Glenshelane is a 1-acre (0.5 hectare) site given on lease by the Forestry Department to the C.B.S.I. in 1969 and administered by the 4th Waterford (Abbeyside) Unit C.B.S.I.
The site is in a grassy clearing in managed coniferous forest beside the Monavugga River, which runs on the eastern side of the campsite. An avenue of poplars runs through the site.
The site was developed in 1971 and has a flush toilet, water supply, a campfire circle and four concrete fire slab units with iron fire stands.
There is also a footbridge across the river leading to a spring well.
The site, being situated on flat ground in a steep sided valley, is very well sheltered. It is situated on the route of the Glenshelane River Walk, which was opened in 1984, and can be used as a woodland route to Mount Melleray Scout Centre about 2.5 km. to the North.
The town of Cappoquin (Population circa 1200) has adequate shops for food etc. and is about 3.5 km. from the Campsite.
Glenshelane Campsite was used as a base to display pioneering projects during Jamborora held in Mount Melleray in 1977. Nearest Scout units are in Cappoquin, Dungarvan, Abbeyside and Tallow.
Birds
The Glenshelane Walkway is an ideal place to see many of Irelands common birds. Resident songsters of the woodlands here include the Robin, Wren, Dunnock, Blackbird, Song Trush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinches and Greenfinches. The songs of these birds reach a climax in late spring and early summer. Summer visitors adding their voices include the Willow Warbler, which may be found in more open, scrubby areas and the Whitethroat, along the woodland edge. Larger residents include the Pheasant, Wood Pigeon, Hooded Crow and jay. A talented observer may be lucky enough to spot a Kestrel or Sparrow hawk hunting along the woodland edge. The Glenshelane River provides ideal habitat for the Dipper and Grey Wagtail, specialists at searching the fast flowing water for insect larvae.
Rules for using the site.
1. Permission to camp on, hike to, or use this site must first be obtained from the Site Warden.
2. The house, the grounds and fields across the stone bridge are out of bounds, except with special permission from the Group Leader.
3. Fires are to be lit only on the fire sites.
4. The river is not to be polluted in any way.
5. Please leave the site in as good (if not, better) condition than you found it.
How Far?
The distance upstream to the Melleray Grotto is 1.3 miles approximately. The distance downstream to the Picnic area on the Cappoquin-Affane back road is 1.25 miles approximately.
Water
Water plays a major part in all camps held by scouts at Glenshelane. The spring well at the far side of the river from the site provides the drinking water which like all spring water should be boiled before use, while the river water is suitable for washing, swimming, etc. The water for the toilet is taken from the nearby river and should not be wasted. The urinal near the toilet should always be used, when appropriate.
The river by the campsite is the Monavugga. Its source is by the Grotto on the Melleray Road and is joined by another stream, the Glennafillia, at the start of the Northern end of the Glenshelane Walk.
A few hundred yards downstream of the campsite they are joined by the Glenshelane River and all three flow into the Blackwater near the old Railway Bridge at Cappoquin.
The river was well stocked with brown trout, but a cement spill while repairing Lyre Bridge caused major damage in the late 1980’s. Since the river has been re-stocked and fish are now back in good numbers. Salmon come up river to spawn in November and December and it can be fascinating to watch them trying to jump the waterfall (half a mile downstream). They can only get up when the flood is just right.
There are a number of stretches of the river suitable for swimming, but like all river water, it will not be hot for the brave and tough scouts who venture forth.
Places to visit
1. Lismore. ( http://www.waterfordcoco.ie/council/web/Display/category/19/?lang=en ). Early on your camp pay a days visit to Lismore. Visit the Lismore Heritage Centre (http://www.ireland.ie/things_2_do_results_single.asp?sID=911 ), which will put your stay in West Waterford in perspective. Swim in the swimming pool on the Ownashad River (Provide your own life-guards!). Visit the Cathedral and go to the Towers outside Lismore on the Ballyduff Road.
2. Mount Melleray. (http://indigo.ie/~melleray/ ). Make arrangements to visit both the Mount Melleray Scout Centre and Mount Melleray Cistercian Abbey. Use the facilities at the Scout Centre at off-peak times.
3. Ardmore. (http://www.southeastireland.com/maps/equestrian_map.asp ) Travel via the Dromana Gate and the beautiful village of Villierstown to the seaside at Ardmore. Swim in the broad Atlantic (Provide your own Life-guards!). Do the Ardmore Cliff walk.
