Ballyryan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ballyryan (Ballyreen)
Irish: Baile Uí Rinn; Ring's homestead
Climbers on Right Crack (VDiff) in Ballyran
Location in Ireland
Location	The Burren County Clare Republic of Ireland
Nearest city	6 km south of Fanore 8 km north of Doolin
Range	The Burren
Coordinates	53°04′00″N 9°21′32″W / 53.06661°N 9.3589°W / 53.06661; -9.3589
Climbing type	Traditional Abseiling
Height	15 metres at highest point
Pitches	Single pitch
Ratings	mostly D to VS several above E1
Rock type	Limestone
Quantity of rock	+35 routes online database 30 routes 2008 guidebook
Development	Roadside Parking No Facilities No Fresh Water
Cliff aspect	West
Elevation	circa 25 metres above sea level
Ownership	Private property
Camping	Ailladie (free) Fanore (paid) Doolin (paid)
Classic climbs	Right Crack (VD). Vulgarian (S). Alcove Crack (HS). Triumph Crack (HS). Mannerless Monster (HS). Slave Labour (E1 5b).

Ballyryan or Ballyreen (Irish: Baile Uí Rinn; Ring's homestead) is a small inland mostly west-facing limestone crag in The Burren in County Clare, Ireland. It is popular with rock climbers due to its easy access, the range of short easy-to-intermediate rock climbs, and its close proximity to the much larger and highly regarded, Ailladie rock-climbing sea-cliff; Ailladie is also locally known as the Ballyreen Cliffs or Ballyreen Point.

Rock climbing

Ballyryan crag from the south

The Ballyryan rock climbing crag is located right beside the Ailladie Car Park on the R477 road, which is opposite the Stone Wall section of the Ailladie sea–cliff (see map below). While Ballyran's first rock climbing routes date from the early 1970s (e.g. Whose Corner (VS 4c), and Whacky (HS) grade), it is noted that Irish "Tiglin" climbing groups conducted courses on many Ballyryan routes without recording their ascents.

While most of Ballyryan's routes are circa 10–12 metres high and between Diff to HVS, its proximity to Ailladie, with its numerous severe climbs, has led to a number of E–grade climbs being put up in the crag, namely, Agony Aunt (E2 5c) and Crack 90 (E3 6a). For various reasons, Ballyryan's rock climbing routes are sometimes described as being "difficult to protect" when "leading", and therefore an extra degree of caution is needed. Novice climbers can "toprope" for safety.

Layout of Ailladie and Ballyryan (Ballyran is just south of the Ailladie car-park, labelled P in the map)

The cliff is named after the townland in which it is located, Ballyryan; the term Ballyreen is also used locally.