Video: Climbing Downpatrick Head Sea Stack in Ireland

Located just 80 meters off the coast of Ireland, the Dún Briste sea stack is an indelible part of one of that country's most iconic landscapes – Downpatrick Head, where St. Patrick himself is said to have built a church centuries ago. While certainly an enticing challenge, the sea stack is seldom climbed, but last month that's exactly what Iain Miller and Paulina Kaniszewska did. In this short video, you'll see them paddle out to the rock face, make their ascent, and take in the views at the top, which include the remains of an old lookout post from World War II.

You can find out more about their experience by reading their account of the climb here. It looks like it was quite a fun adventure. Thanks for sharing Iian!

Video: Exploring Ireland's Donegal Region

Ireland's remote Donegal region, located in the remote northeast section of the country, is home to some amazing landscapes, including a series of impressive sea stacks just off the coastline. Over the past few years, climber Iain Miller has been exploring the region and climbing those stacks, while documenting his adventures online. He has even created a series of YouTube videos to better show off the area. The one below will give you sense of what Donegal has to offer, and I have to say, it looks like quite a destination.

Announcing The Explorers Museum

Earlier this week a new initiative dedicated to sharing the exploits of explorers and the importance of exploration was announced in the from of the Explorers Museum. The new project, which is spearheaded by former Explorers Club President Lorie Karnath and Tim Lavery, director of the World Explorers Bureau-The Global Adventure Speakers’ Agency, is a not-for-proft venture that seeks to celebrate exploration in all of its forms.


The museum will be housed in the famous Charleville Castle, located in Tullamore, Ireland. The castle once belonged to Charles Howard-Bury, an explorer and botanist who was instrumental in the first scouting expedition to Mt. Everest in 1921. The first exhibit of the new museum will highlight Howard-Bury's achievements, along with those of other famous explorers. That exhibit will open later this summer.

But that is just the tip of the iceberg for what the Explorers Museum has planned. The new organization hopes to hold its inaugural awards night later this year, during which it will provide recognition for groundbreaking expeditions and discoveries that are taking place around the world today. An exploration hall of fame will also be established, inducting prominent figures from exploration history. Future exhibits, lectures and events will also be held in the castle, which will also serve as a launching point for future expeditions too.

In the future, the museum, which came about due to a generous and anonymous donation, also hopes to establish a research library and an expedition base outfitted with the latest high tech equipment to support teams in the field.

To find out more about the museum, visit the official website. It look like I need to ay a visit to Tullamore, Ireland sometime in the future.

The Explorers Museum Announces 2016 Summit in Ireland

The Explorers Museum, a not for profit organization dedicated to promoting the continuing exploration of our planet through the recognition of significant expeditions, discoveries and explorers, has announced the dates and line-up for its 2016 weekend summit. The event will take place June 24-25 in Tullamore, Ireland at the museum's headquarters in Charleville Castle, where a host of luminaries will be on hand.

In the modern age, exploration is no longer just about important firsts and filling in the blank spots on the map. As The Explorers Museum recognizes there is a great deal of effort being put into learning about sustainability, preserving the planet, and making it a better place for those of us who inhabit it. To that end, the list of guests who will be attending the summit reflects these values. Additionally, the theme of the entire weekend is "Redefining Exploration," which indicates what the keynote address and sessions will be about.

You can read more about the summit weekend, check out the full line-up, and purchase tickets here. Glancing over the schedule, some of the highlights include opening ceremonies that include an address from Lorie Karnath – former President of the Explorers Club and founder of The Explorers Museum. There will also be a screening of the film Racing Extinction, breakout sessions that focus on fieldwork, climate change, the changing nature of exploration, and much more.

Tickets are on sale now, and it looks like this will be a very interesting weekend for those of us who value exploration in the 21st century. The setting at Charleville Castle – the Global Expedition Base – will serve as a fantastic backdrop to these discussions. I know I'd love to be there.