Since 2007 we have been exploring and climbing the previously unclimbed Sea Stacks found around the coastline of Donegal. What this collection of sea stack climbs now provide is a lifetimes worth of outstanding adventure climbing is some of the most beautiful, remote and atmospheric locations in Ireland. Many of these stacks live in very inaccessible locations at the bases of huge sea cliffs far from any easy access and what they require is a comprehensive understanding of the sea to ensure a safe ascent of any of these superb climbs and outstanding summits.
This guide is fully interactive with live links to the relevant pages of the Donegal Guide section of this website and live links to the You Tube films of each sea stack being climbed.
I have included in the guide many conventional climbing locations in suitably atmospheric locations around the coast and islands of Western Donegal as these provide suitable alternative climbing venues if the seas are too rough for safe access to the stacks. These perhaps more conventional climbing locations such as Ends of the Earth Crag and Tory Island Slabs provide excellent places to play in very remote and beautiful locations and they are, of course, well worth a visit in their own right.
The sea stack routes in this guide have all been given conventional rock climbing grades. It is worth bearing in mind that most of these sea stacks require varying length’s of sea passage to access the base of the stack. These sea passages are in some of the most inaccessible and remote locations in Ireland. The west coast and islands of Donegal are very exposed to the Atlantic Ocean swells brought by the ever-present trade winds. A good working knowledge of such nautical matters is essential to ensure safe practice whilst visiting and climbing on remote and very exposed sea cliffs and stacks.
