Slieve Coillte Traditional Cache

This cache has been archived.

Bootle: I am unable to maintain this at present. Thanks to all who visited!

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

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

A cache on a historic hill offering great views.


You can drive to near the summit of this hill, but take note of the closing times for the barrier. The terrain ratings are based on driving as far as possible, but they would obviously increase if you decided to walk to the summit.

Slieve Coillte in 1798

On the top of Slieve Coillte there is a monument that says "The rebels camped on Slieve Coillte from the 7th to the 10th June 1798. Bagenal Harvey resigned his command here. He was succeeded by Fr. Philip Roche. A detachment under the command of Thomas Cloney attacked the gunboats on the River Barrow at Fisherstown." The following is the full story of what happened.

Slieve Coillte was picked because of the excellent view of the other camps in Wexford such as Lacken Hill, Carrigbyrne Hill, Forth Mountain and Oulart Hill. It is about 3 miles from Scoil Mhuire and you can see several counties from its summit such as Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny and Tipperary. It is 888 feet in height.

After the Battle of Ross on June 5th 1798, which the rebels lost, they moved to a camp on Slieve Coillte from Carrigbyrne Hill. The headquarters of the rebels was Ballysop House. Lookouts were posted on top of Sliabh Coillte to watch the River Barrow and the road for the enemy. The rebels camped on Sliabh Coillte,on its side and around Ballysop House. Thomas Cloney was on his way to visit the Sweetmans in Newbawn one night and found his lookouts had "skulked down from the camp at the approach of night". He also took the horse and guns from Miles Doyle of Arnestown as the rebels were short of firepower.

Beauchamp Bagenal Harvey,who was leader of the Southern Army, resigned at Sliabh Coillte. Some say he was disgusted at what happened in a place called Scullabogue which is near to New Ross town. Here, over 100 loyalists,including children, were either burned, shot or piked to death in a shed. It was revenge for the rebel defeat at Ross. Others say Harvey proved to be a poor leader at the Battle of Ross and blamed him for their defeat. Fr.Philip Roche, who was a curate in Poulpeasty, took over as Commander of the rebels on Sliabh Coillte. He often said mass for the rebel army and gave them scapulars. He also gave letters of protection to loyalists so that they wouldn't be killed. The rebels stayed on Sliabh Coillte from 7th to the 10th June.

While camped on Sliabh Coillte, the rebels noticed three English gunboats sailing down the Barrow. This was June 10th. Thomas Cloney from Moneyhore and some rebels attacked the boats. Two got away but they captured the "Louisa" and shot its pilot. They found no guns or ammunition but letters dispatches saying how they had the rebels defeated in every battle. The pilot or midshipman was Robert Heyland, aged 36 years and is buried in St. Mary's cemetery, New Ross. Some rebels read about their own deaths, to their great amusement. After Sliabh Coillte the rebels moved to Lacken Hill to plan a second attack on New Ross.

At the base of Slieve Coillte you will find the entrance to The John F. Kennedy Arboretum. Dedicated to the memory of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, President of the United States from 1960 - 1963, the Arboretum is a plant collection of international standing. It covers 252 hectares (623 acres) on the southern slopes and summit of Slieve Coillte. It contains 4,500 types of trees and shrubs from all temperate regions of the world, planted in botanical sequence. There are 200 forest plots grouped by continent. A Visitor Centre houses exhibitions and audio visual show. there is also a cafe. This arboretum is well worth a visit and is a great way to spend a couple of hours after nabbing the cache.

The cache is in a decontamination box. You *may* get your hands a little stung looking for this cache. My apologies! After finding the cache, walk the short distance to the summit to admire the great views.

source -

Scoil Mhuire National School, Horeswood

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

euf bs genpx; tbefr; ybj

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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