Many people consider swastika an inglorious symbol of fascism and nazism. But this symbol is much older than 2nd World War and its meaning stands just in opposition to Hitler's ideology. In many cultures and religions on all continents (excluding Australia) it is the symbol of the good, happiness, brightness, life and the sun. In sanskrit „svastika” means „directing to luck". The oldest known swastika is 12,000 years old! Swastika was most popular in Europe and Asia, first as a religious symbol, and later as an ornamental sign. It is still a religious symbol in hinduism, buddism and many ethnic religions; you can also find it in celtic and old christian art.
Detail from ancient Irish grave slab
Some mystics say, you can't using swastika against other people, so when Hitler did that, his defeat was unavoidable.
The most famous swastika in Dublin was in the logo of a company „Swastika Laundry", established in 1912, and located on Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge. They used electric vans for delivery. This company existed until 1960s (still with swastika in logo!), when it was bought by another laundry company, and logo was changed.
Swastika Laundry van
Today you can find some swastikas in architecture of Dublin if you are looking carefully. Most popular is the swastika pattern copied from original ancient Greek ornament.
Swastika pattern
After this short lesson there is time for finding the cache. But first you need to visit some places with swastikas and take a note of some information.
1. First stage is close to the Dublin Spire, at coordinates N 53° 21.002 W 006° 15.557. There is a nice pub with a mosaic in the front. On both sides of the door you can see vertical patterns composed of golden swastikas. Above the name of this pub you would see two words. Sum up all letters in the two words and call it A.
2. Now you can go to N 53° 20.922 W 006° 15.572. Above the windows at 1st floor you can see a horizontal pattern of swastikas. What is the number of the building? It is a red, two digit number, call it BC.
3. Not far from there, at coordinates N 53° 20.888 W 006° 15.555 there is a building, where a bank is located. Above the main door there is an arch where you can see a swastika pattern. High, on the front this building, there is a large name of a previous bank in this building. There are four words in that name. Count the number of letters in 2nd word in that name and call it D. Attention, that name is different than the name of the bank which is there now!
4. Next place is another bank building. Stay at coordinates N 53° 20.672 W 006° 15.618 and look up. You would see patterns of swastikas on the ceiling. How many parallel patterns can you see on this part (left wing) of the ceiling? Call it E. To check, subtract 5 from the number of swastikas in one pattern.
5. Now, at coordinates N 53° 20.605 W 006° 15.609 you can find a grey building with small swastikas on the top of the pillars in the front. Above you should see a date. Call the last two digits FG.
6. This is your last step before you find the cache. Go to coordinates N 53° 20.280 W 006° 15.502 and look up. What can you see? The sun of course! But not the real one – on the ceiling there is a painted sun, and around it there are solar symbols. One of those is swastika. How many solar symbols (include swastika) can you see? Call it H.
7. The final cache is at coordinates:
N 53 FG.EHA W 006 BC.DFG
The cache is a big tupperware box with some goodies and FTF prize. High buildings at the preliminary stages and tree cover at the final location make this cache harder to find. Stage no. 6 and the final spot are located in areas which are closed in the evening.
Closing times:
Dec-Jan: 4.30 PM
Feb: 5 PM
March: 6 PM, 7 PM
April: 8 PM
May: 9 PM
June-July: 9.30 PM
Aug: 9 PM
Sept: 8 PM
Oct: 7 PM, 6 PM
Nov: 5 PM
Please replace the cache carefully and EXACTLY as you have found it!
This cache will be maintained by Spark_ie
