top of page

ABOUT US

Asset 1.png
OUR CLUB

Laune MC, established in 1966, is one of the oldest mountaineering clubs in Kerry.  Based in the Killorglin/Laune Valley area, we are a small friendly club with an active membership and have walks every second Sunday (occasionally Saturday). 

OUR MISSION

To enjoy days out on the beautiful hills
and mountains nearby.  To have a bit of 'craic' on the mountains and afterwards over a drink or cuppa. 
To discover mountains all over Ireland and liaise with other clubs on weekends away.

WHO CAN JOIN?

Over 18's can join and we welcome new members.  Check the Calendar and the Information and Guidelines pages first and then complete the membership form if you would like to join us on the mountains.  You are allowed 2 'test' walks to see if you like it.

Our History
The First 25 Years

 

The formation of the club in 1966 coincided with the foundation of Kerry Mountain Rescue Team.  For some 25 years the club and mountain rescue were almost synonymous.  Members did valiant service on rescues and searches as well as in training and fundraising.  This commitment got tangible expression in the construction in Killorglin of the first purpose-built rescue station in the country.

​

In order to be good Mountain Rescue team members, familiarity with the hills and mountains in the southwest was essential and weekly walks/climbs saw to that.  Other areas were also explored and Easter Camps regularly took members to Connemara, the Comeraghs, the Galtees and Beara.  A motoring trip to Austria was organised very early on.  Club members were among the first batch of qualified Mountain Leaders in Ireland and there was a strong commitment to helping mountaineering nationally including providing the founding chairman of FMCI, the Mountaineering Council of Ireland (now Mountaineering Ireland. 

​

​

lmc_yellow_submarine_1969.jpg

Members helped with adventure training and were active in the early development of orienteering in the country.  A visit to Tollymore (Northern Ireland) led to the conception of what became Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre.  The Club put up the deposit for the 55-acre site on which the centre stands.  A number of National Adventure Meets were organised to promote the Cappanalea project and to introduce people from all over Ireland to the area and to sports such as canoeing, orienteering, hillwalking, rock climbing and surfing.  The annual Reeks Walk, organised with other Kerry clubs, also allowed hikers from throughout the country to sample high ridge-climbing in controlled conditions, something that was needed before clubs acquired trained and experienced leaders. 

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

SOS.png

In 1971 RTE interviewed the then new Kerry Mountain Rescue Team including Seán Ó Súilleabháin (past President of Laune Mountaineering Club).

https://www.rte.ie/archives/2016/0310/773868-kerry-mountain-rescue/

EXPERIENCE THE BREATHTAKING BEAUTY OF THE KERRY MOUNTAINS

ABOUT US

Founded in 1966 and based in the Laune/Kiilorglin area in Co. Kerry.

CONTACT
  • Grey Facebook Icon
  • Grey Flickr Icon

© 2018 EOR. Proudly created with Wix.com

bottom of page