The thrilling highs and lows of rock-climbing in the Burren

South of Fanore and east of the Aran Islands, a limestone-hewn rock face in The Burren, north Co. Clare, has become an unlikely tourist talking point. “There we were barreling along these crags, wind howling, rain coming in off the coast, the sea a few hundred feet below us crashing into the cliffs,” Garry Rossiter recalls. “We looked up and saw a couple of bus tour-loads of people staring at us. They must have thought we were absolutely mad.”

For Garry and fellow rock climbing and abseiling instructor Ania Boguskwa Bakiewicz, scaling Ireland’s sheerest cliff faces is just another day at the office. “Despite how it might look to a bystander, being pressed against a cliff like we were yesterday, even with the elements at our backs, feels safe. We’ve been trained to do what we do. There’s a confidence that comes with that; it’s actually quite a secure place to be,” Ania adds.

The pair have a long love affair with outdoor pursuits. For Garry, years of travelling across Asia and Europe left him pining for something he could sink his teeth into back home. After taking a two-year training course in rock climbing, he explored other sports - kayaking and hill walking, but never considered making a living from his passions. Ania, who began rock climbing 13 years ago, has yet to look back, or down. Both agree they’ve struck gold carving out a career as instructors and guides with Adventure.ie, a Wicklow-based agency specialising in professionally run outdoor activities and training courses for adult and youth groups.

Their chosen mode of transport is the Renault Megane E-Tech, a 100 per cent electric crossover hatchback that they shared driving duties in between Dublin and The Burren.

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They’re still on a high from yesterday’s ascent at a location world-famous for its Tolkien-esque landscape. “Rock climbing and abseiling is a meeting of physical and mental endeavor,” Garry explains. “It’s also a very personal challenge. Unlike team sports, it’s just you and your mind and body out there. You take on this insurmountable challenge and meet it however you can.”

“It’s a special feeling, being able to access somewhere no one else can,” Ania adds. “You really do feel like superwoman when you conquer a climb. It’s even better when you get to share it with others.”

Ireland’s appetite for rock climbing is reaching new heights. With so many heart-rate-inducing extremes to choose from, coast to coast, this small island is fast becoming a destination for climbers from around the world. So, what does it take to join this vertical community?

“You definitely need to train your body and mind slowly,” Ania advises. “Head to a climbing wall, take classes with an instructor and learn how to manage your body. You have to learn to move in a particular way to navigate vertical and horizontal climbs. "

As climbing partners, the pair say there are specific characteristics that make for a successful match, especially when facing the everchanging and often brutish Irish elements. “You need someone you trust technically but also who has the right temperament,” Garry shares. “There will be stressful moments out there, so you need someone who is patient, doesn’t crumble under pressure and can communicate well.” Ania chimes in. “We’re still great friends, so I must be doing something right.”

Throughout the conversation, Ania and Garry return to a simple phrase; leave no trace. “How we climb in Ireland versus mainland Europe is unique,” Garry explains. “There are no permanent metal fixtures inserted into Irish rockfaces. Instead, we try to leave as little impact as possible. It’s an ethos that extends to everything we do. That was one of the most exciting parts of taking this trip - getting here in a 100 per cent electric vehicle is a major bonus for us as environmentally conscious climbers.”

“Neither of us had driven a fully electric vehicle before,” Ania remarks, “So, in truth, I didn’t know what to expect. I was blown away by how intuitive this car is - figuring out the Sat Nav and the functionality was easy. The silence of the engine is such a luxury, especially when you’ve been scaling a ridge in the howling wind all day.”

Garry adds, “The adaptive cruise control feature is a game-changer. You don’t realism how much easier, and more enjoyable a feature like that makes a long journey until you experience it yourself.”

While most of the co-workers’ excursions are close to the capital - Dalkey Quarry and Glendalough are their go-to locations, taking time to adventure further afield is a luxury they both relish.

When charging the Renault for a more extended adventure, a pitstop along the way suited their itinerary. “We knew we’d need a coffee at the halfway mark, so we stopped at a service area with a fast-charging point. By the time we were caffeinated, in just twenty-minutes, the car was ready to go, back up to about a 75 per cent charge and so were we.”

Ania and Garry checked in to the Hotel Doolin, an accredited green hotel with a charging point adjacent. The four-star Gregan’s Castle in Ballyvaughan, just north of the hotel, and a charging point in Doolin town meant they could fully recharge, even in the wilds of Co Clare. The Renault Megane E-Tech’s 60 kWh battery gives a 450km WLTP range, or up to 299 km at motorway speeds, giving them ample mileage to uncover hidden peaks and ridges.

A stand-out feature for Ania was the car’s rearview camera, especially on the not-so-spacious side roads they took. “It was so clear, super practical and really helped elevate my overall drive experience.”

“There’s something about the landscapes here that I can’t describe,” Ania says. “Climbing is liberating, and of course, adrenaline-fueled but it’s also strangely calming. You can have these moments of sheer terror and then, almost simultaneously, feel so at peace and in awe of your surroundings. All of the stress of life melts away out there.”

Back on the road, Ania and Garry set off to conquer their next high.

The all-new Renault Megane E-Tech electric is available to test drive today in Renault showrooms with prices starting from only €299 per month. For more visit Renault.ie