Is wild camping permitted?

BangOnTarget

Hi,

This might seem a little naive but I genuinely don’t know the answers to the following questions. I used to be a scout many moons ago and loved camping out in the wilds,
getting water from streams, cooking on a campfire, building a bivouac, hiking, fishing etc etc, I now have a 10 year old son who wants to go camping with me and I don’t know what options are open to us? I would prefer to go “wild camping” as opposed to an “organised campsite” ie commercial camping. (It goes without saying that no rubbish would be left and everything would be left the way it was found ie respect to the countryside.

Q1 If it is possible/legal to camp “wild” in Ireland and if so what are the considerations? Is land permission needed on state land etc?

Q2 Can you have a campfire?

Q3 Is there anything I am overlooking?


Kind regards

melekalikimaka

i do know on the wicklow way you need to be a set distance from the the trail.

Donny5

There's no wild camping like there is in other countries as there's no common land here, but in general, you can camp in Coillte forests and some parts of the National Parks. Each park has a website that you can check for whether camping is permitted, and where. For instance, in the Wicklow Mountains National Park, wild camping is allowed subject to some pretty strict rules, but not at all in Glendalough, and it's the only place I've ever seen consistent enforcement. They don't allow fires in the WNMP, either.

All Coillte land is currently accessable (although the rules may change if it's privatised) and camping is allowed, unless felling is ongoing. They do allow fires in places and want you to follow their Leave No Trace policies.

For the most part, if you're out of sight and don't take the piss, no one will care or challenge you. The exception is tourist traps like Glendalough.

coalshed

It seems to be a lot more accepted practice in Ulster.

Last time I was in the Mournes I couldn't get over the amount of tents I saw dotted around the hills.

This blog might give you some inspiration.

http://onefootintheclouds.blogspot.com/2010/03/back-in-motherland-slieve-commedagh.html

apc

can anybody shed some light on wild camping around Killarney? The national park website doesn't seem to mention it...

Donny5

apc wrote: »

can anybody shed some light on wild camping around Killarney? The national park website doesn't seem to mention it...

My understanding is that it's banned in the Park, although it does happen. Farther South, there are Coillte forests, where it's allowed, but nothing close to the town.

apc

Donny5 wrote: »

My understanding is that it's banned in the Park, although it does happen. Farther South, there are Coillte forests, where it's allowed, but nothing close to the town.

any suggestions on places to wild camp in Cork or Kerry?or Clare?

Donny5

apc wrote: »

any suggestions on places to wild camp in Cork or Kerry?or Clare?

Coillte Forests, for the most part, are open to wild campers, subject to the usual rules.

byhookorbycrook

Have wild camped on the dunes in Ventry, Co Kerry.

apc

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

Have wild camped on the dunes in Ventry, Co Kerry.

How did that go?any major problems? Ventry does sound ideal....

Mac2010

I wild camped on Carrauntoohil last year. I think as long as you DON'T leave mess behind you or light fire then should be fine.if you show some respect to local people and nature noone gives you hassle.(no shouting, no rubbish left behind). but i presume experts gonna give you much more detailed information

Morpork

I had a quick poke around some sites about camp fires.

Fires aren't permitted in the WMNP area, but are in Coillte forests.

Donny5

Mac2010 wrote: »

I wild camped on Carrauntoohil last year. I think as long as you DON'T leave mess behind you or light fire then should be fine.if you show some respect to local people and nature noone gives you hassle.(no shouting, no rubbish left behind). but i presume experts gonna give you much more detailed information

Yeah, if you're not taking the piss, everyone becomes much more amenable to camping.

Chris O Donoghue

apc wrote: »

any suggestions on places to wild camp in Cork or Kerry?or Clare?

Generally speaking in Kerry and Cork you'll get no hassle from landowners if you're out of sight, clean, quiet, and not taking up permanent residence.

For example we set up camp in the crags in the Gap of Dunloe for a few days last year, did a bit of climbing during the day, and had a great time. We met a few others passing by and it was very enjoyable. we did the same in the Hags Glen a few weeks later.

This might seem obvious and apologies if it is but it's important to stay well clear of places where lads go drinking late at night : there's usually plenty of evidence to warn you off. Fortunately horror stories are rare but try not to be seen from a road, and camp well away from Coillte (and other) carparks.

Don't forget that a headtorch makes a tent glow like a beacon and might draw the wrong sort of attention, particularly at weekends.

For the full on wilderness experience take a look at the area around Cloon Lough in the western end of the Reeks, "far out " in every sense!

Chris O Donoghue

Chris O Donoghue wrote: »

For the full on wilderness experience take a look at the area around Cloon Lough in the western end of the Reeks, "far out " in every sense!

The Reeks?

I think the Dunkerrons want their lake back!

But you are right, it's a stunning area. Haven't camped there, but great place to walk.

