23 A Walk in the Garden-Croaghanmoira Mountain Multi-Cache
Hidden : 3/6/2010
Difficulty:
3 out of 5
Terrain:
3 out of 5

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:


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To wash and rinse our souls of their age-old sorrows,
We drained a hundred jugs of wine.
A splendid night it was . . . .
In the clear moonlight we were loath to go to bed,
But at last drunkenness overtook us;
And we laid ourselves down on the empty mountain,
The earth for pillow, and the great heaven for coverlet.
(Li Po)




This is another pleasant hike in the Walk in the Garden series. The total distance is about 9K with a total ascent of approx 600m. It can be done as a straight forward multi to the cache and back the same way (which is shorter and with less ascent) but I have included a circuit in the map above for those that like to make a nice hike of it. Bear in mind that the circuit walk includes quite a steep climb near the end of the hike.
I have provided coordinates for car parking on the main road up from Drumgoff. You will see the barrier at the entrance to the mountain area and the route up to Stage 1.

Stage 1
At N52 56.335 W006 21.130 at the second last post on the left before you turn right for Stage 2, at about eye level, you will find the first of the last three numbers of the final coordinates. Call these ABC as you see them.

From there you have a straight forward hike of nearly 2K to stage 2.

Stage 2
At N52 55.624 W006 22.357 you will find a lonely sentinel and the last three numbers of the second part of the final coordinates. Call these DEF as you see them.

The final coordinates are then N52 55.ABC W006 21.DEF

The mountain path continues and will take you to an open gate or gap at N52 55.371 W006 22.445. You pass through the gap and continue on up to the summit of Croaghanmoira Mountain using the path or, if you prefer, more directly through the heather. After retrieving the cache you can return to the car park many ways. I preferred to continue north easterly on the track as indicated on the map and then down to the valley and directly across to stage 1 and back down to the car park. As mentioned above, there is quite a haul back up from the valley floor to stage 1 and this comes near the end of the hike but it is a lovely walk and if you have a clear view from the summit of Croghanmoira you will be able to see your complete route back across the valley.

From Mountain Views:
Croaghanmoira Mountain Wicklow County
Cruachán Mhaigh Rath A name in Irish
(prob. Ir. Cruachán Mhaigh Rath [PDT], 'little stack of Moira') Height: 664 metres OS 1/50k Mapsheet: 62 for top Grid Ref: T09921 86505 Latitude: 52.918465 Longitude: -6.366578 ITM: 709846 686541
Prominence: 209m Isolation: 1.8km Rating graphic. Also called the Mottie. The second element in Croaghanmoira is most likely from the title of the Earl of Moira who had lands in the vicinity of Greenan. Papers of the Kemmis family record that Thomas Kemmis purchased lands in the area around Greenan in 1805 from the Right Honourable Francis Rawdon Hastings, Earl of Moira. Croaghanmoira stands above Greenan and would clearly have been part of this estate. It would thus be the Cruachán on the Earl of Moira's land, prior to the sale of the land in 1805, in contrast to Croghan Kinsella, which lies about 10 miles to the S.
Croaghanmoira is the 168th highest summit in Ireland.

Do not start the trek without all the proper mountain rain gear, waterproof boots and the guidance material, compass, map, GPSr with mapping etc. Please note that all parts of this cache are hiked at your own risk. The cache owner takes no responsibility of any sort for any reason including accidents or mishaps.


Please be aware that cars parked in areas close to walking trails are vulnerable and they can be vandalised or stolen. Unfortunately this is an ongoing problem which is extremely difficult to solve. so there is a risk involved. I have heard recently that many hiker groups are parking at the nearest population centres and getting taxis to and from the start points at very little expense.

Please observe the country code to the best of your ability. Local landowners often generously allow access to upland areas across or through parts of their private property. Please, please be conscious of this and return the courtesy by keeping all gates closed, immediately and not on your way back!. Please use the gates where appropriate but if you have to climb over them then use the hinged side ONLY.
Please do not cause any damage of any sort to fences or barriers along the way.

Additional Hints (No hints available.)



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