BushCraft Ireland

bushmeet.
i am organising a bushmeet in Gort, Co.Galway for 18th-20th of july. area is ideally suited to this kind of thing. have landowners support/permission. the main discussion thread for this is over on bushcraftuk.com (great bushcraft site)
for those not really arsed to go find it (as linking to the individual page is not working at the moment) here is a copy/paste of the last post there.

ok, all seems good to go for a meet in Gort from the 18th-20th of july. this date was chosen primerily because the next weekend is galway races, and that is a pain in the **** time to be trying to get into galway area.attending will be myself and my friends, many of whome have no bushcrafty experiance at all, so it will be a friendly introduction to hanging out in the woods.
cost = free, technically. i have not discussed money with Flor or Marian (landowners) and i am naturally not looking for money myself, but bringing gifts (financial or otherwise) for Flor and Marian to help them keep their beautiful woodland and excelent facilities would be appreciated.
insurance = not a chance. we wont leave you to die if you stab yourself though there will be capable first aiders an site.
food = bring your own. bring all sorts of stuff. i am sure food will be traded and exchanged. if anyone has anything interesting. cooking will be over a campfire and / or camp stoves.
equipment = bring what you can. i will bring what ever spare kit i can. tents, foam mats, tarps etc. but the more potentially self sufficiant you can be, the better. if you are short on a bit of kit, PM me and i will see if i can hunt you up something.
activities = its really up to yourself. play with fire, build natural shelters, do a bit of archery (if you have a bow. leftys can borrow mine), make your spoons, try out peoples kit, paddle on the nearby lake (if you have a canoe) play music. any further things you would like to try, just add say and we will see if its feasable.
so far, there are about 6 confirmed to be there. i would really like to make it an even dozen at least, so if you can, come along. hope this suits people.

anyone interested, post up here or send a PM or whatever.
here is a link to my blog. there are pics of the location there.
http://irishlostboy.blogspot.com/

Peaty soil can reignite months later as well.

Slugger2k8 wrote: »

1)What exactly is the use of a bivi bag and do i NEED one if sleeping in a sleeping bag, would i need a tarp?

a bivy bag is a waterproof membrane that covers your sleeping bag. they come in different priceranges, and levels of durability. how vital they are depends on the terrain, weather and other equipment/camp techniques you use.
in winter i only use a bivy bag up the mountains. no tarp. so i can move fast and dont have to worry bout wind. if you are hamocking in summer, have a big tarp and have driplines set up in your hammock (lines to stop water running down the rop into the hammock fabric. a load of laces will do.) you dont vitally need one. but they are cheap. for lightweight i choose this
http://www.alpkit.com/hunka/
for winter i use a french army bivy bag as it is stupidly tough. the dutch, british and american ones are also great. and easy to find on the net.

Slugger2k8 wrote: »

2)What ways (please be very specific with what you will need) are there for sleeping in woodlands in Ireland?

as many as you can think of.
you can use a tent. i dont like them. its bringing indoors to the outdoors i think. might as well stay at home. but some like them.
hammock/tarp combo. most comfortable. a bit more heavy on long trips but great if you are stayin on one area more than just while you sleep.
you can use a sleepingbag/bivybag combo on their own. you will be invisible if done right. i have slept in peoples hedges like this and not been spoted.
you can buy a blue tarpaulin and some string from B&Q or your hardware store and just set up a camp with that. its ugly, but it works. and costs under a tenner.
you can wait for a reasonably warm dry period and just go out and lie down next to a tree. throw some branches over you if need be.
you can build a natural shelter. warning here though. you need to first know the landowner. second, not damage the world around you making it, third had a patch of woodland that is not full of people, and finally dismantle it when you are done and clean up.

Slugger2k8 wrote: »

3)What references/tips have you got for boots, rucksacks, bivi bags etc?

this is very kit specific, and will vary from person to person.
boots. waterproof, comfortable, supporting. anything that fits this bill is good.
packs. comfortable, sturdy, and can carry all the stuff you want to bring.
bivi bags. waterproof.
i could talk all day on specific brand this and that. my kit is good for me. that means nothing to the next guy.

