Merlin Park Woods

Mervyn Skidmore · 25-04-2020 8:43pm #1

Took a walk in Merlin Park Woods today as it's within my 2km limit. What a shame this place is. It's like a landfill disguised as a park/woods. Seriously ome of the dirtiest littered places I've been to.

gordongekko · 25-04-2020 9:02pm

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

Took a walk in Merlin Park Woods today as it's within my 2km limit. What a shame this place is. It's like a landfill disguised as a park/woods. Seriously ome of the dirtiest littered places I've been to.

Where exactly is all this rubbish you mention?

biko · 25-04-2020 9:04pm

I walked there not long ago and didn't see any rubbish.

Mervyn Skidmore · 25-04-2020 9:05pm

biko wrote: »

I walked there not long ago and didn't see any rubbish.

Seriously? It's absolutely disgusting.

Mervyn Skidmore · 25-04-2020 9:10pm

gordongekko wrote: »

Where exactly is all this rubbish you mention?

Everywhere around all the trails. Around the castle. Saw at least 3 fire sites littered with beer cand and food wrappers. It's extremely dirty. It should be a brilliant amenity.

Damiencm · 25-04-2020 9:11pm

Mervyn Skidmore wrote:

Took a walk in Merlin Park Woods today as it's within my 2km limit. What a shame this place is. It's like a landfill disguised as a park/woods. Seriously ome of the dirtiest littered places I've been to.

Im there several times a week, didn't see a scrap of litter two days ago. Its possible that the good weather brought a few teens together and you came across the leftovers.

No idea where you are going with the thread though, landfill remark is just bizarre..

Damiencm · 25-04-2020 9:15pm

Mervyn Skidmore wrote:

Everywhere around all the trails. Around the castle. Saw at least 3 fire sites littered with beer cand and food wrappers. It's extremely dirty. It should be a brilliant amenity.

The 'castle' end of the woods does unfortunately see some littering.. some people just dont care ( you can guess who). I normally see very very litter on the various trails

Mervyn Skidmore · 25-04-2020 9:19pm

Damiencm wrote: »

No idea where you are going with the thread though, landfill remark is just bizarre..

It shocked me how bad it is, you couldn't look around you without seeing rubbish. It should be a great place for walks and cycles and a small bit of nature in the city. The council need to get tough on litterers. The whole area around doughiska seems to be getting dirtier and dirtier.

inisboffin · 25-04-2020 9:34pm

I know there are a group of volunteers that are always doing clean up in this area. The woods has a very active community group. I thought I saw that the woods was closed to the public? Maybe the community volunteers have been adhering to this and haven't been in? Maybe someone on here knows?

Mervyn Skidmore · 25-04-2020 9:38pm

inisboffin wrote: »

I know there are a group of volunteers that are always doing clean up in this area. The woods has a very active community group. I thought I saw that the woods was closed to the public? Maybe the community volunteers have been adhering to this and haven't been in? Maybe someone on here knows?

Fair play to them. I'd be interested in joining as i can see myself going for walks there more often if it can be cleaned up. Any idea who to getvin touch with?

Damiencm · 25-04-2020 9:42pm

Mervyn Skidmore wrote:

Fair play to them. I'd be interested in joining as i can see myself going for walks there more often if it can be cleaned up. Any idea who to getvin touch with?

Search 'friends of merlin woods' on facebook

Mrs OBumble · 25-04-2020 9:42pm

A recent post from Friends of Merlin Woods - ref: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsofMerlinWoods/permalink/1638789569603486/

says among other things:

The woods are closed at the moment. There is no one staffing the woods so litter won't be picked up. We don't have full time staff working here from the council . At present there is one person available for all of the woods across the city for all the problems.

City council parks are closed all over the city. They don't have the resources to physically seal 'em all off. But they are still closed. Stay out of them. If you aren't making an essential journey, or taking brief exercise (not just a stroll), then stay home. It's simple. It's effective.

inisboffin · 25-04-2020 10:13pm

I've no problem with people taking safe strolls etc, but in the case of the woods the volunteer group can't do their usual rounds as a community group. I haven't been over in a while but they do an excellent job, and I am sure would love more help when the woods open.

