Warning: An Garda Síochána have advised us that the R115 and the R159 that cross the Sally Gap are impassable. The Road Impassable signs have been placed on all entry routes. For your own safety and the safety of others please do not ignore them. The roads have accumulations of compacted snow making driving conditions extremely difficult. Use an alternative route until the signs come down. Thank you
The Glen Team went through their winter mountain training in Norway recently and while there, definitely managed to enjoy all the beef jerky which was sponsored by Jack Links, while out in the Norwegian elements……just look at those happy faces.
Thank you to Jack Links for giving the team these packets of beef jerkey to enjoy.
Basecamp outdoor store on Middle Abbey St. has launched an appeal for backpacks filled with supplies to help the homeless and the Glen Team are among other groups and individuals who have responded to their appeal.
This initiative has helped provide the homeless in our community with warm clothing and supplies. The Glen Team were delighted to be able to support this most worthy cause and well done to the staff of Basecamp for taking this project on.
Please consider offering your support to the #backpackchallenge by helping to fill more packs and dropping them off to Basecamp on Middle Abbey St. or directly to Bru Aimsir on Thomas St.
For more information click on http://basecamp.ie/backpack-challenge/
Alun Saunders represented the Bray Strollers when he presented our team with a generous cheque from his club in January. The Glen Team are both grateful for this and the continued support we receive from the Bray Strollers every year. Thank you once again.
The team welcomed Cian O Brolcháin, Mingma Tsiri Sherpa & Pasang Tenzing Sherpa to the Base for a discussion on today’s Everest. The Sherpa’s have climbed Everest multiple times and are very familiar with this mountain in all it’s moods.
WARNING: We have been advised by An Garda Siochana that the current snowy conditions have made both roads (R115 & R759) that cross the Sally Gap in Wicklow impassable. Warning signs are now up on the four approach roads as agreed with the Gardai and Wicklow County Council. For your own safety and the safety of others please do not ignore them. Use an alternative route until the signs come down. Thank you
On Wednesday night the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team were presented with a donation of €6,341 from Microsoft and Friends by Phillip Fitzpatrick as an acknowledgment of the work that we do and the service we provide to members of the public who find themselves in difficult situations very year.
The Glen Team wish to thank Microsoft and friends for this generous donation which we truly appreciate and which will go toward helping to maintain a dedicated voluntary Mountain Rescue service in Wicklow and surrounding counties.
Minister Simon Harris handed over Donard Former Garda Station to Glen of
Imaal Mountain Rescue Team and Baltinglass Irish Red Cross.
Simon Harris, Minister of State with special responsibility for the
Office of Public Works (OPW) on 4 December 2015 officially
handed over the keys of the former Garda Station in Donard to the
Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team and Baltinglass Irish Red Cross.
Speaking at the handover, the Minister said, “I am delighted to be here in Donard, to hand over a former Garda Station to the local community. Since 2013, eighteen former stations have been handed over to communities the length and breadth of the country. Donard as we all know, is an excellent base for hillwalking enthusiasts and I am pleased that this former station can be put to good use by these wonderful voluntary organisations”.
Among the following services to be provided from this Red Cross Centre will be first-aid and defibrillator training, services for local community events, a mountain rescue command post and a unified location for all emergency responders during rescue operations.
Speaking in Donard, Paul Ashmore, Chairman of the Glen of Imaal Mountain Rescue Team said “We at the Red Cross are excited to be moving into our sub base in Donard, Co. Wicklow. We are also delighted to be part sharing it with another Red Cross team. This base will facilitate
with the call outs that we receive on Lugnaqullia and other mountains in the west of Wicklow. It will also store essential equipment needed by personnel reacting to call outs and for some of our training that is continuous and on going. This is a great day for the Red Cross and the Glen of Imaal Team”.
Hannah Cuddy of Baltinglass Red Cross continued “After some years of moving between Blessington and Baltinglass, the members of the Branch are now excited to be moving to the former Garda Station in Donard
which will be used in conjunction with the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team both as a training centre for themselves and to provide First Aid training for local groups. We are extremely grateful to the OPW for their generosity in providing us with this base.
Minister Harris concluded by wishing the community well “We all appreciate the excellent voluntary service the members of these organisations provide, both in times of emergency and in a community setting and I have no doubt excellent use will be made of the facilities
here”.