The Story of Ireland's Only Steeplejill: Angela Collins O'Mahony

A PASSION for climbing led Angela Collins O’Mahony to success in business that few would even dare dream of, and to heights that not many women have scaled.

A year on from the successful launch of her autobiography, The Story of Ireland’s only Steeplejill, the Kilkishen woman has said she has been “humbled” by the response to the book to date.

She spent seven years writing the story, one that was not intended to be a promotion of herself, but an example to others of how they can succeed, regardless of their background.

The grandmother and mother of four from Kilkishen laid her own path to success in the 1960s and went on to establish her business, Collins Building & Steeplejack Services in Ardnacrusha, while still scaling 300-foot-high church spires to replace crosses and 600-foot-high chimney stacks.

Retiring in 1992, the Ardnacrusha business is now being run by her son and daughter –Ireland’s second steeplejill.

Following on from the successful launch of the book last year, Collins Building & Steeplejack Services said: “We would like to thank all who have supported us for almost 50 years and wish you all a Happy Christmas.”

Books can be bought online at www.collinssteeplejacks.com and from O’Mahony’s Bookshops and The Ennis Bookshop.

Contact Collins Building & Steeplejack Services on 061-327166.