Bluebell season meetup?

nilhg

Hi All, I know that next weeks meetup is still to come, but I'm wondering if there is any interest in a boards photo outing during bluebell season. The exact timing would depend on the weather between now and then but given the early spring so far I think maybe the last weekend in April could be penciled in.

As for location I was thinking of (local to me) Kilanthomas Wood, in Rathangan, Co Kildare. After the bluebells we would have reasonable choice of local places to visit, the grand canal, the bog of allen, the Cathedral and round tower in Kildare town, Japanese Gardens and the National Stud.

Anybody interested?

bovril

yup I'd be interested alright. Got the chance to take some shots of bluebells in the highlands last year. None really turned out that good so would love a chance again. I'm free for most of the latter part of April.

elven

Yes, yes and yes Only had a couple of shots of some bluebells, and wished I'd made it to a proper bluebell forest last year when I saw your shots!

rymus

provisionally.. (depending on date picked) I'm in.

GristlyEnd

Yes from me

kensutz

Hell yeah, as long as it's not near the 14th because that's the date we face the scummers.

trishw78

count me as well pretty bluebell please

RoryW

subject to date selected, count me in

nilhg

Great, it looks like this is a runner, timing really depends on the weather between now and then, but late April would be a good bet.
I'll bump this in a month or so and see if anyone else is interested.

mikeanywhere

RoryW wrote: »

subject to date selected, count me in

Likewise!!

countryjimbo

Definitely interested in this, especially as I live right in the middle of all the locations you suggested

Let me know if you need any help organising.

Monasette

Sounds good.

for anyone in the west (and that can't make the Kildare trip), I usually go out to Portumna Woods in Galway to shoot bluebells in May - anyone else interested in making a trip of it. It won't clash - the bluebells seem to appear later in the west (like the humans in Galway, they're not good at getting up early)

BR,
John

nilhg

countryjimbo wrote: »

Definitely interested in this, especially as I live right in the middle of all the locations you suggested

Let me know if you need any help organising.

Cheers Jim.

Monasette wrote: »

Sounds good.

for anyone in the west (and that can't make the Kildare trip), I usually go out to Portumna Woods in Galway to shoot bluebells in May - anyone else interested in making a trip of it. It won't clash - the bluebells seem to appear later in the west (like the humans in Galway, they're not good at getting up early)

BR,
John

I just had a quick look, last year I took my bluebell shots on 22th and 29th of April, in 2006 it was 11th and 15th of May, so really your guess is as good as mine, its been a mild year so far though.

From my experience the night life tends to be better in Galway, I never can get up too early when I'm there.;)

nilhg

OK, just a quick update, I took a quick walk down the woods this morning and there are already some bluebells showing themselves off but the main peak is still several weeks off, either the week before the bank holiday or the holiday weekend itself, all subject to the weather in the next few weeks of course.
I'll keep an eye on progress and keep ye all up to date, I'm not going anywhere over the next couple of weeks so whatever date suits folks will suit me.

A couple from this morning to whet your appetite

trishw78

I was in JFK Arboretum a couple of weeks ago there was alot of growth under the trees they're lovely pictures. I can't wait get out there and take some shots

elven

Keep us posted!

nilhg

I took a walk down the woods yesterday evening, things have hardly moved on at all, its looking like the bank holiday weekend or the following weekend, if that would suit folks that are still interested.

Its been a late spring so far, the swallows that nest in our farmyard only arrived yesterday, eight days later than has been normal over the last five or six years.

bovril

Yep still on for this alright. They're all out in the botanic gardens, saw them on Sunday just gone.

GristlyEnd

Bank Holiday weekend does not suit me so if you do meet up then, I may go down the following weekend.

trishw78

The Bank Holiday weekend doesn't suit me either unfortunately

nilhg

I'm not going anywhere, the date is up to the folks who want to come, though it would be a pity if the show was past its best, still should be OK on the 10th/11th.

Cabaal

nilhg wrote: »

Its been a late spring so far, the swallows that nest in our farmyard only arrived yesterday, eight days later than has been normal over the last five or six years.

Keeping a log eh?

trishw78

10/11th is perfect for me

nilhg

Cabaal wrote: »

Keeping a log eh?

Tis in my general interest to keep an eye on these things.:D

countryjimbo

Could this be "sticky'd" as the next meet?

whyulittle

Should it not be moved to the new expeditions sub-forum?

Fajitas!

Going to swing this across into our new sub-forum

nilhg

OK, can I take it that this is going ahead on the 10th or 11th?
I was down the woods a few days ago and think that things should still be OK then.

Would folks that are coming like just spend a hour or two in the woods or like to make a (half) day of it? There are a few places to go round about if folks want.

