More Trouble Camping at Castlewellan 4/May/11

[big chris]

Here we go again http://www.u.tv/News/Campsite-attack-sparks-call-for-security-step-up/b1772bcc-1902-4040-b9b9-de6efca18b9b

[VMCC]

If I was a tourist thinking of coming to NI I wouldn't bother!

[admin]

I split this into its own topic as it seemed to warrant it.

[LennyJ1]

FFS 

[Kayakgirl]

I have a youth group planning to camp in Castlewellan in July. Although the youth camp is a bit further away than the normal campsite area, I am reluctant to take them there.

[Oisín]

Its never the seasoned camper that causes the trouble, its always these ones that stay for the weekend with their B&M Bargain tents and their budweiser.

[MG1]

Its a disgrace where do you feel safe to bring young kids.
I'm planning on a lot of campsite camping this summer as i not going abroad, but where?

[Oisín]

We stayed at glenariff during easter and it was quiet. That doesnt mean it cant be noisy, guess it depends who is there when you are.

Seems to be the main official campsites are the worst, tollymore and castlewellan etc. Most places that have a main road running through them.

[MG1]

I would like to try Glenariff. We had a great wild camp a few winters back in that area, but other than that i haven't seen much of it.

[Oisín]

Lovely place. Great for the kids too, remember going there with my old school and looking at the waterfalls etc.

If you ever want to repeat that wild camp im sure there would be lots who would be interested.

[RedLeader]

I know it's not a popular opinion but I think there shouldn't be any security. It's ridiculous that we need "protection" just to spend a night in a forest park and I'm sick of having to be permanently corralled and scrutinised. What should happen is a ranger should log people and cars in and out and if someone causes trouble they should be treated extremely harshly by the police - straight to court for a criminal record and whopping great fine / jail followed by banning from all forest parks.

[Oisín]

Carnfunnock take down your registration and tent colour when you go in. and they have a gate and what not. The tent can be used to identify you then the car registration to track you down and fine you. you are right in saying more places should be like this.

Shame that all the nice places get a bad name just because of the yahoo's that have no consideration.

[MG1]

Very true dude its the only way there going learn.

I think the parks should have all roads in and out locked up before any ranger leaves. If the campsites are a bit of a walk the lazy shites wouldn't walk to it and they can't get there souped up hairdryers in.

[Paul72]

Pity to hear this I thought this had been sorted out after the last discussion.

If you ever want to repeat that wild camp im sure there would be lots who would be interested.

I'd be interested, for me Glenariff is the one forest I'd love to explore and haven't done so yet

[Spud]

Very true dude its the only way there going learn.

I think the parks should have all roads in and out locked up before any ranger leaves. If the campsites are a bit of a walk the lazy shites wouldn't walk to it and they can't get there souped up hairdryers in.

well said, fully agree with this