In 2004 T.M.C. celebrated 50 years of mountaineering and walking. Mountaineering outings as organised events in Tralee gained popularity after a pilgrimage to Mount Brandon on May16th 1954 (the Marian Year) organised by the Kerry Field Club. The first ascent of Everest the previous year had provided a stimulus to everyone with an interest in mountaineering.
Later in 1954 a local newspaper reported that a party of 31, including nine women, set out by bus for Carrauntoohil where, having reached the summit, drenched and cold, they recited the Rosary in Irish and sang the National Anthem. In October of that year the Tralee Mountaineering Club was officially formed. The membership fee was 2s 6d (12.5 old pence)! The committee was as follows
President: John O’Connor
Chairman: Connie Foley
Treasurer: Michael Brassil
Committee: Desmond O’Hara, Sheila Rutherford and Breda King.
Back in 1954, people’s knowledge of climbing is exemplified by a man who had his best and only suit cleaned for the occasion. Imagine what it was like all those years ago when, even before attempting a climb of Mount Brandon, people, in their Sunday best, had to cycle the 25 or so miles to get there first. The cycling bit was taken for granted. These were challenges peculiar to the time. Hardly any member owned a car so many outings required the hiring of a bus, that is, when bicycles did not suffice. Clothing and equipment for mountain use were not available and ex army surplus from the recent World War was eagerly sought after. Atthe AGM in 1954 the Chairman urged members ‘in their own interests’ to purchase suitable equipment saying that for the first time good boots and anoraks were available in thiscountry. We don’t know how easy we have it!
It was an era full of excitement and discovery as each new climb was attempted.
In June 1958 some club members placed a visitors book in a weatherproof container at the top of Carrauntoohil. By November of that year the book had been signed by 136 Irish, 110 British, 8 German and 6 other climbers.
Little did the founding members realise that from these small beginnings thousands of people would be introduced to the outdoors and go on to walk and climb all over the world.
The club has gone from strength to strength with currently over 160 members many of whom forfeit the luxury of the Sunday lie-in and breakfast in bed, for the likes of Carrauntoohil, Beenkeragh, Tomies, Purple, Brandon, Caherconree, Beenoskee, Mangerton and Beenaunmore to name but a few. Many have ventured overseas, with Scotland and Wales being a particular favourite – the sheer drops from the infamous Crib Goch ridge have set many Climber’s heart a flutter. Some of our more intrepid colleagues have gone further afield; the Matterhorn, the Eiger, Mont Blanc, the Pyrenees, Kilimanjaro, Everest, you name it – we’ve done it (or will do it !). The experience of walking the hills and ridges of Kerry has given people the courage to move on to more adventurous ‘follies’ like rock climbing, snow and ice climbing and alpine mountaineering – where will it all end ! (Hopefully on the top!).
