; Cronan's cliff , photo = Aill na Crónáin, Skull Buttress - geograph.org.uk - 1192527.jpg , photo_width = 250 , photo_caption = "Skull Buttress" in the middle of Aill na Cronain showing the flat ''Skull Slab'' VDiff–climb in centre , map = Ireland , map_width = 250 , map_caption = Location of Aill na Cronain in Ireland , location = , nearest_city = 3.5 km south of

Ballyvaughan Ballyvaughan or Ballyvaghan () is a small harbour village in County Clare, Ireland. It is located on the N67 road on the south shores of Galway Bay, in the northwest corner of The Burren. This position on the coast road and the close proximity ...

, range =

The Burren The Burren (; ) is a karst/glaciokarst landscape centred in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland.
Burren ...

, coordinates = , climbing_type = , height = 25 metres at highest point
(most climbs 10–15 metres) , pitches = Single pitch , ratings = , rock_type =

Limestone Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...

, quantity = , development = , aspect =

West West or Occident is one of the four cardinal directions or points of the compass. It is the opposite direction from east and is the direction in which the Sunset, Sun sets on the Earth. Etymology The word "west" is a Germanic languages, German ...

, elevation = circa 150 metres above sea level , ownership = Private property , camping = , classic_climbs = , website = Aill na Cronain ( ga, Aill na Crónáin; Cronan's cliff) is an inland west-facing

limestone Limestone ( calcium carbonate ) is a type of carbonate sedimentary rock which is the main source of the material lime. It is composed mostly of the minerals calcite and aragonite, which are different crystal forms of . Limestone forms whe ...

crag in

The Burren The Burren (; ) is a karst/glaciokarst landscape centred in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland.
Burren ...

County Clare County Clare ( ga, Contae an Chláir) is a county in Ireland, in the Southern Region and the province of Munster, bordered on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Clare County Council is the local authority. The county had a population of 118,817 ...

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. It is popular with novice rock climbers due to the number of short single-pitch 10–20 metre

rock climbing Rock climbing is a sport in which participants climb up, across, or down natural rock formations. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a usually pre-defined route without falling. Rock climbing is a physically and ...

routes in the S to HS rock climbing grades. It is beside the Aillwee Caves.

Rock climbing

The crag is accessed by a 10–minute walk northwards from the upper car-park of the Ailwee Cave attraction (see map below). The crag is on private property but rock climbing has been allowed since the early 1970s, with the earliest recorded rock climbing routes dating from circa 1971. The ''UKClimbing'' online logbook notes that: "Skull slab is probably one of the best VDiffs you'll find in the country". Aill na Cronain is also listed in ''Ireland's Adventure Bucket List'', which says that: "If you are just starting out ock climbing one of the best spots to visit is Aill na Cronain, just beside the Ailwee Cave". In terms of layout, the centre of Aill na Cronain is the "Skull Buttress" which has a distinctive skull–appearance when viewed from a distance. Its "nose" contains the flat ''Skull Slab'' VD–grade climb. The "East Side" face, and "Far East Side" face, lie to the north of Skull Buttress. The "Butterfly" face, and the "Small Wall" face lie to its south. While most routes are between S and HS, more challenging routes have been put up on the "Skull Buttress" such as ''Raven'' (E3 6a), ''Monkey Business'' (E2 5c), and Sunbane (E1 5c). Aill na Cronain is in the County Clare townland of Ballycahill. Just over 23 kilometers to the southwest of Aill na Cronain is the more advanced rock climbing limestone sea–cliff called

Ailladie Ailladie ( ga, Aill an Daill, lit=Blind Man's Cliff; also known locally as the Ballyreen Cliffs and Ballyreen Point), is an west-facing limestone sea cliff, that varies in height from to , situated on the coast of The Burren in County Clare, ...

, which contains some of Ireland's most advanced rock climbs. Aill Na Cronain in The Burren, County Clare

Climbing bibliography

References

External links

Irish climbing.ie
Aill na Cronain Online Database
UK climbing.com
Aill na Cronain Online Database {{Tourism in County Clare Climbing areas of Ireland Geography of County Clare Tourist attractions in County Clare

Rock climbing

Climbing bibliography

See also

References

External links