Since passing into public ownership in the early 20th century and becoming part of Killiney Hill Park, it has become one of the most important rock climbing venues in Ireland, with over 350 graded routes, some of which are amongst the hardest single-pitch rock climbs in the country such as Indecent Assault (E8 6c, one of Ireland's first-ever E8 routes, first ascended in 1995).

[4]: 13:30 In the 1840s, stone from the quarry was exported to Newfoundland by Bishop Michael Fleming for the construction of the Basilica of St. John the Baptist in St.

[9][10] In 1914, the quarry was taken over by what is now known as Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council (DLRCC), and most of the land was added to the existing Killiney Hill Park thus opening it up to the general public.

[1] In 1998, the DLRCC drew up proposals to turn the quarry's West Valley into a caravan halting site for travellers.

[1] Access to the West and East Valley sections is via the main entrance on Ardbrugh Road (just off Dalkey Avenue).

[13] The East Valley section splits into the three sub-sections, "Ivy Chimney", "Eliminate Wall", and "Ghost Slab".

[1] The availability of climbing protection varies but is generally considered good,[15] and while some old pitons still remain (they are rarely replaced when they break), they should be treated with caution.

[1] Extreme climbers have used metal pegs hammered into existing cracks to reduce the risk on routes with almost no natural protection (e.g. Indecent Assault and Bitter Aftertaste), which are tolerated and remain in place.

[1] In 1942, the quarry's first recorded climbs were made by members of the Irish Mountaineering Club (IMC), and a handwritten guidebook of thirteen routes was published that included Fifth Avenue (HS 4b), and Gwynne's Chimney (VS 4c).

[1] Other long-standing problems were solved and gaps filled including Block Party (E7 6c) soloed in 2009 by Michael Duffy, and Captain Skyhook (E6 6b) in 2012 by Stephen McGowan.

While not noted for its bouldering routes, the quarry does have two areas, the "Ivy Chimney" section in the East Valley being the most popular area due to its ability to stay dry in damp conditions (its popularity dates from the pre-indoor climbing wall period), and the "Traverse Wall" in the West Valley that contains long and low warm-up routes.