Howdy, been lurking here on and off a few months and thought I may as well join. I'm interested in bushcraft but haven't yet practised any.
As regards a site, I can think of at least one by Lough Mask in Galway where I occasionally go camping myself. It's easy enough to find, about an hour from Galway city. Head out from Ballinrobe towards Westport, turn left at Partry, then left again for the Lough Mask scenic drive. Erm, I've just forgotten whether it's before or after Tourmakeady, but it's signposted on the left, just before a right-hand corner, as a picnic spot. Close the gate, drive down a quarter of a mile and you're at a fantastic location right on the lake.
I think it's commonage, there's evidence of several open campfires and sometimes campervans pull in but there's tons of room for everyone, literally a mile or two along the lake front and cars can't get very far. Not much wood tho, and no tapwater, so this is just a suggestion.
I also know some other better places nearby, but you'd have to ask permission from the nearest houses to try and get the key for the gates thru. If you explain you're not out partying and thrashing the place, and clean up behind (standard bushcraft stuff I know) you should be ok. I'm unsure as to whether it's actually private land or not., but I reckon the main reason they lock the gates is to protect their fishing boats.
Hth,
Paddy.
