People are being warned not to climb Co Donegal’s Mount Errigal after heavy rain washed away part of a new pathway designed to protect the mountain.
The new pathway was completed in October last year at a cost of €630,000 (£536,577) and was built to protect peat lands around the mountain from erosion by encouraging climbers not to stray.
Helicopters had to be brought in to complete the project which includes steps along part of the route. The new path, from a car park at the base to the peak, has also proved a huge benefit to the thousands of people who climb the mountain each year.
Errigal is one of the most instantly recognisable peaks in Ireland. At a height of 751 metres, it affords spectacular views from the summit of the Poison Glen and west Donegal.
The warning not to climb the mountain was issued by the Errigal Mountain Project following torrential rain earlier in the week.
A spokesman for the project said: “Unfortunately, the path on Errigal was very badly damaged during the severe rain yesterday (Monday) afternoon. We have assessed the situation and see no option but to close the path until we decide on a course of action on how to repair the damage.
“This is extremely unfortunate as there has been a huge investment by the local community and Donegal county council both in terms of time, effort and finances. We respectfully ask that you do not comb the mountain at this time.”
