!

"The climb is challenging and exhilarating, hanging on the cliffs overlooking the ocean. It's both exhausting and invigorating, a great experience, would highly recommend it".

Howard Chu, L.A. Donegal.

Hailing from Donegal myself I was a little embarrassed to discover that we had such amazing outdoor adventure opportunities on our doorstep that I was unaware of! All credit to mng.ie for developing local and national tourism with Rock & Roam sa Ghaeltacht. A really fun weekend that I would highly highly recommend"!! Roxanne Keaney, Letterkenny/Dublin. May 2013

Deep in the Poisoned Glen Dunlewy and happy out!

Roxanne Keeney.

"I am not an adventurer nor a gaeligor but I had a fantastic time rocking and roaming in the Gaeltacht with mng.ie. everything was organised really well and Seamus gave me a big stick to get up the hill . I felt like an adventurer by the end and got some gaelige on my tongue too. Go Raibh Maith Agat"! Louise Ozbay, Strabane. Sept 2013

"Ghlac mise páirt in ceann do na chead Rock agus Roam's anuaraidh. Thug sé spreagadh do cúrsa in dreapadóireacht a dheanamh. Bhí an craic ann agus na daoine sound!" Conor, Donegal, Belfast.

Louise Ozbay and Natalia Colmanejero.

Rock Climbing on Cruit Island with Rock agus Roam

“Did you know there was more climbable rock in Donegal than anywhere else in Ireland”?

Experience radical rock climbing on the vertical sea cliffs of Cruit Island with one of

Ireland's most renowned professional rock-climbers, Iain Miller and local climber and native speaker Aidan McGinley.

This is a once in a lifetime experience that is guaranteed to make you see things from a different perspective!

Each climb caters for max 10 people so you are guaranteed hands on attention to get the most fulfilling experience. Anyone can do this! All climbs will be tailored to suit individual ability.

**All you need is loose comfortable clothing and a pair of trainers. All safety equipment is supplied.

A video of rock climbing on Cruit Island.

Cruit Island is under a rain shadow, so it very rarely rains there.

Rock & Roam sa Ghaeltacht - See Donegal

Here's ten of the best reasons to come on a Rock & Roam weekend:

1. To experience the crisp clean air and dramatic landscape of the Donegal Gaeltacht.  

Rock and Roam weekend in May 2013. Poisoned Glen walk, where we saw two golden eagles fly above us all day. Breathtaking.  

2. If you have a cupla focal and would like to brush up, not only will you be in the heart of the Gaeltacht but your walking guide from Walking Donegal is fluent and will tell the history of the area and other interesting stories and local folklore in Irish. A class can easily be arranged as part of your Rock & Roam weekend.  

3. Rock climbing in Donegal has some of the best if the not the best in the country, according to Iian Miller of Unique Ascent, our expert rock climber, "there is more rock in Donegal than anywhere else in Ireland". This man knows what he's talking about.

The rock climbing is tailored to every group. This looks a lot higher than it was, it was a lot easier than one would imagine as well.  

View from Poisoned Glen

4. One of the most popular walks is Poisoned Glen, Dunlewy, where there are two resident Golden Eagles and a new addition of late, you can often see them flying above which is a spectacular sight.

5 . Getting to Donegal is easy, by car, by coach, Mc Ginley, Mangan Tours, Bus Feda or Patrick Gallagher, or you can fly to Donegal from Dublin or Glasgow, this package also includes accommodation, car hire and flights via Donegal Airport.   

6. There is some of the best Irish traditional music nights in the country here, including Caberet Craicailte (Electric Picnic) at Teach Hiudaí Beag, reonowned for having the best trad seisiúins in Ireland.  

7. If one of your group would rather do something relaxing there is a spa nearby at An Cúirt Hotel.

Teach Sean Óg

8. After the walk, we always stop off at Teach Sean Ógs for some of the best Seafood chowder and catch the match (if there's no match, there'll be a seisúin!). Sean Ógs is also a great place for a party, its known to get a little wild, their cocktail nights are very popular!

9. Rock & Roam is the perfect weekend getaway to experience the outdoors, destress, have some craic, relax and be ready for work again Monday morning, without going too far away.

10. It’s a healthier stag and hen alternative, still time for plenty craic along with the activities. Email us if this is what you have in mind, all budgets can be catered for.

First timers getting ready for the sea cliff climb. 

“There is more rock in Donegal than the whole of Ireland put together”

“There is more rock in Donegal than the whole of Ireland put together”

Really?!

“Cruit Island is the most developed rock climbing location in Ireland”

No way?

“The most remote place in Ireland is off the coast Aranmore, at Anphort”

These are just a few of the interesting facts mng.ie learned today meeting with Iain Miller from Unique Ascent, who has been building his rock climbing business for the last two years and with 30 years experience in mountaineering and as a marine engineer, this man knows what he’s talking about.

All of this is right on our doorstep and if you are lucky enough to live in or smart enough to visit Donegal, the ultimate experience in rock climbing awaits you. Whether you are 8 or 80 years old, you can do this. Unique Ascent say all you need is a pair of trainers and a sense of humor.

There is 1.5, three or six hour sessions in groups of up to 20 people. The experience can be tailored to suit any level or need.

Not only is Iain an expert in Rock Climbing but is also a mine of information of the hidden gems we have here in Donegal and in Ireland, priceless knowledge and he more than wiling to share this.