Dink

Think I'll make this, nothing on for that weekend! I rather do the half day, get to see some more of the country!! Haven't been down that way in a while!

bovril

Yes I am around the 10th and 11th, will have to see can I grab a lift with someone though.

trishw78

I'd say a half day and move on someplace else I haven't been to that part of the country in while.

Closer the time can you give directions I'll be coming from the Waterford area

nilhg

A update folks, I had some stuff to do monday evening in Monasterevin so I took the opportunity to have a stroll around Moore Abbey wood, on the southern side of the hill things were considerably more advanced than in Kilanthomas, possibly getting near their peak.





I'll get out to Kilanthomas to have a look this evening or in the morning to see how things are going, and update then.

If you really want to get some of these sort of shots please don't depend on this meetup, have a look in your local area as well, things can change quite quickly

I'll post up directions to Moore Abbey and Kilanthomas later.

bovril

nilhg wrote: »

I'll post up directions to Moore Abbey and Kilanthomas later.

Thanks a mill, I might try and head out somewhere like here this weekend too. I'd still be on for the following weekend too.

nilhg

Moore Abbey is on the Monasterevin to Athy road just out side Monasterevin town, on the linked map its just before the road crosses the motorway.

Once you are in the wood follow the path up the hill, the bluebells are around to the left.


Kilanthomas wood is about 1.5 miles from Rathangan town on the Edenderry road, there is a sign post directing you down a lane not shown on the linked map, (if you reach the Bord Na Mona works you have gone too far), ther is plenty of parking at the end of the lane.

Once you pass the barrier into the wood, take the left path, then the next left turn. You will then come to a sign "Bluebell Way" with an arrow to the right, there are some bluebells down there but the best show is the opposite side down a narrow path through the trees, follow that for 100 m or so.

At the moment the best show is in Moore Abbey but hopefully by our meeting Kilanthomas will be in full bloom, and the wild garlic as well.

whyulittle

Just wondering is there any schedule for this? Just the woods or going onto the other attractions after?

nilhg

whyulittle wrote: »

Just wondering is there any schedule for this? Just the woods or going onto the other attractions after?

It wiil be totally up to the folks who come, the consensus above seems to be for a half day, but we can do whatever suits on the day, hopefully the weather will play its part.

Have you anything in particular in mind?

whyulittle

I don't. I'm just going to be down in Newbridge for a match on Friday night, so if there were a few things on on the Saturday, I'd probably stay over.

nilhg

It looks at this stage as if Sunday will suit me better than Saturday, I would be OK for the morning but would have to run at some stage sat afternoon.

At this stage maybe folks thinking of travelling could post again here, and we will arrange a start time and somewhere to meet.

bovril

I was down there weekend just gone and I'll be down again this weekend. Either day suits me.

elven

Sunday's better for me... lift going from southside too in that case...

GristlyEnd

The weather is looking much better for Sunday so I'm going to head down then.

Supercell

I live beside Glendalough and can confirm its Bluebell season here too, realy exploding out last few days, very very nice to see.
This doesnt last for long so grab yer camera's and get snapping

elven

gah, double booked - i take it back

Calina

Is there anywhere worth a look in the Dublin region? Only I have to stay in the Dublin area for work reasons this weekend.

nilhg

Calina wrote: »

Is there anywhere worth a look in the Dublin region? Only I have to stay in the Dublin area for work reasons this weekend.

Define dublin region? I thought that it streched to Mullingar and Portlaoise, or has that died with the Tiger?;)

We're about 35/40 minutes from the Red Cow in normal traffic, if thats any good to you.

Calina

Not really. Am northside based.

oh well...

such is life right now I guess.

nilhg

Ok, its time we tied this down, I'm going to say we aim for mid morning on Sunday, I have no problem with going later than this but, if the weather is good (and the forecast is), there's likley to be loads of other folks about.

Is meeting in Rathangan at 10.30 to be in the woods setting up by 11.00 too early for folks travelling?

Anybody thinking of coming should PM me and I will reply back with my mobile number.

I'll stick directions up later for anyone not sure of where they're going.

countryjimbo

As much as I've been looking forward to this I won't be able to make it. I have to go to Mayo to visit my mum who's in hospital.

Next time, next time .......

whyulittle

Back home, won't be at this.

nilhg

countryjimbo wrote: »

As much as I've been looking forward to this I won't be able to make it. I have to go to Mayo to visit my mum who's in hospital.

Next time, next time .......

OK, your folks have to come first.

whyulittle wrote: »

Back home, won't be at this.

No problem.

Bella_Blue_Star

Hi,
I've just joined Boards - and would love to come on the photo expedition tomorrow. The bluebell pics are great. Are you open to newcomers???