Have seen a few camp beside the mountain rescue hut at the end of the Hag's Glen, which is pretty well hidden.

Chris O Donoghue

Good point, but anytime I mention the Dunkerrons people think I'm talking about Australia

The area around the hut is good, plenty of water, the odd bit of company but no chance of drawing attention from messers as it's too far in the glen.

The walk in is fairly OK too if you're carrying a lot of camping gear, its flat until the move away from the river and then a short steep bit and you're home.

Fuinseog

BangOnTarget wrote: »

Hi,

This might seem a little naive but I genuinely don’t know the answers to the following questions. I used to be a scout many moons ago and loved camping out in the wilds,
getting water from streams, cooking on a campfire, building a bivouac, hiking, fishing etc etc, I now have a 10 year old son who wants to go camping with me and I don’t know what options are open to us? I would prefer to go “wild camping” as opposed to an “organised campsite” ie commercial camping. (It goes without saying that no rubbish would be left and everything would be left the way it was found ie respect to the countryside.

Q1 If it is possible/legal to camp “wild” in Ireland and if so what are the considerations? Is land permission needed on state land etc?

Q2 Can you have a campfire?

Q3 Is there anything I am overlooking?


Kind regards

personal safety could be an issue, especially with areas close to Dublin.

TentCrasher

I wouldnt be going camping in the coillte parks just beyond Ratfarnam or Tallaght unless your with a large group.

Fuinseog

TentCrasher wrote: »

I wouldnt be going camping in the coillte parks just beyond Ratfarnam or Tallaght unless your with a large group.

its safer if you are at least 500m from a road. Scobes do not stray far from roads.

TentCrasher

Fuinseog wrote: »

its safer if you are at least 500m from a road. Scobes do not stray far from roads.

Yea but your car be in danger then. Tbh i just would not chance it, two many young lads out there now that go out purposely looking for trouble.

Donny5

TentCrasher wrote: »

Yea but your car be in danger then. Tbh i just would not chance it, two many young lads out there now that go out purposely looking for trouble.

To be honest, unless you park in a pub carpark or something, your car won't be safe. There's scumbags and joyriders all over Wicklow and the Dublin Mountains.

Fuinseog

Donny5 wrote: »

To be honest, unless you park in a pub carpark or something, your car won't be safe. There's scumbags and joyriders all over Wicklow and the Dublin Mountains.

or near a farmhouse

TentCrasher

Fuinseog wrote: »

or near a farmhouse

Be handy enough to get permission for the likes of that?

justshane

Hi,

Could anyone recommend a good spot/area to go wild camping in or around Sligo/South Donegal, any help and suggestions appreciated in advance.

daz801

Anyone have any suggestions for places in kildare or meath
Is camping aloud in donadea, its a coillte forest, but i didnt think camping was allowed

TentCrasher

Camp site in Athy 6 euro pp.

waterboy15

justshane wrote: »

Hi,

Could anyone recommend a good spot/area to go wild camping in or around Sligo/South Donegal, any help and suggestions appreciated in advance.

The glen on glen road knocknarea sligo, great shelter from wind but u will get rain drops from trees, u can park at layby.

waterboy15

Oh and i believe there is some common ground at mullaghmore sligo but ask locally

BigBobE

daz801 wrote: »

Anyone have any suggestions for places in kildare or meath
Is camping aloud in donadea, its a coillte forest, but i didnt think camping was allowed

any one any idea i would interested in this myself??? am based in lucan so anywhere within an hour 90mins would be a perfect location, one secluded but where i can preferabley bring the 4x4....

just easier for lugging gear :P and shelter in the damp

HellFireClub

TentCrasher wrote: »

I wouldnt be going camping in the coillte parks just beyond Ratfarnam or Tallaght unless your with a large group.

I've been up there for years wandering around and have never really seen any trouble, I wouldn't leave a car up there overnight but the scrotes hardly ever go off the road much if they are knacker drinking...

Needler

Is wild camping being oppressed? Should I go out and camp while it's still allowed without requiring different permits, a H&S course and GPS tracking tag?

K_TRICKS

3 of us are going to bring 6 Dutchies camping in Galway/Conemara in August, any good wild camping spots would be appreciated.
We are going Monday to Friday morning so won't be worried about scumbags etc.
We will be leaving no trace of ourselves when we leave so we won't ruining your spot

Needler

K_TRICKS wrote: »

3 of us are going to bring 6 Dutchies camping in Galway/Conemara in August, any good wild camping spots would be appreciated.
We are going Monday to Friday morning so won't be worried about scumbags etc.
We will be leaving no trace of ourselves when we leave so we won't ruining your spot

You should try going to the aran Islands. a decent wild camping spot just by the airport on Inis Meain

waterboy15

waterboy15 wrote: »

justshane wrote: »

Hi,

Could anyone recommend a good spot/area to go wild camping in or around Sligo/South Donegal, any help and suggestions appreciated in advance.

