BushCraft Ireland

william_justice

Hello friends,

I'm wondering if anyone here is interested in Bushcraft. I am based in Dublin, but now and again take jaunts out to forests in Wicklow to practice bushcraft skills. I wonder if any other fans of this hobby are out there, and would like to pool skills and information on things like wild food, survival skills, campcraft, and firecraft.

I'm hoping the screening of Ray Mears current show will stir up interest in the subject.

Any takers?

I love that craic!

cavedave

Yes interested alright. Skill sseem to be finding and preparing plants, mushrooms and finding, killing and preparing animals.
Is that all?

Is anyone suspicious that Ray Mears looks so well feed? Do you think he might be foraging in the local burger king when the camera is turned off?

Evil Phil

I've often wondered was Ray really down with the local lads or were they just tolerating him until they got paid.

william_justice

I reckon it's a survival tactic. Old Ray keeps an emergency supply of fat at all times, just in case he's ever stranded without food for a few days. Like a camel's hump, but on the belly instead of the back.

Roen

He's fond of his stomach alright.
I went on one of his courses a couple of years ago and learned an awful lot.
It's a little on the pricey side but I guess that's cos he's a 'celeb' now

LINKY.V.18

yeh i know this is a really old post but i was searching on boards for something like this.im definitely really into the wild food thing.maybe the original poster could start this discussion again since from what i read nothing was really answered.i was thinking that maybe people could share some of their best finds(mushrooms,fruits,etc),where they go and stuff like that.im living in dub so im most interested in the dub-wicklow region but all regional pickers and hunters should post.at the moment i like to think that it's just meself and a small few others who know about the whole wild food thing,etc.i know this is probably not true however.leave all comments here and get this thread going again.thanks:)

cavedave

I am going to head off for a forage with this crowd the Northern Irish Fungus Group http://www.nifg.org.uk/home.htm
They seem to know their fungi so hopefully I can learn some stuff off them.

Evil Phil

Fungi, okaaaaay. *wink* *wink*

Give us a trip update when you get back!

pisslips

So, I relaise that this is not the first time this thread has been rehashed.I just have to say this is something that I've always been interested in since I was very young but never had a real opertunity to develop survival skills in my native land...which surely is something usefull for all Irish people to learn.I do a bit of cross-country running, fishing a little kayaking and camping but I have never found a place where I can take a formal and challenging course in survival skills bar joining the armed forces or something.So I was wondering, is there such courses that would have grades etc. from beginner to expert...a kind of formal thing, that could be run locally and not too expensively, perhaps by the defence forces for civilians..jeez it should be funded by the government and part of transition year IMO.
Scouts for grown ups but not the F.C.A.

cavedave

The Free Clothes Association?
This crowd seem to do things of a related kind http://www.celtnet.org/events-page33387.html
As do these http://www.dulra.org/bushcraft
I am trying to get some bog myrtle to grow in my back garden. Once that is sorted it is gruit brewing time.

Dave!

Has anybody had any experience with that Dulra course? Thinking of giving it a shot...

ivanthehunter

I've seen most of his shows, and i'm starting to think that i'm the only one who sees right through him... He is always making mistakes and telling fibs, he wings the whole how. He is fairly young but you'd think that he lived in finland for 10 years and another 10 in canada, in the way he refers to (survival expert)people who have stared in his show as his old and dearst friend.. ha the spoof only met them through his researchers...
Did you not see the show where he had 20 pots and his butler in the woods? ha ha! Or did you see the show were he tried a eating some orange berries form a thorny bush at the seaside- he clearly had never sampled this varity of berry before and was clearly shocked by the taste! but later in the same epsiode he cliams that he regularly takes the very same berries with honey.... he is full of it.. have you seen him burn his hands at the fire..? You know the tv shots of him on top of a mountain filmed from a helecopter! well how do you think he got on top of the mountain with that big belly of his....?
I'm interested in survival skills and mears makes my blood boil...... ok, some of the shows are interesting.....

loz

ivanthehunter wrote:

I've seen most of his shows, and i'm starting to think that i'm the only one who sees right through him... He is always making mistakes and telling fibs, he wings the whole how. He is fairly young but you'd think that he lived in finland for 10 years and another 10 in canada, in the way he refers to (survival expert)people who have stared in his show as his old and dearst friend.. ha the spoof only met them through his researchers...
Did you not see the show where he had 20 pots and his butler in the woods? ha ha! Or did you see the show were he tried a eating some orange berries form a thorny bush at the seaside- he clearly had never sampled this varity of berry before and was clearly shocked by the taste! but later in the same epsiode he cliams that he regularly takes the very same berries with honey.... he is full of it.. have you seen him burn his hands at the fire..? You know the tv shots of him on top of a mountain filmed from a helecopter! well how do you think he got on top of the mountain with that big belly of his....?
I'm interested in survival skills and mears makes my blood boil...... ok, some of the shows are interesting.....

knob

loz

DaveMcG wrote:

Has anybody had any experience with that Dulra course? Thinking of giving it a shot...

Hi Dave,

I did the course with Anthonio ( at dulra not wildlive ) back in Aug - was excellent.

There a review on BCUK

Evil Phil

loz wrote:

knob

Please read the charter with regards to flaming.

loz

Evil Phil wrote:

Please read the charter with regards to flaming.

appologies

dogmatix

Bring back "bush tucker man" - used to love that show. A real man, in a real outdoors environment. Mind you it was 20 years or thereabouts ago so maybe i'm viewing that through rose tinted memories...

There are a few centres that do outdoor skills and the like - one up north and isn't there one in wicklow somewhere? I can't remember the names though - tiglin?

Evil Phil

Tiglin closed. There's a Tollymore Mountain Centre in the mournes. In Tollymore suprisingly enough

frank 54449

Just spotted an irish bushcraft website, looks like a new school somewhere in leinster, check it out, might be worth a look.

www.bushcraftireland.com

Crapbag

Hi,

This is an area of serious interest to me. So much so that I hope to move into the area of teaching it one day. My first steps are to gain an outdoor qualification, I am currently a student in an adventure skills course. I did the course with Anthonio over a year ago and I was hooked. I am a fan of Ray Mears and Tom Brown (whom Anthonio studied under) and hope to get practicing in a big way soon.

I am a member of the RDF (FCA) but have to say the outdoor skills taught in the DF as a whole are limited to survivial in a tactical environment with military equipment to hand which isnt the same really. Its stuff you pick up rather than are taught.

I have no knowledge of the guys who run the course but will be in touch with them. I doubt I will do the course but rather practice techniques I have already learned, on that note if you wish to meet up at some stage, feel free to PM me. I am in the Dublin Co. area and am looking forward to getting out to practice more.

Gran Hermano

frank 54449 wrote: »

Hi Crapbag,
I have contacted these guys in Buscraft Ireland, ( www.bushcraftireland.com )seem to know what they are talking about. Looks like they got a bit of training in a few buscraft schools over in the UK.
I am booking into one of their courses in April next year, can't wait to see what they are about.
I'll definetly be posting a review of this course here on the forum.

SHILL ALERT!

Bit of a coincidence Frank that you have 3 posts, 2 of them singing the
praises of this company. Especially when I see this:

http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois.ch?ip=bushcraftireland.com

Will you be booking the course or giving it?

Evil Phil

I've been wondering about that, Frankie boy is now banned from this forum and has been reported to the powers that be. I clean his posts up later.

Thanks Gran Hermano

cavedave

SHILL ALERT!

That is really weird. If someone came on and said
"I am giving the course and know loads about the subject" they would get far more responses then "I would like to do this, I will tell you what it is like later". As shills go this one is completely baffling.

Gordon

frank 54449 wrote: »

Hi Crapbag,
I have contacted these guys in Buscraft Ireland,

You can't seem to spell the name of your business here, or on your website!

supertramp

They won't give directions to the site of the course, until you pay in full, which you have to do 21 days before the date.
Sounds like a scam

Crapbag

Such a shame since its a relatively untapped market in Ireland. If I get my skills and act together over the next while Id love to impart what I learn to others. Still have a lot of practicing to do though and I want to get some other outdoor qualifications down before I concentrate on Bushcraft completely. Id like to have a good skill set before venturing down the avenue of Bushcraft as an instructor

PDD

Hi Guys,

I would be interested in doing a course like or something but funds are tight (damn you interest rates :-P) I used to love bivvying when I was in the Scouts but unfortuntely the idea of foraging for food stuffs was never really touched on.