4. Booley House, Ballyduff. (http://homepage.eircom.net/~westwaterford/booleyhouse.htm ) Go to the Booley House, Ballyduff, for a night of tea, scones, apple tart, orange, music, song and Irish dancing on stage performed to a very high standard.
5. Knockmealdown Mountains (http://www.mountainviews.ie/mv/index.php?mtnindex=45 ) Hike in the nearby Knockmeladown Mountains. Visit the Holy Year Cross on Knockboy Hill and the ruin if the old R.I.C. Barracks on the Waterford-Tipperary border. The site warden can provide maps for free of this area.
6. Dungarvan. (http://www.waterfordcoco.ie/council/web/Display/category/10/?lang=en ) Visit the Dungarvan Museum, swim in a heated pool. It is possible to camp overnight at the field adjacent to the Abbeyside Scout Den if arranged with the Site Warden.
N.B. DO NOT SWIM IN THE RIVER BALCKWATER AT ANYTIME!!!
Conditions Re Use of Site
1. The Group Leader (on Annual Camp) may get permission from Brigadier Fitzgerald at the house to use a field for games etc. and also to use the phone. N.B. This privilege is not to be abused.
2. As the grass in Glenshelane is cut by power mower, it is most important that no pegs, irons, stones, wire coat hangers, etc, are left lying on the grass.
3. No permanent structure may be left on site. All railings, gadgets, etc. are to be taken down at camp end.
4. Firewood is supplied on site or deadwood may be got in the wood.
5. Burn all the refuse you can on your fire.
6. The cinders from fires are to be put in metal barrels marked “CINDERS ONLY” or else in a cinder pit provided.
7. Firewood and gadget wood are to be stored at place marked on site.
History
Gleann Siothlain means “Glen of the fairies”. The Keane family owned Glenshelane House, woods and land. Molly Keane, a well-known novelist, lived in Bellville House nearby. The Battle of Affane –noted battle between 2 Irish Clans – was fought between the Earls of Desmond and Ormond in 1565 within a kilometre of the site.
GLENSHELANE SCOUT CAMPSITE
Centre Details
Glenshelane Scout Campsite
Cappoquin
Co Waterford
Contact Person
Fintan Strain
16 Sexton Street,
Abbeyside,
Dungarvan,
Co Waterford
Brian Mulvihill, Unit Leader 4th Waterford Unit, C.B.S.I.
10 Pinewood Lawn
Abbeyside
Dungarvan
Co Waterford
Telephone (058) 43469
Outdoor Details
Glenshelane is a 1-acre (0.5hectare) site in a wooded glen 3.5km to the east of the town of Cappoquin.
It has one flush toilet and 4 altar fire stands. Wood available on site.
Indoor Details
No indoor facilities available.
Activities
It is an ideal site for Scout/Guide activities, with gadget wood and pioneering timber available.
There are mountains close by, good for hiking and hill walking.
There are altar fires on site and a campfire circle.
Travel
Nearest Town - Cappoquin
Nearest Railway Station - Waterford
Nearest Bus - Cappoquin
Camp Fee
50p per person per night.
MOUNT MELLERAY SCOUT CENTRE
Centre Details
Mount Melleray Scout Centre
Cappoquin
Co Waterford
+353-058-54322
Contact Person
Administration Officer
Mount Melleray Scout Centre,
Cappoquin,
Co Waterford
+353-58- 54322
Outdoor Details
Plenty of camping ground is available around the centre, which is set in beautiful surroundings.
Indoor Details
We can accommodate up to 200 in comfort. Full board or self-catering options are available. Details on request
Activities
A base in the heart of the Knockmealdown Mountains with excellent potential for adventure
activities such as hill walking, mountain climbing, basketball, orienteering,
canoeing and many other Scout activities. There are many features of historical,
geological and scenic merit in the locality.
Travel
Nearest Town - Cappoquin (6 Km)
Nearest Bus - Cappoquin
Nearest Railway Station -Waterford.
Camp Fees
Camping for 3 nights or over 50p per night.
Self - catering per day £3.50
Full board per day £7.00
Glenshelane
Also known as Cappoquin Forest
Location: 1 km from Cappoquin on the R669 to Clogheen. It is signposted from Affane cross on the Dungarvan Road. It can also be located on map number 81, grid reference X-119 995.
