Glen of Imaal
Encyclopedia
The Glen of Imaal is a remote valley in the western Wicklow Mountains
in Ireland
. It is ringed by the Lugnaquilla
massif and its foothills, including Table mountain
and Keadeen
. Much of the Glen is used by the Irish Army
as an artillery firing range, and the many hill walkers who use the Glen are well advised to observe the times of firing practice and to refrain from picking up strange objects.
The Glen of Imaal is the subject of an eponymously-titled Irish folk song, written by local musician Ian Barrett, whose musical highlight was a 4th place in the 2005 You're A Star
Song Competition
It is also the place of origin of the eponymous dog breed, the Glen of Imaal Terrier
.
in the Glen Of Imaal is a cottage dedicated to the memory of Michael Dwyer
, a celebrated 1798 leader. It is now well known as the Dwyer-McAllister cottage for it was here that a group of Irish rebels led by Michael Dwyer were hiding when they were surrounded by British troops. Samuel McAllister died when he drew enemy fire to allow Dwyer to escape, and thereby prevent further bloodshed as the British troops were killing innocent farmers in nearby cottages to reach Dwyer.
The Glen of Imaal firing range is utilised throughout the year by the Irish Army
as a training area. It is the only range in the country capable of accommodating field artillery such as the 25 Pounder and the 105mm Light Gun. The range area is also extremely suitable for firing anti-tank weapons, mortars and heavy machine guns, as well as the vehicle mounted weapons of the Cavalry Corps. Military training in the area is not limited to the firing of heavy weapons. Tactical exercises regularly take place there, often involving MOWAG
Armoured Personnel Carrier
s and Irish Air Corps
helicopters. Exercises in Peacekeeping
Operations are a regular feature of the military calendar in the Glen. The purpose of these exercises is to prepare soldiers for overseas duty with the UN, by training them for common scenarios encountered on those missions, such as Roadside Bombs, Roadblocks, Hostile Locals, Intelligence Gathering Missions and basic liasing with local populations. The parts of hostile forces and friendly civilians are usually played by units of the Army Reserve
.
Care must be taken while driving on local roads due to the presence of heavy military traffic. Units using the Glen area are normally billeted in the nearby Coolmoney Camp. The Glen of Imaal is easily accessible to the Curragh Camp
in County Kildare
by the Dunlavin-Old Killcullen Road.
, can be accessed in the Glen with Fentons pub a common starting point. It is advisable to remember that Lugnaquilla requires some hill-walking experience to climb, and should not be attempted alone, nor when there is a possibility of dense fog. The Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team was formed in the area in 1983. It continues to serve this area and Co. Wicklow in its entirety in partnership with Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team.
Wicklow Mountains
The Wicklow Mountains form the largest continuous upland area in Ireland. They occupy the whole centre of County Wicklow and stretch outside its borders into Counties Carlow, Wexford and Dublin. Where the mountains extend into County Dublin, they are known locally as the Dublin Mountains...
in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. It is ringed by the Lugnaquilla
Lugnaquilla
Lugnaquilla or Lugnaquillia, historically called Lugnaculliagh is a mountain in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. It is the highest peak of the Wicklow Mountains range, the highest in the province of Leinster, and the 13th highest peak in Ireland and affectionately known as "Lug".Views, on a...
massif and its foothills, including Table mountain
Table Mountain, County Wicklow
Table Mountain is a mountain in Wicklow Mountains in County Wicklow, Ireland. At 701 metres it is the 109th highest mountain in Ireland and the 16th highest in the Wicklow Mountains....
and Keadeen
Keadeen Mountain
Keadeen is a mountain of the Wicklow Mountains located in western County Wicklow located near Donard and Baltinglass, overlooking the Glen of Imaal to the north, Kiltegan to the south and Kilranelagh to the west...
. Much of the Glen is used by the Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
as an artillery firing range, and the many hill walkers who use the Glen are well advised to observe the times of firing practice and to refrain from picking up strange objects.
The Glen of Imaal is the subject of an eponymously-titled Irish folk song, written by local musician Ian Barrett, whose musical highlight was a 4th place in the 2005 You're A Star
You're A Star
You're a Star was a singing contest in Ireland,similar to th X Factor in the United Kingdom and American Idol in the USA created by Screentime ShinAwiL and Radio Telefís Éireann. It was shown weekly on RTÉ One over the winter months of each year...