Mervyn Skidmore · 25-04-2020 10:20pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

A recent post from Friends of Merlin Woods - ref: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FriendsofMerlinWoods/permalink/1638789569603486/

says among other things:

City council parks are closed all over the city. They don't have the resources to physically seal 'em all off. But they are still closed. Stay out of them. If you aren't making an essential journey, or taking brief exercise (not just a stroll), then stay home. It's simple. It's effective.

For sure. I see that the pitches and playgrounds have signs up but I didn't see any signs where I entered. I live very close by and was getting my daily walk in.

Mervyn Skidmore · 25-04-2020 10:22pm

inisboffin wrote: »

I've no problem with people taking safe strolls etc, but in the case of the woods the volunteer group can't do their usual rounds as a community group. I haven't been over in a while but they do an excellent job, and I am sure would love more help when the woods open.

Thanks for the info. Not really on facebook but will check it out. As I'll be working from home I'll get the chance to go for walks locally due to less commuting time. It has the potential to be a fantastic area.

gordongekko · 25-04-2020 10:23pm

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

For sure. I see that the pitches and playgrounds have signs up but I didn't see any signs where I entered. I live very close by and was getting my daily walk in.

It's no worse than normal. There was a bit extra rubbish last weekend but that was because it hadn't been collected. I'd say the same thing has happened again this weekend. But you op is way too dramatised. It's no worse than any other wooded area in the city

ratracer · 25-04-2020 10:23pm

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

It shocked me how bad it is, you couldn't look around you without seeing rubbish. It should be a great place for walks and cycles and a small bit of nature in the city. The council need to get tough on litterers. The whole area around doughiska seems to be getting dirtier and dirtier.

The council, or indeed AGS, are never gonna get tough on the fly tippers in this area, sure it’s their culture boss!
Also a lot of bush drinking at bonfires in that area, and they don’t tend to take their empty cans or bottles with them.

Alas this is very unfortunate, as it is a beautiful amenity and the volunteer groups do an amazing job trying to maintain it, and I would imagine, take great pride in their work.

Mervyn Skidmore · 25-04-2020 10:45pm

gordongekko wrote: »

It's no worse than normal. There was a bit extra rubbish last weekend but that was because it hadn't been collected. I'd say the same thing has happened again this weekend. But you op is way too dramatised. It's no worse than any other wooded area in the city

It's definitely worse than any other wooded area I've been in recently. It's not a slight on the area or groups working to clean the area. They are doing good. It's the dirty feckers that can't take their rubbish home with them.

inisboffin · 25-04-2020 10:58pm

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

It's definitely worse than any other wooded area I've been in recently. It's not a slight on the area or groups working to clean the area. They are doing good. It's the dirty feckers that can't take their rubbish home with them.

The woods are closed right now.

Mrs OBumble · 26-04-2020 12:07am

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

It's definitely worse than any other wooded area I've been in recently. It's not a slight on the area or groups working to clean the area. They are doing good. It's the dirty feckers that can't take their rubbish home with them.

You're not allowed to have been in any other wooded areas, apart from Aunteen and Uncleen Woods, lately. Am thinking you don't have a great basis for comparison.

Mervyn Skidmore · 26-04-2020 12:17am

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

You're not allowed to have been in any other wooded areas, apart from Aunteen and Uncleen Woods, lately. Am thinking you don't have a great basis for comparison.

Recently extends beyond covid 19 and I'm entitled to compare what I've experienced. It was extremely dirty today. I'm not sure what the motivation is to deny it. It was bad but let's try to make it better.

inisboffin · 26-04-2020 1:52am

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

Recently extends beyond covid 19 and I'm entitled to compare what I've experienced. It was extremely dirty today. I'm not sure what the motivation is to deny it. It was bad but let's try to make it better.

Deffo make it better but I think what people are trying to say is the woods are closed, they are a lovely amenity and you did come in quite strong with critique.
The positive is you will be one of the people going for walks and picking up rubbish with the gang once they open. They are a lovely bunch.

Stevolende · 26-04-2020 11:23am

I thought litter picks in the woods had been suspended because i thought the Woods were supposed to be officially shut.
I haven't been in to check cos i thought that.
Was announced to9 be a couple of weeks ago though partially because it suddenly had a lot of people going down there when the weather got good around the turn of the month

Stevolende · 26-04-2020 11:29am

inisboffin wrote: »

I've no problem with people taking safe strolls etc, but in the case of the woods the volunteer group can't do their usual rounds as a community group. I haven't been over in a while but they do an excellent job, and I am sure would love more help when the woods open.

