Knockaraura View Traditional Geocache
Skanderbeg: The sheep pinfold has been reconstructed and my cache has disappeared so I am closing it down
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Size: 
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A 0.995km walk through coniferous woodland and heath. It involves a climb of 78M from the parking area to the summit of Knockaraura - a hill 258M above sea level which gives an impressive panoramic view over the town of Mallow and along the Blackwater Valley.
Knockaraura (which means the "Fat Hill" in Irish-probably due to it's elongated shape) is a 258M hill which dominates the landscape just to the south of Mallow Co.Cork. The walk to the cache takes you through coniferous woodland and heathland which is home to Long Eared Owls and Sparrow Hawks. If you are lucky you might also see a stoat crossing your path! The walk can be boggy, so boots are advised!There is a circular walk around the hill if you have time after finding the cache.
The cache is located near the OSI triangulation pillar at the summit.From this location you can enjoy a panoramic view over Mallow and up and down the Blackwater Valley.
Below is the Town of Mallow. Known as "the Crossraods of Munster" because the Killarney to Waterford road crosses the Cork to Limerick Road at this point.Its name in Irish means Maigh Ealla which means "the floodplain of the swans". The town is still known to flood -most recently in January 2008 when the flood reached a 20 year high and flooded the town park, Bridge Street and the Racecourse.
Some of the features to be seen from this location include the green roofed RC Church of the Ascension, the tree lined Cork to Limerick Road,with the Dairygold Factory nearby.The more eagle eyed amongst you will spot the limestone spire of St James C of I church with the ruins of St Ann's to the left - a medieval church with a pre Norman tower which was bombarded during the Williamite Wars in the 1690s and rebuilt, but is now in ruins. Further left amongst the trees is Mallow Castle ruins - a fortified Elizabethan House with 12th C foundations dating back to King John's reign. It was also burnt during the Williamite Wars by retreating Jacobean soldiers.
Looking west towards Kerry, Mount Hilary can be seen with the former sugar factory and Cork Racecourse in the foreground. To the North West can be seen the Ballyhoura Mountains, and if the day is clear the Knockmealdown Mountains can be seen in the east
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Haqre fgbarf oruvaq gur byq furrcsbyq