For physical fitness, fun and, yes, adrenaline, nothing beats rock climbing. Despite its daredevil reputation, rock climbing can be enjoyed safely by any reasonably fit person with proper instruction and equipment.

Professional instruction is essential for any beginner—especially if you are heading outdoors. Please click here for details of the Irish Mountain Training Board's Courses 

For a list of course providers please click here Rock Climbing Course Providers

Bren Whelan is one of Ireland’s most qualified and experienced mountain training instructors. In the articles below he goes through:

Most frequently asked questions about Rock Climbing

What you should know / essential information about Rock Climbing

Types of Rock Climbing:

The rock-climbing world consists of a number of small niches. Consider which aspect of the sport interests you the most.

Indoor Sport Climbing

This can be at a climbing gym, sports club or even a home climbing wall. A number of REI stores also offer a climbing wall or freestanding pinnacle where you can learn. Indoor walls have artificial hand and foot holds placed in sequence to create routes of varying difficulty. Route setters (you, if you have your own wall) can move holds easily, creating an endless number of fresh, new climbs. Routes can be low-angled, vertical or overhanging, with fun curves, caves and roofs.
Indoor sport climbing offers a great way for beginners to get started:

• A gym is often convenient—there are a number of climbing walls in gyms and local athletic clubs in Ireland. Chances are there's one near you.
• It offers a safe, controlled environment to practice.
• It's not dependent on the weather.
• You can climb in areas where no outdoor climbing sites are available.
• Handholds and footholds are clearly visible.
• It allows you to try the sport with rented gear before investing in your own.
• There are routes for all levels of ability.
• If you have a fear of heights, indoor climbing can be less daunting than climbing outside.
• Beginner or expert, rock climbing gets you fit, fast. No matter what your level of expertise, climbing the walls at an indoor gym makes you stronger, leaner and more graceful.

Outdoor Rock Climbing

Outdoor climbing is not as predictable as indoor climbing, but it comes with a near-guarantee of beautiful scenery, great exercise and unbeatable camaraderie. It can be divided into several categories.

Bouldering: This requires the least amount of time and equipment. Basically, bouldering is close-to-the-ground climbing without a rope, going only as high as you can jump off without risking serious injury. Beginners can traverse (move along the rock horizontally, parallel to the ground), thus working on strength and movement without going so high as to risk a serious fall. For bouldering, all you need are climbing shoes, a crash pad (to cushion your landing if you jump or fall off the rock) and perhaps a chalk bag. You can also bring along friends to "spot" you. 

Sport climbing: Climbing got easier and safer in the 1990s with the addition of pre-placed bolts. This "clip-and-go" style of climbing allows the leader to progress upwards without the worry of placing protection. A "bolted" climb requires only a rope, quickdraws (described below), shoes and a chalk bag. It refers to routes that have permanent or pre-placed anchors and protection where you can attach your rope (just like you would with indoor climbing). Carabiners and quickdraws clip into the anchors and connect your rope to the rock.

Traditional ("trad") climbing: Trad climbing is true adventure. A trad route is one that has few permanent anchors. The lead climber protects himself from a catastrophic fall by placing protection—nuts or camming devices—into fissures in the rock. The second climber removes the protection, and it's then placed again for further pitches. Carabiners and quickdraws are used to connect the rope into the protection.