Mullaghmeen - The Lowest Highest Traditional Cache
Mullingar Man: Unable to find the cache after looking around the place for a good while. Seems it has been removed by someone / something.
Mullaghmeen - The Lowest Highest
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(small)
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Mullaghmeen Forest is the largest planted beech forest in Ireland. Along with beech, within its 365 acres of forest, it also has Sitka spruce, Scots pine and noble fir and a very interesting native tree collection.The summit of Mullaghmeen provides magnificent views north across Lough Sheelin and into the neighbouring county Cavan. It is the ‘lowest’ of all the highest county points in Ireland - the highest being Carauntwohill in county Kerry.
Mullaghmeen is an isolated area of forest rising above the farm land of north Westmeath. The barriers to the forest park usually open early morning and are locked at approx 5pm. If you park outside main gate then cache is available at any time. A good pair of walking boots are recommended.
The cache is in a cammo bag, located on a track just off the 'Red Trail', refer to attached map. The cache is at 261m altitude, there is also a cairn located near to the cache location. There is no need to overturn any rocks looking for the cache especially at the site of the cairn.
It is about 1 mile from the carpark to the cache, with the last 5 minutes or so being a steep walk, should be no problem for people with average fitness. When beside the cache, you will be the highest person in county Westmeath!
The underlying Geology is Limestone Rock and in the south eastern corner more of its geology is revealed where one can see turloughs – disappearing lakes that fill and empty with no apparent in or outflow.
The soil is very rich in limestone and in 1936 the Irish Department of Agriculture decided that it would be ideally suited to the planting of deciduous trees. The Department of Agriculture set about planting mainly beech trees resulting in what is now the largest beech plantation in Western Europe.
Mullaghmeen forest translated signifies 'the white summit', which rises to 261m above sea-level, and therefore, is the highest point in county Westmeath.
Come in spring for the best displays of woodland flowers notably bluebells. The area is populated with grey squirrels, jays, badgers, foxes, pheasant, rabbit & hares as well as a large selection of song birds.
There will be times here when you will have the entire 365 acres to yourself as area is isolated!
Original cache contents:- Old Irish 1p, 2p, 5p, 10p, 20p coins, 2 rand coin,
bottle opener, golf ball, little blue car, angel badge, Arthur's Day beer mat.
I will return to add a pencil sharpener!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ng fvqr bs ynetr zbffl ebpx, ybbx ybj.