Dr Bren Whelan 51823
Membership Mountain Training Association
Membership Type Course Director Member
Membership Number 51823
Renewal Date 27/08/2026
Membership AMI
Membership Type Full Member
Membership Number 762
Renewal Date 01/07/2026
Dr Bren Whelan (WMCI & IML) has worked for more than 30 years in the mountain training and adventure tourism industry around the world. He has taught and coached rock climbing, skiing, scuba diving and mountaineering across Australia, Borneo, Canada, China, Iceland, Russia, South America, Tasmania, and New Zealand, as well as throughout numerous European countries. His extensive experience includes several years working for National Mountaineering Centres in Ireland (Tiglin), Northern Ireland (Tollymore) and Scotland (Glenmore Lodge).
Bren completed his PhD through Ulster University's Business School (Department of Hospitality Tourism & Events Management) at the Coleraine campus, Northern Ireland. His research investigated how Adventure Tourism Micro Enterprises along Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way were impacted by crisis events, including Brexit, COVID-19, and the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
Academic Qualifications:
- PhD (Ulster University Business School)
- MSc International Business (with Distinction)
- MSc Environmental Health & Safety Management (with Distinction)
- BA (Hons) Adventure Education (2:1)
- Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA)
Professional Certifications:
- Mountaineering Instructor (WMCI)
- International Mountain Leader (IML)
- Climbing Coach (FCC)
- Leave No Trace Advanced Trainer
- Fáilte Ireland Regional Guide
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Winter Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor | 28/03/2003 | |
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International Mountain Leader Award (EML) | 20/09/2002 | |
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Winter Mountain Leader | 09/02/2001 | |
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Mountaineering and Climbing Instructor | 24/07/1997 | |
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Foundation Coach | 19/02/2015 | |
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Rock Climbing Instructor | 06/12/1993 | |
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Mountain Leader | 25/10/1993 |
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Advanced First Aid (2 or more days beyond basic 16 hour) | 09/11/2025 | 2.00 |
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Mountain Environment day | 05/10/2025 | 1.00 |
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Leave no trace - Awareness Course | 13/08/2025 | 1.00 |
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Leader responsibilities | 27/04/2025 | 0.50 |
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AMI self-accredited learning (full day) | 12/09/2024 | 1.00 |
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AMI self-accredited learning (full day) | 16/08/2024 | 1.00 |
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AMI self-accredited learning (full day) | 12/08/2024 | 1.00 |
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Circular Economy and Sustainable Business Practises | 19/03/2024 | 0.50 |
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NICAS/NIBAS Induction | 27/12/2023 | 0.50 |
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AMI - self accredited learning (1/2 day) | 30/10/2023 | 0.50 |
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AMI - self accredited learning (1/2 day) | 30/10/2023 | 0.50 |
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Advanced First Aid (2 or more days beyond basic 16 hour) | 31/01/2023 | 2.00 |
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Chris Walker Memorial Trust - Avalanche Awareness Training | 25/11/2022 | 1.00 |
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Navigating Inclusion in the Outdoors: Diversity Equals Growth (16 Dec at 8pm) - A Business Imperative | 16/12/2021 | 0.50 |
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Chris Walker Memorial Trust - Avalanche Awareness Training | 08/12/2021 | 1.00 |
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Course Directors & Staff Workshop | 03/12/2021 | 1.00 |
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Swift water and flood water rescue technician | 27/06/2021 | 1.00 |
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ABC online Seminar - Floor walking | 01/06/2021 | 0.50 |
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First Aid Trainer course | 30/05/2021 | 1.00 |
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UK Legislation Myth Busting Session | 18/05/2021 | 0.50 |
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Learning From Experience - Safety Seminar | 05/05/2021 | 1.00 |
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ABC online Seminar - Floor walking | 23/03/2021 | 0.50 |
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Climbing Wall Seminar | 17/02/2021 | 1.00 |
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Geology Workshop | 04/02/2021 | 1.00 |
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Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People course Half Day | 17/01/2021 | 0.50 |
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MTE/MTC Course Directors & Staff update and CPD | 23/11/2020 | 1.00 |
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Learning From Experience - Safety Seminar | 11/11/2020 | 1.00 |
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Mountain Training - Course Directors & Staff Workshop | 07/12/2018 | 1.00 |
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Any - Advanced First Aid (beyond basic 16 hours course) | 01/09/2018 | 1.00 |
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Any approved provider - Geology Workshop | 01/05/2018 | 1.00 |
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Mountain Rescue - Team training event (full day) | 14/04/2018 | 1.00 |
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Any - Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People course | 21/01/2018 | 1.00 |
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Any approved provider - Environmental workshop - 1/2 day | 04/01/2018 | 0.50 |
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LNT Ireland / Centre of outdoor ethics / Nevis Landscape Partnership - Leave no trace - Awareness Course | 16/12/2016 | 1.00 |
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Climbing | 23/11/2014 | 1.00 |
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Climbing | 22/11/2014 | 1.00 |
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Any - Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable People course | 21/11/2014 | 1.00 |
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Leave no trace - Trainers course | 18/07/2014 | 2.00 |
Bren Whelan has spent nearly thirty years rock climbing, hill walking, mountaineering and skiing throughout the World. He has 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, Scotland, Wales, France, Italy, Spain, Corsica and Switzerland. Bren is a full Mountain Instructor Certificate (MIC) completed in 2003, Mountain Instructor Award (MIA) completed in 1997 and International Mountain Leader Award holder (IML) completed in 2002. Bren is the former Director of Mountaineering at Tiglin, Ireland’s National Mountain Centre and is an associate instructor at both Glenmore Lodge and Tollymore Mountain Centre (Scotland and Northern Ireland’s National Mountain Centres). He is also a former mountaineering editor of Outsider, Ireland’s Outdoor Magazine. Bren has also written for the Irish Mountain Log, Trail Magazine UK and the AMI Instructors magazine. His mountaineering and landscape photography has been published on the front and inside pages of the Irish Times, Derry Journal, Irish News, Belfast & North West Telegraphs. Bren is a fully insured and approved provider of BOS (The Irish Mountain Training Board & Mountaineering Ireland) training and assessment courses, plus a provider of a full hill walking, rock climbing and mountain guiding service in Ireland & Scotland.
Bren’s Academic CV:
PhD in Tourism & Business
Level 9 MSc Environmental Health & Safety Management
Level 9 MSc International Business
Level 8 Degree BSc Hons - Adventure Education & Facilitation
