I went down to see Zef, who runs the Lough Dan Scout Centre in Wicklow, with the intention of asking for the use of the centre for astronomical use, observing and photography. The man was a pleasure to talk to and was only too eager to allow access to the site.
Lough Dan Scout Centre sits in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains National Park and boasts dark skies. There are a couple of places to set up equipment, in the centre itself, this has a rough car park and nearby field. There is also a field a little way up the road that is accessible and only a single dwelling nearby.
The Scout Centre operates as a dark sky centre, so they are sensitive about lighting, see here:
www.loughdan.com/?page_id=1017
Here is a Google maps image of the site which really shows its suitability as a dark sky site:
www.google.ie/…/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x4867a34f5…
Lough Dan is 5 kilometres from Roundwood in Co Wicklow and well signposted. It is a busy place, but should be no problem for observers and photographers to access, it would be a good opportunity to show cubs and scouts some of the wonders of the night sky. In the winter months the activity eases down.
To book a night you log onto the website:
www.loughdan.com
and book in as a day visitor, there is no charge.
The site is sheltered by trees and the wind will not be too much of a problem.
I look forward to making use of this wonderful location.
  