Stone quarry to host rock climbing festival

AN amphitheatre carved out of a stone quarry hosts a rock climbing festival this weekend.

Climber Dawson Stelfox, who in 1993 became the first Irishman to conquer Everest, joins a local community on the Kilkenny-Tipperary border for the planned climbing fest.

Ballykeefe’s amphitheatre is the setting for the event, which includes an opportunity for floodlit rock-climbing tomorrow evening.

The festival continues on Saturday with a climbing workshop from 2pm-5pm, where all-comers will be gently introduced to the sport by experienced instructors.

Afterwards, a barbecue will be hosted by Kilmanagh/Ballycallan/Killaloe (KBK) community group.

KBK have planned the event, in association with Tyndall Mountaineering Club and the Mid-Tipp Hillwalkers, to celebrate the long history of climbing in the Ballykeefe area.

*Further information at www.ballykeefe.com