There's also a community garden dopwn there on the Doughiska side next to the Council compound that may need som ehelp once tehy allow people back in there.

The one major drag at the moment is that I think the location of the allotments, elsewhere inside the Merlin Woods area means that people who could be looking after their own food production can't do that. Would hope that could be revised. & hope that nothing is being damaged in the interim.

Bredabe · 26-04-2020 11:39am

Coming off the doughiska rd, how do I get to Merlin Woods?

Stevolende · 26-04-2020 12:06pm

I thought the point was you don't cos it's closed.
If it was open there is an entrance behind the adventure playground o the Merlin Woods fields between Fiaran Ri and the other side of the park.
There is also an entrance at the end of the road at the top of teh hill towards teh Dublin rd, th eone that runs into the back of Merlin park Hospital.
BUt I thought the Woods were officiiallly closed.

Bredabe · 26-04-2020 12:17pm

Stevolende wrote: »

I thought the point was you don't cos it's closed.
If it was open there is an entrance behind the adventure playground o the Merlin Woods fields between Fiaran Ri and the other side of the park.
There is also an entrance at the end of the road at the top of teh hill towards teh Dublin rd, th eone that runs into the back of Merlin park Hospital.
BUt I thought the Woods were officiiallly closed.

Ty,
I have a child who wants to have their bday party in/around the castle at the halloween bank hol.

I dont know the area and the maps didnt make sense.

biko · 26-04-2020 12:17pm

They are officially closed. There are signs at the major entrances.
But there are smaller local entrances that probably don't have signs.

Stevolende · 26-04-2020 12:33pm

The Castle is on the far side of the Woods from Doughiska, even if the estate closest to the Woods is called Caislean Thorlaigh on the Doughiska side. I think the name comes straight from the historic landmark.
It's actually within about 100 m of the entrance on the Mervue/Ballybane side. Not sure how safe it is to park that side cos I've never had to

biko · 26-04-2020 1:16pm

Merlin Woods are closed.
No-one should go there to have birthday parties or look for rubbish.

I understand people may want to venture in anyway, but this forum will not facilitate that.

biko · 16-05-2020 12:55pm

https://www.galwaycity.ie/uploads/downloads/news_items/Your_Council/GCC%20Roadmap%20for%20Reopening%20May%202020%20(2).pdf
Merlin Woods open 18th May, thus thread is opened.

Sheridan81 · 16-05-2020 6:38pm

Perhaps I should post this on the bizarre things to happen thread, but does anyone know anything about ghosts in Merlin Woods?

In February I was walking in Merlin Woods around twilight and walked past a young female who was walking the other way. She looked unhappy and yet a bit glamourous at the same time. I'd guess she must have been in her twenties. I still remember her face because I looked into her eyes and nodded acknowledgement. She looked right through me. I wasn't in a bad mood or anything, it was just a normal day, but as soon as she passed I was overcome by a feeling of sadness. I continued to walk on for ten steps or so, then feeling like it was so weird and starting to worry about her, I turned and looked back and...she was gone.

There were no corners nearby, it was a fairly long straight path as I recall. I looked around for her but she was nowhere to be seen. I have no idea where she got to! I googled 'ghosts in Merlin Woods' and came up with not much, except a girl called Mary McManus who fell out of a window a long time ago...:pac:

16-05-2020 6:50pm

Sheridan81 wrote: »

Perhaps I should post this on the bizarre things to happen thread, but does anyone know anything about ghosts in Merlin Woods?

In February I was walking in Merlin Woods around twilight and walked past a young female who was walking the other way. She looked unhappy and yet a bit glamourous at the same time. I'd guess she must have been in her twenties. I still remember her face because I looked into her eyes and nodded acknowledgement. She looked right through me. I wasn't in a bad mood or anything, it was just a normal day, but as soon as she passed I was overcome by a feeling of sadness. I continued to walk on for ten steps or so, then feeling like it was so weird and starting to worry about her, I turned and looked back and...she was gone.

