After working in the outdoor industry for 30 years I continue to up-skill myself in order to remain at the cutting edge of climbing and coaching.
During that time I’ve amassed considerable experience and climbed and worked in many countries including the four corners of Ireland, Russia, China, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, South America, Canada, Fiji, Bali, Borneo and Europe, including Austria, England, Iceland, Finland, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Spain, Corsica and Switzerland.
Instructional Awards Held:
- Mountain Instructor Certificate (MIC) completed in 2003 – This is the highest instructional award available in the UK or Ireland
- Mountain Instructor Award (MIA) completed in 1997
- International Mountain Leader Award holder (IML) completed in 2002
Check: Awards for details.
- I have previously held the position of Director of Mountaineering at Tiglin, Ireland’s National Mountain Centre and I worked as an associate instructor at both Glenmore Lodge and Tollymore Mountain Centre (Scotland and Northern Ireland’s National Mountain Centre’s).
- I am now based in Ireland’s premier outdoor adventure sports county, Donegal, where I guide people to unique places on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way.
- I also work providing expert evidence, as a technical expert with in the Irish court service, were technical expert reporting is required for cases involving accidents at climbing walls, rock climbing / outdoor adventure centres and or during hillwalking or mountaineering trips / expeditions, be they with children or adults.
Professional memberships include:
Association of Mountaineering Instructors www.ami.org.uk
Bren’s CV:
- LYIT – Degree in Tourism (Pending 2018)
- Failte Ireland – Local & Regional Guide (Pending 2018)
- NWRC, Level 3 Digital Photography, NCFE (2017)
- LYIT, Killybegs School of Tourism (2016) – Level 6 Certificate in Marine Tourism – with Distinction
- North West Regional College (Derry) – City & Guilds, Level 2 Photography (2016) – with Distinction
- Ulster University (Jordanstown) School of Business – Level 5 Advanced Certificate in Management Practice – (2015) – with Distinction
- UN International Mountain Day Environmental Award (2015)
- MTUK – Foundation Climbing Coach Award – (2015)
- CYQ – Level 2 Personal Fitness Trainer – (2015)
- Trail Cycling Leader Award Training – (2014)
- Safe Guarding Children in Sport – (2014)
- BMC Climbing Fundamentals 2 – (2014)
- BMC Climbing Fundamentals 1 – (2014)
- MTUK Foundation Climbing Coach Award Training – (2014)
- HNC Diploma – Sport, Health, Exercise & Fitness – (2014) – with Distinction
- Leave No Trace Advanced Trainer – (2014)
- Coaching Ireland, Mountain Tutor Trainer – (2014)
- Leave No Trace Trainer – (2013)
- Remote Emergency Care Level 3 – (2013)
- Rescue & Emergency Care Level 3 – (2010)
- Mountain Instructors’ Certificate – MIC (2003)
- BASI – Alpine Ski Instructors Training (2003)
- NZMGA, Summer Alpine Guides Training (2002)
- International Mountain Leader – IML (2002)
- Mountain Instructors’ Certificate Training (2001)
- Winter Mountain Leader Award (2001)
- PADI Assistant Instructor (2001)
- Canadian Ski Instructor (2000)
- Level 1 Avalanche Award (1999)
- Pre-Hospital Emergency Care (1999)
- NZMSC, Alpine & Abseil Instructor (1999)
- PADI Dive Master (1999)
- NZOIA Rock 2 Instructor (1998)
- Mountain Instructors Award – MIA (1997)
- ENSA, Alpine Instructor Award (1995)
- Orienteering Leader (1994)
- Mountain Instructor Award Training (1994)
- Multi-Pitch Rock Climbing Leader (1993)
- Mountain Leader Award (1993)
- Rock Climbing Leader / Single Pitch Award (1992)
- Mountain Skills (1991)