The Ilen Valley gun club, from the parishes of Caheragh and Drimoleague in west Cork was formed in 1969. The club has always been very supportive of conservation. Tree planting and bird release programmes are always of huge importance to the organization. In recent years the club has released partridge. In February 2015 it was decided to build a duck pond. The perfect habitat was formed around it with the setting of game crop and trees which were all purchased through the Cork Federation. This pond and surroundings is on six acres of land adjacent to the Drimoleague walkways. It is set in a unique place which promotes the club and shows what work is in progress with the help of the Cork Federation.
The club also set a goal in 2011 to try and win the Cork federation club of the year award. All the hard work paid off, with the club winning the 2015 Club of the year award. This was a great boost the club. It has energized existing members and encouraged new members. There are still five founding members active in the club.
The club recently received a grant of €1000 towards their ongoing duck pond project.