I was wondering if people would be interested in maybe getting a small group of us to head off somewhere to bivvy and try our hand at some bushcraft and get some practice in?

Dave

Roen

I did the Mears course myself, but with the state my back is in I haven't been able to sleep out since the Summer of last year, a full 18 months ago
Would be happy to pass on any knowledge I have though if there is a meet.

Dave!

Was the Mears course any good, Roen?

PDD, a few of the lads on the Non-drinkers Forum seemed interested in organising a trip to one of the bushcraft courses. It won't be for a while (certainly after Xmas), but maybe you'd be interested in coming with?

Dave!

Crapbag, you might also be interested in coming along!

Crapbag

I am indeed. Might wait until my availability gets a little better with my course. Plus, Im all for camping in the winter but it can throw people off. Are people interested in doing something in the early spring or do they want to brave it? We could practice some winter weekend and if people wanna camp, they can and if others want to head, no problem. I would like to see what they did on the Mears course in comparison to my own. Count me in, id love to get people interested in this more in this country and learn more from others myself

Id have to agree on the non-drinking camp idea. I have no problem with people bring drink but getting pissed and arsing around isnt my idea of camping. Camp side beer after a long day,fine. Electric picnic piss-up, no thanks. Dont mean to mean to be a drag but thats just my opinion, id still like to meet up

Dave!

Yeah I just realised that the coldness might be a factor The Bushcraft Ireland course is April, May, and June, so if I have the money (E275) I'll probably do one of those. I'd probably be on for camping before that though, just busy busy busy for the next month at least. We shall see how it goes anywho, keep an eye on the non-drinking forum and you'll see any developments.

Crapbag

Hmmmm. I would like to see what the Irish course has to offer but would rather get the verdict of someone who has gone before I do. I also want to get practice in over the next year so I wouldnt be doing it too soon. Still though, those up for some practice either now or early next year can contact me

bitemybanger

Bushcraft has facinated me since i was a child, before ieven knew it was called bushcraft, I used to walk for hours through the vally and surrounding fields and woods of north county Dublin wishing i could "live off the land" so to speak. i have never lost this passion, i do alot of hunting and fishing and might stay out for a couple of days using as much bushcraft as possible learned trough books and self tought,
I would be interested if you guys are organising a meet. never anybody i know willing to spend a few days in the wilderness.

Crapbag

Well we definitely have a few interested. Ill ask the question again in the new year when people are more likely to be available and willing given the weather

Dave!

Yeah that's great At least 6/7 expressing interest in this. Would be cool, even if most of us are noobs

bitemybanger

yeah, illl keep a eye on this thread for when an excursion is being arranged.
keep in touch

Roen

If my back steps back into line (literally) I'll be up for it. I'm a bit rusty though

I subscribed to the Outdoor Pursuits forum ages ago so if this thread gets updated I'll see it.

@DaveMcG I'll write a response to your question when I get time, I'm up the walls at the muinute.
Cheers

Crapbag

DaveMcG wrote: »

Yeah that's great At least 6/7 expressing interest in this. Would be cool, even if most of us are noobs

To be honest I would say we are all in the same boat. I have done a bit in the outdoors but have practiced little of bushcraft since my course, which is a while now. This would be an excellent way to start back into for anyone interested.I look forward to the new year

Roen

DaveMcG wrote: »

Was the Mears course any good, Roen?

PDD, a few of the lads on the Non-drinkers Forum seemed interested in organising a trip to one of the bushcraft courses. It won't be for a while (certainly after Xmas), but maybe you'd be interested in coming with?

Right,
this is a difficult one to answer. It was certainly good. But in saying that it was good I need to qualify my statement.

It was good in the sense that I learned a lot. Could I have learned the same information elsewhere for cheaper? I don't know, I'd have to do one of the other courses elsewhere in England or Ireland to find out and I'm not prepared to do that. I suspect I could, but again I have no way of knowing.

I went there with a fairly high level of fitness and it was tested, up at eight every morning and working til eight or nine at night for 6 days straight. And I mean working!
It was very far removed from the lovely 'walk in the woods' type thing that his earlier shows portray.

There is a hell of a lot of knife work, building shelters, setting traps (and removing them), fetching and purifying water, not to mention using the bow drill

You'll get plenty of blisters unless you have tough skin on your hands. *EDIT* You'll get blisters anyway, everyone has to make two metres of cordage with nettles, ouch!

