This cache is located on Ross Island. Although it is technically correct to call it an island, Ross Island might more properly be called Ross peninsula – the narrow channel which makes it an island is man-made and is believed to have originally been constructed as part of the defensive fortifications for Ross Castle.
The name ‘Governor’s Rock’ apparently refers to one of the governors of Ross Castle, although the precise details of the naming are lost to time. The first person appointed governor appears to have been Richard Hedges in the early 1700’s, however he was the first in a succession of people to hold the post.
George Holmes, writing in “Sketches of Some of the Southern Counties of Ireland” (1797) states that:
“The castle lies close to the water side, beautifully backed by wood, which covers almost the whole of the island; the banks, in most places, are hid by thick and hanging foliage. The castle is now in tolerable repair, having a garrison, with a governor appointed for it, upon the establishment”.
The view from here includes: Mangerton Mountain (with the ‘Devil’s Punch Bowl’ near the summit), Torc Mountain, Eagle’s Nest Mountain, Glena Bay, Shehy Mountain, Purple Mountain, Tomies Mountain, and in the distance, Mount Brandon and the Dingle mountains.
Ross Island is well known for its history of copper mining, and you can visit the former mining area en route to this cache (see additional waypoint). Mining originally took place here during the Bronze Age, and excavations have recovered many stone ‘mauls’ (hammer heads used to crush the ore) dating from this period.
The 18th and 19th centuries saw several separate episodes of mining in the area which met with varying degrees of success. The principal difficulty encountered was the proximity of the lake which led to frequent problems with flooding. One ambitious proposed solution was to completely drain the lake, however fortunately this did not come to pass and Lough Leane is still intact!
If you are lucky you may see White-tailed Eagles soaring around the steep mountain slopes opposite the cache. A re-introduction project has been underway for several years, which involved a number of young eagle chicks being brought in from Norway and released when old enough.
Although some birds have (as hoped) ventured further afield within Ireland, many have remained in this area and there is now a small breeding population in Killarney National Park. Unfortunately several of the birds have also been lost to poisoning on neighbouring farmland however.
The name Lough Leane translates as ‘Lake of Learning’ and originates from the early Christian settlement on Inisfallen Island, which was originally founded in the 7th Century. The monastic settlement became known throughout Europe as a centre for scholarly learning, and the famous Annals of Inisfallen (an important historical chronicle of the time) were compiled there between 994AD and 1319AD.
The settlement was finally abandoned at the close of the 16th century after almost 1000 years of monastic life on the Island, however the ruins of the abbey and oratory remain to this day and can be visited by taking a boat from Ross Castle (see Killarney Lakes Series #5 cache - "Lake of Learning" for more information).
Ross Island is easily accessible from Killarney Town and boasts a network of tracks and paths, some surfaced and some rough.
The most convenient parking spot is at Ross Castle, and you can follow paths from there. It is possible to cycle most of the way to the cache on surfaced tracks.
This cache is suitable for children, however close supervision will be necessary as you approach the cache due to deep water and rocky cliffs.
Please note that after prolonged periods of heavy rain the track to the cache is prone to flooding and the cache may become completely inaccessible without waders!