According to some scholars Oilean Toraigh means
island of the outlaws or pirates, perhaps a reference to the
mythical tale that it was inhabited by the sea-faring Fomorians.
Their king was Balor of the Evil Eye, also known as Balor of the
Mighty Blows. Balor’s one eye had to be kept covered most of the
time, such was its force for destruction. He was eventually killed
by his grandson Lugh, who represents goodness and light in Irish
mythology, in direct contrast to dark, malign Balor.
In the sixth century Colm Cille came to Tory to
convert the islanders, and while not sweeping away all that went
before, left a legacy stronger than anyone who visited the island
before or since. He came to the island following a vision that told
him to build a monastery there. According to one legend his journey
to Tory was made easy when "God opened the waters of Tory Sound for
him and he walked across to the island". Tory folklore has a
different version: Colm Cille along with Finian and Beaglaoch stood
on top of Cnoc na Naomh (hill of saints) in Magheraroarty and
tossed their croziers into the sea to decide which of them would
convert the island. Colm Cille’s crozier not alone went farthest,
but reaching the island made a small crater on the north east
cliffs.
More recently Tory has been associated with
another remarkable man, the painter Derek Hill [1916-2000],
whose encouragement of the local men who watched him paint on his
trips to Tory led to the creation of the Tory school of painters, a
tradition continued today by people like Patsy Dan Rodgers, the
‘King of Tory’, Anton Meenan, and Michael Finbarr
Rodgers.
Safety First
Please Note; this is a very long
Multi Cache covering around 14km and would not be suitable for
children. The cache
route runs parallel to the sea cliffs on the North Side of the
Island for much of the walk, with 100 meter drop
offs. Please do
not wonder to close to the cliff edges and take extra care on
windy and wet days. None of the of the cache
stages or the cache itself are hidden near the cliff
edges. Proper
walking gear and a packed lunch are recommended. Let someone
know were you are going and what time you expect to be back
at.
Getting to
Tory Island
There are two
ferries that run to the Island leaving from Magheroarty 55 08.788’N
008 10.510’W.
http://www.toryislandferry.com/ToryIsland.htm
The Tory Island
Hotel also run a ferry and the contact details for the hotel are as
follows. Tel: +353 74
9135920 or their website is www.toryislandhotel.com
Time table and
ferry details will also be found on Magheroarty pier. Check with
the ferry company if you intent taking your dog to the island. The
Island is full rabbits and other wild life such as corncrakes and a
lead may be required.
The
Cache
This is a multi
cache requiring you to locate two micro stage caches that will
provide information on the location of the main cache.
I have also
provided a large number of intermediate waypoint to guide you
around the Island.
Your walk begins
as soon as you disembark from the ferry on the islands main
harbour. Find a black
stone sign at 55 15.830’N 00813.602’W in honour to
the swimming achievements of Henry O’Donnell. What date year did Henry complete
the Donegal Coastal Challenge Swim?
Call the Day
A and the
Month B
Next head of the
Lighthouse at 55 16.289’N 008 14.934
On each gate of
the lighthouse are 3 letters (same 3 letters on each gate)
Note the middle
letter.
If A = 1, B=2 and
C = 3 etc, what number does the Middle letter represent?
The number you
find = C
Proceed to Derek
Hills Hut at 55 16.415’N 008 14.242’W this GPS
position should bring you to a T shaped concrete slab on the west
side of the Hut. The
tope of the T faces the lighthouse the bottom a pool of water and
there are some black paint or tar marks on the concrete.
Count the Iron
eyes imbedded in the concrete on this slab call this number
D
From Derek Hills
Hut proceed to Greenport lighthouse keepers landing place
55 16. 260’N 008 14.255’W
Stage one can then
be found at:
55 1A+3.1C5’N 008 1D.BDB’W
At the stage one
location there is a distinctive line of rocks count 6 rocks back
from the cliff edge to find the stage. The location and clue to stage
two is located here.
Please return the cache securely and ensure the top is on
tightly.
Follow these
waypoints to stage two
Rock pile
55 16.072’N 008 13.669’W
Above west Town
55 16.046’N 008 13.135’W
55
15.859’N 008 12.981’W
Stage two, you
will find the location of the final cache here and the clue to help
you find it.
From stage two
proceed to 55 15.748’N 008 12.681’W
55
15.560’N 008 12.503’W
55
15.554’N 008 12.312’W
55 15.
579’N 008 11.952’W
55
15.422’N 008 11.683’W Please close
gate here
Cache is a small
200ml tab lock lunch box containing logbook pencil some small
items. Please replace
the cache carefully when you have found it.
After you have
explored the area and enjoyed the fine views head back to West Town
for some refreshments.
You can reverse this route or follow the main road back into
town. Use the very
first waypoint to guide you back toward the pier.