Practise your Rock-climbing Skills

The road from Ringaskiddy to the naval base at Haulbowline crosses Rocky Island. If visiting, bear in mind that Rocky Island is no ordinary island: it is the site of the Cork crematorium. The crematorium and attendant parking facilities take up the bulk of the surface area. The problem for island peak-baggers is that the high point is so adjacent to the crematorium it juts up like a miniature mountain towering over the manmade facilities. Try not to coincide your climb with the arrival of a funeral party – a mourner might take the notion that it’s disrespectful or perhaps offensive to show off rock-climbing skills in such a sensitive location.
The miniature mountain mentioned above consists of a rock formation topped off with the remains of a manmade wall (there are engravings and paintings of Cork harbour which show that, several centuries ago, Rocky Island was conical. Much of the island was flattened by the British who turned it into a magazine facility - however they left this central chunk intact, leaving us a true island 'summit').
Attaining the high point involves a twelve or fifteen metre scramble. The least difficult approch is via the south face of the rock. It’s steep but there are plenty of hand and footholds as you admire the roof of the crematorium – to your left as you ascend. You do need to concentrate and have a good head for heights, especially on the descent. A fall would do a lot of damage. With luck you’ll be up and down in less than two minutes in a classic Spiderman imitation done all the quicker because of the surreal, furtive, uncomfortable ambience of the location. Then you could claim to be among the first to achieve this controversial ascent, solo and without aids, of the difficult South Face of Rocky Island! Linkback: mountainviews.ie/island/2496/comment/20644/

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Rocky Island

The 'south face' is to the right of the rocky summit as you look at the photo Linkback: mountainviews.ie/island/2496/comment/23228/

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North face conquered and no acclimitisation needed

As it was a wet and windy day i took the North face ascent which was sheltered from the wind. At the pedestrian entrance steps to the crematorium I hopped the fence and zig -zaged briefly through the undergrowth to the rockface. Than the epic climb of 30 or so seconds started. A bit slippy with the rain but fine views on the summit. The crematorium usually opens only monday to friday and occasionally saturday so a weekend climb should not interrupt any funerals. Linkback: mountainviews.ie/island/2496/comment/24047/

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