Glen of Imaal

Remote glen in the western Wicklow Mountains, Ireland

The Glen of Imaal ('/ɪ//m//ɑː//l/ or '/iː//m//ɑː//l/; Gleann Uí Mháil) is a remote glen 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 hill walkers who use the glen are 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, and also the place of origin of the eponymous dog breed, the Glen of Imaal Terrier.

The Glen of Imaal is named from the Uí Máil, who dominated the kingship of Leinster in the 7th century. They were ousted by the Uí Dúnlainge from the lowlands of what would be County Kildare, and from that time until the early 13th century were located along the western foothills of the Wicklow mountains. The valley appears to have been a center of their power. By the 14th century, O'Tuathail (O'Toole) (of the Uí Dunlainge) had taken the lordship of the Uí Máil, having in their turn been expelled from south Kildare by Norman incomers. Derrynamuck in the Glen Of Imaal is a cottage dedicated to the memory of Michael Dwyer, a celebrated 1798 leader. It is now known as the Dwyer McAllister cottage, for it was there that a group of Irish rebels led by Michael Dwyer were hiding when they were surrounded by British forces. Samuel McAllister died when he drew enemy fire to allow Dwyer to escape.

Since 1900, much of the Glen of Imaal (5,948 acres) has been used as an army artillery range. Because of this, caution is advised when attempting to use areas within the army range, and notices are posted as to when the army are on field exercises.

On 16 September 1941, the Glen of Imaal was the site of the worst single incident involving loss of life in the history of the Irish Defence Forces. This incident, known as the Glen of Imaal Disaster, occurred during a training exercise involving 27 officers and men from the army's anti aircraft battalion, artillery school, and corps of engineers. Sixteen soldiers were killed when an antitank mine unexpectedly exploded (15 dying immediately and 1 later succumbing to his wounds). Other injured soldiers were rushed to the Curragh military hospital where several received surgery.

In May 1977, five Irish soldiers were killed and three were injured when a mortar detonated unexpectedly during a training exercise.

On 15 April 1979, a fatal accident occurred in the Glen when a group of teenagers engaging in an orienteering activity triggered an explosive which subsequently detonated, killing three and seriously injuring others. The group originated from Lucan. The resultant inquiry found that the explosive was an unexploded shell which had been left in the region by the military during one of their exercises. Bobby Molloy, the Minister for Defence, issued a statement in the chamber expressing his "personal regret" about the incident, and encouraged members of the public to avoid replicating the "tragic occurrences" by avoiding the area entirely to not encounter the shells. The deceased were buried in Esker Cemetery, and are commemorated annually at mass services in Lucan.

The Glen of Imaal firing range is used 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 105mm Light Gun. The range area is also used 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 also take place there, sometimes involving MOWAG Armoured Personnel Carriers and Irish Air Corps helicopters. Exercises in peacekeeping operations are also undertaken in the Glen. Care is advised while driving on local roads due to the presence of heavy military traffic, and there have been some questions on the impacts of military exercises on residents and the safety of other road users in the area. Units using the Glen area are sometimes billeted in the nearby Coolmoney Camp. The Glen of Imaal is accessible to the Curragh Camp in County Kildare by the Dunlavin Old Killcullen Road.

The highest mountain in Wicklow and one of the highest mountains in Ireland, Lugnaquilla, is on the southeastern end of the Glen. Fenton's Pub is one of three common starting points. The Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue Team was formed in 1983, and serves the area in partnership with Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue Team.