Slugger2k8 wrote: »

4)Fire use. How to burn one, where is safe to burn one, do you need one in the daytime, do you let it burn through out the entire night etc?

fire in ireland is a luxury. we dont need it while camping. until you know what you are doing, leave them alone. tips for fires. clean your area of where you are burning of all combustable material. find out what soil you have. a big rock sheet is best. peaty soil burns. avoid.make your fire only large enough. about a foot cercumfirance. ring it with stones. dont try burn big logs. burn pieces the size of your two thumbs. keep it low. dont burn rubbish in it. the most important use of fire to irish bushcraft is getting rid of the bugs. you only need the smallest fire for that. apart from that, if a billycan fits on it, its good enough. do not leave your fire burning. let it burn down and out before you sleep. when you are leaving remove the fire. dont just cover it. take all the ash out. ensure it is cold.best place to put the ash is the latrine. then totally mask the place you had the fire.

Slugger2k8 wrote: »

5)What permissions etc. do you need when sleeping, hiking or whatever on privrate/public land.

i wont even go there. let someone more knowledgable on the legalities take this. i just do what i do away from the type of people who this would be a concern to, and i dont do anything to attract any negative press from them.

Slugger2k8 wrote: »

How important is a machette in bushcraft? And what would you guys take, knife/mashette/axe, i know you would defo need a knife but what about the other two, would you take them?

only thing you really need is a small opinel knife. a number 8 will be fine. you will get these in most outdoor shops and also any better tobaconists. leave the big blades for when you know what to do with them. when a big blade goes wrong, people lose limbs.

Slugger2k8 wrote: »

I have already seen and studied irishlostboy's blog, very good.

i am glad you like my blog, although it is not intended to be tutorial material. here are some good links to tutorial material.
http://www.ravenlore.co.uk/index.html
http://www.jonsbushcraft.com/index.htm
http://www.bushcraftuk.com/index.php/Forums.html
http://wildwoodsurvival.com/index.html

these should keep you busy.

Hi Crapbag,

Just a quick note to say well done to yourself and irishlostboy ( now we know where he got his username !!!) on organising the weekend. A good time was had by all and it has given me more of an incentive to get out there again and do it. I will get the bowdrill to work eventually or I wont be able to show my face again!!! Thanks loz for the tips.

Hi All,

I can't believe i found this thread and other people in Ireland are actually interested in this kind of thing, I love Bushcraft (Not great at it but still love it)

I often head out into the wild at weekends with my books messing about and trying to get fire going, build shelters etc.

I have searched so hard before for a survival course in Ireland but could not find any so decided i will have to resort to the UK early next year. Is there any survival courses in Ireland???

I would be very interested to hear about your next pursuit or any details you may have, Let me know,

Thanks,

Just so everybody knows Survival.ie has been banned from http://www.boards.ie/ for advertising.

hey stephen. i am sure there will be some stuff happening in the new year. i will be going out over the holidays, but mainly in the northwest unfortunately. i am hoping to do my 3 day winter trip, but unfortunately my health has taken a bad turn. hopefully i can build back up on christmas food!!! lol.
if we have anything on in dublin i am sure we will let you know. look forward to meeting you.

Lads pleasure to meet yis yertderday up in Cavan @ club HQ
Have to say much respect to everyone for pitchin up a tarp in this



but luckily enough we were ready for anything mother nature threw at us, Noah dropped by and knocked up a handy vessel, god bless all who sail in her



Thankfully before we were all torn assunder with the hunger Jim pitched in with his latest purchase I mean accessory which he's had for ages. Of course it was dark by the time we figured out how to turn the feckin thing on!!!



Look forward to getting together at the next meet which may be under a tarp with a laptop and 3g card in phoenix park by all accounts!!

PS I believe the committee may deciding on whether calls/txt's may be made after dark from now on

cheers andrew, flippin wrong coordinates

Evil phil perhaps you could lock this thread or merge it with the other one if ye saw fit! ta