An Irish mountaineering team has made history on Mount Everest, with three climbers successfully reaching the summit together as a national team for the first time in more than two decades, expedition organizers said. The team, Éanna McGowan, Adam Sweeney, and Padraig O’Hora, reached the 8,848.86-metre summit at 3:15 AM on May 20, 2026.
According to 8K Expeditions, the successful ascent marks a significant milestone for Irish high-altitude mountaineering, with all three climbers standing on the summit under challenging pre-dawn conditions. The expedition was led by experienced Irish climber Jason Black of Black Mountaineering, with logistical and high-altitude support provided by a Sherpa team including Milan Sherpa, Temba Sherpa, and Nang Tenji Sherpa.
Youngest Irish Climber Sets National Record
Among the summit team, Adam Sweeney achieved a historic personal milestone by becoming the youngest Irish climber ever to reach the summit of Everest at the age of 22.
Sweeney, who is also the first person from Waterford to summit the world’s highest peak, was praised for his determination and endurance throughout the expedition. Organizers said the achievement reflects both individual resilience and the strength of the team’s preparation and coordination.
Seven-Week Expedition Through Extreme Conditions
The team underwent an extensive seven-week expedition that included structured acclimatisation rotations in the Everest region. As part of their preparation, the climbers successfully summited Lobuche East at 6,119 metres before attempting Everest.
Throughout the expedition, the team faced extreme cold temperatures, strong winds, and the physiological challenges of prolonged exposure in the “death zone” above 8,000 metres. Despite these harsh conditions, the climbers maintained steady progress toward their objective under the guidance of experienced high-altitude Sherpa support.
Sherpa Team and Preparation Credited for Success
Expedition organizers credited the success to months of preparation, teamwork, and the critical support provided by the Sherpa climbing team. Lakpa Sherpa, Managing Director of 8K Expeditions, said the Everest summit remains one of the most difficult achievements in mountaineering.
“The summit of Everest is never given. It is earned,” he said, highlighting the dedication required to complete such an ascent. The team was reported to be descending safely to lower camps following their successful summit.
Symbolic Moment for Irish Mountaineering
The successful ascent is being seen as a major moment for Irish mountaineering, marking a rare full-team summit success on Everest and reinforcing Ireland’s presence in global high-altitude climbing. Organizers said the achievement is expected to inspire future generations of Irish climbers aiming for Himalayan peaks and beyond.
