Celebrating 50 years of Kerry mountain rescue

The country’s oldest volunteer mountain rescue team, which deals with death and injury on Ireland’s highest mountain, is marking its 50th anniversary.

Set up in 1966 after two students were killed within days of each other on Carrauntoohil, it was made up of people who “knew the mountains” but who were not very particular about rock climbing expertise or footwear.

The Kerry Mountain Rescue Team now deals with 35 calls a year, liaises with the coastguard and rescue helicopters, has an ambulance and a website, and members use the latest technology.