Glendale Lodge

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Glendale Lodge aka "The Cabin"

"The Cabin" is available for hire by SCOUT & GUIDE GROUPS both from our fair isle, and from overseas. However, booking is very heavy, and it is advisable to book well in advance. Fees are EUR8.50 per person per night, with a minimum of EUR300 per weekend. Fees may be subject to change.

Booking Information is available HERE .

Glendale Lodge is the name of the Group's Outdoor Activity Centre, based in the Glencree Valley, Co. Wicklow (Grid. Ref. O 171 164). Built from Rolls Royce packing cases (nothing but the best!), and Yorkshire Copper Pipe cases, "the Cabin" was officially opened on St. Patrick's Day, 17 March, 1965. The site was kindly made available, for a nominal rent, from Mr. John Thompson, a friend and benefactor of the Unit. Following rural electrification in 1968, two-phase electricity was laid on, and piped water was installed in 1984.

Glendale Lodge is situated 6.4km from Enniskerry, the nearest big town and bus location. The nearest railway station is 15.0km distant, in Bray. Dublin Airport is 28km away to the north east.

An opportunity arose in 1990 to purchase the land on which the Cabin was located. At IRP5,000 for just half an acre, it was indeed an expensive acquisition, but at least the purchase provided the Unit with security of tenure, which we had never had before. Subsequent to this purchase, the Cabin was totally refurbished and extended, and now consists of two dormitories, two small bedrooms, showers, flush toilet, and kitchen with water boiler, domestic cooker, fridge, and cooking utensils. Heating is from an open fire. There is accommodation for 24 persons, in a 10-8-4-2 combination. Mr Frank Nugent, former Venture Scout in the Unit, and member of the first successful Irish Everest Expedition, officially opened the extension in October 1995.

Over the years, Glendale Lodge has given us a permanent base for traditional Scout activities. Scouting skills have been taught to hundreds of Scouts. It is an ideal location for Venture Scouts, who use it as a base for hillwalking and cycling exhibitions in the Wicklow mountains, or for Patrol Leader training courses.

The woodland adjacent to the Cabin provides many recreational areas for games, outdoor activities, field studies, and nature study. There are miles of unspoilt walking country, with the famous Wicklow Way (long-distance walk) passing close by. Badgers, foxes, and red deer are regular visitors, and the site adjoins the largest and newest oak glen in the country.