Page 1 of 2
Possible new observing site in Clare
Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2011 6:59 pm
by Frank Ryan
I got an email from someone in Lisdoon
about this place...
Hi Frank,
We have never met, but I have seen on the Shannonside Astronomy Club website that you are interested in finding dark sky places to set up telescopes. I wonder if you have ever tried Gragan’s Wood Picnic Area.
The picnic area is located about 4 miles north of the mini-roundabout in Lisdoonvarna on N67, about 2 miles before Corkscrew Hill. It is a public area that is open 24 hours a day and is out of the way of headlights from the nearby road. It is on high ground with a good view of the sky in all directions but northwest.
There’s a small brown and white “Picnic Area” sign on the opposite side of the road and a wooden sign marking the area itself. Follow the gravel road up to the right for a hundred feet or so to where it opens up into a circular graveled parking area large enough, I’d guess, to comfortably park a half dozen cars and set up as many telescopes. There is also a picnic table and a few benches.
I hope this information is useful to you
I scanned along on Google Earth and found it...
It has big potential!
Good skys except for NW - Grand!
It's sheltered and elevated and off the road...
looks like a gem.
Recon is required!
http://maps.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=53.0 ... 9&t=h&z=17
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 3:13 am
by Frank Ryan
I'm going to check this site out on Sunday.
I'll video it and take pics.
Fingers x'd its a good one.
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 12:06 pm
by Dave Lillis
fab stuff, when are you going, is there room for me to tag along ?
and I promise not to disagree with anything yo say
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 1:29 pm
by Frank Ryan
Wheres the fun in that!?
I'll see what Ter is up to tomirrow this evening,...
Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2011 8:01 pm
by Dave Lillis
or, if you had planned that the 3 of you are going out for the day and passing that place, I can drive out and follow you to the site, I wont be on my own anyway.
Anyone else want to tag along, just say so here as I can 3 more in the car.
Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2011 10:02 pm
by Frank Ryan
We went to Lahinch & I forgot about it Till the way
home. I looks great!!
I'll post up a vid & pics on the sac fb page.
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:05 am
by Dave Lillis
was there much wind ??
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:19 am
by Frank Ryan
Not yesterday even though there was some at thebeach.
Its somewhat sheltered from the N & W side. Open across the East & a bit to the South.
We get more Westerly & Northern wind in Ireland so it looks promisimg.
Was looking at Google earth,
jeez its far up. Almost in Galway!
But thats to the North,
Its forest & bog due south with no towns for miles.
Lisdoon is to the west and corofin to the NE.
Its gotta be DARK there!
Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:48 am
by Dave Lillis
had a look at it in google maps, man, how the hell did you find that place, ? did you spend a few hours on google maps checking out every road in the area ??
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 4:39 am
by Frank Ryan
I found it in less than a minute id say!
He gave me directions as if you were driving.
I started in lisdoon in street view and just
flew up along the road, there about a mile or two from corkscrew hill was the brown sign for picnic area and bingo.
All hail google street view!
Sunday night is gonna be clear if your interested in taking a look?
Posted: Sat Jun 25, 2011 10:56 pm
by Dave Lillis
hmm, sounds like a plan.
Posted: Sun Jun 26, 2011 6:09 pm
by Frank Ryan
its lookin bad for tonight!?
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 12:47 am
by Dave Lillis
yip,
I still brought out the scope to the back garden, rebalanced it by adding 4kgs to the back, added a mirror thermometer, gave the entire thing a once over, its ready for a good clear night now, whenever that comes along....
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 12:33 pm
by Frank Ryan
Cool. It cleared up for a while alright but shur mid summer whats the point!
Posted: Mon Jun 27, 2011 9:41 pm
by Dave Lillis
its clear again tonight, but I just cant do a long night in midweek
