09/02/26 – Re-Bolting proposal at Bruce’s Pot and re-bolting at Polnagossan

A proposal for new bolting in Bruce’s Pot, Co. Fermanagh

In the course of the last couple of years the SUI has been made aware of the increasing popularity of Bruce’s Pot in Co. Fermanagh. It’s good to see Bruce’s Pot being used as it is an entertaining trip and there have been recent extensions added to the cave.

The resin bolts installed on the entrance pitch were done without the agreement of the caving community. The bolts have been inspected by experienced cave riggers and they will not be adopted by the SUI as the wall in which they are placed has significant voids within it, which compromises the strength of the anchors.  

Nevertheless, the SUI recognises that these bolts resulted in Bruce’s Pot becoming popular with university cavers, and that free-climbing the short pitch is exposed and the rock is well polished.  The SUI propose to install resin bolts in the main pitch in Bruce’s Pot that will facilitate ladder and lifeline use as well as SRT, with additional resin anchors that will allow a traverse line along the sloping entrance passage to the pitch head.  The route will be designed to avoid bolting in areas of reduced rock strength.  The non-sanctioned resin anchors will be removed.  

SUI will undertake this bolting with the support of the caving community, and I would like to offer cavers an opportunity to express their support or opposition to the bolting plan for Bruce’s Pot. We are treating the proposed bolting as if it is a new route rather than simply re-bolting an old route.  Please respond to the bolting officer at bolting@caving.ie, with comments or reasoned objections, on or before Friday 20 February.  The bolting group will judge the strength of feeling about this bolting proposal with the conservation team. We will update the community with the outcome of this discussion and give notice before progressing with the installation.  

The SUI would like to re-affirm that bolting on recognised routes in caves should only be sanctioned by the SUI.  This will ensure that bolting is carried out sensitively and with appropriate regard for safe installation.  Cavers should be familiar with the SUI’s Bolting Policy, and note that:
• The selection and use of any anchor, whether natural or artificial, is done at the discretion of all users.  All anchors and substrates are subject to degradation and may fail at any time.
• Cavers using anchors shall be responsible for checking each anchor on each occasion it is used.  Cavers shall be familiar with the type of anchor they intend to use, and its possible degradation process.
Please report any damaged or degraded bolts to the bolting officer, via email or using the reporting function on caving.ie (Cave Access – Make A Report).

Re-bolting of Pollnagossan, Co. Cavan

The SUI has begun to upgrade the existing sport route in Waterfall Chamber of Pollnagossan, Co. Cavan.  All current artificial anchors (a mix of spits and permanents) are considered to be in need of replacement and will be replaced by resin and drilled thread anchors.  Cavers are advised the re-bolting will include the replacement of existing bolts, so after 8th February 2026 and until SUI report that the bolting is complete (expected by end of March 2026), the Pollnagossan route will not be passable.

04/03/25 –Inappropriate bolting in Pollasillagh Co. Fermanagh 

(Bolts inspected on 2nd March 2025 by Les Brown, Alasdair Kennedy and Stephen Read)

Three bolts had been placed on the entrance ladder pitch (or bold free climb) in Pollasillagh. These bolts have been in recent use by cavers for progression, using SRT or ladder & lifeline, to access the cave. SUI strongly advises that these bolts should not be used. Below we share the description and inspection of the bolts, so that the reasoning for their removal is clear. 

The first bolt lies back from the pitch head on the left side of the passage and was placed in a large discreet boulder of unknown stability.  The second and third bolts were positioned higher up above the pitch head for a Y-hang, with one bolt placed in a large, discreet boulder which is not substantially supported. 

Whilst the main concern with the route is the placement of bolts in boulders it should also be noted that the backup bolt for the main rig was also significantly lower than the Y-hang. So for this particular route the anchor placement was poor both in terms of geology but also shock load prevention.

One proposal put to the SUI has been to improve the historic access via ladder and lifeline by installing bolts appropriate for this technique; this would replace one old, rusted spit with new resin bolts. SUI will provide an update when a replacement route has been agreed and the new bolts have been installed. In the meantime we will arrange for the bolts to be removed.

As always, if you come across bolts that you have concerns about, please do report them to SUI.

09/03/25 – John Thomas Hole, Co Fermanagh

The Entrance series of John Thomas Hole does not require SRT for progression, please do not use any bolts in-situ for progression.
As always, if you come across bolts that you have concerns about, please do report them to SUI.

10/03/25 – Pollnagossan Cave, County Cavan

Please be aware that the SRT progression route in Pollnagossan Cave is being reviewed for re-bolting. Also, do be aware that there has been a recent rock fall of a chert ledge on the main pitch. At this time the progression route on the main pitch consists of spits and Petzl permanent bolts. 

Until the cave is re-bolted, access to the cave should be undertaken with due care and caution. A friendly reminder to please always check any bolts before you use them and if you are placing slings on natural anchors carefully inspect the rock first (avoid using any natural anchors that are chert). SUI will provide an update on the rebolting of Pollnagossan when it has been completed.