Song Competition
It is also the place of origin of the eponymous dog breed, the Glen of Imaal Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terrier
The Glen of Imaal Terrier is a breed of dog of the terrier category and one of four Irish terrier breeds. It is sometimes called the Irish Glen of Imaal Terrier or the Wicklow Terrier. It originates in the Glen of Imaal in County Wicklow, Ireland...
.
History
DerrynamuckDonard
Donard is a small village in County Wicklow, Ireland located at the northern end of the Glen of Imaal, in the western part of the Wicklow Mountains....
in the Glen Of Imaal is a cottage dedicated to the memory of Michael Dwyer
Michael Dwyer
Michael Dwyer was a Society of the United Irishmen leader in the 1798 rebellion. He later fought a guerilla campaign against the British Army in the Wicklow Mountains from 1798-1803.-Early life:...
, a celebrated 1798 leader. It is now well known as the Dwyer-McAllister cottage for it was here that a group of Irish rebels led by Michael Dwyer were hiding when they were surrounded by British troops. Samuel McAllister died when he drew enemy fire to allow Dwyer to escape, and thereby prevent further bloodshed as the British troops were killing innocent farmers in nearby cottages to reach Dwyer.
Military firing range
Much of the Glen of Imaal (5,948 acres) has been used as an army artillery range since 1900, and caution is advised when attempting to use areas within the army range. However, notices are regularly posted at key entry points as to when the army are on field exercise.The Glen of Imaal firing range is utilised throughout the year by the Irish Army
Irish Army
The Irish Army, officially named simply the Army is the main branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland. Approximately 8,500 men and women serve in the Irish Army, divided into three infantry Brigades...
as a training area. It is the only range in the country capable of accommodating field artillery such as the 25 Pounder and the 105mm Light Gun. The range area is also extremely suitable for firing anti-tank weapons, mortars and heavy machine guns, as well as the vehicle mounted weapons of the Cavalry Corps. Military training in the area is not limited to the firing of heavy weapons. Tactical exercises regularly take place there, often involving MOWAG
MOWAG
MOWAG is a Swiss company which develops, designs and produces armoured vehicles for military applications in both land-only and amphibious configurations. These vehicles have gross vehicle weights ranging from 9t to 30t. More than 12,000 armoured wheeled vehicles of the type Piranha, Eagle and DURO...
Armoured Personnel Carrier
Armoured personnel carrier
An armoured personnel carrier is an armoured fighting vehicle designed to transport infantry to the battlefield.APCs are usually armed with only a machine gun although variants carry recoilless rifles, anti-tank guided missiles , or mortars...
s and Irish Air Corps
Irish Air Corps
The Air Corps is the air component of the Defence Forces of Ireland providing support to the Army and Naval Service, together with non-military air services such as search and rescue and the Ministerial Air Transport Service...
helicopters. Exercises in Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
Operations are a regular feature of the military calendar in the Glen. The purpose of these exercises is to prepare soldiers for overseas duty with the UN, by training them for common scenarios encountered on those missions, such as Roadside Bombs, Roadblocks, Hostile Locals, Intelligence Gathering Missions and basic liasing with local populations. The parts of hostile forces and friendly civilians are usually played by units of the Army Reserve
Army Reserve
Army Reserve may refer to:*Military Reserve Force*Army Reserve *United States Army Reserve...
.
Care must be taken while driving on local roads due to the presence of heavy military traffic. Units using the Glen area are normally billeted in the nearby Coolmoney Camp. The Glen of Imaal is easily accessible to the Curragh Camp
Curragh Camp
The Curragh Camp is an army base and military college located in The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland. It is the main training centre for the Irish Army.- Brief history of the Curragh's military heritage :...
in County Kildare
County Kildare
County Kildare is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Mid-East Region and is also located in the province of Leinster. It is named after the town of Kildare. Kildare County Council is the local authority for the county...
by the Dunlavin-Old Killcullen Road.
Mountain climbing
The highest mountain in Wicklow and one of the highest mountains in Ireland, LugnaquillaLugnaquilla
Lugnaquilla or Lugnaquillia, historically called Lugnaculliagh is a mountain in County Wicklow, Republic of Ireland. It is the highest peak of the Wicklow Mountains range, the highest in the province of Leinster, and the 13th highest peak in Ireland and affectionately known as "Lug".Views, on a...
, can be accessed in the Glen with Fentons pub a common starting point. It is advisable to remember that Lugnaquilla requires some hill-walking experience to climb, and should not be attempted alone, nor when there is a possibility of dense fog. The Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team was formed in the area in 1983. It continues to serve this area and Co. Wicklow in its entirety in partnership with Dublin-Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team.