GC1TDER Ram's Island (Traditional Cache) in Ulster, Ireland created by BountyBoat

This cache has been archived.

Inishanier: Hi,

There has been no response from the cache owner so I'm Archiving this cache.

It may be possible to reactivate this cache. If you wish to do so please contact me via my profile and quote the Geocaching.com ID for the cache so I know which one you are referring to.

Please be aware that reactivation is not guaranteed and will depend on individual circumstances.

Many thanks,

Graham

Inishanier - Volunteer Reviewer for Geocaching.com (Ireland)

GC1TDER ▼

A cache by BountyBoat Message this owner

Hidden : 6/7/2009

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

This Cache is on Ram's Island, the
largest island on Lough Neagh

Ram's Island is located approximately one mile offshore from Lennymore Bay and Sandy Bay on the Eastern Shore of Lough Neagh.

Rams is the largest island on Lough Neagh.

It has been suggested that Rams was formed as a Glacial Esker.

It is nearly one mile long by a quarter of a mile wide at the widest southern end. Notable features of the Island are a round tower (a scheduled ancient monument 58:16, the remains of a Celtic Monastic Settlement about a thousand years old) and the ruins of the O’Neill’s’ nineteenth century summer house.

The Island was last permanently inhabited in the 1920s by the Cardwell family who were caretakers for the O’Neill’s. The remains of Cardwell’s harbour, left dry by the lowering of Lough Neagh, can be seen near the ruins of Cardwell’s little house.

The Island has quite a number of mature deciduous trees including Oak, Ash, Alder, Willow, Birch, Beech, Sycamore, Lime, Horse Chestnut, and unusually Walnut. There are Yew, Snowdrops, Bluebells, Primrose, Lords and Ladies (Jack in the Pulpit), Wild Mint, Wild Garlic, Lesser Celandine, Ferns and a carpet of Daffodils, depending on the season. Fungi such as Scarlet Elf’s Cap and Jelly Ear can also be found. There are also various Mosses and Lichens. Although overgrown, there are remains of a carriageway along the elevated central spine of the island. There are overgrown paths along the entire length of the Island.

Its remote, wilderness and ‘lost in time’ qualities make Ram’s a pleasant and attractive place to visit.

In the last few years Ram's Island has started to undergo a significant transformation at the hands of a group of volunteers. The new jetty at the southern end of the island is particulalry impressive, as are the new paths, steps and hand rails. The photos here show some of the wooden sculptures carved from the tree stumps where they stand.

Getting There
You'll need a boat!
The main jetty is on the southern end of the island. Once on the island, however, the cache is an easy find. Much of the island has thick tree cover, but this spot has been selected as it is in a clearing.
The terrain is listed as a 5, as I followed the guidance on the web site - the 5 comes from the use of a boat. The terrain on the island is no more difficult than most forest parks.

The Cache
It is a small clip-down plastic container with a log and a few swaps. It has room for small trackables.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

ovt svfu haqre

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)