You should take your time to find the cache and explore this beautiful area on the Ring of Kerry. You can do it in less than 2 hours, but we don’t recommend rushing this one. Parts of the path can be quite overgrown, wet and slippery. We would advise walking boots, long sleeves and pants.
To find this cache, you must first figure out who the title of the cache refers to and find his birth date. Note the date of his birth as Day=A, Month=B and Year=CDEF.
There are at least three options to do this:
1. Internet – this should be quite easy.
2. Visit the museum at the first stage. (But beware of limited opening times.)
3. If you approach this cache via Cahersiveen on the Ring of Kerry, you can visit his birthplace at N51 57.085 W10 12.273. There you will find his bust and some information (including his birth date). While you are in Cahersiveen, you can also visit the grave of his parents at N51 56.813 W10 13.667. The church in Cahersiveen was named in his honour (N51 56.817 W10 13.526). His birthplace was also depicted on the old £20 notes.
He created modern Irish nationalism and served as the most successful champion of democracy in the Europe of his day. His base was Derrynane House, the starting point for this cache.
Part 1. Derrynane House and Gardens
N51 45.747 W10 07.812
The road is signposted from Caherdaniel on the Ring of Kerry. A good place to park is here: N51 45.790 W10 07.722.
[Option: The gardens are well worth exploring. One of our favorite places is here: N51 45.862 W10 07.891]
Part 2. Abbey Island
N51 45.447 W10 08.567
If you are in a hurry, go by car and park here: N51 45.625 W10 08.545.
[Option: If you have more time, start at the house and head for the beach at N51 45.613 W10 07.740 and then along the beach to Abbey Island.]
Find the grave of The Liberator’s wife inside the old abbey. Note the year of her death as Year=GHIJ.
[Option: If the day is nice and the tide not too high, you may want to keep going to the other side of Abbey Island for terrific views of the coastline and islands. First walk along the beach to N51 45.466 W10 08.858, then head towards N51 45.440 W10 09.065.]
Part 3. Mass Path and Cache
The Mass Path starts at N51 45.634 W10 08.555. It was used in former times to go to and from Mass.
Calculate the final cache co-ordinates as:
N51 45.(B+C)(J-F)(D+G) W10 08.(A+I)(H+G)(E-F)
After finding the cache, put away your GPS, retrace your steps on the Mass Path and enjoy the views that you missed on the way out!
The cache initially contains:
-Logbook and Pencil
-CD “The Stolen Child” by Clare Horgan (from Waterville, now living in London)
-Miniature Screwdriver
-Party balloons
-Tissues
-Batteries
-Magic Face Towel
-Fridge Magnet “Rush Hour in Ireland”