Looking for a clay pigeon shooting club and instruction...

DublinWriter

A few years ago I decided to get into clay pigeon shooting. I joined a local club, nice guys, but I think they were more geared towards experienced shooters and didn't really have any classes etc. It felt a bit cliquey.

To be honest, as a first time shooter, I'm quite nervous and just feel that I need a little mentoring and training before hitting the trap solo.

Could anyone recommend any clubs in the North Dublin/Louth/East Meath region that would be more accommodating to a first time shooter?

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058402218/looking-for-a-clay-pigeon-shooting-club-and-instruction

You are well served there, you have 2 I'd be familiar with, Fingal Sporting club:
https://g.co/kgs/7uw3xv3

Worth giving them a buzz and asking about training, explain where you are at with bring new etc and see can they set you up with some instruction. John Kavanagh up there is a gent and will either be able to sort you out or know who can help.

2nd option would be Courtlough:
https://courtlough.ie/shooting-grounds/

Heard good things about them, and they are well established so would be able to accommodate a request for instruction.

One thing I will say about shooting in Ireland, for a lot it is not just shooting but a social venue, like golfists and golf clubs, a large part for some of the members would be the social aspect, and others would be heavily into actually playing golf.
If you only want to do some shooting that is perfectly acceptable, but some clubs may cater more to that than the social aspect, it is all about finding a nice balance that suits you.

J.R.

https://www.visitdublin.com/balheary-shooting

………….

BattleCorp

While not in the North Dublin direction, Harbour House is just outside Athy, Co. Kildare. Not a million miles from Dublin.

Gorgeousgeorge

Mill hill would be my no 1 choice

Could try balivor.

Harbour house either.

garrettod

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123258726#Comment_123258726

Sorry J.R., but personally, I wouldn't have thought that was suitable.

Any time that I've been there, it's busy, there's people queuing up behind you, either making you feel like you're under pressure to move on, or distracting you with idle chit chat.

Maybe I've just had a few bad experiences there over the years, but that's been my experience.

DublinWriter

Just looked at the fees for Cortlough…initial cost for a Clay/Rifle membership is €425.00, with renewals set at €325.00 each January thereafter.

Compared to my original club, that's a lot of change! Surely that can't be the norm?

LambshankRedemption

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123259730#Comment_123259730

Have you been to Courtlough?

425 for a yearly membership is not the norm but considering it goes to the facilities which are substantial, it's a fair price.

Compared to my original club

Your original club, the one you weren't happy with?

You don't have to get membership straight away. Go and try it first and see how you feel about it. It's definitely not clique-y

My two cents.

otmmyboy2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123259730#Comment_123259730

Bear in mind courtlough are also a licenced range, not just a clay ground.

And ranges here initial cost is usually about 600 and 300-350 renewals thereafter, so that is likely why, it is not solely a clay ground.

But that has benefits for the cost, good facilities as Lambshank mentioned, and if you ever decide to get into rifle/Pistol shooting you already have a range membership as part of the good reason to licence them for target shooting.

DublinWriter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123261014#Comment_123261014

To be honest, my original club had pistol and rifle ranges.

I'm just looking for somewhere that's a bit more 'beginner' friendly and that can offer training and mentoring.

delboythedub

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058402218/looking-for-a-clay-pigeon-shooting-club-and-instruction

Courtlough have a great setup and well worth a visit

DublinWriter

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123266240#Comment_123266240

Will definitely check them out, will probably wait until June when the joining fee is pro-rata for the remaining year.