Facilities: Glenshelane has a car park, picnic site and river and forest walks.
Length of Trail: There are three different walks marked out at Glenshelane. These are the Red, Green and Navy walks:
The easiest, the Navy Marked Walk travels northward from the car park and returns on the western side of the river. It is about 2km long.
The Green Marked Walk follows the same direction to the second footbridge and is for the more energetic walker. It is approximately 3.5km long.
The Red Marked Walk again runs northward from the car park and follows the eastern glen, crossing and re-crossing the Glenshelane River until finally turning south along the public road for some distance, until joining up with the Glenshelane River walk through the 'Black Gate' near Lyre Bridge and the scout site. This walk is 10.7km long.
Note!
The wearing of suitable footwear (strong walking shoes or boots) and weatherproof clothing is advised for walking. It is also advisable to bring a drink and some high-energy food on the longer walks.
Useful telephone numbers: Cappoquin Garda: 058-54244, Dungarvan Garda: 058-41884, Forest Manager: 058-20055.
Habitat: The Glenshelane River flows from north to south through the main valley. The Monavugga and Glenafalla rivers converge and flow through the western Glen to join with the Glenshelane River just below Glenshelane House. All three continue to flow together and enter the river Blackwater near the old Railway Bridge at Cappoquin.
Main Tree Species: The glen was originally covered in oak, which was cleared in the first half of the century and subsequently replanted with Conifers such as Norway spruce. As these conifers mature, they are felled and replanted with broadleaf species such as Oak, Ash and Beech. Some small pockets of the original oak also remain scattered throughout the site under which a second storey of holly, hazel and rowan now grows.
Other Flora: The herbage layer is very diverse with a wide variety of herbs, wild flowers, grasses and bramble. In springtime the woodland undergrowth is a carpet of bluebells. Honeysuckle, primroses and foxgloves are among the many scented wild flowers, which can also be found here.
Fauna: The following is a list of confirmed mammal inhabitants: pine martin, fallow deer, badgers, fox, otter, red squirrel, woodmouse, long eared bat, pipistrelle bat, hedgehog, Irish stoat, mink, shrew, vale and rat. Bird species run to over 20, the grey heron and grey wagtail are easily spotted near the river.
The Glenshelane River is an important nursery stream for the Blackwater River habitat. Salmon in season can be seen fighting the current, upstream to their spawning area north of the car park. Brown trout, eels, smaller minnows and stone loach also inhabit the river.
History: Glenshelane, means 'glen of the fairies'. The Keane family owned Glenshelane House, woods and land. Molly Keane, the well-known novelist, lived in Bellville House nearby. The Battle of Affane, a noted battle between two Irish clans was fought between the Earls of Desmond and Ormond in 1565 within a kilometer of the picnic site.
Other useful information:
Glenshelane Wood was awarded Best Environment Project in 1999 by Waterford County Council.
Cappoquin Tourism Telephone number 058-53333.
MOUNT MELLERAY SCOUT CENTRE
Centre Details
Mount Melleray Scout Centre
Cappoquin
Co Waterford
+353-058-54322
Contact Person
Administration Officer
Mount Melleray Scout Centre,
Cappoquin,
Co Waterford
+353-58- 54322
http://indigo.ie/~melleray/
Outdoor Details
Plenty of camping ground is available around the centre, which is set in beautiful surroundings.
Indoor Details
We can accommodate up to 200 in comfort. Full board or self-catering options are available. Details on request
Activities
A base in the heart of the Knockmealdown Mountains with excellent potential for adventure activities such as hill walking, mountain climbing, basket ball, orienteering, canoeing and many other Scout activities. There are many features of historical, geological and scenic merit in the locality.
Travel
Nearest Town - Cappoquin (6 Km)
Nearest Bus - Cappoquin
Nearest Railway Station -Waterford.
Camp Fees
On Request
Knockmealdown Mountains
Maximum height for area: 794 metres Mountains in area: 10
Map(s): 74 for all tops
Knockmealdown Mountain
Height: 794 metres OS 1/50k Map sheet: 74
Grid Ref: S 058 084 Latitude: 52.227590 Longitude: -7.915120 (WGS84)
Knockmealdown is the highest mountain in the Knockmealdown Mountains area and the 45th highest in Ireland.
