3rd Annual Irish Cache Event (2007) - Donegal Event Cache

The 3rd Annual Irish Cache Event (yes we did skip last year) will be held this year (after a slight change of plans!) in Annagry, Co. Donegal. This is a great opportunity for cachers from all over Ireland (and beyond) to meet up for an evening or more of the famous Donegal hospitality.

The Event

The schedule is still to be finalised but a rough draft is below. As details are finalised I will post notes here and also on the GeocachingIreland Forums.

Update: Thursday 24th May

• Friday 1st June
  "Meet and Greet" for weekend visitors @ "Teach Hughie Mhici" (N 55^o 01.309 W 008^o 19010) from 8pm onwards.
   
• Saturday 2nd June
  Part I: Climb of Mt. Errigal. Meet @ Errigal Car Park (N 55^o 01.500 W 008^o 05.389) between 9-9:30am.
  
  The climb will take in the traditional cache at Altan Lough ( GCV0PT) and the multi-cache on Errigal ( GCV0PV) which includes climbing the summits of nearby Breaghy and Mackoght before a final summit of Errigal.
  
  The complete walk is approx. 11.5km over pretty demanding terrain. A decent level of fitness is desirable and adequate walking gear a must. Please do not turn up for this walk without proper walking boots and wet weather gear. Gaiters are also highly recommended as parts of the walk are pretty boggy. This wouldn't be an enjoyable walk for kids unless they are used to this level of walking.
  
  Don't worry about being slow on this walk. It won't be a race and I've allowed 6-8 hours to complete a walk that should take 5-6 on any normal day. Anyway you'll do well to finish behind me!
  
  If anyone doesn't want to tackle the full climb then the walk to Altan Lough is approx 4km each way along a rough but fairly obvious path and can be completed with the rest of the group. There are also a number of "pull-out" options and anyone that decides part the way around that it's not for them can easily be accompanied off the hill.
  
  A zip file of the walk can be downloaded from here containing a gdb and a gpx file depending on your preferred format.
  
  In the event that Donegal weather rears it's ugly head I'm planning an alternative route along Glenveagh Lough to the castle and the cache there ( GC5EF6)
  
  A zip file of this alternative walk is here, also with both formats.
  
  For anyone not wishing to climb at all there is a good selection of caches within easy reach and many more in the planning stages which will be published prior to the Event. For an alternative way to spend the day see the section below on Local Activities.
  
  Part II - Drinks and a meal.
  
  Venue: Caisleáin Óir (N 55^o 01.272 W 008^o 19.526).
  
  Time: We will convene in the bar from 6pm onwards (depending on the length of the walk) with dinner to start at 8pm sharp.
  
  Menu: There is a standard restaurant menu or a set menu as outlined below. There will also be a vegetarian option and a kids' menu.
  
  

  Set Menu (€22.50 per person)

  Starter Soup of The Day Prawn Cocktail

  Main Course Salmon Smokey Chicken Roast Beet

  Selection of Desserts

  Tea/Coffee

  
  If anyone has any special dietary needs please contact me via my profile.
   
• Sunday 3rd June
  
  Farewell. If desired, a second climb of Mt. Errigal can be organised (if I'm not too done in!) for people that couldn't make the Saturday climb or a visit to Glenveagh can be organised if desired, This can be decided on Saturday night/Sunday morning.

Attendance at any portion of the weekend is sufficient to claim attendance at the Event but I hope that most people can stay at least one night.

If you need my mobile number it's in the hint section below. I will have it with me all weekend if you need to find us.

Bear in mind that this is a Bank Holiday weekend which should allow extra time for people wishing to make a weekend break of the Event.

Please contact me or post a note here with details of who intends to attend either the walk or the meal

To keep up to date with any announcements/changes in plans please add this Event to your watchlist. I will post a note when I make changes to the page and I'll also post a note on the GeocachingIreland Forum.

Accommodation

There are a variety of accomodation types in the local area and I'm hoping to negotiate rates with some businesses in particular. However, as it's a Bank Holiday weekend it may not be possible. It should also be a busy weekend so booking well in advance is highly recommended.

The following is a list of accomodation in the area. Those marked * are Bord Failte approved.

• Hotels
  * An Chuirt (Gweedore Court Hotel) [Homepage] (Approx 8km from Annagry), Caisleáin Óir
• B&B
  * Bayview House, * Danny Minnies Pub&Restaurant [Homepage] (May also have self-catering available on request. See homepage for details of The Barn), Limekiln House (Carrickfinn Approx 4.5km from Annagry)
• Caravan/Camping
  Sleepy Hollows (ANWB, ACSI approved for 2007)(May also have B&B on offer)(Approx 4km from Annagry)
• Self-Catering
  * Ardmona (1.6km from Annagry village), * Mc Connalogue's (1.6km from Annagry village)

Accomodation can be booked via DonegalDirect.ie or IrelandNorthWest.ie or direct via the identified homepages.

I have negotiated a rate with Caisleain Oir of €50/night pps B&B based on ten rooms. If you are booking with them then use my name (Niall Harran) as the booking reference.

Getting There

Annagry is located approx 35miles/55km/45mins from either Letterkenny or Ballybofey and 45miles/70km/60mins from Donegal Town.

A handy list of road distances can be found on DonegalDirect.ie at this link.

The AA website has a useful Route Planner that can also be used.

AerArann offer twice daily flights to Dublin and a less frequent service to Glasgow from Donegal Airport at nearby Carrickfinn

Local Activities

• Golf - Cruit Island, Gweedore, Cloughaneely
• Glenveagh National Park
• Dunlewey Lakeside Centre
• Arranmore Island (Arranmore ferry leaves from Burtonport)
• Walking - The Bluestack Way and Bealach na Gaeltachta (Sli na Rossan in particluar)

Visit the Geocaching Ireland discussion forum HERE