Also known as Cappoquin Forest
Location: 1 km from Cappoquin on the R669 to Clogheen. It is signposted from Affane cross on the Dungarvan Road. It can also be located on map number 81, grid reference X-119 995.
Facilities: Glenshelane has a car park, picnic site and river and forest walks.
Length of Trail: There are three different walks marked out at Glenshelane. These are the Red, Green and Navy walks: The easiest, the Navy Marked Walk travels northward from the car park and returns on the western side of the river. It is about 2km long. The Green Marked Walk follows the same direction to the second footbridge and is for the more energetic walker. It is approximately 3.5km long. The Red Marked Walk again runs northward from the car park and follows the eastern glen, crossing and re-crossing the Glenshelane River until finally turning south along the public road for some distance, until joining up with the Glenshelane River walk through the 'Black Gate' near Lyre Bridge and the scout site. This walk is 10.7km long.
Note! The wearing of suitable footwear (strong walking shoes or boots) and weather proof clothing is advised for walking. It is also advisable to bring a drink and some high energy food on the longer walks.
Habitat: The Glenshelane River flows from North to South through the Main Valley. The Monavugga and Glenafalla Rivers converge and flow through the Western Glen to join with the Glenshelane river just below Glenshelane House. All three continue to flow together and enter the River Blackwater near the Old Railway Bridge at Cappoquin.
Main Tree Species: The Glen was originally covered in oak which was cleared in the first half of the century and subsequently replanted with Conifers such as Norway spruce. As these conifers mature, they are felled and replanted with broadleaf species such as Oak, Ash and Beech. Some small pockets of the original oak also remain scattered throughout the site under which a second storey of holly, hazel and rowan now grows.
Other Flora: The herbage layer is very diverse with a wide variety of herbs, wild flowers, grasses and bramble. In springtime the woodland undergrowth is a carpet of bluebells. Honeysuckle, primroses and foxgloves are among the many scented wild flowers which can also be found here.
Fauna: The following is a list of confirmed mammal inhabitants: pine martin, fallow deer, badgers, fox, otter, red squirrel, woodmouse, long eared bat, pipistrelle bat, hedgehog, Irish stoat, mink, shrew, vale and rat. Bird species run to over 20, the grey heron and grey wagtail are easily spotted near the river.
The Glenshelane River is an important nursery stream for the Blackwater River habitat. Salmon in season can be seen fighting the current, upstream to their spawning area north of the car park. Brown trout, eels, smaller minnows and stone loach also inhabit the river.
History: Glenshelane, means 'glen of the fairies'. Glenshelane House, woods and land were owned by the Keane family. Molly Keane, the well-known novelist, lived in Belville House nearby. The Battle of Affane, a noted battle between two Irish clans was fought between the Earls of Desmond and Ormond in 1565 within a kilometer of the picnic site.
