Duncannon Fort Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Bootle: I'm unlikely to get a chance to look at replacing this in the short term. It sounds like the hiding place has gone anyway. I'll might try to replace at some future date.

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Hidden : 4/19/2007
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

An impressive fort in a pleasant coastal village in County Wexford


Duncannon Fort is a star shaped fort built at a strategically important promontory in Waterford Harbour. It was built in 1588 in the expectation of an attack on the area by the Spanish Armada. There had previously been a Celtic fort and a Norman castle on the site. The fort is noted for its dry moat, exterior walls and the legend of the croppy boy.

The Village owes its existence to the Fort itself, with the first settlements reputedly being in the third century A.D. By the 1870s Duncannon had developed into a entre of great commerce. This progress helped with introduction of a steamer service to New Ross and Waterford. At one stage the village grew to a point where it could boast five churches, three schools, a hospital, five pubs and a cinema. Duncannon is now a beautiful and friendly fishing village bustling with life in the summer and offering a warm welcome to the visitor.

Because of its prominent location the fort has been of strategic importance throughout the centuries. During the British Occupation it was described as "The Second Fort of the realm" and bore the title "The Royal Fort of Duncannon". Since it was built, there have been many notable visitors to the fort, including saint Oliver Plunkett, King James II and William of Orange. The threats of the spanish Armada, Napoleon and Hitler were responsible for the refurbishment and strengthening of the Fort. The Fort remained in the control of the British Government until the War of Independence in 1919. It was set alight by the old IRA in 1922 and lay in ruins until the outbreak of world War II. It was then rebuilt and occupied by the Army. When the garrison was withdrawn at the end of the war, the Army, Navy, Air Corp and F.C.A. continued to use it as a summer camp on a diminishing scale until 1986. In 1993 the department of defence handed the fort to the Wexford County Council. You can walk around the fort and find the cache for free, but guided tours are also available for a small fee.

Blue flag status was also awarded to Duncannon Beach which is where the International Sand Sculpting Festival takes place every year. If you have some spare time take a stroll on this excellent beach. Cinema Buffs might be interested to know that Duncannon Village and Fort was the recent location for the epic remake of the 'Count of Monte Cristo'. If you fancy some food whilst in the village, visit the Squigl pub / restaurant.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

fgvpx lbhe unaq va!

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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