Sir, - Paul Cullen, writing on a proposed artificial climbing wall for Dublin, says: "There are 45 climbing centres in the UK, but as yet none here" (The Irish Times, June 7th). There certainly is one at UCD - and only two hours drive from Dublin, there is the hottest climbing wall in Ireland!
Officially opened last Friday, hotrock is the indoor climbing facility at Tollymore Mountain Centre, Co Down. There is an exciting bouldering wall 4.5 metres high and 11 metres wide with full soft deep-crash mat landing. Perfect for learning and honing skills. The main high wall offers over 40 routes for roped climbing. Perfect for practising when it is cold and wet at Dalkey Quarry or Fair Head.
hotrock is open year round and will have TV/video facilities, music and coffee and cyber cafe. An initiative of the Mountaineering Council of Ireland, an all-Ireland confederation of mountaineering and hill walking clubs, hotrock is owned and run by the MCI and Tollymore Mountain Centre for use by everyone who wants to have a go at climbing indoors. - Yours, etc.,
Chris Avison,
Upper Churchtown Road,
Dublin 14.