The Way That We Climbed: A History of Irish Hillwalking, Climbing and Mountaineering

Hillwalking is one of Ireland’s most popular leisure activities today. Rock climbing has developed to a level of technical excellence with crags in almost every county and numerous indoor climbing walls. Irish mountaineers have completed winter ascents in the Alps, scaled the highest Himalayan peaks and other previously unclimbed giants, and explored hitherto unknown valleys. O’Leary recounts the history of hillwalking and mountaineering in Ireland: from the early activists – some were involved in gun running, others died at Gallipoli – until the turn of the millennium, when mountaineering in Ireland was no longer the preserve of the middle class. This history recounts the adventures, dangers, successes and failures which make this multifaceted activity such a fascinating one, and mirrors the spirit of all who love these places.

O’Leary’s richly detailed book covers the breadth of Irish mountaineers and the development of the Irish Mountaineering Club. Although the title might lead one to think this book is solely focused on mountaineering exploits within Ireland, O’Leary extends abroad to cover Irish ascents throughout the high ranges of the world.