Was asked to do a list of the top 10 bouldering areas for an article in the Sunday Times. Not as easy as it might sound. So just going to think aloud.
If it’s judged solely on number of problems (in the guide) then this is the list.
- Glendo (155)
- Glenmacnass (73)
- Doolin (67)
- Portrane (66)
- Fairhead (60)
- Gap of Dunloe (56)
- Glendasan (52)
- Slieve Binnian (47)
- Mall Hill (48)
- Windy Gap (40)
There are a few problems with this list. Firstly bigger isn’t always better. Secondly some of the areas above are a bit of an acquired taste (Windy Gap, Portrane for starters). If you assume that the purpose to the list is to help people decide where to go for a bouldering trip in Ireland then the above list isn’t that useful as there are other worthwhile clusters of smaller bouldering areas that could be considered as one area, for example the coastal granite around Carrickfinn or if you took the Gap and Black Valley as one area it would move up the list. So here is a list of what I would consider the best destinations for a day or two bouldering in Ireland.
- Wicklow
- Gap of Dunloe and Black Valley
- Doolin and Inishmore
- Fairhead
- Mournes
- North West Donegal
- Inishowen, Donegal
- Aughris Head
- Fermanagh Grit
- Portrane and Ayton’s Cave
The order is highly debatable. The first entry is miles ahead of the rest and the last is dubious but I couldn’t think of anywhere else. Taking Wicklow as one big grouping doesn’t really work though.
Combining the two lists makes a bit more sense. If one accepts that Glendo is number on no matter how you look at it and that the order of the rest is so subjective to be not worth worrying about then the list might look something like this.
- Glendo
- Glenmacnass
- Fairhead
- Doolin
- Gap of Dunloe and Black Valley
- Glendasan
- Slieve Binnian
- Aughris Head
- Mall Hill
- Portrane
There aren’t any major areas left out bar Windy Gap but I think it’s a special case as the rock is so sharp. This wouldn’t be my personal list though. Fairhead is better suited for wads, they may well rate it number 2 , and I’m not a big fan of Doolin but a lot of others seem to like it.
If anyone has any comments or suggestions or alternate lists post a comment.