There were no corners nearby, it was a fairly long straight path as I recall. I looked around for her but she was nowhere to be seen. I have no idea where she got to! I googled 'ghosts in Merlin Woods' and came up with not much, except a girl called Mary McManus who fell out of a window a long time ago...:pac:

Were you near the 5G tower, it's a fecker for attracting ghosts and spreading chemtrails

inisboffin · 16-05-2020 6:54pm

Sheridan81 wrote: »

Perhaps I should post this on the bizarre things to happen thread, but does anyone know anything about ghosts in Merlin Woods?

In February I was walking in Merlin Woods around twilight and walked past a young female who was walking the other way. She looked unhappy and yet a bit glamourous at the same time. I'd guess she must have been in her twenties. I still remember her face because I looked into her eyes and nodded acknowledgement. She looked right through me. I wasn't in a bad mood or anything, it was just a normal day, but as soon as she passed I was overcome by a feeling of sadness. I continued to walk on for ten steps or so, then feeling like it was so weird and starting to worry about her, I turned and looked back and...she was gone.

There were no corners nearby, it was a fairly long straight path as I recall. I looked around for her but she was nowhere to be seen. I have no idea where she got to! I googled 'ghosts in Merlin Woods' and came up with not much, except a girl called Mary McManus who fell out of a window a long time ago...:pac:

Mary was supposedly a maid who worked for the Blakes, so unlikely she would have been glammed up. But maybe there's a Mac counter in the great beyond and she tried to cheer herself up? Sad story is likely whoever she was if she's still wandering the woods...

pinktoe · 16-05-2020 7:04pm

Sheridan81 wrote: »

Perhaps I should post this on the bizarre things to happen thread, but does anyone know anything about ghosts in Merlin Woods?

In February I was walking in Merlin Woods around twilight and walked past a young female who was walking the other way. She looked unhappy and yet a bit glamourous at the same time. I'd guess she must have been in her twenties. I still remember her face because I looked into her eyes and nodded acknowledgement. She looked right through me. I wasn't in a bad mood or anything, it was just a normal day, but as soon as she passed I was overcome by a feeling of sadness. I continued to walk on for ten steps or so, then feeling like it was so weird and starting to worry about her, I turned and looked back and...she was gone.

There were no corners nearby, it was a fairly long straight path as I recall. I looked around for her but she was nowhere to be seen. I have no idea where she got to! I googled 'ghosts in Merlin Woods' and came up with not much, except a girl called Mary McManus who fell out of a window a long time ago...:pac:

There was a woman's body found there a few years ago.

LadyMayBelle · 16-05-2020 11:16pm

pinktoe wrote: »

There was a woman's body found there a few years ago.

Sadly it's been a place where a few people have taken their own life, two I knew of about 20years ago. Was there last week, hadn't been there in years but it always spooked me a bit.

Litter wise..a lot of broken glass and cans in clearings near the castle, had my wee one with me walking thru trails and had to carry him for a bit as it wasnt safe.

WM18 · 19-05-2020 2:34pm

Having grown up in the area and been to the top of that "castle" many times...

Just letting people know its a tower house not a castle....just sayin....

Mervyn Skidmore · 16-06-2020 10:53am

Just a heads up for anyone who walks in here. Last night I was walking passed the castle/tower house at about 9.30pm. There was a group of 4 drinking there and they started throwing large stones and rocks at me and roaring at me. Luckily none hit but they would have done serious damage if they had.

Storm 10 · 16-06-2020 11:15am

Mervyn Skidmore wrote: »

Just a heads up for anyone who walks in here. Last night I was walking passed the castle/tower house at about 9.30pm. There was a group of 4 drinking there and they started throwing large stones and rocks at me and roaring at me. Luckily none hit but they would have done serious damage if they had.

I sincerely hope you reported that incident if one hit you and done serious damage to you it could be attempted murder. there was no reason for them to throw stones at you.

Whereisgalway · 17-06-2020 9:56am

At least the group weren’t riding each other which ive “seen” a few times

17-06-2020 10:30am

Whereisgalway wrote: »

At least the group weren’t riding each other which ive “seen” a few times

I’d far prefer to come across a few people riding than have rocks thrown at me big enough to cause serious injury but each to their own I suppose.

flazio · 17-06-2020 10:55am

And they say romance is dead.

Merlin Park Woods

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