The Vanished Fort Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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A stroll along the beach at Rosslare peninsula.
The headland, originally known as Rosláir (the middle peninsula),
was actually formed by the drifting currents that moved along a
tortuous sweep of Wexford Bay and grew from a ‘mere sandpit of
accumulated gravel deposits' over many years. It had extended
almost three miles seawards when its strategic importance was
recognised by the Confederates of Kilkenny who, during 1642,
planned to utilise it for a defence fort as a safeguard and
protection of the walled town of Wexford against possible invasion.
Seven sturdy cannons were promptly installed there, each pointing
seaward and a garrison, under the command of Paul Turner was
appointed ‘in charge’.
The fort extended over 750 acres. Speed’s map of Ireland dated 1610
indicates the existence of a lighthouse near the fort. The earliest
recorded mention of the peninsula is found on Boazio’s Map of
Ireland, dated 1599. Nearly 50 houses were built gradually to
accommodate the growing population there. A cluster of 12 houses in
the form of a square was first erected. It had a cobble-stoned
courtyard with a central flagstaff, 70 feet high, and a large
cannon in readiness at its base. This served as the focal point of
the fortification.
A frigate with 12 mounted guns stood firmly moored close by as a
further safety measure. An Observation Post erected on the highest
sand-dune on the peninsula provided panoramic views of the harbour,
so that approaching vessels could be clearly detected and
scrutinised. This was known to the Fort dwellers as ‘The Hill of
Sixty’. It was manned continuously as a secure safety valve. The
second highest sand-dune was identified as ‘The Hill of Bull’. Two
wooden wharves extended into the harbour and were distinguished as
the ‘Pilot’ and the ‘Lifeboat’ jetties. Not far away the rocket
house, village pump and boathouse were located.
As soon as Cromwell arrived in Wexford during the autumn of 1649,
he ordered a well-equipped ‘fleet of twenty sail’ under his
son-in-law Henry Ireton to attack and seize the ‘Fort of Rosslare’.
Fierce storms prevented their approach for more than a week
however. So, in the meantime, he dispatched a large force of horse
and foot soldiers under Lieutenant General Michael Jones to besiege
it by land. It was stoically defended under Captain Sinnott on
October 5th. The small garrison fought heroically until their
supply of ammunition was exhausted. Retreating to the frigate
moored nearby, they made their last stand. Jones’s Dragoons took
possession of the Fort, while Cromwell’s fleet headed unimpeded for
the strongly walled town of Wexford. Jones’s army then promptly
rounded-up the wives and children left behind and forced them to
trudge along to the cavern (long since disappeared) facing the spot
where Lambert’s shop and post office now stand. Despite their pleas
and the heart-rending shrieks they were all massacred without
mercy. For centuries afterwards the dreaded cavern was known
locally as ‘Cromwell’s Murder Hole.’. By all accounts the ravaged
Fort lay idle for many years. Philip Hore in his 1906 ‘History of
Wexford Town’ recorded that in 1654, it was decreed that the Fort
of Rosslare be restored and preserved for the defence of the
Kingdom. It was then utilised for many years as a ‘Marine Revenue
Station’ and Custom House.
In 1800 a commander named Warren was appointed in charge. He was
the first Catholic to hold such office and he promptly established
the first ‘Village Chapel’ there - utilising the upper floor of a
hipped-roofed house at the southern corner of the Square. By 1870
more than half of the Forts dwellings had fallen into disuse and
disrepair. By then the last school teacher, Miss Shanahan, had
moved to Wexford town where she opened a private school in South
Main Street. The old Fort continued to attract the interest and
curiosity of Wexford people from all parts of the county
nevertheless. Many travelled from afar to explore it at weekends -
during the summer and autumn months especially. Some even acquired
the vacant houses as summer homes. A familiar sight at weekends was
to see dozens of ‘Wexford cots’ moored along the wooden jetties
while their owners explored the peninsula or spent their time
fishing.
By a strange quirk of fate the Wexford sea, that had played a
leading role in the formation of the Fort Peninsula during the
earlier centuries was mainly responsible for its ultimate demise.
The laying down of Wexford’s system changed the flow of the
currents that eroded, ultimately, the storied peninsula. The final
blow came during the winter of 1924-25, when gale force winds drove
a tidal wave across the peninsula, severely breaching it in two
vulnerable places. By January 12th 1925, it had been reduced to a
wind-swept ridge. The Lifeboatmen could no longer withstand the
onslaught and were forced to seek the safety of the Wexford
mainland for their wives and children. Pilotmen Peter and Larry
Furlong were the last to leave, settling down near Raven Point.
Only at low tide can the last vestige of the ‘Vanished Fort’ be
seen.
This cache is in a tupperware box. As you may notice, the sand
dunes are currently being protected from erosion. You should not
need to go near the dunes to search for the cache. It may also be a
good idea to bring the spoiler photo. Happy hunting!
Source -
Wexford
Web
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
ebpxf ng onfr bs "pheeragf" fvta