What killed me is the same thing that kills me every time I leave my house. I just can't sleep in a strange bed. I only mention it because some people may have the same problem.
You'll either be in a leaf shelter or under a hootchie for the duration of the course and it may well interrupt your sleep patterns, it certainly played a large factor in dictating my energy levels and as such I didn't perform as well as I should have.

You are well fed during the week, you certainly won't starve. If you're vegetarian don't worry about it, you'll be looked after.

I would recommend the course no problems at all. However as I said at the beginning of the post I have simply no way of knowing if there are cheaper/better alternatives out there.

Good luck

Crapbag

I was thinking of organising a weekend possibly in February or Early March. The Deer hunting season is on until February 28th so we would require a permit to Camp before then. Anyone have any ideas in relation to a location? We would probably need to consent of the local forest manager or we may be asked to leave. I have no problem trying to arrange this if we can decide on a location. There are designate camping spots in Lough Key and Curraghchase but I dont know if they'd be suitable for what we need in relation to materials. I have scouted a Coillte forest just outside Newcastle Co. Dublin. It has a small stream and plenty of natural resources, although there is limited car access. I need to scout it fully and get in contact with the local Ranger if we were to consider it. Anyone else any ideas?

Jackus

I'm glad that finally I found people interseted in bushcraft. I would like to join You if You want to go for camping or just practising skills. BTW is there anybody in Ireland like Ray Mears?

bitemybanger

I know a good spot around Roundwood/Blessington.
I used to fish there a few years back and i think it would be a good location.
not many people know how to get to it. I also know one of the local rangers to see where we stand in regards camping or setting up a camp. ill make a few phone calls to get some feedback.

Roen

Right, my back is on the mend ...so hopefully I'll be in a position to go along if this ever gets off the ground.

Mac Tire

hey guys, first time ive ventured to this area of boards....id be really interested in going out for a few days and nights along with some of you guys if you are planning something....Im up here in Donegal, but im willing to travel as this is something i have always wanted to do....thanks guys n gals

Crapbag

So we have a good few definitely interested. bitemybanger did you get anywhere with the roundwood/blessington forrest? I hit a brick wall with the forrest in Newcastle but im gonna try a different approach on the phone tomorrow. What about dates? I take it the weekends are the best option. Do people wanna suggest some? If we get permission in good time, we could aim for February/March. Im not around the first weekend in March ie. 1st/2nd but after that im clear.

If we do arrange this, what way would people like it to run? Do we organise an itinerary of skills we would like to cover or just show up and see how it goes?

Mac Tire

maybe we could all post up some ideas on here and pick what seems to be the most popular and that would benefit us the most....just an idea....
say like, edable plants, shelter building, animal tracking and trapping, etc...

robp

I am very much interested in bushcraft and would like to part if an event is been organised. Most weekends would be good for me.

Robert

bitemybanger

Crapbag wrote: »

So we have a good few definitely interested. bitemybanger did you get anywhere with the roundwood/blessington forrest? I hit a brick wall with the forrest in Newcastle but im gonna try a different approach on the phone tomorrow. What about dates? I take it the weekends are the best option. Do people wanna suggest some? If we get permission in good time, we could aim for February/March. Im not around the first weekend in March ie. 1st/2nd but after that im clear.

If we do arrange this, what way would people like it to run? Do we organise an itinerary of skills we would like to cover or just show up and see how it goes?

I rang one of the bailiffs in the area and he didnt realy know what i was talking about, told him that we were a small group of lads wanting to practice the aincent ways of Irish bushcraft and continued to explain, he bascicly said we might have some insurance issues so i was thinking, if we establish ourselves as a club, Countryside Alliance which would be the relevant insurance company do deals for clubs and members, might work out around 25 or so quid for the year. What ye think?

Dave!

Forming some sort of club would be a good idea actually Judging by the interest in this thread, and the popularity of shows like Born Survivor, I'd say it would be successful There's certainly a gap in the market too, I haven't seen m/any clubs for bushcraft specifically.

Anyone actually have a decent amount of experience in this though? I'm interested in it, but I've never done it before So it mightn't be recommended for a bunch of newbies to head into the woods together!