News Updates

Our 10 year old daughter and KC guide in the making – Orlaith, has been amazingly nominated for the Outsider Magazine Awards>> as part of their Youth Award and we couldn’t be more proud of her.
Of course we always knew this kid was somethin’ special but to be selected as part of this fantastic group of inspiring young adventurers is a massive honour for her! Badass, bold and downright ballsy was the call put out by Outsider and what an amazing variety of young Irish adventurers and inspiring sports kids nominated.

This year Orlaith has achieved so much already with some knarly routes under her harness, but for us the most important thing is she has had a real blast, met some great people and has gained great confidence in herself. She has received some amazing feedback from clients via TripAdvisor and has already learned so much about these magnificent mountains and gained much mountain sense and experience already.

Here’s her bio from Outsider Magazine>>  

“Orlaith Kelly from Kerry is only 10 years old, and she already has a more impressive mountaineering resume than most adults. This year alone, she has scaled Lugnaquilla, Co Wicklow; Slieve Donard, Co Down (both on the same day); and Ireland’s highest peak, Carrauntoohil (which she has done ten times in total). Her parents are Catherine and Piaras Kelly of Kerry Climbing, so the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree.
Orlaith celebrated her 10th birthday in August by doing the Coomloughra Horseshoe Loop, which encompasses Ireland’s three highest mountains in the one day. Orlaith has even climbed the well-known Howling Ridge route up Carrauntoohil.
Speaking about Howling Ridge, she says, “It was easier than I had thought it would be. I thought it would be a straight up rock climb, but it was more of a scramble with some bits of rock climbing, which was cool. There was one scary bit where I did not have enough slack on the rope, so I had to climb straight up, which was a bit off route. It was very hard because my legs are smaller than Dad’s, so he might have found it easier than me, but I did it anyway. Other than that small section, it was great fun.”
Orlaith loves the challenge and excitement of the mountains. “When I help my Dad guiding, it’s great fun because I get to meet lots of new people and I like that.”
Another good thing is my Mom always asks what I’d like for dinner that evening. I get to order whatever I want after climbing a mountain!
The 10-year-old has some big plans for the year ahead. “I’d like to go to Scotland and Wales and hopefully even the Alps in the next two years. I’d also like to do another route on the north face of Carrauntoohil called Primroses, and some winter routes like Curve Gully would be epic. I’d love to get up really early and climb Carrauntoohil for the sunrise which would be special.

Orlaith and Catherine can’t wait to have a bit of a hooley of a girls night out and meet all the other amazing Irish adventurers on Wednesday 30th of January at the Big awards ceremony in the super cool Sugar Club, Dublin. On the night, and with the help of a panel of expert judges, Outsider will announce the overall award winners in the following categories:

Outsider Man of the Year
Outsider Woman of the Year
Most Inspiring Person Award
Best Newcomer or Breakthrough Achievement
Youth Award
Most Devoted to the Outdoor Scene (individual)
Most Devoted to the Outdoor Scene (professional)
Eco Hero Award
Eco Group Award
Waterways Champion Award