The glen on glen road knocknarea sligo, great shelter from wind but u will get rain drops from trees, u can park at layby.

Seen a load of tents and camper at layby in lissedel last night, nice and quiet there.

neris

This might sound stupid but who polices wild camping? If you were to hiking in wicklow that set up a tent in the evening whos going to know your there?

Donny5

neris wrote: »

This might sound stupid but who polices wild camping? If you were to hiking in wicklow that set up a tent in the evening whos going to know your there?

In Glendalough, the rangers will move you on, but elsewhere you can do just that. Lots of forests in Wicklow are in private ownership, and some people will move you on. Out of sight, out of mind, though.

TheBardWest

I'm hoping to take a short (overnight) camping trip Saturday and Sunday in the Wicklow Mountains. Just a solo trip. I live in Wicklow Town - can anyone recommend a good place where I could drive, park overnight, and hike in and camp overnight?

sketchpad

This thread is a little old now but I was thinking of wild camping in Kilarney National Park.
I have scoured website and it doesnt even mention camping.
Am I to assume this means its ok?

sheesh

sketchpad wrote: »

This thread is a little old now but I was thinking of wild camping in Kilarney National Park.
I have scoured website and it doesnt even mention camping.
Am I to assume this means its ok?

emm...no you are not allowed to camp in the national par afaik

sketchpad

sketchpad wrote: »

This thread is a little old now but I was thinking of wild camping in Kilarney National Park.
I have scoured website and it doesnt even mention camping.
Am I to assume this means its ok?

Nope, not allowed in the National Park.

dquirke1

sketchpad wrote: »

This thread is a little old now but I was thinking of wild camping in Kilarney National Park.
I have scoured website and it doesnt even mention camping.
Am I to assume this means its ok?

As others have said, No camping in the park. The rangers WILL move you on
Plenty of other nice spots around the reeks, Gap of dunloe or Black valley though...

sketchpad

dquirke1 wrote: »

As others have said, No camping in the park. The rangers WILL move you on
Plenty of other nice spots around the reeks, Gap of dunloe or Black valley though...

Those pesky rangers The reeks it is so. Thanks for the heads up.

Mickeroo

Is this just a kilarney thing? Asking as I've never heard of it being prohibited in any of the other parks.

Alun

Mickeroo wrote: »

Is this just a kilarney thing? Asking as I've never heard of it being prohibited in any of the other parks.

Don't know. Wicklow permits wild camping outside of Glendalough itself, but then only without lighting fires ...

http://www.wicklowmountainsnationalpark.ie/WildCamping.html

Mickeroo

a quick google tells me it's allowed in Ballycroy NP too (where I've camped quite a few times without trouble). You need a permit if it's a group above 10 people or you intend to have a fire etc:http://www.ballycroynationalpark.ie/documents/CampingCodeBallycroyNationalPark2011.pdf

sketchpad

I emailed the people at National Parks, here's their response;



Thank you for your query in relation to camping in National Parks. Given the unique make up of each of our National Parks, each Park will have its own rules on whether camping is permitted. There are some instances when camping is allowed and you can contact each Park where local staff will be in a position to advise you. Contact details are on www.npws.ie

Regards

Anthony McCarthy
Parks and Reserves Unit
National Parks and Wildlife Service
Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
7 Ely Place
Dublin 2

ladygem

What about camping at the beach? Is it safe and legal?

Pat Mustard

Thread now moved to the Wild Camping forum.

SNAKEDOC

In regards to beach camping it isnt illegal but its all about location location location. Ive heard brittas bay is a good spot amongst the dunns but the weather needs to be good for any beach camping the sand can get everywhere. Shelter from the water too never camp on the beach proper incase of a large swell during the night, wake up in the sea. Common sense should prevail as in most things, just find a nice sheltered level spot and pitch up. Just dont leave sign that you were ever there as with all wild camping.

lennyantonelli

Ballycroy National Park, being very remote, have a relatively open policy on wild camping. Details here (PDF): http://www.ballycroynationalpark.ie/documents/CampingCodeBallycroyNationalPark2011.pdf

I can understand at the came time why Killarney, with the number of visitors it gets, can't be as open.

Coillte seem to be opening up more with the Wild Nephin project actively encourage multi-day trips (I did one myself there in August) http://www.coillte.ie/aboutcoillte/news/article/view/irelands-first-wilderness-project-launched/ ...that said most individual Coillte sites still seem to have no camping signs up.

I was also told by Waterways Ireland that responsible leave-no-trace wild camping is allowed on their towpaths. I get the impression the organisation is actively trying to promote new types of recreation (canoeing etc).

sheesh

anyone seen this before?

http://www.coillteoutdoors.ie/index.php seems quiet good