Donegal Climbing – Cruit Island

Climbers from Belfast tell me they had a great time there on the August bank holiday weekend. They spent two days on the island, which was enough time to cover 2 crags, but it appears there is another 7 – 8 crags with a good variety of grades “from HS to maybe e2” (their words, not mine). Cruit is actually renowned in particular for the abundance of quality routes below those grades. They camped where we will camp, on land belonging to a local and were talking to the him and he was more than happy with them being there, offered turf for a fire and all. Friend of Iain Miller, who is the area what Danny Healy Rae is to Kilgarvan, except he doesn’t do weddings.
Camping location details on arrival.
Watch this space……….

Accommodation ideas:

Cruit Thatched Cottages (guestimate Grid Reference B731-213) Donal Ó Murchú contact is Cruit Thatched Cottages 087-236 4963.  https://www.donegalthatchcottages.com/, but likely these are rented Saturday to Saturday.

Carey’s Viking House Hotel  Grid Reference B744-185 or EirCode F94 HR60 http://www.vikinghousehotel.com/ is at Belcruit, or just where the Cruit roadway joins the main coast road.  Pauline “would do group rates” (074) 954 3295 is the local information.

Two bed cottage Pal of Iain Miller’s – Brian McGonagle 086 8480763 – has a two bed cottage both en-suite ¼ mile from Carey’s Viking House Hotel, 5 minutes drive to the climbing.

Caisleáin Óir in Annagry.  http://www.donegalhotel.ie/ WWCC stayed once at Caisleáin Óir in Annagry Grid Reference B794-194 or Eircode F94 WY03 maybe 5 miles away to the east.  I can vouch for its superb food etc.

Wild camping, right at the crags, right on the beach, has been discussed with the landowner.  All things being equal, a limited amount of camping will be allowed.  LNT type T&Cs apply, at the least.  No facilities, no water, just location, location, location.

Dave Walsh

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Download Cruit Guidebook by Iain Miller here

Climbing Guides to Donegal