About us
One of the oldest mountaineering clubs in Kerry, based in Killorglin and the Laune Valley since 1966.
Our club
We're a small, friendly club with an active membership. We walk every second Sunday, occasionally on a Saturday.
What we're about
Enjoying days out on the beautiful hills and mountains nearby. Having a bit of craic on the mountain and afterwards over a drink or a cuppa. Discovering mountains all over Ireland, and meeting other clubs on weekends away.
Who can join?
Over 18s are welcome. Check the calendar and the info and guidelines, then fill in the membership form. You can try two hikes first to see if you like it.
Our history
The first 25 years
The club was formed in 1966, the same year as Kerry Mountain Rescue Team. For about 25 years the club and the rescue team were almost one and the same. Members gave valiant service on rescues and searches, as well as in training and fundraising. That commitment led to the building of the country's first purpose-built rescue station, in Killorglin.
To be good rescue team members, people needed to know the hills and mountains of the south-west, and weekly walks and climbs made sure they did. Easter camps took members to Connemara, the Comeraghs, the Galtees and Beara, and a motoring trip to Austria was organised very early on.
Club members were among the first qualified Mountain Leaders in Ireland. The club had a strong commitment to mountaineering nationally, and provided the founding chairman of FMCI, the Mountaineering Council of Ireland (now Mountaineering Ireland).
Members helped with adventure training and were active in the early days of orienteering in Ireland. A visit to Tollymore in Northern Ireland sparked the idea for what became Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre, and the club put up the deposit for the 55-acre site it stands on. National Adventure Meets promoted the Cappanalea project and brought people from all over Ireland to try canoeing, orienteering, hillwalking, rock climbing and surfing.
The annual Reeks Walk, organised with other Kerry clubs, let hikers from around the country try high ridge walking in controlled conditions. This mattered at a time before clubs had trained and experienced leaders of their own.
In 1971 RTÉ interviewed the new Kerry Mountain Rescue Team, including Seán Ó Súilleabháin, a past President of Laune Mountaineering Club. Watch the clip in the RTÉ Archives.
