Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

General => Meets, places, trips and reviews => Topic started by: Heggs on April 16, 2018

Title: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on April 16, 2018
So, I'm thinking of a Rams Island trip in May.....who's fancies it? Let me know below and a give me a few suggestions for a date (avoid the 5th/6th plz)
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Glenn B on April 16, 2018
I may be up for this, I'll wait and see the date and let you know for definite closer to it.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Rugged Track on April 16, 2018
I would be interested as I miss the other ones and would like to go.....again it depends on the date! 
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on April 16, 2018
No worries guys, stick a date up that suits and we'll go with the majority yeah?
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on April 16, 2018
Haha, finally found a reason to add a poll - cast your votes now!! (hopefully it works lol)
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Glenn B on April 16, 2018
Ha ha  :) at the minute no date suits me so I'm just gonna go with the flow and hopefully I can make it.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: RedLeader on April 16, 2018
I'd be interested as long as it's not one of the May bank hols. I'll check tonight what suits.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on April 17, 2018
Good stuff
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: RedLeader on April 19, 2018
12&13th for me. Is anyone bringing kids, if so I'm a +1
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on April 19, 2018
No worries. If kids are going, I could have 4 with me lol
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Margaret on April 24, 2018
Hi, I am new here and can't figure out how to start a new post, so I hope you won't mind if I jump in here.
Probably wouldn't be able to make a May camp out as my son has youngest has cub scout camp and the oldest will have exams,  but I am very interested in this camp. I have two boys, ages 9 and 13, and would have a dog any place I go as well. He would be kept on leash around other animals and people. He likes most dogs, preferably l large ones and loves people but can make a nuisance of himself.

This island sounds brilliant, but I was wondering how it was works. Can people just show up anytime and camp?
I don't mind paying to camp, but prefer more isolated areas, like as many trees as possible and definitely don't want to end up at a party site. Unfortunately though, my mobility is limited. I am determined not to allow it to spoil the children's childhood, but I can not hike in anyplace, need someplace we can pull the car up to, my husband and sons can set up camp and I can stay near the camp fire. This is another reason I prefer isolated areas so I can hobble about, trip and fall, or even crawl into a tent without making a spectacle of myself. I am. Other sure if cars go on the ferry to this island or if you need to pack everything in.

Even if this doesn't suit, I would love suggestions for farmers who might rent a patch of fairly private land with car access. Pretty open on location. Would ideally like to be able to light a fire, both my husband and myself are able to build and maintain a fire safely and even the boys would know how.

Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: NIPupper on April 24, 2018
hi, welcome, rams island doesn't have any roads so no cars and unfortunately no dogs are aloud. i'm sure you can just show up and camp. it's not a very big island so you wouldn't have far to walk from the pier.

As for car camping places in the mourne's,

one could be happy valley (meelmore meelbeg valley). the car park is no camping but i've seen people camping by the river only 50 yards from the car park, duke of Edinburgh etc. it tends to be quite busy in summer thou, as do all the mourne car parks.

another place is Carrick Little, near slieve binnian, you can pay to camp at carrick plant hire up the track from carrick little car park, not sure about camp fires, there is also a nice cafe on the lane to, again quite busy especially at weekends.

meelmore lodge has paid camping but can be very busy and noisy at weekends.

i'm sure a farmer would not mind to let you camp but you'd need to ask around.

cheers
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: specimanYak on April 24, 2018
Hi Margaret, welcome to the forum. Here's the contact detals for the Island Warrior boat that runs the trips over to Rams Island to make a booking.

https://goo.gl/Nk1h8n

You can park your car at the Marina which is locked over-night for free and secure parking. The boat can hold about a dozen people (maybe more) and is £10 per adult and £5 per child which you pay on the day. When it arrives at Rams Island, everyone's rucksacks and various kit are loaded onto a quad bike with trailers and it'll be driven up to the camp-site, which is a 5 minute walk away. There's another camp-spot which is even closer! It's an easy camp and really accessible.

Here's a video of a recent trip to give you an idea of what the place looks like: https://goo.gl/uqospg
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: NIPupper on April 24, 2018
great video, really gives a sense of the island, i emailed the ferry man and he said no dogs, so you'll have to get a friend to look after the pouch for your island trip. enjoy!.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on April 25, 2018
Great responses guys  :)
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: RedLeader on April 25, 2018
As NIPupper said, it's no dogs. The island is a bird sanctuary of some sort so they don't allow.
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: specimanYak on April 25, 2018
Depending if it's a trained working dog: guide dog, mobility assistance dog etc it shouldn't be a problem to bring it over to Rams Island. Have a chat with Michael, who runs the boat and explain your situation. He can be accommodating, there's a no camping policy during the bird nesting season from March to June but with a quick chat they'll be a camp planned for May. Hope you get there some time!

You'll find more info here:

http://www.ramsisland.org/F%20A%20Q.htm
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on May 03, 2018
The 12th & 13th it is guys. Can anyone who's going confirm here please so I know numbers
Thanks!

So far:
Red Leader +1
Heggs +3
Torp (possibly)
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: torp on May 04, 2018
Stephen stick me down as a poss please ;)
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on May 05, 2018
Will do mate  :)
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Margaret on May 07, 2018
Thank you so much for the replies.  I think I would be better off with someplace we can drive to. I do miss being able to hike in but it just isn't on the cards anymore. Thinking of round lake near five mile town as it seems to have a fair amount of trees, but finding a farmer would be nice too. The dog is not an official assistance dog. He is basically trained as a family dog, alerts if I am going to be in trouble and would behave on a boat because he knows he hasn't much choice on a leash. He is water mad, you'd think he was a retriever, without a lead I wouldn't trust him not to jump, but I was thinking of a boat as in a ferry which the car would go on. We used to allow him around our parrot but the parrot really got nasty with him and we know if if ever decided to return the favour the parrot would be done for. Parrot has to stay home as he hates travel and has unclipped wings.

Hopefully I will figure out how to add posts here, I have been lurking for some time, reading all your posts and learning from them.

Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on May 08, 2018
No worries Margaret, hopefully you can get a decent spot organised soon!

Just a quick one guys - really need to know definite numbers for this trip. can you let me know as soon as poss please.

Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Glenn B on May 08, 2018
Sorry bud I can't make this one  >:(
Title: Re: I'm thinking of Rams Island in May.....who's in?
Post by: Heggs on May 08, 2018
No worries mate, thanks for getting back to me