Skip to content

Old Stile Cache Traditional Cache

Hidden : 7/24/2007
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

Join now to view geocache location details. It's free!

Watch

How Geocaching Works

Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions in our disclaimer.

Geocache Description:

Cache description

The cache is a black "petling" (bottle form). It is hidden in the townland of Killegar, in the vicinity of the ruins of an early Christian church. It is approximately 800 metres from the road along a public right of way.

HORSE WARNING: If you're not comfortable with horses coming over and walking very close to you please consider that this cache may not be for you. For the same reason it may be advisable not to bring small children or dogs on this walk.


Access

Car/Cycle The recommended way to access this cache is from the R117 Dublin-Enniskerry Road. You can park safely at a disused gateway near the Texaco garage.

Public Transport Bus number 44 will bring you to where you need to start walking. Ask to be let off at "Monastery", or ring the bell when you see the Texaco petrol station.

Walking along the road, look carefully at the hedge on the west side and you will see a stone stile, camouflaged with tree branches. (N53°12.154' W6°10.650') Climb over (or step around) this first stile and you are on the old mass path to Killegar Church. It sometimes gets a little overgrown, but perfectly passable.

When you come to the second stile (N53°12.120' W6°10.773'), note the "half-moon" feature that is said to be a typical feature of a mass path. Cross the stile and enter a field. At some times of the year, you will be walking through long grass, at other times there will be meadow flowers. Although you are on a well-established right-of-way, you are now also on private property. Please respect the rights and legitimate concerns of the owner, especially if there are animals in the field, and keep well to the right-hand edge.

At the other end of the field, cross the third stile (N53°12.214' W6°10.990'). At this point you have a view of the surrounding hills. UPDATE Oct 2016: The hedge has grown a lot, so you have to duck into the hedge to get to the third stile.

The fourth stile (N53°12.334' W6°11.006') is in the opposite corner of the field. UPDATE Oct 2016: A new house has been built in this second field since the cache was placed. You will need to walk along the edge of the field to the other end, then go through the gate on your right (close it behind you), up the lane to a second gate (close it behind you) to the fourth stile. When you cross the fourth stile, the cache is nearby.

Killegar Church

Through the iron gate in the wall is the ruin of Killegar Church. If you find the gate is tied shut, please make sure to tie it again when you leave.

The chancel is still standing and the outline of the nave is still visible. Here you will find very ancient Christian artefacts including carved slabs and stones similar to those at Rathmichael, with patterns including cup marks, concentric circles and linear decorations, and an apparently broken cross that has been mounted and labelled as a "tau cross".

It is a peaceful place and the cemetery has continued in occasional use until recently.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre gur shathf ng gur onfr bs gur svefg gerr, frr fcbvyre cubgb

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)