Women with Altitude
Approximately 50% of Mountaineering Ireland’s total membership is made up of women however research and feedback showed that a disproportionately low percentage of our female members took on leadership roles on the hills, walked and climbed independently or progressed to complete our awards. The Women With Altitude initiative was started in 2011 with the aim of increasing the skills and so the confidence of women on the hills. The initiative is centered around one annual weekend event which is based in a different part of Ireland each time. This weekend is focused on increasing participants’ levels of confidence both through trying out new activities and also consolidating existing skills. The weekend consists of both instructional and self-directed activities and also includes a number of talks and workshops. In addition to learning and improving hard skills, Women With Altitude provides a platform for the many female mountaineering role models we have in Ireland and is an ideal opportunity to meet like-minded women. The flagship weekends have resulted in smaller groups meeting up periodically during the year to enjoy the hills and crags.
Click here to visit the Women With Altitude website
Women’s Rock Festival
For the first time on the island of Ireland, Mountaineering Ireland is introducing a rock climbing event dedicated purely to women who climb. As the numbers of female outdoor and indoor climbers rapidly grows, there is an increasing demand to gather and share their experience. The event is open to female climbers of all ages and abilities. It offers the opportunity to meet other likeminded climbers, to get their technical support, start networking and create new bonds. It is a great opportunity to meet leading female climbers during the inspirational talks and to ask questions about their challenges in rock climbing. There is a technical workshop focused on the fear of falling and yoga classes to prepare both body and mind for the rock climbing challenges.
Female Master Classes
This is a series of inspirational interviews with the Female Role Models of Irish mountaineering, who have helped to shape the landscape of Irish mountaineering today. The interviews give an interesting insight into their lives, climbing expeditions, achievements, failures and struggles. It also shows their views and opinions about the current position of females in modern mountaineering.
Discover the past Female Master Classes
Female Master Class #7; An interview with Lucy Mitchell, sports & competition climber, climbing coach.
Date: 13/12/2020 at 7 pm on Zoom
The 7th (and the last) Mountaineering Ireland Women in Sport Female Master Class features Lucy Mitchell, Belfast-based sport and trad climber, boulderer, competition climber and climbing coach. She will share her views on coaching, training, and competing on an international level. The online class will run at 7 pm on Sunday, 13th of December on Zoom.
Female Master Class #6; An open Interview with Eimir McSwiggan, Ice Climbing Champion and the'' Irish Ice Queen''
Date: 25/11/2020 Venue: 8 pm on Zoom
In the 6th episode of Mountaineering Ireland's Women in Sport Female Master Classes, Ice Climbing Champion, Eimir McSwiggan will be sharing her life story, her journey as a climber and international athlete. She will give insights into her training regime and share with you what it means to represent Ireland on the international sports scene. The webinar is open to people of all genders and ages. Eimir will answer your questions throughout the webinar.
Female Master Class, Part 5, An Interview with Clare Sheridan, Traditional, Himalayan & Alpine Rock Climber
Date: 21/10/2020 Venue: 7 pm on Zoom
In the 5th episode of the Women in Sport Female Master Classes, Bray-based climber, Clare Sheridan, will share stories about her life and climbing experience spanning 50 years. She will answer questions about her climbing expeditions, climbing projects, being a mother and a teacher, and the changes around the perception of women in sports, especially in rock climbing. Clare just published her new book, Uncoiling the Ropes, which contains fresh and interesting views on the current condition of Irish mountaineering. Tune in at 7 pm on Wednesday, 21 of October on Zoom. The event is opened to everyone.
Female Master Class, Part 4, an Interview with Marie Lyons, nurse, wilderness EMT & a member of the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team
Date: 29/07/2020 Venue: on Zoom
In the 4th episode of the Women in Sport Female Master Classes, MarieLyons will be taking your questions regarding her life and experience as a hospital emergency nurse and the wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). She will share the insight of work as a female member of the Mayo Mountain Rescue Team.
The sudden spread of COVID-19 pushed her to cancel Everest expedition plans and her work as a remote rescue trainer. She decided to return to the Mayo General Hospital in a full- time capacity and she will be sharing her experience of COVID from the front line.
Female Master Class, Part 3, an Interview with Chloe Condron, trad climber, route setter & climbing instructor
(phot. Matt Pycroft)
Date: 22/07/2020 Venue: 7 pm, Online, on Zoom
In the 3rd episode of the Women in Sports Female Master Classes, Chloe Condron, Dublin based climber, route setter and rock-climbing instructor will be taking questions from you. Chloe belongs to the new wave of Irish trad climbers and is constantly pushing her limits, overcoming the fear of falling. She has been climbing for the last 8 years, exploring climbing crags around the world and just recently establishing her first new route. She was recently featured in ‘’A Feather in the West’’ movie from an Irish climbing expedition to Owey Island in Donegal, a production of PERTEX ® and the Coldhouse Collective Company. Chloe will share about her climbing experience, life philosophy and fear of falling, a topic that is so relevant to all climbers.
Female Master Class, Part 2, An interview with Michelle Hughes, Adventurer, International Mountain Leader, Outdoor Instructor and more...
Date: 03/06/20 at 7 pm on Zoom.
The 2nd interview in Mountaineering Ireland’s Female Master Classes features Michelle Hughes, a woman of many interests and talents. For decades Michelle has worked as an outdoor instructor guiding, sailing, kayaking and rock climbing. She works for Wilderness Ireland leading walking groups, and, as an International Mountain Leader, she guides around Ireland and overseas.
Female Master Class, part 1, An Interview with Julie Reeves, Winter and Summer Mountain Leader, Skill Provider
On Thursday 14th of May at 7 pm Julie Reeves, Summer & Winter Mountain Leader will give an open interview. She will answer your questions and share thoughts about her life and career in mountaineering. Leave your question in the comments below and join us for the interview via Zoom at 7 pm.