Wild camping in Cavan- Anybody know this spot or suggestions

Moomat

We're looking for somewhere to stay that has good access to a lake, preferably very shallow and a little away from the road so our little wandering toddler will be safe. I believe Cavan CoCo passed a motion to allow overnight stays in their carparks but have found very little info.

This spot looks ideal (from streetview), anyone know it?
https://www.google.ie/maps/@53.8570248,-7.5633287,3a,75y,202.97h,60.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1srhg_MS7NTAgPrpY0EnH19w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Nekarsulm

Where is that? I don't recognise it. Looks lovely.
It's hard to recommend a shallow spot thats definately safe. Lots of lakes have muddy bottoms even if they have sand/shingle at the very edge. Sudden shelves and deep holes are common.
Some nice lakeside amenities have goal posts up, preventing all but cars and jeeps entering, to prevent travellers setting up semi permanent residence.
I'll have a look at a spot or two tomorrow near Cavan town. In at Lough Oughter there is a nice place. ( between Radisson hotel and Killykeen forest park.

Also Google "Cavan Canoe centre", at Carrathraw, might suit.

Moomat

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Where is that? I don't recognise it. Looks lovely.
It's hard to recommend a shallow spot thats definately safe. Lots of lakes have muddy bottoms even if they have sand/shingle at the very edge. Sudden shelves and deep holes are common.
Some nice lakeside amenities have goal posts up, preventing all but cars and jeeps entering, to prevent travellers setting up semi permanent residence.
I'll have a look at a spot or two tomorrow near Cavan town. In at Lough Oughter there is a nice place. ( between Radisson hotel and Killykeen forest park.

Also Google "Cavan Canoe centre", at Carrathraw, might suit.

https://www.google.ie/maps/place/53%C2%B051'25.4%22N+7%C2%B033'48.6%22W/@53.8570531,-7.5656887,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x0:0x0!8m2!3d53.85705!4d-7.5635

It's near the Longford border. I was just having a nosey around with google earth and came across it. It doesn't appear to have the height barrier, just those bars on the ground at the gate to catch small children trying to escape!

Canoe Centre looks great, lovely location. We have a kayak that I want to get my young lad into, we probably won't venture more than a few metres from the shore but it would be nice to find something with a gentle slope.

Any suggestions would be great, thank you. We're considering Lough Ramor camping if all else fails. Any experience of this place?

Nekarsulm

Not of Lough Ramor. I'm down near Cavan town. If you have a Sat. Nav. put in these co-ordinates .N54 01.012
W007 27.499

Drove there this morning and it's suitable. Two miles from the Radisson on the shores of Lough Oughter, but you could be in the wilds of Appalachia. ( in a good way!)

I imagine the canoe centre guy would have no problem with you parking near his gates, wide area outside his gates, very quiet road/location.

Moomat

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Not of Lough Ramor. I'm down near Cavan town. If you have a Sat. Nav. put in these co-ordinates .N54 01.012
W007 27.499

Had a look on streetview, what a lovely spot, thanks! Would it be safe enough for swimming there too?

Nekarsulm

Nowhere is really safe unless you are a strong swimmer, depth can very suddenly, and water level is higher than normal summer level with all this rain.
Not really "wild" but in Belturbet there is a carpark at the bridge end of town, and a mile walkway round the "Turbot" island. Its the site of a medieval Motte and Bailey castle, and sections of the river are very shallow.

Moomat

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Nowhere is really safe unless you are a strong swimmer, depth can very suddenly, and water level is higher than normal summer level with all this rain.

I'd be an ok swimmer out of my depth but I'd be more concerned about local issues. For example, I think the lakes in Killarney have an issue with some type of algae that makes it unsafe to swim when it rears it's head.
Nothing better than a nice morning swim when you get out of the van!

Nekarsulm

Angry swans or a monster pike your only worries!

Moomat

Nekarsulm wrote: »

Angry swans or a monster pike your only worries!

Doesn't sound too bad versus my van at 6am in the morning with a toddler running riot, a pregnant wife and a loud german shepherd! I'll take my chances and get in for a dip!

Nekarsulm

OK, try these. N54 01.088
W007 31.55^ Town lake. Goal posts in place, but not used this year yet.

N54 01.231
W007 29.964 place called Eonish.

Best of the lot. N54 01.054
W007 27.609

Dermo

Moomat wrote: »

Any suggestions would be great, thank you. We're considering Lough Ramor camping if all else fails. Any experience of this place?

I have gone to Lough Ramor on a number of occasions, planning on going back in August. It is right beside the lake, has row & motor boats available for day rental and the owner has loads of firewood. Great place, in my opinion.

Moomat

Nekarsulm wrote: »

OK, try these. N54 01.088
W007 31.55^ Town lake. Goal posts in place, but not used this year yet.

N54 01.231
W007 29.964 place called Eonish.

Best of the lot. N54 01.054
W007 27.609

Some absolute gems there, thank you. The Eonish coordinates are giving me the middle of the lake but I had a look around and looks great.

Thanks for all your input, just need to convince the wife now that we need to head up the northern end of Cavan.

Moomat

Dermo wrote: »

I have gone to Lough Ramor on a number of occasions, planning on going back in August. It is right beside the lake, has row & motor boats available for day rental and the owner has loads of firewood. Great place, in my opinion.

Thanks, we might give it a try on Friday before we head further up.

_Brian

Nekarsulm wrote: »

OK, try these. N54 01.088
W007 31.55^ Town lake. Goal posts in place, but not used this year yet.

N54 01.231
W007 29.964 place called Eonish.

Best of the lot. N54 01.054
W007 27.609

Great suggestions there.
I know the first one well, often see camper vans overnight there.
Quiet, public toilets, only a few minutes walk to the town on footpath, also a nice looped forest walk starts from lower end of the car park.

Moomat

We ended up only making it as far as Lough Ramor campsite. While reasonable value at 15e/night, it was a little noisy at night. Different strokes etc but with a toddler who gets up with the sun we need to be asleep by about 10pm. Will definitely check out some of these when we have a little more time.

Nekarsulm

https://m.facebook.com/rowcampsitecavan/

This place has started up, it's not wild camping obviously, but it's certainly remote and peaceful.
Not connected with them in any way.

Also if you are visiting Killykeen Forest Park, you can rent kayaks and canoes and bikes at weekends and bank holidays. Sadly, you cannot camp there.

Moomat

Looks fantastic, thanks for sharing!